Ashton Scott

“Yes. Why?”

“How was she?”

“How do you think she was after she discovered Dad’s having another affair? And didn’t you go see her on Monday? I could swear she told me you did.”

“I did, but I think she kept her emotions in check while we talked. Cassia told me she’s not doing well.”

“Cassia? When did you see her? And more to the point, why are you anywhere near that woman? I keep telling you she’s bad news.”

“I take it you haven’t read the papers this weekend.”

“No.” She pauses. “Why? What’s in them? And why do I feel like I’m ten steps behind in this conversation?”

“It’s a long story. One I don’t want to get into right now because I’d rather discuss Mum with you. Where’s her head at with this new affair?” I’m also concerned about how it’s affecting her heart. It hasn’t been long since her heart attack.

“From what I can work out, she’s pretending the affair isn’t happening. And I’m pretty sure Dad’s still seeing that other woman. Mum’s still really tired from the heart attack, but she’s thrown herself back into the social circuit as if there are no issues with her health. I’m worried about her, and I think you should go see her and try to talk some sense into her. She listens to you far more than she listens to me.”

Dad is still seeing the other woman. I had James confirm it. And knowing my father’s history of cheating, my mother’s anguish over it won’t cause him to end the affair. As much as Mum likes to think it does, her pain means little to him. He can’t keep his dick in his pants.

“I’m in LA, Aly. I can’t go see her.”

There’s silence for a beat, and then her shriek fills my ears. “Oh my fucking God! That bitch! Wait, why did you kiss her?”

“I presume you just saw the news.”

“Yes, but don’t even bother answering that last question. I know she must have manipulated this somehow. Oh God, how’s Lorelei? Is she ready to wring Cassia’s neck? I bloody well would be.”

I fill her in on everything that’s happened. While it’s the last thing I want to talk about, it’s a good distraction from my worry over Jack, and besides, there’s no way Alessandra is letting me off the hook with this conversation.

“I bloody told you so,” she says after I finish giving her all the information.

“Yes, you and Jessica both,” I say dryly.

“So you’re coming home to fix things with Lorelei, right? I mean, you could always go straight back to be with Jack.”

I grimace. I’m conflicted over this, because I want to be here for Jack, but I also want to do exactly what Aly has said. Deep in my gut, I know which choice I’ll make, and it’ll be Jack. It has to be Jack at the moment. All I can hope is that Lorelei and I are strong enough to survive Cassia’s dirty tricks.

Before I can answer her, she mutters, “Shit, I have to go. The kids are up and running through the house, and I don’t think Malcolm is in the house at the moment.”

“I thought he was right beside you?”

She sighs. “You have a lot to learn about marriage and parenthood, little brother. I’ll call you later.”

The phone goes silent at the same time as two nurses rush past me down the corridor, reminding me of where I am. Bringing it all back to me that my best friend is in this hospital fighting for his life. Because from what his mother told Jessica, that’s exactly what he’s doing.

I put aside all my current problems and walk back to Jack’s room. Whatever I’m dealing with pales in comparison to what he’s going through. My phone call to Lorelei can wait.

He’s still asleep when I enter the room, so I take a seat next to his bed and stare out the window while I think about everything he’s going through. Jack’s exhausted like he always is after a manic high, and I know it will take him a few days to be ready to do anything more than eat and sleep, but we did manage a brief conversation before I slipped out of his room earlier. An

d while he didn’t give much acknowledgement that he knew I was there, I told him I’d be with him every step of the way.

“What’s on your mind?”

I blink at the sound of Jack’s voice and turn to face him. He’s barely awake, but clearly enough to know I’m thinking about something.

“You.”

His eyes open fully and I suck in a breath at the vacant expression I see there. He’s got so far to go to get better. “What’s on your mind besides me? I can tell there’s something else.”