Page 95 of Sass

He grinned. “George told me.”

Damn my brother.And I wondered what else he’d told James.

My uncle watched me for a moment with a smug little smile and then shrugged. “Take a seat.” He motioned to the couch, but I shook my head.

“What I have to say won’t take long.”

James studied me like an insect he found somewhat interesting, and I hoped he wasn’t going to draw things out. I had no idea how long my phone could record for, no doubt something I should’ve checked. But I took the opportunity to study him in return, two men facing off over a past bubbling with secrets and lies.

James looked... sick, really sick, and I felt a rush of sympathy that I was instantly pissed about. An oxygen cylinder sat beside his chair, a mask resting in his lap, and dull blue eyes that had lost none of their shrewdness scrutinised me over sallow sharp-boned cheeks that sucked against his teeth. He’d lost a lot of weight, his athletic frame now gaunt and sharp-angled, and there was a wet, unpleasant quality to his breathing along with the unmistakable odour of decay.

I fought the gush of sadness that welled in me for a life ending too soon. Fought the pity that rose in my chest and the words of sympathy that raced to find voice on my tongue. I swallowed them down and locked the lid on that shit, and instead remembered Leon waiting in the car. Remembered his faith in me. Remembered his words.

“You look good.” James eyed me appreciatively, making me cringe.

“Don’t you dare,” I snapped. “Or I’m leaving right now.”

He huffed and shuffled back in his chair, causing his trousers to tighten against pencil-thin legs. “I only meant that you’ve grown up,” he lied.

I huffed. “Whereasyoulook like you could do with a ten-day makeover, just saying.”

He stared at me, then gave a sudden bark of laughter. “George said you had a mouth on you. I can see he was right.”

My hands clenched at my sides. How dare George tell this mananything. I took a breath and loosened my fists. “My brother knows nothing about me. He gave up that right a long time ago.”

James sniffed. “Then you don’t know George. He’s kept an eye on you over the years. Told us all about that fancy job of yours with that designer.”

What the hell?My heart raced and I reached for the back of the chair to steady myself.George kept tabs on me?

“Didn’t know that, did you?” James lifted the mask to his face for a few breaths and lowered it again.

“I haven’t come here for a chat and a catch-up.” I wasn’t playing James’ stupid little game. “You get a minute to say whatever it is you think is so important, and then it’s my turn.”

He waved a hand over himself. “Mine is kind of obvious, I’d have said. I’m dying, Christopher.”

I schooled my expression. “So, I hear. But how exactly does that affectme? And why should I give a shit after everything you’ve done?”

His eyes narrowed, like I’d maybe surprised him. Then he grunted and slumped back in his chair. “Fair enough. I guess we’re gonna have that talk then. But first, I’ll need your phone on the coffee table. This conversation stays between us.” He smiled at the guilt that was clearly playing over my face. “You think I’m stupid?”

“No. Never that.”But in that moment, I also understood that this meeting had nothing to do with any restitution with my family, which meant the gloves were off on both sides. I stopped the recording on my phone so that James could see, and then slid it onto the table. “This isn’t a deathbed confession followed by a family reunion, I take it?”

“Did you really think it was?” He looked almost amused. “I won’t have my family remembering me like that.”

“They’re my family too, arsehole. I was too scared of them finding out about me to tell them what you did. Butyoutook them from me anyway. All for nothing.”

“You did that to yourself,” he barked. “How was I to know you wouldn’t say anything? You kneed me in the balls, you little shit.”

“Fuck you.” I reached to grab my phone. “I don’t have to listen to this bullshit—”

“Wait.” James reached out a hand. “I’m... sorry, okay? But I can’t give you what you want—”

“Newsflash: I don’twantanything from you. I’m here for my own reasons, James, make no mistake about that.”

His eyes widened just enough to let me know I’d surprised him yet again, and it was all I could do not to fist pump the air. But he quickly schooled his expression. “Nothing I say will turn the clock back. It won’t make you any less of a... problem for your parents.” He looked me up and down. “And back then, it would only have ruined our family.”

I stared at him, aghast. “And just what the hell do you think it did tome? Exactly that, you selfish pervert. At least I know who I am and I’m living my life honestly. You’re just a sad fucker hiding in the closet from your family.Youkissedme, remember? It wasyourwords in my ears, telling a kid who didn’t want you anywhere near them how beautiful they were, how much you wanted them. So, are you gay or do you just like teenage boys who can’t fight back?”

James jolted with my words like he’d been slapped, and my heart soared, anger firing through my blood.

---