Page 69 of Fame & Chaos

But after the disaster with the receptionist, I figured it was probably smarter to back off for a while before I made myself look even more pathetic.

I pull up at the manor gates and press the remote to open them. A second later, Dad’s car rolls up behind me. I haven’t seen Mum and Dad in a few days, so despite everything, it’ll be good to catch up with everyone and check on whatever weird tension is happening between Annie and Aston.

I park in my usual spot and climb out as Mum and Dad get out of their car behind me.

“Hey, how’s my boy doing?” Mum asks warmly before wrapping me in a hug. She’s tall, but still short enough that her head rests against my chest.

“I’m not a boy anymore, Mum. I’m twenty-four. Officially a man now, remember?”

“I know.” She laughs, pulling back to look at me properly. “I just like teasing you.” Then her expression softens. “You look tired. Are you okay?”

Jesus. She knows me too well.

“I’m fine, Mum. Haven’t been sleeping great.”

Dad walks over and slaps me on the back. “Mate, you look like absolute shit.”

Mum backhands him in the chest. “Hux!”

“What? He does!” Dad argues while grinning.

“He’s not sleeping. Leave him alone.”

Dad chuckles and wraps an arm around Mum’s shoulders before kissing the top of her head. “So why aren’t you sleeping? Something on your mind? You stressing about Annie and what happened at the party?”

Honestly, that’s easier than telling him the truth.

“Yeah,” I reply casually. “Just wanna make sure she’s okay, you know? She’s basically my little sister. I want to see her making better choices.”

Dad studies me for a second before smirking. “How the hell did you end up so smart?”

“Definitely not from my father,” I shoot back with a grin.

He gasps dramatically and clutches his chest. “That’s fucking rude.”

“You two,” Mum laughs, shaking her head. “C’mon, let’s get inside.”

She slips free from Dad’s arm and heads toward the manor while Dad grabs my arm before I can follow. “You really okay?” he asks quietly.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m fine.”

I squeeze his shoulder reassuringly, but he still looks unconvinced.

“Well, if you ever need to talk—”

“I know. Thanks, Dad.”

He smiles softly before smacking me on the back again.

“Hurry up, you slackers,” Mum calls over her shoulder.

We head inside and walk through the foyer toward the music room. Mum instantly joins the other mothers on the couch. Dad and I stand off to the side with the rest of the guys, while everyone talks amongst themselves.

“So Caleb,” Dad says quietly beside me. “Seriously… you look rough. Talk to me, son.”

My chest tightens unexpectedly.

Dad loved Indi too. She’d basically become the daughter he never had, so maybe… maybe talking to someone wouldn’t hurt.