Page 14 of Swan

Smirking, I asked, “I didn’t think you liked his music, Nicky.”

“I don’t, but Aeila does.”

I sat down on my bed and grinned up at him. Even at sixteen he looked older since he was nearly six feet.

“Is there anything I need to know about you two?”

He stepped into my room with a glare. “No. We’re just friends. Friends do shit for each other.”

“Hey, I’m not hinting at anything, just asking.”

He shrugged. “Sorry. I’m just sick of people sayin’ crap at school about us when it ain’t true.”

“It’s okay. I understand. But you know you can tell me anything, right? Even about the annoying kids.”

“Yeah, I know.”

My phone chimed. It was embarrassing how quick I dove on it.

Which Nicky found highly amusing if his laughter was to go by.

“Shut up,” I told him as I stared down at the unknown number. My heart and belly fluttered together. Opening it, I dipped my brows in confusion. “Come outside?” I read aloud. I gasped, looking up at Nicky. “He’s here?”

Nicky’s eyes rounded, and he was the first out the door, but I was close behind him as we raced downstairs.

Mum and Dad were curled up together on the couch in the living room watching something. Their gazes switched to us when they heard us coming.

“What’s goin’ on?” Dad asked.

“Lockland’s outside. You gonna kick his arse, Dad?” Nicky asked. That was all he was rushing for?

Dad’s jaw clenched. “Bit late for a visit.” He stood from the couch.

“Dad, I’m going out to see him.”

“Grady,” Mum said. He glanced back at her.

Dad sighed, and I knew he was about to give in and let me go out there. That was until we all heard a car door slam as someone shouted, “You fucking followed me here.”

Dad stalked to the door and threw it open. I stepped onto the front porch after him, and Nicky and Mum followed. We stopped when we saw Lockland throwing a hand towards his mother and the car she’d come in.

“Leave. I have nothing else to say to you.” He sounded the angriest I’d ever heard him. Lockland had always been laid-back. He got annoyed, but he never held a grudge.

“Lockland, I’m your mother. All I do is look out for you.” She clicked her fingers, and guards got out of her car.

Lockland laughed without humour. “You going to get the guys to drag me back to the hotel?”

They hadn’t even noticed we were watching.

“I’m only looking out for you,” she repeated.

Alisa Humphrey did love her son. But I always knew she gained more out of Lock’s fame than he did.

“What the fuck is goin’ on?” Dad asked before he jumped down the porch steps and approached.

Alisa turned to my father and curled her upper lip in disgust.

As soon as she had that expression on her face, my mother reacted, just like I knew she would.

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