I move my knee, accidentally knocking Mav’s leg in my attempt to get Dom’s hand off my knee when it rests there.
He doesn’t reach out again, leaving me with a weird mix of thankfulness and confusion that swirls around my stomach.
“If you guys keep cooking like this you’re going to have to roll me everywhere.” Rory groans, placing her hands on her flat stomach.
Mason picks up her hand and places a gentle kiss on it. “You’re beautiful, Angel,” Mase murmurs.
Rory smiles, a hint of a blush creeping up when she straightens, her lips finding Mase’s cheek. Hmm. Is she blushing because of his words or her reaction?
Happiness dances in Mase's eyes at Rory's small show of affection.
My thoughts are interrupted when I feel my phone buzzing. I discreetly pull it out under the table and sigh when I see my therapist’s name. Of course, she would call today of all days.
Hitting ignore, I slide my phone back into my pocket. Immediately, it starts vibrating again. My fingers tap against the table drawing Dom’s eyes. When I can no longer ignore it, I sigh before standing.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell the group, not missing the concern that floats around the table.
Jace gives me a knowing look, having some idea that she would call today.
“Alec,” I answer, just as the front door shuts behind me.
“How are you?” Katrina’s soft voice comes through my phone, getting straight to the point.
“Fine,” I respond distractedly, my feet shuffling on the hardwood as I walk down the hall to my room. I flop back on the bed, bringing my hand up to run through my hair. It’s been two days—it needs washing tonight.
I glance down at the sheets scrunched up at the bottom of my bed and grimace.
I didn’t get up and make my bed during my normally very structured routine this morning when Mase came bounding in at 5:30. In my haste to get dressed and bid Rory ‘happybirthday,’ I didn’t even think about making my bed, checking my emails or watching the security tapes from the night before. It just didn't cross my mind.
“Alexander,” Kat sing songs in my ear, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Don’t call me that,” I immediately respond. The phone gets put on speaker so I can make my bed without having to hold the phone.
“Then listen to me when I’m talking to you.” Kat’s tone softens.
I take a deep breath before exhaling. “Sorry, Kat. You just caught me at a bad time.”
“What’s going on?” Kat asks. “Is it Jace?” She automatically assumes it’s my brother because of what today is.
“No.” I pull up the bottom sheet tightly. “Jace is fine.” I move onto the doona.
“Really?” Kat says disbelievingly.
“Yes,” Is all I say, straightening the pillows on the bed. I start looking for other things to fix.
“And why is it that Jace is okay and not spirally like he has the last three years?” Kat probes.
I weigh up the decision to tell Kat about Rory or not. She’s proven loyal to me. I wouldn’t even consider it if I thought Kat was a untrustworthy.
She waits patiently as I come to a decision, used to my silences before the hard questions.
“We found Rory.”
Silence is all that follows my words.
I pick up the phone to make sure we’re still connected.
“Kat?” I question.
