I glance at him sideways. “No… I don’t think that can be right. I’m sure I would have known about it.”
“It is right.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred per cent. They were pretty young when it happened, but it did happen.” Scott fidgets in his chair. “They were together for a while in fact, before… before my mum and your dad… eventually found out.”
“Wha… they had an affair?”
“Yeah.”
“How do you know all this?”
“It’s a long story.”
I huff out a nervous laugh. “No. I don’t believe you. This is another of your twisted games. Jesus Scott, as if you couldn’t stoop any lower.”
Ash squeezes my hand. “Listen to him, Cal.”
I blink, in his direction, then face Scott once more.
“Shit, Calla I never planned on telling you like this. In fact, I hadn’t planned on telling you at all.”
“This is a bunch of bullshit and you know it. Are you looking for excuses? Because this is pretty low.”
I note Ash glance up at Scott as if willing him to get on with it. Scott returns his look before he says, “Maybe you need a minute to take it all in.”
I raise my brow. “So you can think up more of your crap? No thanks.”
“Cal, you’re being unreasonable,” Ash interrupts. “He’s trying to say something really fucking important and you’re cutting him off at every point. Listen to what he’s telling you here.”
I back down and calm the imaginary hackles growing on my back. In my defence, I had years of Scott manipulating situations and getting at me, so sticking up for myself is a gut reaction. Talking of which, that particular area of my anatomy is currently in knots.
“I might as well get this out now.” Scott says, clearing his throat.
“Look Scott, if you’re trying to scare me—” I just can’t help myself.
“I’m not. It’s simple, really, but you’re refusing to see it.”
“Oh no, I see what you’re getting at.” I lean forward over the table, my hand still clasped in Ash’s, but my eyes fixed on Scott. “You think my mum having a fling with your father was a good enough reason for you to take your anger out on me. I mean, I get it Scott, but you can’t use it as an excuse.”
“Calm down Cal.” Ash’s hand holds mine tighter, and I stare for a moment, my heartbeat out of control. “Give him a chance.”
“I’m trying to.”
“It’s okay Ash, I get she’s angry,” Scott says calmly.
“Oh, how very noble of you,” I snap.
“I’m just trying to give you some clarity on what happened so you can see this from my point of view.”
“From your point of view? I don’t get what that is, Scott. You’re as clear as mud.”
Ash interrupts again, “Cal, you need to calm down.”
My wide eyes glare towards him. “Excuse me? Why the hell should I?”
Ash sighs, taking a moment then says, “Just let your defences down a little. I’m here for you, okay? If I thought Scott was going to hurt you any more than he already has, I wouldn’t be so calm. I’d be on the other side of the table knocking him sideways; not sitting here holding your hand, so please,” Ash pleads with his eyes, “give him a chance.”
