The Truth Read Online Free Page B

Ryan’s parentage. She wasn’t even sure if he knew Ryan had been adopted. She hadn’t been in a relationship since becoming his mother, and she’d never had to clarify to anyone. Ryan was her son, and how that came to be wasn’t necessarily in the forefront of her mind. But this was different. Grayson was different.
    “Ready to eat?” Grayson asked her.
    Nodding her head, she took the hand he offered and walked through the open door into the Crab House on Pier 39. They took a seat and placed their order. Lexie reached over and tied the plastic bib around Ryan’s neck.
    “I’m not a baby!” he snapped, trying to rip the bib from his neck.
    Grayson tied his own bib around his neck. “No, you’re not a baby. If you were, you wouldn’t be able to crack your own crab like the grown-ups.”
    Ryan straightened his bib, suddenly appearing proud to be wearing it. He looked over at his mother and broke into laughter again. “Mom, you look funny.”
    “Me? What about you two?” Lexie asked while struggling to look hurt by his comment. She couldn’t do it. She laughed as she looked down at herself and across the table at Grayson.
    When their lunch arrived, Lexie showed Ryan how to work the cracker, and use the small fork to remove the meat. He wore more than he ate, but his determination to do it himself melted her heart.
    After four more rides on the bumper cars, and a double feature of Toy Story and Toy Story 2, Grayson carried an exhausted Ryan into his room. Lexie managed to get him out of his dirty clothes and into his pajamas before he fell asleep.
    Closing his bedroom door, she walked into the living room and curled up on the couch beside Grayson and leaned her head on his shoulder. He kissed her forehead, and asked, “Are you tired?” He pressed his cheek against her head and ran his hands through her hair.
    “You two wear me out.” She snuggled closer to him, enjoying the sensation of his fingers in her hair.
    He lifted his head and turning toward her, reached out and gently raised her chin. “I’ve wanted to do this all day,” he told her before pressing his lips to hers. Her body melted into him, drawing the kiss deeper.
    Breathless, she sighed with pleasure and wiggled herself into the crook of his arm, happier than she could have imagined. “I think Ryan had a great day.”
    “I think you’re right.” He spoke softly, his voice soothing her. “There’s something special about seeing the world through the eyes of a four-year-old. But I think I had the most fun.”
    Grayson was talking about the day, his voice like a lullaby in her ear. She tried to concentrate on his words, but her eyelids were heavy and she struggled to keep them open. He mentioned the woman who’d thought Ryan was his son, and asked her a question she didn’t hear as she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 6
    “When’s Grayson coming?” Ryan threw himself onto her bed. “Mom, when? I’ve been waiting, but he’s not here. When’s he gonna be here? All our stars are out!”
    She sat on the edge of the bed beside him, and frowned when she noticed the anticipation in his eyes. “Ryan, you’re going to spend the evening with Grandma. Tonight, Mom is going out with Grayson alone.”
    “Why can’t I go? Am I in trouble?” His eyes welled with tears as he sat beside her, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed.
    “No, sweetie, you’re not in trouble.” Placing her fingers beneath his chin, she tilted his face to hers. “It’s just that sometimes grown-ups need to spend time alone, to talk about adult stuff.”
    “I can plug my ears.” He stuck out his bottom lip, his eyes pleading with her.
    “There will be other times, but tonight, Mom needs some time with Grayson, alone.”
    “That’s mean,” he shouted, rushing from the room.
    His bedroom door slammed. “Ryan!” she shouted, heading to his room.
    The doorbell interrupted the scene, and Lexie sighed as she walked to answer the door. She smiled at her mother