Page 18 of Finding Us
“Okay.”
“I love you, you’re my son and I’ll always look after you.”
It has been a long time since I’ve uttered those three words. It feels foreign saying them now, but I need him to know.
His little arms slide around my neck, holding on tight. “I love you too, Dad.”
Chapter7
Jacinta
“Hey,” I say as Connor reaches over me and plucks a meatball out of the sauce I’m stirring in the pot. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
“I know, but I’m starved … and I’ve missed your cooking. I’ve been living as a bachelor for the past year—eating out every night gets old fast.” He plops the meatball into his mouth and moans. “Fuck that’s good.”
“Is that why you asked me to move here?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“What? No! Although I did notice you’ve done my washing … and may I add that the place has never looked cleaner.”
“Connor!” I screech, spinning around and poking him in the ribs.
“Joking, sis.” Leaning in, he places a chaste kiss on my temple. “I missed having you around, the rest of the stuff is just an added bonus.”
“You could always find yourself a wife and settle down.”
“Good one, Jaz.”
“Why does that seem so unattainable to you? You’re a great catch and I know for certain you’d make an amazing father.”
“Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free.”
“Oh my God, Connor … you pig.”
He shakes his head and chuckles. “Again, I’m joking. I’m not opposed to settling down one day, but I’d have to find someone I’m willing to spend the rest of my life with first.”
“Out of all the girls you dated over the years, I find it hard to believe that there wasn’t at least one you could see a future with.”
When he dips his head and sighs, I gasp. “Oh my God … who?”
His gaze moves back to me and the sadness I now see in his eyes is unmissable; so much so I feel compelled to reach out and hug him. Has my brother had his heart broken in the past? I’ve been there through them all, and to my knowledge, he was the one that did all the damage. I can’t tell you how many crying and pleading girls turned up at our doorstep over the years. Too many to count. Or has it happened since he moved here?
He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something, when there’s a loud knock at the door. “Hah. Saved by the bell.”
“By the knock, you mean?”
When he turns and leaves the kitchen, I walk towards the doorway so I can see who’s here. I’ve been living here for five days now, and this is the first time we’ve had a visitor.
My view is blocked by my brother’s large frame, but I hear Connor say, “Ugh, speaking of the devil.” We weren’t talking about anyone in particular, so I have no idea what he means by that.
“Get out of my way, Connor Maloney … I’m not here to see you.”
My heart rate kicks up a notch as soon as I hear that voice. Once Connor is shoved to the side, I race across the room and into her open arms.
“Cassie! What are you doing here?”
“I heard someone was missing me.”
“Well, it certainly wasn’t me,” Connor mumbles from behind us.
