Page 17 of Reckless Curves
“I don’t waste time. Want me to come over?”
Her hand tightened around the cellphone. “What for?”
“To talk.”
“We’re talking now.”
His rough-timbered chuckle in her ear made goosebumps break out along her arms. “I’d rather talk in person.”
Panic wormed its way into her blood. “No. Uh, not tonight. Connor wakes up sometimes and I don’t want him to see you here. I have never had a man over.” Damn, she hadn’t meant to reveal that bit of news. Quickly she added, “I usually go to my dates house.”
His voice deepened. “Then when?”
Kendra rubbed her forehead. Knowing how dogged Tom was when he was on a mission, she knew that she couldn’t hold him off for long. She had to make him see reason and do it fast. Better to start right away.
“Tomorrow night. Come over around seven. I’ll arrange for Connor to stay at Stella’s.”
“Okay,” Tom said. “How’s Connor?”
Kendra smiled, glad that he was interested. “He was one tired little man. My friend, Colleen Wilkins, watched him for me today since I had that piano lesson this morning and then I had to lay down some studio tracks this afternoon.”
“I’m pleased to see you followed your passion and you are singing.”
"Always.” She could picture his smile.
“So, Colleen kept him busy, huh?”
Kendra closed her laptop and sat it on the coffee table. “Her four kids kept him very busy. She has twins who are only a little older than him.”
“Four? Wow.”
His amazed tone made her laugh. “Yeah. Her husband makes good money so they can afford them. Plus, she loves being a stay-home mom.”
“And what about you? If you could be a stay-home mom, would you?”
“No. I love what I do, and I will build a career in the music business. I can be a good mother and still pursue my dreams,” Kendra said. She loved writing songs and was surprised at how many she’d sold.
“How’s that working out for you?”
Anger burned in her chest. “Don’t you judge me, Tom! I’m doing the best I can. Connor is fed, clean, and has everything he needs. I make damn sure of that.”
“Easy, Tiger. I know that you’re a good mom. Marcus has said so frequently. It just can’t be easy.”
Despite her irritation, his use of the nickname he’d given her made Kendra smile a little.Tiger. She hated to admit she purred only for him. “I didn’t do it by myself. I had Stella, and Marcus has stuck by me through it all.”
His sigh came through the phone. “Don’t you think I would’ve liked to have been included? I would’ve liked to have been there for Connor’s birth and to help pick out a name. Everything, Kendra! You stole all of that from me.”
“Well, if you’d only answered one damn voicemail or read one fricking email, you could’ve!” Kendra stood up, too mad to stay still. “You know what? This conversation is over. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
Her hand trembled as she hit the end button and she tossed the phone onto the couch. She stomped over to the open living room window and raised the screen. Then she grabbed the bottle of wine and stepped out onto the fire escape.
She spent a lot of time out here once Connor was asleep at night, so she’d put a chair cushion and a small tropical plant on the landing. It was her little oasis and sparked her creativity. Song ideas often came to her out there as she looked at the sky and let her mind drift.
However, right then, no lyrics or melodies entered her mind. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the brick building and enjoyed the night breeze. It helped cool her simmering temper.
Part of the reason she’d gotten so upset was because Tom was right. She shouldn’t have just assumed that he was a bastard. It was a safety mechanism. She could tell herself that she had tried to contact him and it was his choice not to be involved in their lives, without having to face his real reaction. Not having to face his rejection… All she’d had to do was tell Marcus and everyone would have known. Would she ever forgive herself for not doing that?
But it would have ruined their friendship and perhaps destroyed her brother’s dream of winning formula one. And he’d won. It was to be his only win, as soon after he crashed his car and his career ended.
Only now she would have to tell Marcus anyway, and this time it could end the friendship and ruin their business. Would her brother blame Tom for leaving her alone all this time? It would be bad, she just knew it, and so would Tom.
She hoped they acted like adults regarding this situation, and she showed Marcus that they were not at each other’s throats, that Marcus would understand too.
But knowing her brother she doubted it.
