“I…um, I don’t have much time for friends, Larry. Nothing personal.”
“Understood. I think maybe you should get another partner who’s more on your level.”
Taken aback, Nick watched the guy’s back as he left. Fuck it! He’d do what Larry suggested. Find a partner more equal in skill. He’d check with the trainers at this exclusive gym and see if they had recommendations. He didn’t need Stanton, or anyone like him, in his life.
Nick showered off the sweat and dressed. He’d finished tying his tie when his phone buzzed.
“Nick Redmond.”
“Nicky? It’s Tommy.”
“Tommy?”
“Your brother.”
“I didn’t recognize your voice.” Why would he, though? He hadn’t talked to Tommy or Liam in…two years. “What’s up?”
“I thought you’d want to know that Mom’s in the hospital.”
His mother. Again, it’d been two years since he’d seen her.
“What happened?”
“She had a heart attack.”
Hisheart started to gallop in his chest. “And?”
“She’s having triple bypass surgery.” Which was dangerous in itself. People died on the table. People died like Scotty.
“Look, Nick, I know what you’ve experienced is probably still raw, but she’s asking about you. Would you come down to Pennsylvania to see her?”
“When’s the surgery?”
“Tomorrow morning six a.m.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll get there tonight.”
“You can stay with Lisa and me.”
“No, thanks. I’ll get a hotel near the hospital.”
“All right, it’ll be good to see you. Bye.”
Nick’s hand was shaking when he hung up. He hated this! Hated being vulnerable to other people. He’d gone to great lengths so that wouldn’t happen! For a minute, he considered not going down to PA tomorrow. But something told him he had to be there.
* * *
“There’s a long line out there, waiting for you.” Marcy White, Noreen’s agent, was all smiles. Book signings were fun.
“I know. It’s terrific. The book’s been out for a while.”
“This second wave is probably due to the New York Times.”
Not a lot made Noreen happy these days, but making the prestigious list, the book signings that went with it, and the new contract lifted her spirits.
