Page 40 of Fools in Love

Ten years before, most news stations had gone down a conspiracy black hole that claimed his father was an illegal alien from the Philippines. Some groups had marched outside the courthouse, demanding his father, and even Tom, be sent back to where they’d come from. On the day of his father’s sentencing, there had even been a brief riot.

Someone had defaced the courthouse and thrown a brick through a window with a note tied to it, telling them to send the gooks back where they’d come from.

Even though Vegas was a relatively progressive city, there was still hate there. Enough that he knew he wanted to move on. The day that he received his high school diploma, he’d enrolled in the police academy. Less than three months after graduating and getting his badge, he had applied for the job in Pride.

Even with the exaggerated experience he’d put on his application, a junior cop like him shouldn’t have gotten the position he had here.

He’d felt guilty the entire first year of working on the force and had been sure they would walk in and fire him at any moment. Or worse, arrest him for lying.

But that hadn’t happened. Instead, the townspeople had welcomed him and treated him with so much kindness that he’d relaxed into the job.

He’d zoned out briefly while listening to the news report, until a new image flashed on the screen. It was a video of his father leaving prison.

“Is that…” Kate asked, moving across the room.

“Yes,” he answered, his eyes running over his father, trying to remember the man that had taken everything away from him.

The last time Tom had seen him, his father had been skinny, but he must have been using the gym in prison. His arms were huge, and his chest was now easily twice the size it used to be.

Kate’s arms wrapped around him as his father spotted the news crew. When his eyes locked on the camera, a wicked smile formed on his lips, one that Tom remembered all too well.

He hated that his body tensed as he felt a shiver race up his spine. Even now, ten years later and thousands of miles away, the man could get to him. Shutting off the television, he turned back to heat up some slices of pizza for them.

“I’m here,” Kate said as she moved over and sat at the bar area.

“Thanks,” he said. He stopped when she laid a hand on his.

“I mean it. You helped me crawl out of my slump. If you need anything…” She tilted her head. “When is your next day off?”

“Tomorrow,” he answered quickly. “Which is why I suggested that you spend the night.”

“I mean, after that.”

“Same days next week.”

“Okay, how about we head into Portland for a day of shopping and food? A mini vacation.”

For most of his vacations, he’d gone out sailing alone. He didn’t really have any desire to head into Portland. He’d been pretty much done with cities since leaving Vegas. But the thought of spending a day away with her was definitely appealing.

“Okay,” he said with a smile. “I could—”

“Nope.” She held up her hand. “I’ll arrange everything.”

“Are you sure?”

She glanced up at him and the smile on her lips told him that she was going to enjoy arranging everything.

While he heated a couple of slices of pizza, she looked at her phone. Then they moved back into the living room and switched on a movie.

When he felt her drift off to sleep against his shoulder, he carried her back into his bedroom and snuggled up against her while his mind replayed that night so many years ago.

If it wasn’t for Kate next to him, somehow keeping him grounded, he was pretty sure that he would have had bad dreams. Instead, his dreams were filled with music, warm beaches, and sex.

When he woke, Kate’s body was wrapped around his. Her head rested on his chest, and her long blonde hair fell over his shoulder and arm. It was probably the best feeling in the world. One he could easily see himself wanting each morning for the rest of his life.

Then, the realization of what had happened yesterday hit him. His father was a free man. Tom knew in his gut that his father wouldn’t leave him alone. No power on earth would stop that man from coming after him. His gut twisted until Kate shifted slightly, then his mind focused on her and the fact that he had the entire day to be with her.

His mind cleared and he realized that his father probably wouldn’t be dumb enough to skip out on his parole check-ins this early.