Seth ignored Hudson’s snide delivery and gaped.
His son.
In an instant, everything he knew about his life crumbled. The room slanted, spun, turning his whole world upside down.
Fuck me.
He glanced at Heavenly, who looked pensive.
Then he darted a stare at Beck, who nodded. “He’s yours.”
No shit.
When? Who? How? A strobe of reckless teenage memories crashed through his brain. But Seth had done more partying and fucking around than he could remember, especially in this shocked moment.
“Who…who is your mother?” he managed to croak out.
“How many girls were you banging at fifteen?”
More than he should have been. “Answer me.”
“Laura Clarke.”
Seth felt the color drain from his face as memories of Laura dive-bombed his brain.
He’d never forgotten the stunning girl he’d worked with in the Catskills the summer he’d turned fifteen. She’d been nothing like the prepubescent girls who’d gone to his school. Laura had been a woman…lush breasts, curvy hips, pert ass, and a bawdy sense of humor. He remembered the daring twinkle in her blue eyes, her throaty laughter, her shameless flirting, and the intense thunderstorm the fateful night they’d shared shelter—and passion.
The walls of the past closed in around him. Seth began to sweat.
“Jesus, you don’t even remember her,” Hudson accused.
“I do. You’re…sixteen, right?”
“As of April twentieth.” Hudson pinned Seth with a long stare before he snorted. “Fuck. It’s all over your face. You had no idea I existed, did you?”
“None. If I had, I would have been in your life from day one.”
Hudson huffed. “Right… What kind of dad would you have been at fifteen?”
“Maybe shitty, but I wouldn’t have been absent.” Jesus christ, he couldn’t believe he was talking to his son. “So…where’s your mom? Is she okay? Does she know you’re here?”
“Yeah. When I flew out yesterday?—”
“From Connecticut,” Beck broke in. “Without parental knowledge or consent.”
“Seriously?” Seth exploded.
“I’m fine. He made me call.” Hudson pointed to Beck. “Mom knows I’m safe. She talked to Heavenly, too. It’s cool.”
Seth stared at this angry, hurting boy who’d jetted alone across the country to find him. “Why did you come?”
“To meet my sperm donor. Why else?”
Seth heard his pain under the snark. The kid felt neglected, abandoned. Of course he was pissed. And Seth had a mountain of questions, but those were for Laura. Later.
“You want to know your father,” Seth shot back, voice far steadier than he felt.
“No, I just came to tell you what I think of you.”
