Page 98 of Sass

Chris’s father turned to his brother-in-law, the first flicker of worry in his eyes. “What’s he talking about?”

James shook his head. “He’s talking rubbish.” But his gaze remained averted and there was an unmistakable tremor in his voice.

I cut a look to George whose ashen face was riveted on his uncle.Finally.

“But thanks for inviting me.” Chris offered his uncle the tiniest of shark-like smiles. “I feel so much better. And just so you know, I’m not about to appease your conscience. I don’t need to forgive you or anyone else. All I need to do is state my truth and dismiss you. Anything else I might choose to do is none of your fucking business.”

Holy shit.There were no words. I dropped my arm from around Chris’s waist and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. “Are you done, baby?”

He took a last look at his parents and nodded. “Yeah, I’m done. Take me home.”

I smiled and tipped his chin up with my fingers. “It will be my absolute pleasure.” And I kissed him, not giving a single fuck about his family watching with their mouths hanging open.

We exited the house under a pall of silence, out into the sunshine and the welcome breath of fresh air. Nobody tried to stop us. Nobody said a damn word. It felt like a resurrection of sorts, the promise of something better. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going through Chris’s mind as I opened the passenger door of the Mini. His hand felt light in mine, like he was floating and I was the only thing tying him to the ground.

“Christopher, wait.”

Chris grimaced before dropping my hand and turning to face his brother. “It’s Kip.”

Kip, not Chris.I preened a little.

“Sorry.” George shot me a nervous look, then turned back to his brother. “Can we... talk?”

Exhaustion was carved into every line on Chris’s face as he shook his head. “I’m tired and I’m going home, George.”

George reached out a hand. “I just—”

“He said no,” I growled, moving to brush his hand aside, but Chris nudged me.

“It’s okay.” Then he eyeballed his brother. “Make it quick.”

“I, um... I don’t...” George fell over his words, looking more flustered by the second. “I think I fucked up. James was lying, wasn’t he?” George glanced over his shoulder to where his parents stood in the window watching. “They’re furious with you. You should’ve heard them when you left. But they’re worried too.”

“I really don’t give a fuck what they think.” Chris stared at the window until his parents moved out of sight. “I thought I just made that clear.”

George grimaced and ran a hand over the back of his neck. “I know. I just... well, I don’t know what to think, but I’ve got a ton of questions. I, um... I haven’t been part of the church for over a year.”

“What?” Chris studied his brother with confusion in his eyes. Every one of Chris’s family was wed to their damn church. “A year?”

George shrugged and shuffled on his feet. “I never did agree with everything they said.” He cast an apologetic look my way. “I just kept going after you left out of some stupid kind of loyalty to them.” He tipped his head to the house.

“Shame you didn’t feel any of that loyalty to me.” Chris was relentless, and I didn’t blame him one bit.

George flushed brightly. “I guess I deserve that.”

Chris caught my eye, sighed, and his expression softened as he turned back to his brother. “They fucked us both over, you realise that? They turned us against each other. At seventeen and fifteen, we were both still kids.”

George pulled a face. “Maybe. Can we please talk... sometime?”

Chris stared at his brother for a long minute before he answered. “Give me a week and then call. Maybe we can arrange something.”

I smiled to myself.Good for you. Keep him waiting.

George gave a quick, grateful smile. “Thanks. And I’m sorry... for what happened in there.”

Chris kept his gaze steady on his brother. “Well, I’m not.”

George shot me another nervous glance. “I guess I can understand that. Take care, Chr—” He winced. “Kip.” He smiled grimly and headed back to the house.

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