Page 48 of Reckless Curves
Chapter Fifteen
Looking in the mirror on Wednesday, Tom swore as he fumbled with his tie. Why’d he say they’d dress up? Because he knew Kendra would love the chance. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn a suit and he’d never been good with ties. Sighing, he unknotted it and started over. A knock sounded on the front door and he growled in frustration at the interruption.
He strode through his house, frowning at how ugly it was. It was time to do something about that. The house would likely take eighteen months or two years to renovate from scratch by the time architects and permits had been granted. However, it would be the perfect home for Kendra, Connor, and God willing, any other kids they had. Making a mental note to look for contractors, he pulled open the door to discover Sam standing on the porch.
He held in a curse, trying to be happy at seeing his brother standing there. “Hey, bro. Come on in.”
Although they had the same brown eyes, Sam’s hair was a dark brown instead of blond. Both men were about the same height, but Sam was a little thinner than Tom.
“Thanks.” Sam walked past him and looked around the living room. “Why the hell do you live here?”
Tom laughed. “The land. I already told you that. Lots like this are hard to find, and the neighborhood is good. Good schools—”
—“Schools? Not something I thought was high on your list.”
He didn’t answer. Kendra had told no one yet, and he’d promised her…
Sam being the good elder brother didn’t push. He took in the dark blue suit Tom wore. “Wow. Don’t you look snazzy. What’s the occasion?”
Tom suddenly felt bashful and got pissed with himself. “I have a date.”
Sam’s expression filled with surprise. “Youhave a date? I didn’t think you did dates, just women.”
Tom smirked at him. “Hilarious, jackass.” He held out his tie to Sam. “Tie this for me?”
Sam took the tie and went to work. “So, this lady must be pretty special, huh?”
Hating the blush that crept up his neck, Tom replied, “Yeah. Hey, where did you get Tonya’s engagement ring?”
Sam froze, his eyes going wide. “You’re going to propose? I think I’m missing something here. Care to fill me in?”
Tom hadn’t meant to ask him that question, but he wanted to be prepared when the time came to show Kendra how serious he was. And right now he needed a sounding board, and he knew that Sam would keep his secret. “Yeah, not enough time to explain. I don’t want to be late picking Kendra up.”
Sam resumed tying the tie. “Kendra. As in Marcus’s sister Kendra Black?”
Tom couldn’t stop the silly grin that lit his face at the mention of her. “Yeah.”He knew he shouldn’t but he was just bursting with pride and Sam was his brother.“If I tell you something you have to promise to keep it a secret until I say you can share.” Sam nodded. “You know her little boy? Connor?”
Sam nodded. “Yeah. I’ve seen him a time or two.”
“He’s my son. He’s mine.” A rush of love and pride hit Tom and he smiled. “I’m his father.”
Sam stopped tying. “I’m sorry, but did you just say that Connor is your son?”
“I did, but you can’t tell anyone,” Tom said. “No one else knows. I didn’t know that I was his father until last week.”
Sam finished with the tie and blew out a breath. “Holy shit. Why didn’t you know? Didn’t she tell you?” His face took on that brother protecting frown.
The now familiar guilt gnawed at Tom. “It’s a long story, but I don’t have time right now to spill. When it’s all out in the open, I’ll explain everything.” Sam looked as if he was about to protest, but Tom folded his arms over his chest and Sam closed his mouth. Staring at his brother, he asked, “So why are you here? I mean, why didn’t you just call me?”
Sam sobered and the hair on the back of Tom’s neck rose. “It’s Dad. His body is rejecting the liver transplant from Aunt Sonya. They’re going to look for another donor, but there’s no guarantee they’ll find a match. They’ve already tested me, but you know I’m not a match.”
The blood drained from Tom’s face as a myriad of emotions flooded his mind. “He’s going to die, then.”
Tears shimmered in Sam’s eyes. “Yeah. Unless…”
A wave of sadness hit Tom with surprising intensity. “Unless what?” But he knew what was coming and his hands clenched in fists.
Sam cleared his throat. “There’s you.”
