Page 126 of Vicious Little Games

Then we both stand across from each other awkwardly.

“Do you want to…there’s a lounge nearby, the one where my mom worked, actually, if you want to sit down and have a drink?”

“Sure, that sounds good,” he replies. “Although, I think I should stick to water, try and sober up before going home tomorrow so my wife doesn’t lose it.”

“You’re married?”

“Yes, for fifteen years.”

“Do you have any children?”

“No. Lucy is…that’s my wife, she’s an attorney. The first years of our marriage she was focused on making partner, so it wasn’t a good time to start a family. Then, when we were ready, she couldn’t get pregnant even after a year. We both assumed it was me, that I was the problem. She didn’t want to go see a fertility specialist, saying that if we were meant to be parents, then we would be. So, no kids.”

Slipping into the table in the lounge I ask him, “Do you think you’ll tell her, you know, about me?”

“Yes. Definitely. We don’t keep any secrets from each other. But she’ll probably want to conduct her own DNA test to confirm, so don’t take it personally. As an attorney, Lucy is just very…analytical I guess is the best way to describe her. She doesn’t trust anyone. But once she confirms it, I’m sure she’ll want to meet you.”

“Understood,” I agree, not really caring if his wife is warm and fuzzy. After all, it’s not her genetics that I inherited.

When a waitress comes over, one I recognize worked with my mother, we both ask for sodas rather than alcohol.

“I still can’t believe you’re my son,” Andrew says once the waitress leaves. “I mean, I believe the tests, it’s just…you’re a grown man, like you said. You were born, grew up, and had a whole life while I never even knew you existed. I wish…I wish I had known about you sooner.”

“Me too. But my mom is…she has trust issues,” I explain to him. “It was just the two of us until she got married last year. Dante, the man you met with her earlier, he owns this hotel and casino.”

“Really? Wow,” he says as he gazes around. He blinks and then looks at me. “The fraternity reunion, it wasn’t James who orchestrated it? He took credit, but it was you?”

“No. Actually, I didn’t know anything about it until after all the DNA swabs had been collected.”

Andrew’s entire face reddens. “I knew lap dances for a clinical trial was too good to be true. That is not something my wife needs to know about.”

Laughing, I tell him, “I’m sorry you and your friends were all deceived. My…stepsister figured the fake reunion was the only way to get all the members from the fraternity here at one time.”

“We’ve all had a blast. Who wouldn’t enjoy a free trip to Vegas with all your old college buddies? I haven’t seen some of the guys since I graduated.”

“Well, at least something good came out of it for everyone,” I reply just as our drinks are slid in front of us.

Taking a sip from his glass, Andrew says, “You mentioned that you were a college student. Where do you go, what are you studying?” Andrew asks me.

“I’m about to start my senior year at Lennox in New York working toward a business administration degree.”

“Really? Business?”

“Yes.”

“I was a double major in accounting and business at USC.”

“Right, you’re a CPA? I did a search of your name online.”

“That’s right. What are your plans after you graduate?”

“Oh, I’m not sure yet. I’d love to start my own business and I may be taking over the casino.”

“This casino?” he says with his brows raised as if impressed.

“Yes.”

Laughing, he says, “Well, how can my little office compete with a casino?”

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