Page 9 of Fools in Love

Nick smiled. “If you do, I’ll just make Tom deal with you,” he warned.

Tom instantly thought that it wouldn’t be such a hardship.

Kate was smiling at her brother. “I am thankful. I love our parents, but Mom has been hovering. I think she’d worried I’m going to stand up at any minute and try to do pirouettes in her living room.”

“Anytime.” Nick hugged her, then turned to him. “Thanks for driving my sister home.”

“My pleasure,” Tom said, nodding to Nick and then to Kate. “I guess I’ll…” He turned to go, but Nick stopped him.

“The least we can do is offer you a beer.” Nick slapped him on the back.

Tom thought to deny the offer, but then his eyes fell to Kate, and he realized he wanted to spend more time with her. Even if it was in the company of her entire family.

He followed Nick and Kate to the front porch, and they helped Kate up the stairs.

“I can do it myself,” she said, but they both ignored her. “But thanks,” she added after taking a deep breath.

When they stepped inside, Becca Farrow, Nick and Kate’s mother, was standing in the entryway. Her eyes ran over Kate and then visibly relaxed.

“How are you feeling?” she asked Kate.

“Tired,” Kate said with a sigh. “I’m going to head in and lie down.”

They all stood there as she hobbled down the hallway and disappeared into a room. When the bedroom door shut behind her, Becca turned and seemed to notice him for the first time.

“Hi, Tom,” Becca said with a smile. “Come on in. We were just sitting out on the back deck.” She walked over and hugged her son and then waved them back. They followed her through the house, and Nick stopped and grabbed a couple beers before they headed out the large glass doors.

The house sat along the same road as his but up the hill from him. While he was down on the dock level, their house overlooked the docks from above.

“Evening.” He shook Sean Farrow’s hand as he stepped out onto the large deck area.

“Evening.” Sean motioned for him to sit.

“Nice view,” he said, looking out over the lights of the town below them as he sat down and took the beer that Nick offered.

He’d run into Sean more times than he could count over the past few years. It was thanks to Sean and Nick that Tom had a love for sailing.

Sean was one of the nicest men in town and could always make you laugh. Still, Tom knew that he wasn’t a man to cross.

“Yeah, you should see it during the day. It’s the reason we bought the place.” Sean held up his beer. “How was the game?”

Tom chuckled. “I think you need to teach your son a few more tricks. He sucked so bad tonight that I wiped the floor with him. Thirty-six to six.”

“Ouch.” Sean winced.

“I was distracted.” Nick shrugged.

“By what?” Becca asked. “Or should I ask, by whom?”

Nick rolled his eyes. “It was just us guys there. I haven’t been sleeping a lot. I’m trying to replace all the hardwood in the house and ended staying up late.” He rolled his shoulders for show.

Tom chuckled. “You’ve used that excuse for too long. I’ve mentioned I could help you out. I replaced my flooring last year.”

“When I get to the point of laying the floor, I’ll hit you up. For now, I’m still just tearing out all the old stuff.”

“You know your father and I could always—” Becca started, but Nick gave her a look and she laughed. “Okay, but the offer is always there.”

“My home. My sore back.” Nick shrugged.