“Does he know he’s adopted?”
“Yes. We’ve always shared that with him.”
“Did he know Carolyn was his mother?”
Donna sighed. “No. She never wanted to see him. I honored her wish and kept him away.”
I swallowed. “Does he know about me?”
“No. He believes that his biological parents weren’t able to take care of him, so they made the best choice and gave him to us so that he could have a better life.”
I tried to control my temper because I wasn’t that guy anymore. And I didn’t want to chance my son hearing this conversation. “He could’ve had a good life withme—and my family.”
“I know, Duke. I was haunted for so long about the decision to keep this from you.”
“But you continued to do it.”
“I love him,” she cried. “He’s my son. I’ve given him everything.”
“Mom!” I turned toward the stairs as a tall boy bounded down the stairs, a basketball in hand. “Do you know where I put my kickz? I want to go to the park.”
Donna’s eyes widened in horror as she frantically darted her eyes from me to the boy, then back to me. “Um…” She cleared her throat. “I think they’re in the mud room.”
Young Duke frowned, concern in his eyes. “Are you okay, Mom?” He walked closer, his eyes finally landing on me. “Hi.”
Words escaped me in that moment, and I blinked back my own tears as I took him in. She wasn’t lying. He looked like me as a teenager. “What’s up?” I managed to say.
“Are you a friend of my mom’s?”
Donna’s expression softened. “Yes, honey. He’s a friend of mine.”
“I’m Duke,” he said, greeting me with a strong handshake.
“That’s funny.” I cleared my throat. “My name is Duke too.”
He studied me for a moment. “You look familiar,” he said. “Do you live in the neighborhood?”
I shook my head. “Nah. But my family lives close.”
“Are you a coach?”
Confused, I asked, “A coach?”
“Did you come to one of my games?” he pressed.
My gaze dropped to the ball in his hands. “No. You play ball?”
“Yeah.” He smacked the basketball in his palm. “Coach thinks I might be able to play varsity my freshman year.”
I smiled. “That’s good. I played varsity ball my freshman year too. Good way to get the girls.”
He smirked. “I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Nathaniel Duke,” Donna chided. “What did I tell you about treating women with respect?”
“I know, Mom.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “Are you on IG?”
“I am,” I replied. “I’m a chef.”
