She shook her head. “This is Kevin’s house.” She didn’t know whether to be insulted he hadn’t told his father about their situation or relieved she’d been granted a reprieve. “We’re...” She decided to leave the explanations alone for now. “Kevin should be home from work soon. Did he know you were coming by?”
He shook his head. “I wanted to surprise him. He hasn’t invited his old man over and I wanted to see what he’s done with my sister’s house.”
Obviously the relationship wasn’t a close one, which Nikki had already surmised from the lack of discussion or contact between the two men since she’d moved in. “Would you like to come in and wait for him?”
She didn’t want to be rude, but she was curious about this man whom Kevin didn’t talk about.
“Don’t mind if I do.”
She nodded and led the way inside, wondering what Kevin’s reaction would be to finding his father here. She hoped she wasn’t inviting trouble, yet she could hardly leave the man waiting on the street.
“Why don’t you have a seat. Can I get you something to...” Nikki swallowed the rest recalling Kevin’s description of his father, though he seemed perfectly sober now. Besides, she couldn’t remember seeing alcohol of any kind in the kitchen. “Can I get you anything?” she asked.
“Just water would be fine.”
“Sure thing. Make yourself comfortable and I’ll be right back.” Nikki headed into the kitchen, poured water from a pitcher she kept in the refrigerator, and filled a bowl with sour cream and onion chips from the pantry.
The phone rang and she grabbed it, pleased to find Janine on the other end. She spared a worried glance at the den, then decided his father would understand if she took a few minutes to take a long distance phone call.
But Janine was full of information and a few minutes turned into ten. Nikki returned to the den to find it empty. She placed the glass and bowl of chips down on the table and shrugged. He said he’d come to take a look around, so he couldn’t have gone far. Minutes later, she heard footsteps on the stairs leading to the basement. The door opened wide and Max Manning stepped through. “Just wanted to check out the basement. See if my sister hung onto anything of interest.”
Nikki narrowed her gaze. As far as she knew, the only things in the basement were mousetraps and a... wine cellar. Damn. She studied him carefully but he looked no worse for his short visit downstairs. Perhaps she was being paranoid. Maybe there was no liquor in the basement and even if there was, how much trouble could he get into in ten minutes?
“I brought you the water and some chips.”
“Thanks.” He sat down on the couch and Nikki settled herself into her recliner. “So tell me what your relationship is to my boy.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You don’t beat around the bush, do you?” she asked.
“Can’t see any point in that.”
“Okay... we’re... good friends.” She hoped her nose didn’t start to grow. Lately she and Kevin hadn’t shared much in the way of heart-to-heart talks, so she couldn’t really classify them as friends anymore. Though that was another thing she hoped to change.
The older man’s snort told her she’d been found out. “I’ve been around the block long enough. Try again and let’s see if I believe you.” He grinned, letting her know he meant no harm, but intended to get an answer.
The sound of a key in the lock saved her from having to answer. Kevin, she thought, and held her breath, not knowing what kind of reaction to expect.
Max’s eyes darted toward the door. When Nikki heard the slam, she knew he’d entered the house.
“So you didn’t answer. What’s your relationship to my son? Girlfriend? Roommate? Lover?”
A heated blush rose to her cheeks.
“Lay off her, Max.” Kevin turned the corner into the family room. His gaze darted from Max to Nikki, to the table with refreshments, and back to Max again. “And tell me what the hell you’re doing here.”
She sucked in a deep breath and steeled herself for what lay ahead. Max had obviously timed his question to coincide with Kevin’s entry and she understood Kevin’s gut reaction to the crass question. What she didn’t understand was why Max had chosen to act out, when he’d been at least diplomatic up until now.
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.