There's Only Been You (20 page)

The three of them were sitting at the table eating supper when Garrett realized one special little person was missing. “Ethan, time for supper!” he called out, getting up to pour his nephew a glass of milk.

Ethan came up from the basement and took his usual seat next to Garrett. He cast him a quick, nervous glance before sliding a slice of pizza onto his plate.

Garrett felt as if he'd been sucker-punched. His face prickled and he recognized the sensation as shame. Shame over the fact that he'd acted like a complete ass, and now Ethan was afraid to look him in the eye. He set his pizza down and propped his elbows on the table, clasping his hands. He gazed at Ethan's bent head and said in a gentle voice, “Ethan, you heard your mom and I yelling at each other, didn't you?"

Ethan looked up and nodded. A spark of anger lit his eyes. “You yelled at her about my dad. Why don't you like my dad?"

Garrett sighed.
Where do I begin
? “Ethan, your father and I have a history of not getting along so well."

"Why?"

One little word, yet it asked so much. “You know, it's just a lot of silly adult stuff that would be pretty hard to explain. But the good news is, starting right this moment, I'm done being a cranky butt."

"And you're gonna like my dad?” Ethan demanded.

Damn, the kid drove a hard bargain. “Sure. For you, anything.” Hell, he'd even give Mike a big wet one if it would put a smile back on Ethan's face.

He mentally shivered in revulsion.

"Cool,” Ethan replied, smiling. Then he picked up his pizza and started wolfing it down.

Garrett looked up and caught Nicky's eye. Nicky smiled and nodded his approval. Suddenly, Garrett felt better than he had in days.

Sara was lying on her bed, flipping through a magazine when Garrett showed up at her bedroom door.

"Can I come in?"

Without waiting for a response, he stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Sara didn't bother to look up.

"Now how can I apologize if you won't even look at me?"

She licked her finger and turned another page.

"I know I've been acting like a jerk lately, but as your oldest brother, I'm ordering you to forgive me."

Sara's lips twitched.

"I saw that."

She let out a heartfelt sigh. “Look, I'm not even sure if things are going to work out between Mike and me. But I do know he's going to be a permanent fixture in Ethan's life, and it's not fair for Ethan to get caught up in your War of the Machos with Mike."

"War of the Machos?"

A reluctant grin curved her lips. “You know what I mean. I don't expect the two of you to start singing folk songs, but you could make an effort to be civil. For Ethan's sake. And Mike's good with him, Garrett. You should see them together."

Garrett sat down on the bed next to her. “You've never stopped loving him, have you?"

She closed the magazine and sat up. “No, I never have. And I've tried. I promise you, I've tried."

"I suppose it would be hard to forget a man when you're looking into his son's eyes every day."

She smiled, relieved to not be at each other's throats anymore. “There is that."

"Listen, I promise to not snarl and shoot flames out of my nose every time Mike and I are in the same room. Other than that, let's just take it day by day. Agreed?"

"Agreed. Now, since you're in such a magnanimous mood, can you give Jason a call and break up with him for me?"

Garrett laughed. “I'll tell you what. Since I do sort of owe you one, I'll buy you some time. I'll call and tell him you can't make dinner because Ethan's puking his guts up, and you're by his side wiping his brow."

"You'd really do that for me?” she asked, grinning.

"Sure. What else are big brothers for?"

Sara sat at the kitchen table thumbing through a Sears catalog when the phone rang. She got up to answer it, then hesitated. What if it's Jason? What if he's calling to find out how Ethan is? She was such a terrible liar. But he wouldn't be able to see her facial expression, so maybe she could pull it off.

"Hello?"

"Hey, beautiful, whatcha doing?"

Mike
. Her shoulders slumped in relief. “Nothing. Just looking through a catalog. You?"

"Just sitting here in my new house waiting for your date's vehicle to pull into your driveway."

"Well wait no longer. Garrett got me out of my date.” It suddenly dawned on her what he'd said. “Your new house? As in the one just down the block from me?"

Mike laughed. “That would be the one."

"But I thought you had to wait until tomorrow?"

"Mr. Pankovich's family moved the rest of his things out today. Didn't you see the huge moving truck parked in his driveway most of the day?"

"No. I didn't even notice, to tell you the truth. I was kind of busy."

"Yeah? Doing what?"

"Brooding. Garrett and I had words earlier. Although we've already made up."

"Why?"

"Because he's my brother, and I love him, despite his faults."

She heard him heave a sigh of impatience and fought to hold back a giggle.

"Smart ass. Why did you and Garrett get into it?"

"Let's just say he walked in and heard something I wish he hadn't.” She absently flipped to the next page of the catalog.

"You're killing me here."

She laughed. “Sorry. I'll tell you later. When there isn't a pair of nosy little ears within the sound of my voice."

"Ah. Well, listen, since you no longer have dinner plans, how would you and Ethan like to join me for a burger? We can take a ride to that place next to the stadium. I rode past there the other day and was thrilled to see they're still in business."

"Ooh, I love Perelli's. They put a glob of butter on top and the buns are nice and crispy. Count me in."

He laughed. “I take it you're hungry?"

"Starving. I didn't eat with the guys since I planned on going out—well, you know. I was actually just thinking about throwing some leftover pizza in the microwave when you called."

"Ethan's already eaten then?"

"Yeah, but that was over an hour ago. I guarantee, by the time we get there, he'll be hungry again. A little boy's metabolism is an amazing thing."

"Great. Then I'll be by to pick you up in about ... thirty seconds."

"We'll be ready."

She hung up the phone and skipped down the stairs. Uncle Luke sat on the couch watching Nicky and Ethan play video games. Garrett had gone out to shoot pool, as he often did on Friday night.

At least I know he won't be getting into a fight tonight
, she thought with a reluctant grin.

"Mom, guess who's winning!” Ethan looked possessed as his thumbs went crazy on the game controller.

"Uh, you?” she said, watching the television screen in amazement. He's so good, she thought, unsure whether to be proud of him or ashamed of herself for letting him spend so much time playing the darn thing.

"Yep. And Uncle Nicky's trying his hardest. Aren't you, Uncle Nicky?"

Nicky winked at her. “Sure am. You're just too good for me, big guy. Maybe I'll get a chance to practice this weekend."

"Actually, you can get some practice in right now. Ethan, your father's on his way over. He wants to take us out for Perelli burgers. If you're interested, that is."

Ethan dropped the controller and jumped to his feet. “Yay! But I don't want a burger, Mom, I want a double-decker sundae with extra whipped cream."

She pursed her lips. “Well, since you've already eaten supper, I suppose. Now go put your shoes on. He'll be here any second."

"Any second? Didn't he just call?” Nicky asked.

"Yeah, but he called from the Pankovich's house. Or, I should say, Mike's house."

Uncle Luke whistled. “That may be the fastest closing in the history of real estate."

"Come on, let's go,” Ethan said as he finished tying his shoes. “Dad's probably already out there waiting."

"All right, all right.” She shook her head and smiled. “We'll be back in about an hour."

"Have a good time,” Uncle Luke said.

At that moment, the sound of Mike's voice carried down from the vicinity of the kitchen. “Hey, starving man here! You two ready or what?"

"We're coming, Dad!” Ethan grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

Mike waited for them by the back door.

"Just let me grab my purse,” Sara said on her way to her bedroom. When she returned, Mike had Ethan slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"You're going to be sorry if he pukes on your back,” she said with raised eyebrows.

Very gently, he set Ethan back on his feet, who in turn, scowled at her.

"You always ruin my fun."

"It's what I live for."

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of Perelli's. As usual, Ethan gazed longingly over at Lambeau Field. “I'm gonna play there someday."

Mike ruffled his hair. “So you're a football fan, are you? Good, so am I. It'll be nice to have someone to watch the games with this fall."

Sara's smile turned bittersweet. Football Sunday had always been Garrett and Ethan's special time.

"Can Uncle Garrett come, too? I always watch football with Uncle Garrett."

Much to his credit, Mike's expression never faltered. “Of course he can. The more, the merrier. Maybe it'll become a tradition and everybody can come down to my place for football Sunday. Even your mom.” He glanced at her, a gleam in his eye.

"Hey, I like football. I'll even make lunch for everyone. Brats, breaded cheese curds, and a big ol’ pot of chicken booyah."

Mike laughed. “You're such a Cheesehead."

"So is your son,” she reminded him, hands on hips, “so you'd better say it with respect."

He shrugged. “Hell, so am I at heart. I always root for the Packers. Although, I have to admit, I've become quite a Bears fan over the years."

Sara glanced around in mock horror. “Are you trying to get us lynched?"

Ethan giggled and Mike rolled his eyes.

"Well, come on, you two. I'm so hungry I could eat my own cooking. And that's saying something."

"That lying bitch,” Jason muttered, as he watched Sara and a well-enough looking Ethan walk across the parking lot toward the restaurant. And he was fairly certain the big dude with them wasn't one of her brothers.

Jimmy Montgomery, who sat next to him in the truck, said, “Hey, isn't that Sara Jamison? Wow, she still looks hot as hell."

Jason glanced over at him, surprised. “You know Sara?"

Jimmy shrugged. “Sure. We went to school together. She and my sister were pretty chummy back in the day.” He reached up and fingered his bandaged nose. “At least until that Andrews jerk-off started coming around."

"So who's the guy with her? You know him?"

Jimmy squinted. “Yeah, that's Andrews, the guy I just told you about. I guess they finally kissed and made up."

Jason cocked a brow. “What do you mean, ‘kissed and made up'? What do you know that I don't?"

"That's the prick that busted my nose and pulled a gun on me. He and Sara were a hot item back in high school."

"Well, that's a coincidence now, isn't it?” Jason murmured, drumming his fingers against the dashboard. “He's the one who showed up the other night after I left? The one who broke your nose? You're sure of it?"

"Course I'm sure. Why're you so interested anyway?"

Jason waited until the restaurant door closed behind them before starting up his truck. “I took the two-timing bitch out on a date the other night."

"Huh. Well, if I were you, I'd steer clear of her. Besides being a grudge holder, Andrews has one hell of a temper."

"And you say he pulled a gun on you? That's kind of strange, isn't it? I mean, the average guy doesn't walk around carrying a gun.” Jason pulled out of his parking spot and stopped in front of the black pickup Sara and Andrews had gotten out of. He wrote down the plate number, surprised by the fact they were out-of-state. “He's from Illinois?"

Jimmy leaned forward and peered at Andrews’ truck plates. He shrugged. “I guess so. It didn't come up in our conversation. But I do know he moved away a long time ago, and I'm pretty sure he hasn't been back in town all that long."

"Interesting.” Jason took his foot off the brake and pulled out of the lot. Just to be safe, he'd run the guy's plates. No sense taking a chance. Jason had learned that lesson a long time ago.

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Sara gazed down at her unusually quiet son as Mike parked his truck in front of the house. After they'd eaten their fill of burgers and ice cream, Mike suggested they stop at Toys R Us so he could make up for at least one of Ethan's birthdays. She'd insisted it wasn't necessary, but Ethan had begged until she'd given in. The Transformer robot he'd picked out was clutched in his fist, and his eyes were so heavy Sara knew he'd be out like a light before his head even hit the pillow.

Mike lifted Ethan in his arms and carried him into the house.

Sara led the way to his room and lit the small lamp on his nightstand. She pulled down the comforter and stepped back so Mike could lay him down on the bed. After tugging off his shoes, she pulled the comforter up over him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Mike did the same, and as their eyes met across the bed, Sara watched a host of raw emotions wash across his face and knew her own heart and soul were reflected in her eyes.

Ethan was proof that kismet had been working in their favor, even when the forces of evil had been working so hard to tear them apart. And now here she was, daring to dream about a future together after all these years. Nothing stood in their way anymore.

Except for the fact she was scared to death to trust him with her heart again.

When Sara pulled Ethan's bedroom door shut behind them, Mike bent down and kissed her. A slow, lingering kiss that curled her toes.

"Come with me down to the house. I'll give you a guided tour."

Sure, and guide me right into the bedroom
. “Oh, I've seen the inside of that house lots of times,” she teased.

"Yeah, but it looks so much bigger without furniture. You can look around, get an idea of what you'd like to do with each room."