Another man came to his feet. Liam resembled Nick the most. Ten years younger, Liam had idolized his big brother. Nick could remember taking him on rides in a red wagon behind his bike, giving him a bath, playing endlessly with matchbox cars.
Right now, there was a fierce expression on his face. “You shouldn’t have come. Tommy shouldn’t have called you.” He turned and walked away. His wife stood, gave Nick a disgusted look and followed her husband.
He didn’t recognize the other man sitting at the table. The guy stared at him. Nick said, “I don’t think we’ve met.”
The man rose to his feet. “I’m Steven.” He held Nick’s gaze. “I’m your half-brother.”
“Excuse me?” He turned to Tommy who was still standing next to him. “What’s going on?”
“A year or so ago, Mom told us our father cheated on her. That we had a half-brother. I searched for him. He comes here to visit.”
This was a lot to take in.
“How’s Mom?”
“They’re preparing her for the surgery. The doc said he’d come out when we could see her before the operation.”
“Okay.” He looked around. “Is there coffee here?”
“There’s a pot in the corner.”
His head spinning, Nick crossed the room to calm himself. His heart had clutched when he first confronted his brothers. But Liam’s hostility came as a surprise. Not as big as the last revelation, though.
He poured coffee and took a sip. Hell. This wasn’t what he expected at all.
Eventually, the doctor came out and addressed the family. “Your mother will be going for her surgery in an hour. You can visit, but a few at a time and don’t upset her.” He pivoted and started away but then turned back. “She’s been asking to see Nicky.”
Liam swore, but Tommy took over. “Go on in, Nick. We’ll give you a few minutes alone with her.”
Everyone else was quiet so he headed to the desk and was shown into the pre-op area. When he got to the doorway to number 7, he didn’t recognize the woman in the bed. Her hair was completely white and her gray eyes dull. It took her a moment to realize who he was. “Oh, my God, Nicky.” She held out a wobbly hand.
He crossed to the bed and stood over her. She grabbed his hand and held on to it. “Hi, Mom.”
“My boy.” Her face shadowed. “We haven’t seen you since…” She trailed off.
“Since Scotty died. I’m sorry. I couldn’t do anything that connected me too much to anyone.”
“That’s a lonely life, son.” She glanced at the chair. “Sit.”
“How are you feeling?” he asked after he took the seat beside the hospital bed.
“I don’t feel anything now. Good meds. But the heart attack? It was excruciating.”
“Well, the doctors are going to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“So they say.” She squeezed his hand. “Tell me how you’re doing.”
“Better. Do you know Audrey and I got divorced?”
“No, we didn’t know that. But they say that’s common after losing a child. Do you have someone else in your life?”
Not a chance. “I date. My work is demanding.”
After a few more minutes, a nurse entered the room. “Your other family members want a chance to see you, Mrs. Redmond.”
Nick stood. “I’m waiting until after the surgery to see how you are.”
She nodded.
