Fractured Lies (MAC Security 1)

“Yeah, for making me play these stupid games,” he grunted.

“He’s right, she’s obsessed with games like this.” I laughed. Every day I had been out on a job with her, she came up with a new game to play.

“I know.” He huffed. “Drives me crazy, she’ll text me in the middle of the night expecting me to play.” He rolled his eyes.

“And I’d let Kay go.”

“You would?”

“Yeah, she’s got a kid.” He shrugged. “Kids need their moms.”

Kitty nodded then but didn’t say anything else. I felt like I was intruding on a private moment.

Luke’s face looked haunted as he turned away from Kitty. I was sure he didn’t let anyone see that look on his face.

I looked away.

“I think you should turn it off,” I said to Evan.

His face looked somber as he pressed a few buttons and sat there, his eyes focused on the now blank screens.

“Well,” I said and stood. “That was fun.” I scanned the warehouse, only just now realizing that Ty could have caught us spying.

“Mmm.” He looked at me, his eyes shining bright. “Do you think every kid needs a mom?”

I was startled at the question. “Err…”

“I didn’t have a mom but I turned out okay. Right?” he asked with wide eyes.

My heart broke for him; I knew how he felt. I sat back down and reached for his hand.

“My mom died when I was seven.” I started and took a deep breath. I hadn’t talked about her in so many years. It felt strange.

“She did?”

“Yeah.” I shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if it was a good thing to get seven years with her or whether not knowing her would have been better.”

“I never knew my mom.” He looked out into the warehouse. “I was adopted as a baby.”

I let go of his hand and leaned back.

“So you had an adoptive mom?”

“No.” He shook his head.

“I don’t understand.” I frowned.

“I had two dads.” He looked back at me. I tried to keep the shock off my face but his knowing twinkle told me I wasn’t successful.

“I don’t think you do need to have a mom, but…” I stood and patted his shoulder. “Having two parents who love you are better than one who was there but didn’t care.” He opened his mouth but I turned and went back to the office.

I didn’t need to think about my own parents. What I needed to do was make sure that I was the best mom I could be to Eli.

That’s all that mattered.

I didn’t care what happened to me.

Chapter Thirteen