Page 53 of Finding Us
Given everything that’s happened, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but when Blake holds his two hands in front of him, like he’s praying, and says, “Please, Dad,” I can’t say no to him.
I exhale a long breath before responding, “Okay.”
Chapter16
Jacinta
We leave the school grounds in silence. Things are even more awkward between us since the phone call from Connor. It’s the first time I’ve ever lied to my brother, and I feel awful for it, but there are things he’s better off not knowing. The last thing I want is to come between his friendship with Mason.
“Can I trust you to look after my kid and not ditch him, like you did me?” Mason says.
“I would never, and I didn’t ditch you.”
“Really, I have video proof that you did.”
“I told you to delete that.”
“Not going to happen, Red.”
“You know what, I’ll just get an Uber home.”
“Nope,” he says, wrapping his fingers around my elbow when I turn to walk away. “I’ll drop you off.”
“I don’t want to get in the car with you.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
“Ugh. You’re impossible.”
“Right back at ya, sweetheart.”
“Won’t you get in trouble for being late for work?”
He cocks an eyebrow. “I’m the boss, so no. The only person I seem to be in trouble with, is your brother.”
I bow my head. “I’m sorry about that … and for intruding on your time with your son. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Then why did you?”
My eyes move back to him and I blow out a puff of air. I’ve told enough lies today, so I’m going with the truth. “Because I knew it would annoy you.”
He chuckles at that. “You like pushing my buttons, don’t you, Red?”
I lift one shoulder and grin. “Kind of.”
“I’ll admit, initially I wasn’t happy about you coming, and not for the reason you might think, but you’re good with him, he’s seems very taken with you.”
“As I am with him, he’s a great kid. He’s like my kindred spirit.”
“How so?”
“The things he went through with his mother … I didn’t have a great childhood either,” I admit.
“Connor told you about that?”
“No. Blake did.”
Mason’s eyes widen slightly. “He talked about her with you?”
