I steppedout of the elevator, taking a moment to look out over the town I’d grown up in. I wasn’t sure why I was here—it wasn’t like I was about to spill my secrets to my mum, but I needed a friendly face, and she had this way of always saying the right thing, even when she didn’t have the whole story. Plus, I was just down the road. I’d spent the day diving after I managed to jump on a boat going out today. I felt relaxed for the first time in... well, since I’d left Ecuador, but the last few days were playing on my mind again, and I could do with a hug from someone who wouldn’t ask questions.
I didn’t come up to see my mum at work very often, so I was always pleasantly surprised by the view that you couldn’t get from anywhere other than Lanton House, as the town had only let one high-rise building be built.
The penthouse was sleek—black gloss tiles covered the walls and floors, floor-to-ceiling windows ran the length of the space, and three large offices filled the other. I walked to Mum’s office, but it sat empty, as did the reception desk.
“Can I help you?” A familiar face appeared in the doorway of the middle office.
“Mr Lanton, I’m Jasper Fischer. I was looking for my mum.”
I remembered Thomas Lanton as a scary mother-fucker in a suit. I never understood what Ma did for him, but she loved her job and she’d been doing it for most of my life, so I guess he did something worthy. He looked different, though; grey hair flecked his temples and his usual suit was replaced by a more casual t-shirt and dress pants, showing off his tattoo-covered arms.
“Jasper Fischer?” He stepped forward and held out his hand, shaking mine firmly when I offered it. “How did you get up here? Do you have the keycard?”
I frowned, shaking my head. “No, the receptionist told me to come up. She used to babysit me when I was little.”
He rolled his eyes. “Jesus Christ, this place has gone to the dogs since I retired. I need to have words.”
I laughed, folding my arms over my chest. “You’ve retired?”
He winked. “On paper, yes, but I’m not one for fishing and sitting around at home watching daytime TV.” Pointing to Mum’s office, he said, “Your mum’s away with Jax for a couple of days while they set up this charity do he’s hosting. Did they not tell you?”
I scrunched my nose guiltily. “Yes, she might have mentioned something. I’ve had a lot on my mind. Must have forgotten... or not listened, but let’s not tell her that.”
He chuckled, and I couldn’t believe the difference from the uptight, scary dude I remembered trying to avoid as a kid.
“Anything I can help with?”
“No, but thanks.”
Pointing to his office, he said, “Look, come and have a drink. It’ll be nice to hear about what you’ve been up to. Your mum is full of stories about your adventures.”
I glanced at my watch like I might have other plans, but in reality, the idea of going home and being left alone with my thoughts about what happened with Travis and then the moment in my office with Finn filled me with dread.
“Yeah, a drink might be nice. Thanks.”
I followed him in and he went to a cupboard at the back, taking out two glasses and a bottle of something dark. “Whisky okay? I would offer you a coffee, but I swear, the bloody machine hates me.”
“Whisky sounds perfect,” I replied with a chuckle.
I stood awkwardly as he poured and then placed both glasses on the coffee table, surrounded by armchairs and a sofa. Thomas took one of the chairs, reaching for his drink before crossing his ankle over his knee.
“Sit, Jasper. I won’t bite.”
I took a seat on the sofa and reached for my glass, taking a large mouthful and coughing as it burned down my throat like I’d never had a drink before.
“That bad, eh?” Thomas asked.
“You have no idea,” I said, regretting it instantly. I had become a dab hand at pushing my feelings down, ignoring them, but now, I felt like everything was spilling over and I couldn’t seem to rein any of it in or unpick what exactly was going on in my head.
“You could tell me.”
I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. I mean, it couldn’t be that easy, could it? Nothing else was working, so I decided to give it a try.
“Have you ever spent so long pretending to be something you’re not that you have no clue who you are anymore?”
He put down his drink. “Yes.”
“Oh.” I didn’t expect him to say that. “And?”
