Love on the Lake (Lakeside 2)

“That boy looks like him, Dillion. Exactly like him. Same mouth, same nose.”

“I honestly don’t know what to think, Teagan. I’ve known Aaron my entire life, but I spent the better part of a decade living in the city, so there are a handful of years where we didn’t see much of each other. I’d like to think I’d know if he had a kid, though.”

“And I’d like to think the same, but if it’s not that, then why wouldn’t he tell me he had friends or family coming to visit? The only reason to omit something like that is because he’s got something to hide. And maybe that something is a someone. What if he has an entire family I don’t know about?”

Dillion rubs her temple. “I just can’t see it, Teag. I guess it’s possible, but he’s so loyal. I don’t know. In some ways it would explain him coming back when he did. Maybe him and the mother aren’t involved anymore? Do you want me to ask Tawny or Allie if they know anything?”

“No. I don’t want to start gossip.”

“That’s fair.” Dillion raps her nails on the counter. “Then I think the only thing you can do is confront him and hope he has a good explanation.”

I don’t attempt to contact Aaron for the rest of the weekend. Instead, I focus on putting together design plans for the newest Footprint Construction renovation project and work on the farmers’ market, since a number of things need my attention. I have emails with questions from the twenty-five vendors that have signed up. There are a lot of balls in the air, more than I thought there would be. But I want this to be a success, need it to be, so I keep juggling them.

On Sunday night I go to bed, promising myself I’m not going to reach out to Aaron first. After a fitful night’s sleep, I realize that I can’t physically consume enough coffee or energy drinks to stay alert, so I grab an old bottle of caffeine pills from the medicine cabinet and toss them into my purse. It’s been a while since I’ve had to resort to caffeine in pill form, but I need to get through my shift at the diner without falling asleep.

I’d like to say I’m surprised that I don’t hear from Aaron, but based on his monthly disappearances and the way he takes a few days before he reaches out, I’m not.

By Tuesday evening I’m exhausted from the constant anxiety and lack of sleep, and I’m tired of waiting. It’s become clear that Aaron is dodging me, especially since Tuesdays are my Footprint Construction consulting days and he’s nowhere to be found. He calls and says he has to take care of things on another project and doesn’t bother to stop by the office at the end of the day.

So instead of going home after work, I drive to Aaron’s house because I can’t take it anymore. I also need my wallet back. All I have is my credit card saved on my phone, and most of the stores here don’t have that kind of payment option like they do in the city.

Aaron’s truck is parked in the driveway, so I pull in behind it and cut the engine. I take a few deep breaths. My fingers and toes started going numb the second I made the decision to finally confront him, but it doesn’t dissuade me. I took my antianxiety medication like I’m supposed to when that happens and came here anyway.

It takes a minute for him to answer after I knock. He’s shirtless, wearing a pair of freaking gray sweatpants, hair wet, as though he just came from the shower.

“Hey. I was gonna call you.” He smiles, but it looks like a lie.

He also looks tired. Like he didn’t get a whole lot of sleep this weekend.

I huff a laugh and cross my arms. “I call bullshit.”

Aaron’s brow furrows, and his tired, stormy eyes flicker with a hint of panic. “What?”

“Who was here this weekend, Aaron?”

“I don’t know—”

I hold up a hand. There’s only one logical explanation for what I saw on Friday. Only one reason for him to leave once a month and keep it a secret from me and everyone else. “Stop lying to me. Why wouldn’t you tell me you have a son?”

CHAPTER 17

THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER

Aaron

I’ve fucked up again.

It’s something I’m good at, apparently. And I keep doing it with Teagan.

“There’s no point in denying it, Aaron. I saw you with him on Friday, and before you accuse me of snooping, I left my wallet here on Thursday night, and I wanted to stop by and grab it before you left for the weekend. Imagine my surprise when I see an SUV in the driveway.”