Page 24 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

“That’s right. Well, a long time ago, he did something to me that changed the course of my life, and yours, and other people’s, too. But I never knew the full extent of what he’d done until last night.”

“Does this have to do with that Seeley dude?”

“Yes.” She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “It has to do with all of us, and with your father.” It felt strange calling Josh his father after last night, but nothing about this conversation felt normal.

His brows slanted. “What is it?”

“It’s a little complicated. I dated your father when I was your age. We were great friends and we dated for a long time, but I broke up with him right before I interned at Redemption Ranch the summer before my senior year, where I met Seeley. His family, the Whiskeys, own the ranch. They rescue horses and help people who need a fresh start. Seeley was nineteen, and I was sixteen.” She swallowed hard. “And we fell madly in love.”

“I knew there was more to that story,” he hissed.

“I told you he was important to me. My father found out about us, and he was furious. He took me away from the ranch and forbade me from seeing Seeley. He threatened to ruin him and his family and close down the ranch if Seeley ever came near me again.”

He sat forward. “Did Seeley take advantage of you or something? Because if he did—”

“No,” she said adamantly, shutting that thought down. “He’s not like that. He always treated me well, and I know you didn’t have a great first impression of him, but there’s a good reason he was upset with me. Your grandfather didn’t like that he was from a blue-collar biker family and not a prominent family like your father’s.”

“What a dick.”

“Yes, he was. I was devastated, and I found out a few weeks later that I was pregnant.” She leaned forward and put her hand on his leg, trying not to let the tears that threatened fall. “Honey, Seeley Whiskey is your biological father.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” He pushed to his feet. “No. I know my father, and that asshole is not him.”

“Lucas.” She got up, reaching for him, but he stalked away. “I know this is hard to hear, but Seeley is your biological father, and he’s not an asshole. He didn’t even know you were his child until yesterday. We were both lied to.”

“Have you known all this time that I was his?”

“Yes, but—”

“You’ve been lying to me forever?” he shouted, tears spilling from his eyes. “Did Dad know?”

“Yes, he knew, and he loved you as his own from day one. We were trying to protect you.”

“Protect me by lying to me? What else are you lying about? Are you even my real mother?”

“How can you ask me that? Of course I’m your mother. Please let me explain. It wasn’t my fault. My father deceived all of us—”

“I don’t care what Grandpa did. You lied to me! I can’t even believe this.” He grabbed his head with both hands, keeling over like he was in pain.

She dragged air into her lungs, feeling his pain as her own. “Honey, you have to understand. I got a letter that your grandfather must have either written or had someone else write, but I thought it was from Seeley, telling me that Seeley wanted nothing to do with us, and—”

“And you decided it was better to lie to me? This is messed up. You had years to tell me the truth.” He stormed out of the kitchen to the front door and threw it open.

“Lucas John, do not walk out on me. I am still your mother.”

He turned with one foot out the door, the hatred in his eyes slaying her. “Are you? I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

Her tears sprang free. “Lucas, please. There’s so much more you need to know. Just let me explain.”

“I’ve heard enough,” he snapped. “I’ll be in the barn.”

“Lucas!” Her heart shattered. She ran out the door, but he was already halfway to the barn.

“Leave me alone!” he shouted, and sprinted through the barn doors.

Her sobs broke free, and she crumpled to the porch, crying for her son’s heartache and for the way this would change their relationship. She cried for the teenage girl who had been deceived and for the young man who had loved her and lost them both.

She cried until she had no more tears left.