Why? Brooke asked.
Rays cheating on her with one of his nurses.
Wow, she said, after a long pause. Karma is a bitch.
Brooke, Abby warned.
What are you talking about? Leo asked.
Your mom cheated with him, too.
He shook his head in disbelief.
My mom walked in on them in his office, Brooke said. He had her bent over the couch with her skirt up.
Abbys eyes widened with horror. How did you know that?
I heard you crying to Aunt Ella over the phone. I listened through the door.
Oh my God, Abby groaned.
My dad moved out the next day, Brooke said.
Leo looked to Nathan for a confirmation he couldnt give. Hed never mentioned Lydias infidelity to Leo, and he hadnt been aware of the specific details of the affair. Lydia had told Nathan that she wanted a divorce because she was seeing someone else. When Nathan asked if she was sleeping with him, shed said yes. It was probably the worst moment of his life, next to the YouTube debacle and his career implosion.
Brookes bombshell brought back a rush of bad feelings. The image of Lydia in Rays office stung, even after all these years.
Youre a fucking liar, Leo said.
No, Leo. Im not. And neither is my mom, so you better watch your mouth.
Abby rose to her feet and grabbed Brooke by the arm. Apologize to Leo. You had no right to hurt him like that.
Brooke pulled her arm from Abbys grasp. She stared at Leo, seeming conflicted.
She doesnt have to apologize, Nathan said. Leo started it.
Leo turned to Nathan, his dark eyes gleaming. Why didnt you tell me?
Nathan wasnt sure what to say. Lydia hadnt wanted Leo to know shed been unfaithful. Shed said he was too young to understand the complexity. After mulling it over, Nathan had agreed with her. Theyd settled on a mutual story, which was that they just werent happy together. It was true, well before Ray came into the picture. Nathan had cursed Lydia to hell and tossed out scathing insults on multiple occasionsin Leos earshotbut hed managed to stay quiet about the cheating.
Since Nathan had moved out, his relationship with Leo had been difficult. They hadnt talked about Lydia or the divorce. Nathan had been bitter and angry, but not interested in dragging her name through the mud. Lydia, in turn, hadnt taken him to the cleaners. Leo had probably assumed that shed gotten fed up with Nathans drinking. And that was the bottom line. It was the reason shed strayed.
Im sorry, he said, shifting his gaze from Brooke to Leo. He was sorry they had to go through this again. You were only thirteen.
I was old enough to hear the truth, Leo said.
It was a mutual decision, Leo. We split up because I was drunk all the time. I dont care what happened between your mother and Ray. I care about what you do. I dont want you to make the same mistakes I did.
Leo looked away, his mouth set in an angry line. Instead of talking things out, he picked up the water bag and strode away from camp with Brooke.