“We’ll be with you every step of the way, and the collection of the DNA is painless. It’s literally seconds of swabbing the inside of your cheek. It will take longer to process.” Franklin opened the door for me.
“Thank you,” I said, my Southern drawl slightly noticeable. “My accent shows up when I’m stressed or mad.”
“It’s understandable,” Michael said. “Try not to worry too much.”
Pursing my lips, I entered the sterile waiting room. Everything was white—white walls and white tile floor. The only décor that offered any contrast were the six black chairs. Franklin pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen.
“We’re here.” He hit the End Call button, and before I had a chance to sit down, a middle-aged man in a white lab coat rounded the corner.
He extended his hand, and Franklin shook it vigorously. “Franklin, it’s always good to see you.”
“Albert, thank you for slipping us into your busy schedule. This is Tensley.”
Albert turned toward me and grabbed my hand, shaking it with the same energy. “Franklin explained this is a rush situation, so I’ll put it at the top of my list.” His smile was reassuring.
Franklin gestured to Mr. Parker. “And this is Michael.”
Michael extended his hand. “Thank you for helping us on the weekend.”
After all the introductions, we followed Albert into another room that looked exactly like a doctor’s office. He explained the cheek-swab test, and I took a seat, my attention bouncing between the three men.
“Open, please.” Albert swirled the tip of the long cotton swab along the inside of my cheek then popped it into a tube and capped it. “All done. The hard part is the wait, but I promise the moment I have the results, I’ll call Franklin.” Albert patted me on the back.
“Thank you.” My voice cracked with nerves.
Minutes later, we exited the building and hopped into Michael’s SUV while Franklin waved and slid into the driver’s seat of his Porsche 911.
The radio came on as Michael started the car, and he quickly flipped it off. “How are you holding up?” He pulled out of the parking lot and merged into the downtown traffic.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m not sure this changes anything, really. Jack Flannery was on my property … period. Unfortunately, that makes me a suspect in his illegal activities.” I glanced out the passenger window, detecting a black Mercedes a few cars behind us. “I almost forgot the bodyguards were with us.”
Michael glanced in the rearview mirror, nodding his confirmation. “They’re good and discrete.”
“I guess it makes me feel a little safer that they’re around. Maybe Jack will stay away from us if he spots them.” I inwardly cringed that I’d just used Jack’s first name as though he were an old friend. “I’m ready for tonight,” I said, changing the subject.
“I think it’s a great idea, not only for you to play, but to get Benji out of the house. Everyone needs to relax and blow off some steam.” Michael flipped on his turn signal then pulled onto Division.
“Will you and Marilyn stick around at Barney’s tonight?” Neither of them had seen me play before, and it would mean a lot to me if they hung out for a while.
“We will. Security will be outside of the building, but since it’s Benji’s first night out, we want to be there in case he needs to go home. If we do need to leave, I know Layne will be with you, but if you’re both drinking, then call an Uber.”
“I don’t know if Layne will be drinking or not, but I am definitely downing some shots.” I leaned back in the leather comfort of the passenger’s seat and released a long sigh. “I miss Avery, so it will be great to see her. I guess her family has friends in town, and she’s bringing their son, Ramsey, with her and Justin tonight. It sounds as though he’s moving to Spokane from Montana or something like that.”
“Good. Another friend to add to the inner circle.” Michael kept his focus trained on the road while he spoke.
“We’ll see. We’re pretty tight.” Thoughts of the test broke through my excitement of seeing everyone that night, and I quickly returned to our conversation.
“It’s better to have a few people you can trust with your life than a lot of people you can’t,” Michael added.
“You don’t have to tell me that. I learned the hard way in foster homes.”
“Well, you have the support and a home now.” Michael glanced at me. “No matter what the results are, Tensley, you have a family right here.”
“Thank you,” I said, swallowing the lump of emotions down that had lodged itself in my throat. “You guys have been the only real family I’ve ever had, and I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.” Tears pricked my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, forcing them back.
Michael reached over and patted my hand as we pulled into the driveway. “Let’s have a good rest of the day, shall we?” He graced me with an infectious smile and parked the car in the four-car garage.
I needed Layne. The moment we walked into the house, reality hit me, and we didn’t even have the test results yet.
I bounded up the stairs and down the hall.
“In here!” Benji yelled from the family room.
Backing up, I poked my head around the door. A seventy-two-inch TV hung on the back wall, and the soft brown leather sectional called my name. I’d always loved that room. On holidays, Benji and I would fill up on food and alcohol, then cuddle up on the couch and talk until the early hours of the morning. It was a nice break from the thin walls in our house.
“Hey, you guys are shooting pool?” The moment I saw the massive smile on Benji’s face, I knew Layne was good for him. Benji had been cooped up in the house, shutting everyone out since he’d started the long road to recovery.
Layne bent over the table, allowing me a magnificent view of his tight ass and muscular legs. My head tilted, a smile easing over my face as Benji’s eyes caught mine. He winked at me as Layne cracked the balls, sending the orange striped one into the corner pocket.
Benji shook his head. “He’s kicking my ass.”
I laughed and strolled over to my boyfriend. “Nice shot. You know pool is just foreplay, right?”
Layne gave me a lopsided grin while a light pink dusted his cheeks. Benji’s laugh filled the room.
“Sorry,” I mouthed with my back to Benji.
Layne slid his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. “How did it go?” he asked before placing a sweet kiss on my mouth.
“It was boring.” I patted my hand against his chest and backed away. “Don’t let me stop the game.” I plopped down on the couch and propped my feet up on the armrest. “The test was done in under twenty seconds.”
“Really?” Benji asked, moving his wheelchair into place for the next shot. I hadn’t noticed it before, but apparently Benji had a booster seat. It brought his body up so he could actually reach over the table.
“Yeah. All we have to do is wait.” I rubbed my forehead with the palm of my hand. “I’m glad your mom thought about Barney’s tonight. I need to play some drums and get ripped. It’s been a while.”