I stare at him, waiting.
“Is it true, Mom?”
I flash a small smile, taking his little hand in mine. “Yes, sweetie. You and Anthony share the same father.”
He’s silent for a moment and furrows his brows as he tries to figure out how that can be.
“But we have different moms?”
“Correct. So you’re half brothers,” I explain.
“How come we don’t have the same last names then?” he ponders.
“Well, that’s because Anthony’s mom decided to give him her last name, and we gave you Daddy’s. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t related. It just means you have different last names.”
“Was Daddy married to Anthony’s mom too?”
Oof. I contemplate how to answer without making Gabe sound like the piece of shit he was for cheating on me.
“No, honey. He was only married to me. He and Anthony’s mom got together before I was pregnant with you,” I say, hating that I’m not telling him the whole truth, but he’s too young to understand an affair or cheating. Even though Gabe doesn’t deserve my kindness, I don’t want to taint Owen’s thoughts about him. Someday, he’ll realize it, but he doesn’t need to know now.
“Oh okay,” he says. “So we share the same dad but not the same mom.”
“Correct.” I smile.
“Does that mean Anthony has to come live here with us since his mom is gone?”
“No, he’ll live with Mimi and Pawpaw.”
“But my friends all live with their siblings,” he states, though I know it’s an exaggeration. Some are blended families and share custody between the parents.
“Every family is different and unique, honey. It’s okay that you don’t live with Anthony because he gets to be with his grandparents now, and you’ll get to see him at school and anytime you’re over there.”
“That’s true. It’s kinda cool saying I have a brother.” He grins. “And soon, I’ll have two more.”
My smile grows wider. “That’s right. Two little baby brothers who are going to adore you and look up to you.”
“Well, that’s because I’m taller.”
I laugh and pull him in for a hug. “I hope you realize how much I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”
“I know, Mom. I love you too.”
“There have been a lot of changes this year, and it hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of the young man you’re becoming,” I tell him honestly, hardly believing he’ll be eleven soon. “I wasn’t prepared for you to grow up so fast.”
He giggles and rolls his eyes. “I’m almost taller than you.”
“Ugh,” I groan with a laugh. “Don’t remind me.”
Noah pops his head in and grins. “You guys ready to go?”
“Yep. Everleigh will probably be late, which means I can’t be.” I snort.
The three of us pack into the car, and after we drop off Owen, Noah drives me to the town hall.
“Owen knows about Anthony,” I say once we’re alone. “That’s what we were talking about in his room.”
Noah’s brows shoot up. “How’d that happen?”
“He overheard it at Loretta and Elliot’s. Honestly, I’m kinda relieved. He and Anthony could have a genuine brotherly relationship. I never wanted to keep that from him, but I’m worried about what Brittany told Anthony about Gabe.”
“You mean, about how he died?”
“Yes. I have no doubt she fed him some bullshit story, and if so, it’s only a matter of time before Anthony repeats it to Owen.”
“What do you wanna do? If you want me to tell him, I will.”
A small smile appears on my face. “I know you would, but I think he should hear it from me. That way, he can ask me questions right away if he has any, and you’ll be close by if he wants to speak to you.”
“I’ll support whatever you wanna do, sweetheart.” He takes our interconnected hands and kisses my knuckles.
“That’s why I love you.” I smile wider, then sigh. “There’s never a right time for that sorta conversation, so I’m not sure when. Perhaps after we move, so it’s not one stressful thing after another?”
He nods in agreement. Though I hadn’t planned on ever telling Owen the details of what happened, I also don’t want to risk him finding out from someone else. If he easily overheard about Anthony, it’d only be a matter of time before he hears about this too.
“Don’t forget you have to come back and help us load up everything,” I remind him when he parks in front of the building.
“I won’t. Just call or text when you need me.” He leans in and cups my face, pressing his lips to mine. “And I know you won’t listen anyway, but please take it easy. Belinda, your mom, Loretta, Everleigh, and Ruby will be there. Let them do the work.”
I grunt. “I’m the co-host. I can’t just sit on my ass.”
“But you’re supposed to be staying off your feet,” he reminds me.
“I know.” Groaning, I nod and grab my purse from the back seat. “I’ll be careful.”