Page 77 of Surviving Lies

“No, I, um, decided last minute that I wanted to surprise Ty at his house for the long weekend.” I let out a tremendous sigh as emotional exhaustion set in.

Once I went back to my empty apartment, my mind got the better of me. I decided I would be brave and meet our issues head on by going straight to the heart of it. I felt going to Ty’s house might show him I was willing to put aside how being there made me feel.

That I was ready to move on with making it work with him.

Because that was what I had decided.

I wanted to make it work with Ty.

“Oh,” she said. “So you’re not far from me. Ty is only like an hour from Xander’s house. Do you want me to come to you?”

Of course she would offer that. And for a second, I contemplated saying yes. But then what? We would sit in this parking lot and talk just like we are now on the phone? And I had no intention of going to Xander’s house with her.

Instead, I cut to the chase.

“Lane, I’ve figured out his secret.”

Silence. From both of us.

“Okaaay,” she finally said. “Are you ready to share it with me?”

My mouth was dry and my eyes were wet, the tears still trickling out. I searched my car for something to drink, anything, even a days-old bottle of water or soda, but there was nothing. I got in the drive-through line of the restaurant attached to the lot I was in. I pulled up to the window and was about to order ...

“Bec, are you there?” Lanie asked through the Bluetooth in the car.

“One sec,” I told her.

“Welcome to Cook Out. What can I get you?” the server asked.

“Can I have a large Diet Coke, please?” I drove through the line and got my soda, knowing Lanie was waiting the whole time to hear from me. I knew I was stalling. But once I said the words and they were out to the world, they were real, and I wouldn’t be able to take them back. I pulled my car into a spot along the side of the lot and took a long sip of my soda. I stared out at the cars driving by while trying to gather my courage for my next words.

“Lanie,” I started, “Ty has a baby. He’s a father.”

Dead silence on the line. I pulled the phone away from my ear to make sure the call was still live, and it was.

She was as dumbfounded as I was.

“OK,” she finally said. “How did you find this out, Bec? And are you OK?”

“As I walked up to his house, he came around from the back with another girl and a baby in his arms. I didn’t think much of it at first, thought maybe it was a cousin or something.” I had to pause because my words got caught over the lump in my throat. “But, uh, the girl called Ty ‘Daddy’ when she took the baby back in her arms.”

There, I said it. And the heavy feeling of bricks on my chest lifted a bit. I still felt like throwing up, but I could breathe better.

“Where are you, Becca?” Lanie asked, her voice tinged with concern. I could hear Xander asking her questions in the background, their voices muffled as she covered up the phone.

“I drove a little ways from his house so he couldn’t find me and pulled into a parking lot,” I told her. “I didn’t know if he would follow me, so I didn’t want to head right back to school. He’s been calling and texting me since I left his house.” Ty ran after me. I saw him in my rearview mirror as I drove away. But I had no idea what he did once I turned the corner. I hoped he decided not to follow me.

“Xander and I want to come and get you. Drop me a pin.”

“Not a good idea, Lanes. I’m in no mood to be around the two of you, no offense. But seeing how perfect the two of you are will put me in a worse mood, trust me. I think I’m going to stop home while I’m in the area, then head back to school, our apartment. Or better yet, maybe I’ll hit Gage up,” I said as I thought out loud. Lanie groaned as I continued. “Whatever. I know what you think about him, but I’m doing the same thing he is. Or I was, anyway. What’s the difference? If he’s alone now, maybe he can take my mind off of this shit going on. Lord knows that’s what I need at the moment. Definitely not watching the two of you going gaga over one another.” I took a sip of my soda when I finished.

“Are you done?” she asked. She always said that to me when I rambled, which I did a lot. But who wouldn’t after finding out what I just did?

“Yes, I’m done.”

“OK, good,” she said. “Go home. I would prefer you actually stayed there overnight. Maybe wait until tomorrow to head back to school. But if not, I understand about wanting to see Gage. I’m sure he’ll do the job of taking your mind off of things. But do me a favor – text or call me when you get to your house. I’m gonna be a wreck with you driving upset. Promise me.”

“I promise,” I told her.

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