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Simon replaced the photo. “She always said the only way she’d ever leave me was if she died.” He drew in a shuddering breath. He still missed that woman every day of his life. “Okay, back to what you were saying. What’s this problem?”
His son nodded to the television in the corner where the football game was playing. “Were you watching the game from the other night?”
“Yeah, but then halftime came on.” He waved a hand. “I had work to do, so I muted it and just let it play instead of running it forward. Don’t tell me who wins. I want to watch it.”
“Forget the game.”
“What? Why?”
Christopher picked up the remote from the desk, aimed it at the television. Found the halftime show and turned up the volume.
Simon cut his eyes at his son. “What’s this all about?”
“Just watch.”
Simon watched. “Interviews for Olympic hopefuls and those who’ve already qualified?”
“Yes. Keep watching.”
As soon as the boy came on the screen, his heart plummeted. And the more he watched, the tighter his lungs got. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he whispered.
“Nope. And anyone who sees this is going to wonder the same thing that’s going through your head right now. What went through my head when I saw it yesterday.”
“Yesterday? And you didn’t call me?”
Christopher’s nostrils flared. “No, Leslie and I had a long talk about it.”
“What’s Leslie got to do with this?”
His son’s eyes narrowed, and Simon thought he might have been working hard not to roll them. “She’s my wife, Dad. We talk.”
“And what did you decide?”
“To bring it to you and see if you knew anything about this.”
“Of course I don’t. Who is he?”
“Michael Harrison. Thirteen—and one of the best snowboarders on the planet.”
Simon gaped, then snapped his mouth shut. “I don’t believe it.”
Christopher nodded. “I didn’t either. At first. I’ve watched it about twenty times on different speeds and each time just confirms my suspicions. That kid has to be Keith’s son.”
Keith. Simon’s younger son. The one who he’d never understood, but the one they all protected and the one who would save the family. “Has he seen this?”
“If he has, he hasn’t said anything to me.”
“Can we keep him from finding out? I don’t need him distracted right now.” Simon’s gaze drifted back to the screen that was paused with Michael’s wide innocent eyes smiling andlooking back at him. Along with the prominent birthmark he couldn’t deny.
But mainly those eyes. Keith’s eyes. Christopher’s eyes. His own eyes. Shock waves rippled through him.
He turned and looked at Christopher. The son he’d always been able to count on. The one he loved the most. “Tell Leslie to stay quiet and do whatever it takes to keep Keith from finding out about this.”
Christopher nodded and rose. “Good. I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
“What page would that be?” Keith asked from the doorway. His eyes landed on the television screen and widened a second before Christopher managed to hit the power button. “What’s going on? That looked like me when I was that age. Who’s that kid?”
Simon released a heavy sigh. “Nothing’s going on. Just discussing your future.”
