Sam grabbed Roy by the collar again, bringing him to his feet and slamming his back into the wall. “You have turned my life upside down, goddamnit.”
“I am sorry.” Roy’s dark eyes misted. “Let go of me, please.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I didn’t know he was yours. Sydney never told us.”
She didn’t? Sam let go and pushed Roy back down on the bench. “Now start talking. You owe me that much.”
“She was young, only nineteen. She was a champion racer. She couldn’t keep a child.”
“So what? Maybe I could have.”
“She never told us who you were. I think because she knew we’d try to contact you. Carrie and I always felt the father had a right to know.”
“Why wouldn’t she tell you?”
“I don’t know. That’s something you’ll have to ask her.”
“I’m never speaking to her again. So you’ll have to tell me.”
Roy shook his head. “I told you. I don’t know.”
“How did you end up with him?”
“Sydney was too young to take care of a child. But she didn’t want to give him up. Carrie and I were becoming empty nesters. Blake had left while Sydney was pregnant, and Syd was nineteen and ready to fly on her own. We were still young enough to be good parents. It made sense.”
“Well, it doesn’t make sense to me.”
“We love him as our own. He’s our child, and our biological grandchild. He’s had a good life. He’s happy.”
“What makes you think he wouldn’t have been happy with me?” Sam’s voice cracked.
“Maybe he would have. I don’t know. But did you want to raise a child alone? Your son has a mother and father who adore him and a big sister who couldn’t love him more.”
“And when were you planning to tell him that his big sister is actually his mother?”
“I don’t know.” Roy sighed. “Eventually we did plan to tell him.”
“I want to spend some time with him.”
“That’s not possible.”
“I’ll drag your asses to court, then. The kid is my flesh and blood.”
“Are you absolutely sure he’s yours?’
“Are you kidding? Take a good look at me.”
Roy pe
rused him and nodded soberly.
“And even if we looked nothing alike, I have further proof. Sydney has admitted to me that she hasn’t been with anyone since we were together five years ago. He has to be mine.”
“Thank God.”
“Thank God? Are you kidding?”