Page 118 of Covenant

“Yeah. It’s fantastic. I’m so fucking proud of you, Jack. Come on, let’s get you inside.”

Jackson moves past me, walking like he always used to, his mouth moving as he takes in the nice space.

As we pass Matthias, I hang back a little. I should be furious at him for keeping yet another secret. But how can I be when he’s made Jackson so happy?

“Thank you,” I choke out.

He inclines his head, trying to hide his small smile. “Anything for Jackson.”

His eyes meet mine and I read there what he actually means.

Anything for you.

Anything but the truth, apparently.

* * *

Later that night, Jackson and I are sitting in the new area I’ve designed in the yard over the past several weeks. While Matthias worked, I was able to create, to take the time to make this place even more of a home. I told myself that I was doing it for him, so he could use it when I’m gone.

Despite knowing I created it with me in mind.

For us.

Before, the space was bland with nowhere to sit. But an online order and my new credit card fixed that. Now there’s a comfortable L-shaped corner lounge set, a stone firepit, and a table for drinks. It’s a fancy table too—it raises up when you have guests over so you can dine at it.

I’ve just finished showing it off to Jackson when he fixes me with a steely look. “So, seriously, what’s going on?”

I shift on my feet, feeling my cheeks grow red. “We’ve been over this already.”

“We have, and I thought it was bullshit then. Seeing everything today though kind of confirms it. You said that this marriage is supposed to be fake.” He snorts and then shakes his head.

The paper from the beer bottle comes off in my fingers. It sticks and I wriggle my fingers to detach it as I say, “It is.”

“Yeah, all right, bro. But then why are you renovating Matthias’s garden? Why haven’t you gone back to work? Why didhecome all the way out to see me at the rehab center just to make sure I was getting the best care?”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Shit, I should’ve been the one to do that. I’m sorry. I assumed the phone calls were okay. I wasn’t thinking…”

“Stop. The phone calls were fine,” he interjects as he rolls his eyes. “That’s not what I meant. I didn’t assumeanyonewould come, so the fact that Matthias did? It suggests he cares, and I guarantee you, it’s not me he’s doing this for.”

I sigh, putting the beer down, the label now in tatters at my feet. “I’m not saying he doesn’t. We both care…that’s not the issue.”

“Then what is?”

I glance over at his baby face and smile softly. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand. Sometimes, adult relationships are complicated.”

“Bullshit,” he says flatly. “I’m eighteen, dude, nearly nineteen. Don’t treat me like a child. I have eyes, you know. I can see what’s going on between you.”

I sigh. Being a pseudo-parent to a know-it-all teen is definitely not what I signed up for. But he’s not wrong, and far more wise than I give him credit for. “Do tell me then. What do you see?”

“You’re notpretendingto be a married couple, youarea married couple.”

I run a hand across my jaw and sigh loudly. “Look, it doesn’t matter. It’s going to end in March regardless.”

“Why?”

I throw my head back on the sofa and look up at the wide sky. These are the same stars Matthias and I used to lay under, to count, to examine. But that was a different version of us. A version we can’t return to.

Even if we might want that.

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