“We saw through your defences years ago,” Sam told him with a grin.
Arthur lowered himself into a chair, trying not to smile. They’d been teasing him for years and he’d done his best to pretend like he didn’t enjoy it, but he didn’t have to pretend anymore. There was no one he could disappoint. “That’s because I had to feed your egos.”
He smothered his smile at the absolute shock on Brandon’s and Sam’s faces.
Brandon turned to Sam. “Is he trash talking us?”
“He’s trying to,” Sam replied. “Needs a bit more work until he’s up to our level.”
Arthur snorted but said nothing. Let them think what they wanted.
Sam slapped him on the back. “We should get going. These oldies need to go to bed.”
Arthur awkwardly got to his feet. This was ridiculous. It was time he got the hang of the leg. He’d been wallowing for far too long. “Thanks for dinner.” He glanced at Brandon and then at Amy. They hadn’t really spoken all night.
Coward.
The issue was he had no idea how to start the conversation with his sister. He followed Sam outside. No, he couldn’t leave without saying something. “Amy…”
She studied him. “Yes?”
Crap, now what was he supposed to say? “Thank you.”
She nodded and Brandon slid his arm around her waist, waiting for him to say more. The only problem was, he didn’t have the words. “See you on the weekend.”
He hurried down the steps, relieved Sam was already getting in the car. It wasn’t until they reached the main road that Sam said, “It’s a start.”
Was he referring to the thanks or the fact Arthur had spoken more tonight than he had in the past few months?
“Lara’s pretty special.”
“So is Amy.”
“I know.” And eventually he’d figure out what to say to her.
Because if tonight had taught him anything, it was that he wanted his sister back in his life.
Chapter 6
Jordan still wasn’t speaking to Gretchen the next morning. Discovering the truth about his father was a lot to take in. She tried not to let it bother her, but it was reminiscent of the way Kurt would shut her out and not talk to her when she’d done anything he disapproved of. His cold shoulder could last weeks.
It was not behaviour she wanted to cultivate in Jordan.
She got the muesli out of the cupboard and chopped an apple to go on top as Jordan dragged his feet from his bedroom into the kitchen. “Would you like toast or cereal?”
Jordan took the bread from the cupboard and put two slices in the toaster.
Right. “Would you like Vegemite?” She took the condiment out of the fridge and added peanut butter and strawberry jam to the table as well so he could have his pick. “Can I make you a Milo?”
She poured herself a cup of tea while she waited for an answer. He always had a Milo in the morning, but if he wouldn’t answer her, she wasn’t making him one.
“What have you got on at school today?”
The scrape of the butter knife over the toast put her teeth on edge. “Looks like it will be a nice day,” she continued. “Should be good visibility on the boat. The passengers will be pleased.”
Jordan stuffed the peanut butter slathered toast in his mouth and made a show of chewing.
“It’s only about ten weeks until Christmas. You’ll have to start your Christmas list.”
