Page 22 of Seeing You

“It’s okay,” Billie gently told him as they all got to their feet. “But you need to apologize.”

The boy looked up at him. “I’m sorry, sir. I wasn’t watching where I was going and was being reckless. I apologize and hope I didn’t hurt you.”

The kid had manners.

But Marcus had questions.

Carefully placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder, he asked, “Where were you rushing to?”

“Oh, the arcade. We were racing and even though there wasn’t going to be a prize—except bragging rights—I wanted to prove how fast I was.”

Beside him, Billie shook her head and laughed. “I don’t think anyone thought for a minute that I was going to win.” She gave Marcus a small smile. “I know my limitations. Silas can kick my butt even if he gave me a head start.”

“Silas?” Marcus repeated, testing the sound of his son’s name. Well, it was possible the boy wasn’t his son, but the timing was suspect. “That’s a great name. Tell me, what’s your favorite game in the arcade?”

“I love the racing games and the basketball toss one. I’m really good at it.”

“Really? That’s my favorite too. I have a basketball hoop in my office—not a regulation size one, but a small one like in the arcade. I use it when I’m feeling stressed.”

“That’s so cool! I want one for my room, but…Mom says it would be too loud and the baby’s room is right next door and it would bother Cal.”

He stared at Silas and then at Billie. “A…a baby?”

They both nodded, but Billie answered. “Cal’s almost a year old. Well…tomorrow.” Then she looked down at Silas. “But with all the crying he’s been doing lately, I’m not so sure he would have even noticed the sound of the basketball.”

“I know! I tried telling Dad that, but he wasn’t buying it.” He shrugged and asked, “Can we go inside now? All this talking about basketball really makes me want to play.”

“Of course,” she told him. “But maybe let’s just walk this time.”

Silas nodded before looking up at him again, “I really am sorry. Thanks for being so nice about it. Some adults would have been super mad.”

Marcus squeezed his shoulder. “Apology accepted.” He knew they were about to leave, but he still had a ton of questions. “How about we play a couple of games? You know, let’s see how good you are?”

Silas looked at Billie. “Is that okay?”

“Oh, uh…I don’t think that…”

Stepping in close to her, he whispered for her ears only, “Now that I know we have a son, don’t eventhinkof trying to keep me away.”

She pulled back as if yanked by an invisible force as she looked at him in horror.

“Silas, why don’t you go on ahead? I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Okay!”

She waited until Silas went into the resort before facing him. “Are you out of your mind? Why on earth would you think we have a son?”

“Because I have eyes!” he countered. “He looks to be ten years old—the exact time we’ve been apart! Go ahead and try to deny it!”

“If he’s ten years old—at least according to you—and you add in nine months of pregnancy, that’s almost eleven years. The math ain’t mathing, genius. And on top of that, he’s not my son! He’s my nephew!”

“What?” he repeated, mildly confused. “But…?”

“But nothing. Silas is my brother Levi’s son. I’m just here with him for a day of fun so that Jade and Levi could have a bit of a break. It’s their baby that’s been crying a lot lately—ear infection and teething—and it’s been a lot on Silas.”

Sliding his hands into his pockets, he murmured, “Oh.”

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get inside with mynephew. I shouldn’t have even let him go inside alone, but I didn’t want him to witness this conversation.”

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