Jackson stepped closer. Leaning in, his mouth ghosted my ear, sending a pulse of excitement through my body, forcing me to close my eyes while I wrangled back some sense of control. “Your orgasm secrets are safe with me, as long as you promise me something.”
“Which is?” I murmured, trying to ignore the effect his proximity was having on me.
“Use them. Don’t leave them in that box feeling all sad and rejected.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, pulling back, so I looked Jackson in the eyes. “Have lunch with us. The boys would love to catch up with you.”
“Fine. But I need to go back to the hotel. It’s going to look really strange if they turn up and find me here, wearing their clothes.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Good point.”
Chapter 4
Helen
“God, that was delicious, Ma. Thanks for suggesting it.” Conner winked as he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach.
“Yeah, yeah, you keep telling yourself that. But it was a nice idea. It’s good to see you all,” I replied, putting my knife and fork on my still half-full plate, my hangover making it hard to enjoy lunch.
“I can’t get used to the hair. You look…”
I tutted. “Nice… I think the word you’re looking for is nice, Jasper.”
“You look younger, Ma. Way younger,” Callum added, offering me a smile.
Conner rolled his eyes. “Why would she want to look younger? It’s not like she’s going to date.” I didn’t say a word. “Tell me you’re not dating, Ma. That’s weird and fucked up,” he continued.
I sensed four sets of eyes on me.
“I’m forty-nine, not ninety-nine, Conner. If I live until then, I’ve only lived half my life. Do you suggest I spend the rest of it single and alone?”God, what was going on with me?Untillast night, I would have happily agreed to spend the rest of my life by myself, but now…Nope, not having that thought. Totally inappropriate. Never going to happen.
“You’re our mum. I don’t want to think about you dating… or…” He made a fake vomit noise.
“Dessert anyone?” I stood, my chair noisily scraping across the floor, helpfully changing the subject. Jackson stood too, helping me clear the dishes while my boys laughed and joked amongst themselves.
“Dudes, you could help,” he hissed and the three of them leapt up and began cleaning the plates and filling the dishwasher. “Take a seat, Helen.”
I did as he asked, and I couldn’t help but notice the wink he gave me, a shiver rippling down my spine.
“So, how is life back in town, Jackson?” Conner asked.
“Jax, remember, idiot,” Jasper muttered.
“Sorry. Jax.”
“It’s weird and familiar. I mean, the place has changed a lot, but it’s nice to remember the streets we used to ride our bikes on and the places we used to hang out.”
“Yeah, we did used to have fun, didn’t we?” Jasper wrapped his arm around Jackson’s neck, pulling him close as his other hand ruffled his hair.
“Get off me, dickhead.”
Jasper released him, turning his attention back to the dishes. “It wasn’t the same after you left.” Silence fell over the room as everyone froze. Jackson leaving had been hard on my boys; Jasper especially. They were best friends. Inseparable. And then suddenly, Jackson came over one night and told us he was moving the next day. I didn’t really think Jasper ever got over it. He found it so hard to make long-term friends and keep relationships—as if he was expecting them to end from the minute they started.
Jackson was the first to break the tension, placing his hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my idea to leave, and all I ever wanted was to come back. It’s why I’m here.”
Callum placed the apple crumble that had been warming in the oven on the table and Conner added the ice cream, plates, and silverware as they all took their seats again.
“So you’re sticking around?” Conner asked.
