No, that’s not what he’d said, Jase thought. That’s what Roman had said.
“What are you talking about?” Babushka frowned. “This is why you didn’t come to my party?”
“Jase?” Heather asked him. Her eyes didn’t spark with anger. No, this time it was disappointment.
“No, I never said that.” He shook his head.
“I said it,” Roman chimed in from behind them.
“I’m so confused.” His mother looked between Roman and Jase. “I asked you. You said you broke up.”
He could actually feel the moment he lost control of any aspect of a situation. This would be that moment. “Technically, you said that. I didn’t correct you.”
“Seriously, Jase?” Heather whispered.
Time to end this bullshit. “Mom, Heather’s my girlfriend. Roman wanted you to quit ranting about it, so he told you we broke up.”
“But you knew he was telling her that?” Heather was holding it together, but he could see the way she was shattering beneath the surface. All because he’d taken the easy way.
“Yeah.” He hooked his fingertips at his waist.
“And you didn’t think you should correct it?” Heather had tightened her mask, he knew the second she did it. Closed it down.
But her lip trembled just a tad.
He’d fucked up. Hurt feelings. Deep ones.
“That’s why you didn’t tell me about the party,” she concluded.
The whole day was spiraling and all he could do was watch.
“You could’ve just told me what was going on,” she continued.
“This is on me.” Roman stood. “Also, Zach. He backed me up.”
“So, you boys lied?” their mother asked, shocked. Which was total bullshit, because it wasn’t the first time her kids had told her a fib.
“You were seriously an unhappy person to be around.” Roman dropped to the chair next to Babushka’s bed.
Heather hadn’t spoken again. She just stared at Jase. Stared at him like he’d crushed her heart.
He took a step toward her.
She shook her head, backing up.
“Sugar,” he started.
“Don’t ‘sugar’ me here,” she whispered, her voice wobbling slightly. “You don’t get to do that.”
She took the four steps to Babushka and gave her a hug. “I have to go now, but I’m really sorry that I missed your party. Please let me know that you’re okay. And take it easy, don’t do too much.”
Heather was barely holding it together. Jase knew her well enough to know this was killing her.
Babushka caught on, too. Patting her back and glaring at Jase. If looks could kill, he’d be flayed open right there by her oxygen tank.
Heather started for the exit.
“I’ll walk you out,” Jase said quickly.
