Page 79 of Liam

That received an eye roll from the grumpy teenager. "Just my luck … my guncle is annoying."

Noah smiled at me. There was love in his eyes. The warm feeling didn't reach my heart as much as it used to. His was the love of a friend. It wasn't as intense as the way Jamal looked at me.

Was that love I saw in his eyes?

I played with my mashed potatoes and ate a mouthful. I appreciated the buttery and garlicky taste of them. I usually didn't make it this far around my plate. I'd backed off on howstrict I was with myself when it came to food. The opinions of my followers had become less relevant.

Jamal would never judge me or my body. I meant more to him than that. My chest heaved up and down. I had no way of knowing that for sure. I had no idea how he felt about me.

Other than the way he looked at me.

"How's work?" I asked Brody, needing to distract myself.

"I have a full compliment of cases. Been keeping me busy."

"Anything interesting?"

Brody smirked. "Yes, but nothing I can discuss. We haven't gone to trial yet."

"So, it's going to make the papers?"

This time Brody laughed softly, a rarity. "Oh, yeah. Definitely."

"Send me a link when the story comes out."

"Will do."

"Can I go now?" Rowan had finished everything on his plate. He'd even taken seconds. His body was responding well to the male hormones he was taking. He was filling out.

"Go ahead," Noah said. "I'll bring dessert down to the family room."

Quinn pushed hir plate away and joined Rowan to thunder down the stairs to the basement. With them occupied out of earshot, I could openly discuss what was bothering me.

"You have something on your mind," Noah said to me, he knew me so well.

"Jamal."

"What's the latest?"

"He finally told me why he broke up with me."

"And it wasn't what you thought."

I shook my head. "It really was about him. And how he thought I'd react. He's left the decision to get back together or not in my court and I'm struggling."

Noah frowned. "Can you share the reason?"

I sighed. "Some of it. It's not my story to tell."

Brody took that as a cue to leave Noah and me alone. He cleared the table of dirty dishes and went into the kitchen. He'd still be able to hear if he tried. I suspected he wouldn't.

"After his accident," I said, "Jamal was angry at everything … everyone." I didn't want to lay it out in detail, but this next part was important. "He became abusive."

Noah's eyebrows rose. "Jamal? Seriously? Did he hurt someone?"

I looked down at my hands. I'd known Noah might figure it out.

I nodded.

---