‘Drop it,’ he hisses, eyes flashing angrily. ‘Besides, I’m going with Mason. To see his old man.’
‘No,’ I say, shaking my head. ‘It’s all good.’
‘What the fuck is going on right now?’ Anya protests.
‘You’re going to see Mum, and we are going to see Mason’s dad. End of discussion,’ Zayden retorts hotly.
Throwing her hands up, Anya stalks out of the room.
‘Don’t,’ Zayden warns as I open my mouth. ‘Not a word.’
Pressing my lips into a thin line, I nod, holding up my hands in surrender. After a moment, I get to my feet and slip into Anya’s room, where she’s shrugging into a denim jacket.
Brow furrowed, she turns to me. ‘Tell me what’s going on with him.’
‘I’m not involved,’ I say.
Her eyes narrow. ‘So you do know.’
‘I’m not involved,’ I repeat. I hold out my arms to her, and she pauses for a moment before falling into my chest. I press a kiss to the side of her head.
‘Is he okay?’ she whispers.
‘I don’t know,’ I admit. ‘I think he’s trying to be.’ Inhaling the sweet scent of her perfume, I hold her close for a few more seconds before releasing her.
She steps back and adjusts her ponytail, a concerned look on her face. ‘So, you’re going to see your dad,’ she says.
‘I have mail to collect,’ I answer.
‘I know you don’t like anyone knowing anything about your dad, but Zayden going with you is a good idea. Just to be on the safe side.’
I nod. ‘Yeah. You’re probably right.’
‘You don’t have to talk to him. If it’s too much.’
‘Yeah. I know.’
Sliding my hands down the sides of her face, I stare at her for a long moment, taking in her round, emerald eyes, the freckles dusted over the top of her cheeks, her cute-as-a-button nose.
‘What?’ she whispers. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘I hope you know this isn’t just physical for me,’ I say, my voice raspy.
Her lips part and she steps back from me, forcing me to release her. Folding her arms over her chest, she looks down at her feet. ‘That’s all it can be, Mase.’
My heart plummets into my stomach. ‘Why?’
‘I can’t give my heart to you, not after everything.’
‘Blush ...’ I trail off, teetering on the edge of losing control. ‘I know I left last time, but things are different now.’
‘It doesn’t really feel different,’ she admits, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. ‘I’m not making any decisions about anything right now. I don’t want to jeopardise hurting Zayden and mucking everything up, just in case this ...’ She waves a hand between our chests. ‘Isn’t serious.’
‘It’s serious,’ I say firmly.
‘I have to go,’ she murmurs, touching her hand to my arm. ‘Good luck with your dad.’
Exhaling, I step back and watch her walk out the door.
