“Were you even listening to me? The new job is in London.”
Jason didn’t hear another word she said after that. It felt like his world had just ended.
Jason felt like Jane had rejected him. It was irrational, but that was how his brain was wired. She was leaving Jason. That was what was behind this all. It wasn’t about an amazing new opportunity. She’d abandoned Jason, just like everyone did. Grant had arrived home and said he was going to Boston for two weeks to meet a business contact. Did he offer Jason the opportunity to go with him? No. He wouldn’t have been able to get that long off work at short notice anyway, but that was beside the point. It would have been nice to be asked.
So, here Jason was, on his own in this big house he’d never wanted, whilst his husband was doing god knows what in the States, and his best friend was abandoning him. It was times like this when he really wanted to reach out to Charlie.He loved all his former brothers, but nobody got him the way Charlie did. They were the same age, and both hopeless romantics. Now, Jason had the dream they’d talked about – a handsome, rich, older husband – but it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. They hadn’t even had sex in the last two weeks. Jason had a high sex drive, and overused his dildo so much it had snapped. Thankfully, it hadn’t been inside him at the time. That would have been awkward at the hospital.
Jason opened his phone and scrolled to his secret folder, where he was met by all the apps he’d downloaded a few months ago. He hadn’t acted on anything, but anonymously flirting with other guys made him feel better about himself. He didn’t send his face pictures to anyone. If it got back to Grant, he didn’t even want to imagine what would happen. Jason jumped when there was a knock at the front door. He closed the apps down and went to answer it.
The police were on the other side – a male and female officer.
“We’re looking for a Jason Morris,” said the guy.
“That’s me.”
They both removed their hats and asked to come in. His heart pounded in his chest. Had something happened to Grant, and Jason had just been looking through dating apps?
“Is there anybody else home?” asked the woman.
“Er . . . no. My husband is away on business.”
“Okay. You might want to call him shortly.”
That means he’s not dead. Then who the fuck is dead? Oh. My. God. Is it Charlie? Has something happened to one of my brothers, and all I’ve done for the past four years is ignore them?
“Mr Morris, did you hear me?” asked the man.
“Sorry, I zoned out for a second. I have ADHD.”
He had no idea why he felt the need to tell the world that whenever he did something he felt he was being judged for. All he did was make an awkward situation worse.
“Are you related to Harry Parker?” asked the woman.
“He’s my da – stepdad. He’s my stepdad.”
“I’m afraid I have some bad news. Would you like to sit down?” she asked.
Jason shook his head. What had happened?
“A fellow prisoner attacked Mr Parker. The attack was fatal.”
“He’s dead?” asked Jason, unsure how to react.
“Yes. We’re very sorry for your loss.”
That was it. Jason did something completely inappropriate to the situation; he burst out laughing.
The funeral was a week later. Grant refused to come back for it, and questioned why Jason was even attending. He wasn’t sure what the answer to that question was, but he felt like he needed to be certain the monster was gone. Somebody had killed him in prison, but nobody had been arrested for it. Given what his stepfather was in prison for, the authorities said it was a surprise it had taken this long for someone to off him.
Jane was attending with him, and he was grateful. He still hadn’t fully processed that she was leaving, though. She’d suggested he go for her role once they advertised it. There was no way he was ready for that, but he appreciated her vote of confidence in him. As he walked up to the crematorium, his stomach dropped. The last person he’d been expecting to see here was his mum. He wasn’t sure why. She’d still been married to him, so of course she would be here. She was handcuffed to an officer, who was trying to not stand out. Difficult to achieve in a screw’s uniform, but she was trying her best. Jason didn’t want to speak to her, but she’d seen him and waved him over.
He gripped onto Jane’s arm for strength and walked over.
“Who’s this? Where’s your husband?”
“Jane’s a friend of mine.”
“I see. And where is Grant?”
