They were running out of inane chatter when a key sounded in the front door. Darius sighed his relief even as he tensed in dread. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation or the confrontation that would come after.
“Ma, I’m home.” Noah’s greeting preceded his appearance in the living room.
Looking at him was like looking into a mirror sixteen years in the past. “Hey, Noah.”
Noah studied his mother before switching his attention to Darius. “Hey, D. You want me to meet our father, don’t you?”
Darius frowned his surprise. “How did you know?”
Noah leaned his left shoulder against the nearby wall and crossed his ankles. “It’s Thursday. You never visit in the middle of the week, unless it’s a big deal.”
“You don’t miss a trick, do you, kid?” Darius’s lips curved in a reluctant smile.
Noah smiled in return. “It’s about time you realized that. And don’t call me ‘kid,’ old man. I’m seventeen.” He shrugged. “I’ll meet him.”
“Wait a minute. I don’t think that’s a good idea.” June’s protest was immediate.
Darius had expected it. Simon had been a worse father to Noah than he’d been to Darius. He hadn’t thought that was possible. In contrast, Darius had tried to be a better role model for his younger half brother, spending time with him, helping him with his homework, giving him advice, attending his football games, teaching him to tie a tie. But he couldn’t replace Noah’s father. And, although he wouldn’t wish Simon on anyone, he’d always thought his sibling should at least meet the man who’d contributed to his birth.
Darius turned to f
ace Noah’s mother. “Why not?”
“Simon Knight may have provided Noah with his DNA, but he’s not his father.” June’s frown was fierce.
Noah straightened from the wall. “Whether he’s Father of the Year or just a sperm donor, I want to meet him. I want to know where I came from. I have that right.”
June spread her arms to encompass their home. “This is where you came from.”
“You know what I mean, Ma.” Noah faced his mother. “The people I came from. All of them.”
June’s expression revealed her frustration. “Why? Where has Simon been for the past seventeen years? Darius found us. Simon didn’t even try.”
Noah shrugged. “I don’t care. I want to know who my father is.”
June spread her arms. “What difference will that make?”
Noah’s expression was a study in stubborn determination. “It’ll make a difference to me.”
Darius gentled his voice. “Meeting his father won’t change the fact that you’re a great mother and Noah loves you very much.”
June turned on him. “You only want them to meet because you think seeing Noah will convince Simon to drop out of the mayoral race.”
Noah crossed his long arms over his narrow chest. “Is that true?”
Darius met his younger brother’s midnight eyes. “I want the two of you to meet, if that’s what you want. But, yes, I’m hoping meeting you will change his mind about running for mayor.”
“Because he’ll be ashamed of me?” Noah’s eyes snapped with accusation.
“No, because I want him to acknowledge you.” Darius’s response was firm and impatient. How could the younger man think his existence was something to be ashamed of? “If you make the first move, you can set the tone for your introduction. But if he lets someone else reveal your existence, the gossip will be nasty.” He looked at June. “I don’t want that for Noah. Do you?”
June clenched and unclenched her fists. The battle between protective and overprotective mother warred within her. “No, I don’t want that for my son.”
Noah nodded once. “When will we do this?”
Darius studied June’s stark expression. She didn’t want Noah and Simon to meet. But it was what Noah wanted and what Simon needed. He inclined his head toward her to acknowledge the difficult decision she’d made.
He switched his attention to Noah. “You’ll meet our father tomorrow.”