Addicted (The Addicted Series, #1)(120)

"What?" I said, shame digging a knife into my stomach so hard I wanted to puke.

"High school summer boyfriend. I'd decided to spend the summer with Gina in Detroit, there were some places I wanted to check out, I met him, we hit it off, and right before I left, I walked in on the two of them right in her living room. Him and I hadn't slept together, but still, it took me a year to talk to her after that. At least with you, it wasn't like you were cheating on me, we weren't even together at the time. But still, it made the hurt more intense than it should have been."

I was going to reply, but my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was Dad. "Hey Dad. Okay, great. We're at a cafe on Ocean Drive, called Frank's. I know, but it's good food. Yeah, we'll see you soon. Bye."

"How long until they get here?" Krystal asked. "I want to finish what we were talking about prior to them arriving."

"Five minutes, maybe. So, Gina's a slut, and her math skills are off."

"Yeah," Krystal said. "Normally, I wouldn't care, but this is our life now, Julian. She's going to want her baby to have access to the Castelbon fortune. As your firstborn child, they'd be in for a major slice of the estate right now."

"You want me to get a paternity test," I said. I thought about it. The money wasn't all that important to me, honestly. "Why? Not that I'm doubting Kimberly's word, but the money isn't important to either of us."

"No, but keeping Gina out of the Castelbon business is," Krystal replied. "She's gone through a lot of the money Daddy made for the Aksoys, and had blown most of her share of the company. I don't want her wrecking the Castelbon future as well. But regardless of the money for us, our child should have the choice. I want them to have the option to live at the Manor, and not just watch it get sold off because Gina pulled a fast one on us."

I nodded in agreement. "Okay. Let me get in touch with my lawyers, or at least the ones I last used in California. They may not have a license to practice in Maine, or Chicago, or wherever, but I'm sure they can put us in touch with someone who is. By the way, does Kim have any ideas on who the father is?"

"Well, based off of surveillance video and gossip blogs, Kim thinks it could be one of the starting linebackers for the Lions, a male exotic dancer who was at a bachelorette party Gina went to, or a plumber she hired. Kim's hacking skills are pretty good. Problem is, two of those men are already married, and two of them are pretty much broke."

"So she may have gone after the best payday," I said, a hint of anger in my voice. "Screw the consequences, screw what she did to us, just her and her payday."

"That's Gina. Now hush, this is a happy time, and here come your parents. I see your Dad's car."

I saw it too, a green Range Rover that Dad liked to use when fall and winter came around. They parked at the curb, and Dad and Sandra got out, both of them dressed like your typical middle aged Yankee. It was something I'd come to appreciate about Dad, he didn't try to be conspicuous about his money most of the time. They saw us inside the cafe and waved, and we waved back. I felt good, seeing both of them smile. It was a good omen.

"Dad, good to see you," I said when they came in. I stood up and hugged my father, catching him a little off guard, but he quickly returned the embrace. I let go to look at Sandra, both of us standing there a bit uncertainly. "Sandra, it's good to see you too," I said, opening my arms. She hesitated a moment, then we gave each other a hug, although noticeably less warm than the one I had with Dad moments earlier. "Please guys, sit down. We were just going to order breakfast."

"This place doesn't look like much," Sandra said as she slid into the booth. "Sorry, but it doesn't."

"I know Mom, but it's been written up plenty of times. The owner won a James Beard award before buying it from the original owner, Frank. He kept the decor, but really upped the quality of the menu. He's got some high quality comfort food."

We ordered, and both my Dad and Sandra noticed the massive size of the plate Krystal went through as she ate. I noticed it too, and chuckled to myself. Since she hadn't been going up in weight at all, I'd attributed her food intake to her increased activity and stress. Now I knew there was another reason. "So how's the work at the resort going?" Dad asked as Krystal wiped up the last of her sausage gravy with a piece of buttermilk biscuit. "I hope you're doing well."

"We have Yuki guiding us, Dad," I said. "We're doing okay. The general manager's a bit of a crusty old cuss, but he's not too bad. I can handle it."

"Good. I'll be honest son, I was worried at first, but you're coming along well. Uhm, that kind of brings me to something we might as well get out of the way. Are you two setting a date for the wedding?"

I looked at Sandra, who smiled slightly. "Julian, I love my daughter. It's her decision. And you are doing things right."

I looked at Krystal, who shrugged. "Best you're gonna get for now, babe. But Mom, before we answer that, we've got some news for you guys as well. Can I give it to them Julian?"

"Of course," I said, sitting back as Sandra and Dad looked at Krystal, somewhat confused. "But wait, I want my camera out for this one."

I pulled out my phone and turned on the video. "Alright, go ahead."