Page 16 of Swan

Mum snorted. “Nothing we can’t handle. But feel free to explain exactly what that was about.”

His jaw clenched, causing a vein at his temple to thicken. He glanced to me and took a breath before nodding. “When I saw Swan today, we worked out we’ve being trying to communicate with each other, but neither of us got a message. When I called Swan’s phone, it said that the number was no longer in service.”

“I would have given you the new number if I’d changed it.”

His jaw clenched. “I know. I should have figured it out. I should have done something more. I fucked up.”

“It wasn’t only you,” I said. “I could have done more too.”

“You should know that Swan did call your mum and agent to try and reach you,” Mum said.

He turned back to me. “You did?” he asked.

“Yes. They said you were busy and would get back to me when you could.” I shrugged.

“Fuck,” Lockland bit out. He glanced to Nicky. “Sorry, kid.”

Nicky snorted. “There ain’t a swear word I haven’t heard.”

Mum snorted. “We never swear.” We all looked at her, and she rolled her eyes. “Whatever. So your mum pretty much blocked any contact between you two because you’d become homesick and wouldn’t want to work, right?”

Lockland nodded. “She saw how much I hated America after every time Swan and I spoke. I always wished I was back here.”

My heart thumped hard, rattling my other organs.

“I wouldn’t have put pressure on you to come back. I knew the trip would make your career, and it did. Our friendship wouldn’t have come between you and your singing,” I told him, taking a step closer.

He looked pained for a moment, until he smiled wearily at me. “I know you wouldn’t have, Swanny. You always put everyone else first. But Mum knew how much I cared for you. How much I missed you and this town. I was out of my element there. I wanted to come back here and just live my life in the house next door to you again. I didn’t care about singing. I didn’t care about fame. I only ever cared about you.” His jaw clenched as tears rushed to my eyes. “She took you away so I’d throw myself into work. Her plan to cut me off from the one thing that I wanted worked, and I became her puppet.”

“Lockland,” I whispered.

He cared for me.

He missed me fiercely.

And it’d cut him as much as it did me when we couldn’t reach each other.

Maybe his feelings for me went deeper than just friendship like mine did.

Mum cleared her throat. “Why don’t you two go up to Swan’s room and?—”

“I think they can stay down here,” Dad said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Grady.” Mum glared up at him.

Nicky chuckled and then taunted Dad further by saying, “I think there’s a chance that if they’re alone, there’s gonna be kissing and?—”

My body burned.

“Shut up, Nickolas,” Mum and I warned at the same time.

Lockland smirked, shaking his head and looking to the carpet. He lifted his gaze. “I’m fine with down here.”

“Where are you staying tonight?” Mum asked.

“Not here,” Dad said.

Mum reached out and smacked his stomach. “You’re more than welcome to.”

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