Page 124 of Finding Us
“Have you been talking about me, Red?”
“Brooke is my boss and she’s also a good friend. They are the ones who saved Mum and I. They’re great people, I think you’ll really like them. Besides, my mum seems to have claimed you both as part of our family now, so you’ll need to get used to being dragged along to gatherings when they are in town.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“About what, having you around?”
“No, us being claimed as part of the Maloney clan?”
His eyes leave the road, darting to me. “I’m fine with it,” I answer, because I am. He nods once, before focusing back on the road. “They have two kids, CJ, their youngest, is the same age as Blake.”
“They know we’re coming, right?”
“Of course, Brooke specifically asked for me to bring you two along.”
“Does she know we’ve broken up, or am I going to have to keep up appearances?”
“I never told her.”
“So, I’m expected to play happy families again tonight?”
I blow out a puff of air. “You’re not expected to do anything, nor were you down in Melbourne. You chose that all on your own.”
He shrugs. “Sometimes you’ve got to take an opportunity when it arises.”
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you about us—”
He holds up his hand, cutting me off. “Not tonight, Red,” he bites. “I’ve got enough shit going on in my life right now; I don’t have room for any more drama.”
Drama? Ugh. I cross my arms over my chest and abruptly turn my head towards the passenger side window.
Alrighty then, arsehole.
Chapter35
Mason
Ifeel like a prick by the time we arrive at Jacinta’s friend’s house, and can I just say,what a house. I grew up around money, but this place is on a whole other level. This is stupid rich. I pray these people are nothing like the pretentious fuckers my father used to have my mother wait on when he’d invite them over for dinner.
I hadn’t meant to snap at Red on the drive here, I just couldn’t stomach whatever it was she had to say. It was either one of two things—we were done for good, or she was coming back to me out of pity … neither is what I want. When, and if, that time comes, I want it to be out of love, nothing else. I need her to be with me for the same reasons I want her, because life without her in it, is unimaginable … because she makes me happy. Not because she feels sorry for me for being the poor unfortunate son whose father brutally murdered his mother and buried her in the backyard.
Two weeks ago, she avoided me like the plague, and now she’s making excuses to have me around. If that doesn’t scream pity, I don’t know what does.
I switch off the ignition and turn in my seat. I don’t even want to be here, but Grace can be awfully persistent when she wants to be.
“I’m sorry for snapping at you, Red,” I say, when she removes her seat belt and reaches for the door handle.
Her shoulders slightly slump as she replies, “It’s okay, Mason, I understand. You have a lot going on right now.”
See … that right there. This is what I’m talking about. Where is my fiery Red? The one that took no shit from me? I don’t want her condoning my bad behaviour because she thinks I’m fragile; I want her calling me out on it, like she used to.
We all gather at the front door, and I hang back with Blake. I feel awkward being here now that Jacinta and I are no longer together … like a stage five clinger that refuses to let go of the woman he loves, even when she doesn’t love him back.
I’m expecting a butler or maid to answer the door, but the good-looking, casually dressed dude, with the jet-black hair and Colgate-worthy smile that greets us, doesn’t look like the help.
I watch as he acknowledges each person, one by one. He shakes Jim’s hand and tells him it’s great to see him again. He kisses Grace and Jacinta on the cheek, and gets a growl from Connor when he ruffles his hair. I roll my lips at that one, because Connor is such a chick when it comes to his hair. They shake and exchange a few words, and then it’s time for me to step forward.
“Mason,” I say, extending my hand to him.
