She’d been right to be concerned about Kevin’s reaction to finding his father here. Max Manning wasn’t going to make this a comfortable visit. Neither, she assumed, was Kevin.
* * *
Kevin should have known the silence meant trouble. He should have anticipated Max’s behavior. When ignored and threatened in his pocketbook, Max lashed out. If he couldn’t use his fists, he’d find other means. So here he was, searching for trouble.
One glance at Nikki’s concerned expression and Kevin knew Max had accomplished his goal. He had no idea how much damage had been done in the time Nikki had been alone with the old man. Judging from his clear gaze, Max was sober. That was something, at least.
If he’d bothered to think about it he’d have realized he couldn’t keep Max and Nikki apart forever, but he’d have liked to try. “I didn’t hear an answer,” Kevin said to his father.
Max rose from his seat. “Is it a crime to visit my son? For damn sure you wouldn’t have invited me.”
And that ought to tell you something, Kevin thought But Max only saw things one way. His own. “It would have helped if you’d called first.”
“Like it would have mattered. You’ve been living here how long and I’ve never stepped foot inside.”
Nikki jumped to her feet. “Kevin, can I get you a club soda?” she asked.
“No boy of mine drinks that sissy stuff. Get him a beer.”
Kevin shot his father a warning look. “There’s no alcohol in the house.”
“Why not? I don’t come by, so you can’t be keeping the stuff from me.”
Nikki met his gaze, her violet eyes wide with curiosity. No doubt she’d been wondering what caused his about-face. During all the football games and holidays he’d spent with her family, he’d always chosen beer.
He shrugged. “I have my reasons,” he muttered. Why insult Max by admitting the truth? It wouldn’t do either of them any good.
“Afraid you’ll end up like your old man?” his father asked.
Kevin rolled his head from side to side in a futile effort to work out the tension brought on by this homecoming. “I’d love a club soda,” he said, hating to have Nikki wait on him, but wanting any excuse to get her out of his father’s presence.
She smiled. “No problem. Max? Can I get you more water?”
“No thanks. It’s only making me thirsty for a real drink.”
She glanced Kevin’s way, obviously unsure how to react. He gave her a small nod and she left for the kitchen. And Kevin turned to Max.
To his shock, he realized he was embarrassed to have Nikki meet his father. He wasn’t sure what that said about him as a person, but he knew what it said about Max.
“Are you going to tell me what your relationship is with the pretty lady?” Max asked, his gaze following Nikki as she headed into the kitchen.
“If you’d asked that way the first time, maybe I’d have answered you,” Kevin said.
His father shrugged, but his cheeks flushed deep red. “That was uncalled for. I just wanted to get your attention,” he muttered.
“Don’t tell me you’re sorry, tell Nikki.”
The older man nodded. “Maybe I will. So she’s your what?”
Persistence ran in the family, Kevin thought. Max would find out soon enough. “The mother of my unborn child,” he admitted. Another realization blindsided him. If he and Max had ever shared a normal father/son relationship, Kevin might have confided in him earlier. He might have asked for his advice. Instead, Kevin had always played father figure while Max acted the role of immature child.
For once, Kevin found himself hoping this time would be different. Hoped Max would show signs of caring for Kevin—the way Kevin cared for him.
He stared hard at his father, hoping to see some redeeming signs. Signs that would help Kevin face his upcoming role with some degree of certainty that he had it in him to be a decent father. Because he suspected there was some decency left in his own old man.
“I hope you’re planning to marry her,” Max said. Then he grew silent.
Kevin was surprised as well as grateful. “I am.” If she even wanted him.
Max nodded.
“Now what’s this visit really about?” Kevin asked him.
“I wanted to see where you’re living now. I wanted to visit my son.” Max met his gaze. “And to thank you for cleaning up my mess the other night.”
A part of Kevin wanted to believe his father, while the weary part of him that had seen this routine before fought against it. Before he could answer, Nikki rejoined them, a glass of club soda in hand.
“I defrosted chicken for dinner and there’s enough rice,” she said, her wary gaze darting between Kevin and his father.
She’d surprised him again. Mrs. Reid had done all the cooking since she’d been hired. He didn’t expect or want Nikki to make his meals. And she’d picked a hell of a day to start—not that she could have anticipated Max.
Kevin stifled a groan. What he didn’t need was Nikki playing mediator. He and his father had had perhaps their first civilized conversation ever. He didn’t want to push things too far or expect too much.
“I’d like to stay... if I’m welcome,” Max said, as if daring Kevin to object now.
“Kevin?” Nikki asked, deferring to him. Once again, he found himself at a loss. Unsure of how to handle this woman who seemed to have taken over his home—and his life.
One day at a time, he decided. He wasn’t capable of much more.
Hoping he didn’t regret his decision, Kevin turned to Max. “I’d like you to stay too.”
* * *
She’d made a huge mistake. Nikki didn’t know why she’d gotten involved, why she’d invited Max to stay for dinner. She’d caught glimpses of his belligerent, nastier side, but then she’d overheard him apologize and be sort of sweet to his son. And she’d turned into a marshmallow. The first dinner ever she’d prepared for Kevin—and she invited company.
Was there something subconscious involved there, she wondered wryly. So here she was, with Kevin on one side—and a now drunken Max on the other.
She toyed with the rice on her plate. Kevin had insisted on helping her in the kitchen while Max watched television in the family room. Time had gotten away from them and at least forty minutes had passed. She’d been so on edge about the entire evening, she’d forgotten Max’s earlier trip downstairs. Apparently Max hadn’t. And apparently there was more in the basement than just wine. Because Kevin’s father was rip-roaring drunk.