Page 35 of Sass

George’s shocked expression hardened. “So, you’re just going to let him die?”

“Yes. Now get out,” I said through gritted teeth. “You’ve done what you were sent to do, so you can tell Mum you tried. And tellUncleJames that if he wants to talk, he should fucking grow some balls and call me himself. If I like what he says, thenmaybe, just maybe,I’ll think about meeting him. That’s as good as you’re gonna get.”

George blew out a sigh. “It’s better than nothing, I suppose. But if you change your mind, he’s still living on the poultry farm, in the worker’s cottage by the main gate. The owners have been good enough to let him stay on even though someone else is now managing the place.” He searched my face, for what, I didn’t know.

But what he said next almost blew my socks off and I had to tighten my grip on the banister.

“I miss you.”

And the hell of it was, I believed him.

“Weallmiss you. And it doesn’t matter to me... that you’re... you know.” He waved a hand over me and flushed a deep pink.

It was all I could do not to laugh. Memories of the two of us growing up tugging at my heart. There’d been plenty of good times. Laughter. Fun. Family. But that was before.

Still, hope was a hard thing to crush. It kept you hanging on until your fingernails bled. And as I stared at my brother, I felt it rise again. So, I took a deep breath and asked the only questions I needed him to answer. “Have you changed your mind about what happened? Do you believe me?”

His hesitation said it all, and my heart sank as he finally replied, “To be honest, I don’t know if it matters what I think, but... it’s hard for me, you have to understand that. I never got any of that from him. He never—not with any of us. Maybe if someone else...”

“It’s hard foryou?” My heart sank. “And so what? You needed a family quorum in order to believe me?” I shook my head in the realisation nothing had changed. “And yes, it does matter what you think. It matters and it hurts. I don’t know what else to say. Do I miss you? Yes. It rips me apart every day. But would I want to start seeing you again with nothing having changed, not to mention how you all feel about my sexuality? That would be much, much worse. Go home. If I talk to James, it will be my decision and on my terms. I won’t be guilted or coerced into it.”

He took a deep breath and nodded. “All right. But you have to know that Mum and Dad will never change what they believe about you being gay. They do miss you, though, and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t raise the subject if you visited.”

I remained silent because what the fuck did you say to that? Thank you?Jesus Christ.

His shoulders slumped a little. “Could you at least sendmea text once in a while? Let me know you’re alive.”

I held his gaze and tried to ignore the genuine worry I saw there. It was too painful. “I’ll think about it.” It was the best I could do.

He gave a resigned nod and pulled the hood of his jacket over his head. Then he pushed open the door and made a run for the visitor parking.

I watched him go, fighting back the tears as my stomach churned.

What the fuck was I going to do now?

CHAPTEREIGHT

Leon

I hummedwith pleasure and slowly stretched my body head to toe, luxuriating in my one Saturday off a month. Alec and Hunter’s bazillion-thread sheets slid across my bare skin like silk drawing a sigh from my lips. It was an indulgence I hadn’t known I needed, but five nights sleeping in their expensive embrace and my polyester sheets were done for. I made a mental note to go shopping before I moved into my new house, then reached across the bedside table to yank open the curtains and spot the weather.

Weak grey light spilled into the airy space and a welcome silence replaced the hammering rain of the night. I threw a second pillow under my head and took a minute to appreciate the chic, cosy warmth of the room. It was no real surprise, considering a fashion photographer and an international model lived within its walls, but it hadn’t been quite what I expected. It was less edgy, less sleek. More a cross between a New York loft and the Hamptons. Very different from when Rhys had lived there with his much more eclectic aesthetic.

Since then, the walls had been painted the palest blush, with bleached wood and soft cream and blue furnishings providing texture and giving the place a slightly beachy feel. The walls were uncluttered—another surprise, considering Hunter’s job. Just two large framed photos hung side by side on the wall opposite the bed.

But they made a statement.

One was of Alec sprawled on a bed, naked, heavy-lidded, and oozing sensuality, the sheets rumpled discreetly over his groin. The second, right alongside the first, was of Hunter, laid out in a similar position, but angled the other way like yin and yang, his dark olive skin and thickly haired body in stark contrast to Alec’s smooth pale complexion.

The two images had provided ample blushing material when Hunter had first walked me through the apartment, and he’d immediately offered to take them down. I’d sent him a look that clearly said, ‘Are you fucking crazy?’ because really? What gay man in his right mind wouldn’t appreciate two gorgeous men for... inspiration? So, sue me.

A slice of sunlight braved the clouds to brighten the images along with my hope for a better day, weather-wise. I reached out and tapped my phone screen. Ten o’clock. It took a second to sink in before I jolted wide awake and checked it again.

What the hell? I never slept past eight. Damn sheets.

I stamped on the urge to check in with JJ and Ty, knowing they’d call if there was a problem. The downside of owning a business—I never switched off. Instead, I swung my legs out of bed and made a beeline for the bathroom, my bladder pushing urgently at the back of my tonsils.

That done, I took a quick shower and then studied myself in the mirror. Not the lean machine of ten years ago, maybe even five years ago. A little less defined. A lot softer around the middle. And more than a few grey hairs.

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