Page 122 of The Invitation

I sit back in my chair, wary when Jude’s jaw rolls. “Don’t go there,” he cautions, and suddenly the box of pills I just found in his cupboard are front and centre of my mind.

Casey gives Jude a cocked brow. “It sounds like the stars were aligned and you were destined to meet.” The atmosphere is swiftly frosty, the brothers glaring at each other. “I hope it works out for you, brother.”

Jude leans forward and takes his coffee. My phone ringing couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Excuse me.” I stand, and the men rise too. “I need to take this.” I wander off, looking back to see Jude glaring atmenow. He thinks it’sNick.God, please don’t be Nick.I rummage through my bag and breathe in when I see Mum’s calling. “Hi, Mum.”

“Amelia, you sound dreadful.”

“I only said hello,” I say over a laugh.

“Are you hungover?”

“I’m fine. What’s up?”

“What time are you coming over?”

“I didn’t say I was.”

“But you always visit on Sundays. Grandma and Grandpa are here.”

“I’ll come by after work tomorrow.”

“Oh. Well, what are you doing?”

“Working,” I breathe, exasperated. “What’s with the Spanish Inquisition?”

“You’ve not been yourself lately.”

I look back at the entrance of the Piano Bar. “I promise I’m fine.”

She hums, obviously unsure. As am I at this moment in time. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa can make it then too.”

“Make it? They live around the corner. They’re at your house most days.”

“Don’t be smart, it doesn’t suit you.”

“I know, Dad tells me all the time.”

“Goodbye.” Mum cuts the call so she doesn’t hear my exasperated deep breath, and I head back to Jude and Casey, not sure if I want to put myself between the two brothers again. There’s definitely something going on between them.

“A pussy is just a pussy,” Jude says, and I stop just shy of the pillar that’s between me and them, hiding me. “It’s the connection that makes it explosive. She’s fucking brilliant, Casey. I just didn’t expect it, and now I’m ... well.” He sighs. “I feel fucked, to be honest.”

“Jesus, Jude, what the hell have you got yourself into?”

I flinch, staring at my feet, bypassing all the lovely things he just said and homing in on his tired, beaten, final words. He feels fucked. Why?

“You’re the eldest,” Casey says. “You’re supposed to be the most stable.”

Antidepressants. Do his brothers know? And why the hell does Jude being involved with me deem him unstable?

“Just let me figure this out.” Jude’s voice is quiet. Thoughtful.

“I hope you do.”

“I will,” he grates. “She’s worth it.”

What the hell is he figuring out? Does Casey know about Katherine? The questions circle as I walk back a few paces, making sure the clicks of my heels are loud enough, before making myself known. Jude stands, as does Casey. It’s an effort to wipe the unease from my expression. “Sorry, it was my mother.”

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