and looked up at us. Her cheeks flushed. Her eyes filled with tears.
I wanted to hug her, but I stayed back.
“My grandfather’s name was James, but yes, I did pick it partly because of your brother,” she said.
“I just,” Cassie started, her anger beginning to fade, and I knew the tears would start to flow.
“I know. It’s a lot. I needed to tell you the truth. We can do a test if you want to confirm my story, and I would like you to be a part of James’ life if you want. But no pressure,” Evie said.
“I need some time. This is a lot and completely unexpected,” Cassie whispered, her eyes locking on mine.
I reached out and squeezed her hand.
“I’m going to go. I can answer any other questions you have, and if you want to see James, we can set something up,” Evie said, clutching the strap of her purse.
Her eyes said she wanted me to ask her to stay, but I couldn’t. Anger and grief and strained happiness were at war in my head and I needed to be with my friends. We needed to figure out what to do next, without the woman who had lied to all of us in the room.
“That’s probably best.” I stood up and gestured for her to walk toward the door.
“I really am sorry,” she said as I held the door open for her.
“Yeah, I got that. Cassie will reach out to you, I’m guessing,” I said, my voice flat.
“Tristan.” She reached for my hand, but I shifted away. I couldn’t give in when my head was still a jumbled mess over her.
“Look, I’m confused and upset and, to be honest, I’m not sure if I can trust you right now. Or trust us. We need to take a step back,” I said, hoping she couldn’t see that I was about to break.
I couldn’t give in too quickly. Monica had taught me that.
“I know it doesn’t matter now, but you can trust me. I’ll go. Give Cassie my number and I’ll work all of this out with her, and hopefully with the rest of you,” she said, dejection lacing her words.
I only nodded and then shut the door as soon as she stepped through. I ignored the dull thud of my heart as the door closed. I’d quickly given her my trust and she’d trampled it.
“Tris,” Cassie called out to me.
“I hate that this happened,” I said, sitting back down on the couch.
“Do you think she’s telling the truth?” Cassie asked, tears and hope in her eyes.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “Yeah, I think she’s telling the truth. She doesn’t need anything from us and the timing is right. And he looks like Jamie.”
“Really?” Cassie said with a small smile.
“Yeah.”
“How long have you known?” she asked.
“Only a few days. As soon as she told me, I wanted to tell you. I gave her a few days to figure out how to break the news to you, but that’s it.” That last bit was a lie, but I wasn’t going to tell Cassie that I’d been sucked down in my own misery and delayed talking to Evie about telling Cassie.
“How are you doing with her and everything?” Cassie asked, and it amazed me that she could focus on that.
“I told her I need a break. I won’t get burned again. She lied to me. How can I trust her? But it’s fine. We’ll figure it out and all that matters is James.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
I forced a smile. “Yep.”
She narrowed her eyes but, thankfully, let it go. I didn’t want to talk about Evie and what would happen when Cassie brought James into our lives, and by default, Evie too.
“I know we’ve lost time with him, and that Jamie will never know, but now you know, Cass. A part of Jamie is walking around. Funny and adorable and maybe a drummer,” I said, biting back my smile. That kid had already wiggled his way into my heart.
It fucking sucked that I couldn’t trust his mother anymore.
“I can’t believe Jamie had a kid,” Bash said softly, with tears in his eyes. He snuggled Cassie closer.
I took the chair across from them, but Cassie grabbed my hand. And then she started to cry and my heart clenched.
“It’s okay, baby. We know now,” Bash said, rubbing her back.
“I know, but he won’t know. He’ll never know that he had a baby. I know his addiction was too strong, and the odds of anything pulling