Page 26 of The Secrets We Keep

He looks between the two of us and furrows his brow. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is more than okay,” I tell him with a small smile.

“Do you remember what I told you about your daddy?” Sophie asks and my heart clenches.

“Yeah, you said that my daddy loved me very much, but we had to stay away to keep everyone safe. That he wished he could be with me more than anything and that one day I’d be able to be with him.”

My vision blurs as tears fill my eyes. I didn’t realize that Sophie told him anything about me. I didn’t even think he would ask about me.

“Yeah,” Sophie continues softly. “A bad man said he would hurt us if we were with your daddy, so no matter how much it hurt me, we had to stay away. But the bad man isn’t around anymore and that’s why we came to Silver Springs. This place was my home for eighteen years. I fell in love with your daddy here and Ibrought us back so you could finally meet him.” I don’t breathe while she finishes. “Grayson is your daddy.”

Asher stares at his mother for a moment and then he turns wide, blue eyes on me. The same eyes he shares with his mother. “You’re my dad?” He whispers in awe.

A tear spills down my cheek, but I don’t bother swiping it away. I just smile at him and choke out an answer. “Yeah, bud. I’m your dad.”

He jumps off his bar stool and runs around the island, throwing himself into my arms. I catch him and relish the affection he’s giving me so easily. My eyes lock with Sophie’s. She’s smiling but tears are running down her cheeks. Before I know it, she’s rounding the island and joining in on our hug. In this moment, I could die a happy man. I have my entire world in my arms, and nothing is going to ruin this.

20

SOPHIE

Telling Asher about Grayson went better than I could have expected. He iselatedto have Grayson as his father. I was terrified that he would be mad at me for keeping Grayson from him, but in my son’s true fashion, he is just happy.

I feel an immense sense of relief now that everyone knows the truth. The last thing I ever wanted was to keep Asher a secret from his father. I had no choice, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t eat away at me every single day.

After talking with Asher, he and Grayson go take showers and get ready for the day. Luckily, it’s Monday, so we didn’t have to send Asher to his first day of school after the news we dropped on him. I probably would have kept him home anyways, since it’s a lot to take in, but at least now he has two days to sit with the news.

When the boys are getting ready, I take a look at the burns on my arm. The last few days have beena whirlwind, so the pain has been a second thought. Honestly, it looks so much better than it first did. The burn cream is really helping it heal fast, and the pain has been at a minimum. I’m just thankful that Flo is letting me keep my job, since I won’t be able to work for two weeks, thanks to Gray’s orders.

Asher rushes out of his room as he’s still zipping up his jeans, like he’s scared he’ll miss out on something if he doesn’t hurry. I just smile and shake my head at him.

“Did you remember to brush your teeth?”

He rolls his eyes. “Mama, I can’t be worried about my teeth right now. I just found my dad; I’m not missing anything.”

My chest aches at his words.

“I’m not going anywhere, bud,” Grayson tells him as he enters the room. He’s fresh from the shower and sporting a dark pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. His feet are clad in black boots, and his dark hair is wavy and still damp from his shower. He looks like sin. “But your teeth will be leaving your mouth if you don’t take care of them. Why don’t you go brush your teeth and then all of us will go downstairs and tell everyone the good news?”

Asher’s face breaks into a huge smile. “Yes!”

I watch as our son rushes back into the bathroom and hear the water start a moment later. It’ll be nice to have someone to co-parent with. Asher is a greatkid, but sometimes he just doesn’t want to listen to his mom.

“Thank you for that,” I murmur as Grayson walks over to me and pulls me into his arms.

The move is unexpected. I know that my feelings for Grayson have never changed, but I didn’t think that he would want to be around me, let alone want to have me in his arms, after everything.

“I have a lot of parenting to make up for,” Grayson murmurs into my hair. “The least I can do is help you out.”

I sigh against his chest. He smells incredible. A perfect mix of woodsy and clean. “Do you think everyone is going to hate me? More than they already do, I should say.”

He squeezes me tighter. “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, but none of them hate you. They didn’t know the truth behind why you left; they were upset for me. I’ll tell them all the truth, though. They deserve to know what kind of man your father really was. My dad already knows,” he whispers, making me draw back. “I told him last night when I was upset. I think he’s going to be really happy to be a grandpa,” he adds with a smile.

My chest aches at the thought of Grayson’s family. His brother and sister are going to be an amazing uncle and aunt. His parents are going to be the best grandparents. They’re all people that Asher has been missing out on for the past six years, and I can’t waitfor him to get to spend time with them.For him to finally have his family.

Asher rushes back into the great room, wiping the toothpaste from the corner of his mouth. “I’m ready.”

We break apart and chuckle at him as we make our way out of the suite. Asher doesn’t leave Grayson’s side as we make our way through the clubhouse, and it makes my heart swell in pride seeing them together. Asher is so much like his father. Not just in the way he looks, but in his mannerisms.

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