Page 171 of Bang


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I hesitated. "But he wasn't?"

"No. And he wouldn't come back either."

"But why not?"

"Because Mom's gone, and Dad says he's got better things to do than raise another guy's kid."

"But you just said—"

"Yeah, well, he didn't believe me."

"But so what?" I said. "He could've gotten a full blood test. And there's even DNA. I'm just saying, it wouldn't have beenthathard to prove."

"You wanna know whatIthink?"

"What?"

"I think he liked it when the kid wasn't his."

I didn't get it. "But why?"

"Let's just say, responsibility wasn't his thing."

"Oh." I tried to think. "So he was just using that as an excuse?"

"Probably. Either way, he was done. And the fighter,hedoesn't want another guy's kid either, especially a baby. So he tells my mom it's either him or us."

I felt my fingers clench.What an asshole."Seriously?"

Mason shrugged. "That's what Mom said."

"When?"

"The last time we talked."

"In person?"

"No. On the phone from Miami. She tells me that she loves the guy and can't give him up." His voice hardened. "Won'tgive him up."

"But what about her kids?" I said. "Doesn’t she lovethemtoo?"

"Maybe, but not enough. Same with my dad."

By now, I was so angry, I could hardly see straight. "Just what were they thinking, anyway?"

"Hell if I know," he said. "AllIknow is that neither one of them would step up."

Hearing this, something squeezed at my heart. Quietly, I said, "Soyoudid."

"Hey, someone had to."

There was a time, and it wasn't terribly long ago, when I'd thought Mason didn't have a heart. But now, I knew the truth. His heart was bigger than anyone knew, even his own brothers.

With a smile, I said, "You wanna know whatIthink?"

"What?"

"I think they were all incredibly lucky to have you." My voice softened. "Especially Willow."