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They stare through me, all three of them, as if they’re imagining what her moving on might look like.
I could give them the exact vision they’re looking for if they asked. Multiple ways. Multiple endings. She’s happy in my head. Married to a good man with kids, doing something she loves. A doctor—she’s definitely a doctor.
She has to be.
“I plan to go and see my mum this morning,” I lie, needing all the time I can get before going back to the estate. “If you think it’s what Scarlet needs, I’ll head out there during the week to see her.”
“Your mum?”
I flick my gaze to Charlie, the disdain in his voice making me flinch as raw pain cracks my chest in two. “I owe her an—”
“No. You owe that woman nothing. You—” He cuts himself off, his chest working as he fights for calm.
“Stop doing that,” I snap, the fire in my gut lashing its way up and across my tongue. I’ve known Charlie for over fifteen years and never once have I seen him so pent up. “Say what you need to say, Charlie.”
“There’s not a lot I have to say right now,” he grits out, eyes livid. “But I’ll tell you that while you chose to keep me, and Scar, and all of the people who loved you waiting and wondering and fucking worrying for seven years, that woman you call your mother and are so desperate to crawl back to didn’t show up once. Didn’t call you once. You might think you did us all a favour by cutting yourself from our lives, but you didn’t. You hurt the people you should have protected worse than you’ll ever know because you weren’t here.”
My nostrils flare as he throws the pan into the sink and leaves the house, the front door slamming shut as he goes.
After a couple of minutes of silence, Elliot stands from the kitchen island. “Don’t take it too personally. His lady is out of town, and he gets a little… sensitive.”
I frown, wondering who Charlie’sladyis. “Who did you marry?” I ask Elliot, not bothering to clear the rasp from my throat.
A slow smile creeps across his face as if he can’t control it. “Luce, obviously.”
My brows lift as he slips past me and out of the kitchen.
Mason pushes off the counter next, stopping when he’s at my shoulder. I stare straight ahead, a coward unable to look him in the eye. I feel his lingering gaze and then hear, “Go and see her, Lance.”
THREE
Lance
Ilift my hand and knock on the door to the house, knowing it’s likely unlocked. Once, a long time ago, I’d have walked straight in, kicked off my shoes and searched for her.
“Baby Lowell…”
“Hmm.”
I smile into her neck, loving the way her voice vibrates against my skin. “You didn’t say it today.”
“Didn’t say what?”
I run my hand up her back, knowing that she knows. “That you love me.”
I feel her smile. “Are you sure?”
“Certain of it.”
“I think you’re wrong.”
“Impossible.” I grin.
She draws her head back to look at me, rolling her eyes. “This smile—it’s yours. The reason I went out and planted those dafs—you.”
“Me?” I frown, my smile not wavering.
“You told me it was your nan’s favourite.”
