Page 60 of Scotch on the Rocks

“Bloody hell, you aren’t even denying it!” She sneered; the expression too cruel for her pretty face.

Callum finally turned, grabbing his shirt from the sink and dragging it over his head. “What do you want me tosay, Heather? You seem to have it all figured out. Want me to treat you like an idiot? Want me to lie?”

“I want you to say a single thing that makes sense!”

His hands went to his hips. Every line of him calm and controlled, completely ready for the argument to come. “No offence, Heather, but at this precise moment, we don’t owe you anything.”

She laughed. Short and sharp. “Does Alistair know it’swenow? Of course he doesn’t. How about you—” Two pairs of Macabe eyes locked on me. “Anything to say?” My throat worked. She laughed again – this one dismissive – and raced out the door.

The chill hit me before I even realised I’d followed her. Bypassing Callum’s reaching hand, I caught up to her quickly.

“Heather – wait.” I snagged her wrist, but she flinched away. “Can you please let me just—”

“Was one of my brothers not enough for you?” she hissed quietly. Now it was my turn to flinch. I could feel people beginning to stare, reading the tension even if they couldn’t hear us. Jill and her pack of friends where they lingered beside her gas-guzzling Range Rover.

“That’s hardly fair.”

“What isn’t fair is you moving between my brothers like they’re a damn selection box. You know what’s happening with Dad – the last thing my family needs isyoucausing more tension.”You,as though I were a stranger she’d encountered for the first time.

“Heather, that’s enough – apologise. Now.” Callum’s voice came from behind me. Fuck, but I wished I’d been the one to say it. The one to demand a little bit more for myself.There’d been two of us in that bathroom, why the hell do I deserve the brunt of her anger?But I was too busy choking down the sob creeping up my throat to say anything.

Cheeks flushed, Heather glanced from me to where Callum loomed over my shoulder, then back. Finally, she snorted. “When this all blows up in your face, don’t come crying to me.”

“Like last time, you mean?” I didn’t know where the words were coming from, but I couldn’t stop them. Rejection burned like lava through my veins. “When you abandoned me after Alistair ended things thenIwas the one to hold you and your girls together during your divorce.”

She winced. The only evidence my words had struck.

“Hey, maybe we should take a beat.” Callum’s hand curled over my shoulders like it belonged there.

Heather’s eyes tracked the ownership of the action. “No, please continue. I’ll go.” Before I could say another word, Heather’s short strides ate up the distance to her car. A concerned-looking April glanced between us, called something to Heather who only shook her head and climbed into her car.

“Just give her a few days, she’ll come around,” Callum said, turning me to face him. Pulse ringing in my ears, I barely registered his words because he looked …happy? Blood staining his chin, my coat clutched in one hand, he looked happy. Hopeful.

“Why did you offer to help me?”

“What?”

It felt like a veil had been lifted and I was seeing him for the first time. “At Ivy House,” I pushed. “Why did you offer to help?”

His throat bobbed. “Because you needed my help.”

He’s lying, my instinct roared at me. “Don’t give me the Community Ken bullshit, tell me why.”

“Because I needed it to be me!” His hand dug into his hair. “Despite how fucking busy I am, I needed to be theone helping you – fighting your corner – even if you never knew it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I knew it was a stupid question before I even asked it aloud. Deep down I’d always felt this … invisible thread between us. Like the taut string of an instrument, just waiting for one of us to gather enough courage to pluck it.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, swore, then dropped his hand. “The money. I paid Murray a visit. Made it clear he needed to return every penny he owed you if he wanted to hold onto his licence.”

“You—” I broke off, unsure whether I wanted to kiss him or kill him. I settled on the latter. “You had no right. I had it handled, I didn’t require your help.”

He stepped closer, cutting into my space. “Well, tough shit. You have it. Youalwayshave my help.”

There was something in his voice, an unsteadiness that dragged the question from me. “What … what else have you done for me?”

“Juniper—”

“What else?”

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