Page 87 of The Spare

Static fills my head as the world as I know it is turned on its axis. I scramble up and rip the paper out of Sebastian’s hands, my eyes frantically scanning the bold lab print at the bottom of the page.

Probability of Paternity: 99.9%.

“This says your probability of paternity is 99.9%.”

Sebastian shakes his head in disgust. “Yes. Yours. Given the delicate nature of the tests, and the utmost need for privacy, I reached out to a pathologist friend to perform the testing. When he received the results, apparently it set off some alarm bells. Because blood relatives, like a brother, can share a large percentage of their DNA. Many of the markers will still match by coincidence, revealing that the tested man is a close relative rather than the father.” He spits.

“When he noticed partial matches that looked like a close relative, he recommended I consider advanced testing. But given how often you take advantage of my home for your personal needs, I had plenty of DNA lying around. So on a whim, I submitted yours from the shit Bella threw into a cardboard box for the next time you decided to have a sleepover.” He punches out each word, looking as if he may have a stroke. “And low and behold, your toothbrush was a match.”

My head falls. I’ve regretted that awful day for years. I was so full of rage. And she was throwing herself at me. I was just a kid. A stupid, broken kid.

“It was one time,” I blurt, looking frantically between Sebastian and Alexis. The words tear out of my chest before I can stop them. “One time. Shelly came to me crying and upset because you dumped her. She told me you said you were leaving for college and didn’t want anyone holding you back. Anyone but Alexis, anyway.”

Alexis immediately takes a step back from me, her blue eyes wide with shock and confusion. “Me? What are you talking about?”

“I saw the two of you,” I snap, my hands shaking as I clutch the paper. “Wrapped up in each other under the oak tree. Mom was there. She said she wondered how long it would take for me to figure it all out. She kept saying it was only a matter of time before you moved on to Sebastian. He was the successful one. The one who was actually going to be somebody.”

Sebastian throws his hands up in the air. His face the picture of pure contempt. “I don’t know what kind of bullshit you’re trying to spin, Sam. There was never anything between me and Alexis.”

Alexis looks completely stunned, her mind visibly racing as she tries to figure out what on earth I’m talking about. She looks up at Sebastian, her brow furrowing, and then a look of agonizing realization dawns on her face.

“I wonder…” Alexis starts tentatively, looking back at me with a mixture of utter heartbreak and disbelief. “I wonder if he saw when I came to your house to say goodbye, and you asked me to look out for Sam.” She turns her gaze directly to me. “Sebastian was concerned about leaving for college. He was worried about you having to deal with your parents after he was gone. He asked if I’d keep an eye on you.” She sniffles. “He asked if I’d reach out to him if it appeared you needed him. And I promised I would. Not that it mattered, because it was around that time you stopped speaking to me.”

My face falls. The ground feels like it’s giving way beneath my feet.

How had I let my mother’s poison bleed into my head? Twenty years. I lost twenty years with Alexis because I sat there listening to my mother’s scheming lies. And why? Was she convinced this day might come? Did she want to claim Sutter Creek for her own selfishness and thought having this type of power over me might help her cause? Or is she simply an awful, greedy woman who should have never had children?

Sebastian interrupts, stepping closer. His glare sharp as a knife. “Explain to me how any of our mother’s lies add up to you being Gavin’s father?”

I hang my head, unable to meet his eyes. This news is debilitating. “Shelly told me that you’d dumped her. I thought it was for Alexis. I was enraged. She was heartbroken. One thing led to another and… it was one time, Sebastian. I swear. I regretted it the moment it happened. It meant absolutely nothing. It was just a terrible mistake.”

Sebastian stares down at me, his jaw working as his eyes burn with disgust.

“Well, that mistake is a twenty-year-old kid who has never known a father,” Sebastian barks, his voice furious. “Forget the fact you slept with my girlfriend. Someone who’s as much of a fucking liar as you are. But that kid deserves better than this. So you better figure your shit out.”

He turns on his heel and storms off into the darkness, leaving Alexis and me standing in suffocating silence.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Sam

“Are you sure you’re ready to go back to work?” The air between us is tense. But my feelings are unchanged. I only worry this is one hurdle I can’t overcome.

“Yes. It’s time.” Alexis places her teacup in the sink, never making eye contact with me. “I’ve had more time off lately than since I graduated high school. And I know that kidnapping wasn’t meant for me.” She walks over to the coat rack, reaching for her coat. “Plus, the hospital has assured me they’ve hired extra security.”

I come closer, still nervous. “Good. They should.” I tentatively kiss her on the cheek. Admittedly, a lot has changed in the last few days. I’m not certain after Sebastian’s revelations that Alexis will want one more hill to climb in order to give me a real chance at a marriage.

“Please text me the second you get to the clinic, Lex,” I ask, catching her by the waist as she reaches the front door.

She turns in my arms, looking up at me with those beautifully expressive eyes. Even in the early morning light, the worry etched around her brow is impossible to miss. But this is no longer about her safety. This is all because of me. “I will.”

I press another kiss to her forehead, my hands caressing her face. “Please, baby? No detours, no stopping for coffee. Just straight to the building.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay. I hear you,” she replies. “I think this is a bit overkill, but I’ll be careful. Will you let me know if there are any updates?”

“Yes. The minute I hear anything about the fire or the kidnapping.”

I watch from the porch as her SUV backs down the driveway, only turning away once her taillights disappear down the main road.