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It’s 1 a.m. when the five of us return to the flat so Dad can grab his suitcase. Despite all the guys offering up their own rooms for him, he’s decided to stay at a boutique hotel nearby. You can retire the rock star but not the rock star’s penchant for expensive hotel rooms and thousand-thread-count sheets.
“I’ll grab you an Uber,” I tell him, pulling out my phone in the front hall. “At this hour, it shouldn’t take long at all to get one.”
“Thanks, baby girl. Just gonna use the john and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
Lee stops my father at the stairs. “Thank you so much for dinner, sir. It was lovely.”
“Quite,” Jamie agrees. “Glad you’ll be sticking around for a few days, Mr. Bly.”
“I already told you guys, call me Gunner.” With an exasperated smile, Dad bounds off to use the bathroom.
“I’m gonna grab a shower.” Jack pauses on the bottom step, his gaze finding mine. He lowers his voice, which is futile since Lee is standing right there and isn’t polite enough to pretend he’s not listening. “Can we chat before bed?”
I nod, because I know we do need to talk.
As Jack heads upstairs, I turn to Lee and Jamie, giving them a grateful smile. “Thanks for being such good sports. You didn’t have to stay up so late on a school night for him.”
“Are you mental? It was bloody awesome,” Lee declares, shaking his head.
“I’m sorry, did you just sayawesome?” My surprise turns to suspicion when I remember my dad said it a bunch of times at dinner. Looks like Lee has a new role model.
“I meantbrilliant,” he growls before stomping to the kitchen. “Fancy a cuppa?” he calls over his shoulder.
“Yes, thanks,” Jamie says, trailing after him.
I hear a plaintive meow from the top of the stairs and spot Hugh peeking around the corner. When I call his name, our grumpy cat turns and saunters off.
Rolling my eyes, I go upstairs to find him. I swear, if I didn’t remember to pay attention to Hugh, the damned thing would be starved for affection. The Lord of Cats would not approve of Lee’s stone heart when it comes to our dear pet.
At the top of the landing, I hear low voices wafting out of Jack’s open door. I grin, hoping Dad hasn’t cornered Jack to interrogate him. I should probably throw him a lifeline.
“No, I’m happy we got a chance to talk alone,” Jack is saying.
I near the door, ready to interfere and protect Jack from a dad lecture, when my father responds with, “Thank you for not mentioning it to Abbey.”
I stop.
Thank you for not mentioning it to Abbey?
Not mentioningwhatto Abbey?
Unease tightens my chest. I creep closer, no longer eager to interrupt them.
“Of course” is Jack’s answer. “I am a bit confused, though. Did you truly not know I was a bloke?”
My father’s laughter sounds muffled. Maybe because my heartis now thundering like a cattle stampede from the anger coursing in my blood.
Either I’m imagining things, or the two of them…knoweach other.
“Had no idea,” Dad says. “Gonna have to reread those emails now— ”
Emails?
“—to figure out how the hell I could’ve missed it. I saw that profile picture and thought you were the blond girl.”
Jack chuckles. “That’s my sister.”
“Well, regardless of the mistaken identity, I do appreciate you looking out for my daughter.”
