Page 13 of A Bossy Surprise

“So what’s up with the son?”

“Well, Kayla got pregnant just before college. She found out two months into her freshman year. Are you sure I never told you any of this?”

My heart starts racing. “Yes, I’m sure. You never told me any of this.”

“Anyway, it was a really tough time in our family. Our parents were so disappointed in her, but at the end of the day we all rallied around her and helped so she didn’t have to drop out of college. When Brady was born, we all pitched in to help and Kayla worked really hard too. It’s actually quite impressive if you think about it. She graduated top of her class as a single mother. I don’t think I could’ve done that.”

I swallow, hard.

My voice shakes a little as I ask. “Who did she say the father is?”

“She never did. Even up until today she still hasn’t told any of us who Brady’s dad is. We’ve tried, but she refuses to tell us.”

“Lucas, this is huge news. I can’t believe you never told me.”

“Well, I wasn’t purposely keeping it from you. It didn’t exactly concern you. Plus, you had a lot going on back then. That’s probably why I didn’t tell you.”

“What was I going through?”

He sighs. “Although you insisted you were fine, I could tell you were struggling. After high school, when your dad came back into your life and forced you to go to Yale…you know, and put you on track to take over the family business...that first year, we barely spoke. It was clear to me that you weren’t having the easiest time.”

“Yeah, but you still could’ve mentioned it.”

“If I had thought to, I would have. Why do you sound so upset?”

He’s right. My reaction makes no sense. So I school my tone when I say, “I’m not upset. I just think it’s strange that this huge thing happened in your family and you never mentioned it.”

“Like I said, I didn’t think to.”

I am silent for a moment, and then say, “Anyway, I have to go. I’m still at the office. I should be getting home.”

“Okay. No problem. Say hey to Kayla for me.”

“Will do…”

I end the phone call and sit back in my chair.

My palms are sweating and I can barely swallow past the lump that has formed in my throat.

I must be imagining this.

There’s no way Kayla had my baby all those years ago and never told me.

I know she’s never liked me, but she wouldn’t do that.

I can’t believe Lucas never mentioned it. I’ve always liked how aloof he is, but to never have brought up any of this is wild.

This is going to drive me crazy unless I know.

I bolt out of my chair and make my way to the parking garage. I jump in my Bentley and white knuckle the steering wheel until I get back to the offices of GNN.

I let myself into Human Resources and rummage through employee files until I find Kayla’s.

Once I get her address, I put everything back as I found it and make my way to her apartment.

I am in such a hurry to get to her that I have to remind myself to stay within the speed limit.

This morning, it was just me, Adam Grant.