I scowled.
“God, I swear.” Henry shook his head and went back to his food. “You two are so fucking toxic.”
We ate in silence for a beat, the clatter of cutlery and low chatter around us filling the space.
My eyes slid up to him. “So…”
Henry sighed and set his fork down. “He acts like a fucking robot around him. It’s weird.”
The corners of my mouth curved. “Really? Who does? Ash?”
“Both of them. It’s like they met two days ago. Everything is polite as hell, and you know Ash—he doesn’t even cuss around him.”
“Did you ask him about it?”
“Yeah, and he told me to mind my own business too, which is what I should be doing right now.”
I bit down on my lip. Interesting. And frustrating as hell. Why was he still with him?
“Thanks for being honest with me.”
“It was a terrible idea. I can see the little cogs turning from here.” He twirled a finger toward my head, and I leaned out ofreach. “Please don’t do anything rash. Maybe just sit Sebastian down and have a conversation like two adults?”
I shrugged, grabbing another bite just to busy my mouth.
“Right, where’s the fun in that? Let’s cause more trouble for Henry,” he muttered.
“What trouble?”
“Having to deal with you and Ash in crisis mode at the same time, and the club, and Mateo’s incessant, unwelcome flirting, and I have to go back to the States next weekend because Vivian is terrible at handling anything with our dad.”
“Wait.” I held up my fork. “What about your dad?”
Henry’s shoulders sagged, his expression going from sullen to vulnerable. “He’s got some tests he needs to get done, and it’s kind of a mess. He doesn’t want anyone to know because reputation or whatever. It’s fucked. He hasn’t even told Oli. And he keeps asking about Ash.”
My stomach sank, fingers tightening around my fork. “Like he’s sick?”
Henry made a noncommittal gesture, then fixed his gaze on me. “Actually, now that I think about it, you could help me.”
“Anything. I just don’t know how much help I’d be…” I had zero medical expertise, but, fuck, if something was wrong, I wanted to do something.
“Could you talk Ash into calling him?”
My jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, he listens to you. And look, I know right now you’re in the dads-suck club and all, but you worked with him. You know he’s different. He’s trying. He’s just old and shit at showing it. But he’s our dad, you know. I don’t want both of them to live with regret forever.”
It made my heart ache. And he was right—they did deserve that chance.
Even if it was just for closure.
Maybe?
All my dad had ever done was fuck my life up.
Teddyhadchanged, though.
Henry must’ve seen the uncertainty on my face because he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m putting you in a tough spot right now. After what you’ve been through…”
