“Thanks,” Fox muttered, standing, taking the coat and shrugging it on. He didn’t meet Aidan’s eyes.
Aidan inched closer, petting Lucien behind the ears, who continued to lend support. “You should cut your mom a break.”
That had Fox raising his head and meeting Aidan’s eyes head on. “Are you serious? She lied to me.”
He almost laughed at the repeat of his own words to Raven earlier that day. Had that been only this morning? “Yes, she did. So, she isn’t perfect.”
“Yeah, but her lie was a whopper.”
Aidan couldn’t help the laugh. “I agree, but technically, so was yours.”
“Huh?”
“Think about how she’s feeling right now. She just found out that you knew I was your father, since you were seven, and that you had a relationship with a man she hated and feared.” Aidan gave that a moment to sink in. “Tell me something. How would you classify your relationship with your mother?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you fight, butt heads, or is she one you can talk to, the kind of mom who listens, always there for you?”
Fox twisted his lips. “The last part,” he said reluctantly.
“So, you have a good relationship then.”
He shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Listen, Fox, I’m not excusing her for what she did. Hell, I’m still upset about all this too. But it wouldn’t hurt to try and see things from her point of view.”
“I guess so,” he muttered.
Aidan snorted. “That’s some pretty damn good advice I just gave you. I should take it myself.”
Fox gave him a half smile. “Yeah, but it’s easier to be mad.”
That sobered him fast. He didn’t want Fox struggling with temper like he did. “Not in the long run.” Aidan sighed and looked around. The dogs had lost interest in them, some settling down inside their houses, while a few were curled up on straw in front of the openings. Lucien yawned, stretched his legs out in front of him and laid his head on his paws. “People say and do things when they are mad that are sometimes impossible to come back from.”
Damn, this father-son stuff was tough. He rubbed a hand through his hair, wincing when he connected with the bump on the back of his head. “I know you’re hurting. That’s where most anger comes from. Your mom’s hurting too.”
“Are you…hurting?”
He found himself having to swallow before answering. “Yeah.”
“Are you going to leave? Go back to Seattle?”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He cracked a smile. “I just found out I have a son. I’d like to get to know him.”
A full smile spilt across Fox’s face.
Aidan reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair. Suddenly Fox threw himself into his arms and hugged him. Emotion swamped Aidan. He reached around and hugged his son back in return. They separated before Aidan lost his hold on the tears threatening to drown his eyes.
They stood there both trying to man up.
Aidan cleared his throat, knowing he had to address one more thing before he left.
“Fox.” Aidan waited until Fox looked up at him. “No matter what Earl told you, he was responsible for killing Raven’s dad. She’s justified in her feelings. He might have treated you good, but he wasn’t a good man.” Fox furrowed his brow, and Aidan knew he wanted to argue. “Just think about what I said, okay. And when you’ve calmed down, talk to your mom. I know she’s sick over all of this. Can you do that?”
Fox’s chest swelled. “Yes, I can do that.”
Aidan smiled. “You are one fine young man, and you owe that to your mother.”
His lips twitched again. “Yeah, I suppose.”
“I’ll see you later then?”
Fox nodded. Aidan made to leave but turned back when Fox called his name. He met his son’s apprehensive gaze.
“Would it be okay if I called you dad?”
Aidan felt like he’d just taken an electrical jolt to the heart. He stood perfectly still and prayed his voice didn’t fail him. “I’d love that.”
“Great.” Fox beamed. “See you later…Dad.”
Now his voice completely failed him as his throat clogged with tears. He nodded and ruffled Fox’s hair again.
What a mess she’d made of everything. Raven sank into the couch cushions, cradled her head in her hands, and swallowed a sob. Tears would have to wait until later. There was still clean-up to do. Who the hell was she kidding? There was no way to clean up the mess she’d made of her life. Pregnant at eighteen, unwed, single parent, she’d lied to her child, lied to her child’s father. And for what? Fox had found out who his father was anyway, from her enemy. The last person on the planet she wanted speaking to her son, let alone revealing secrets. Another sob escaped her. What was she going to do now?