Page 22 of In Step

My stomach wobbled a little.“I’m sure Judah has all that in hand.”

“He might, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do something as well.” He waited while I reached for an excuse that didn’t come.

I settled on, “Sure, we’ll see what happens.”

He snorted. “As good a brush-off as any I’ve heard.”

I grimaced. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I just don’t want to step on Judah’s toes.”

He locked eyes with me. “I make my own decisions, Kane, and I’d like to talk some more if you’re interested. If not, just say so. I’m a big boy.”

Do not go there.I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Okay, then sure. I’d like that too.”

“Great.” He smiled that thousand-watt smile of his and I flushed to the roots of my hair, my gaze sliding off his and down to the wharf where Martha and Cora walked hand in hand toward the parking lot.

Abe’s attention followed. “They’re too cute.”

I was about to agree when Judah appeared from the boathouse, jogging toward his mother. She turned to greet him, caught sight of the two of us up the hill, and gave a wave.Judah immediately spun to see who it was, and Abe’s hand shot up in reply.

I followed suit a little slower. Because what the fuck else could I do? But even at a distance, it was hard to miss Judah’s stiff body language or his slow, lacklustre wave. He was clearly confused at seeing Abe and me together, and I didn’t blame him.

“You better go.” I led Abe back into the bedsit, slid the sash shut, and gathered Prue for him to return to Leroy and Fox.

He said nothing until he was through the door, but then he turned to me. “Don’t worry.” He flicked his head toward the boathouse. “And thank you. I had a really nice time.”

And fuck me, if my eyes didn’t prick. I had no idea what he knew or didn’t know, or what the hell I was doing, but I couldn’t stop the words. “Yeah, me too.” I held his gaze far, far longer than I should have before breaking it to step back.

He put his hand on the door before I could close it. “I meant what I said, Kane. You’re welcome in the studio, anytime. Judah and I are rehearsing tomorrow morning, and then there’s this lunch thing. But he’s got a doctor’s appointment in Auckland Monday morning, and Morgan’s driving them down tomorrow.”

In other words, if you see the lights on in the studio, I’m alone.

He gave a quick smile and left before I could form any sensible reply, like thanks but no thanks, sensible clearly being my forte and all. But I didn’t move, I couldn’t, watching his back until the door of the homestead closed, his words repeating on a loop in my brain, my nerves sparkling like fire under my skin.

I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, trying to pull breath into a chest that suddenly felt like a vise around my heart. Hedidknow, or he thought he knew. Because he couldn’t have been clearer. But he was also leaving it to me. Which left only one question. What the hell was I going to do about it?

Nothing.

I was going to do absolutely nothing.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Abe

“Man, your mother sure can cook.”I handed Fox a fresh beer and crashed out on the sofa next to him, stretching my tired legs and undoing the top button of my jeans. “Ah, that feels better.”

He snorted. “Just as well one of them can cook.” He tapped his bottle to mine. “Cora’s food comes with an obligatory side order of Pepto Bismol.”

I laughed. “I’ll take your word for that.” I took a long swallow, and Mack settled on the floor between us, resting her head on my feet with a contented sigh.

Fox continued, “To be fair, Cora bakes better than she cooks, and Mum has managed to steer her toward desserts, a great relief to all concerned. The first Sunday lunch I ever attended had way too many plates of unidentifiable food. I took notes and came better prepared for the next one.”

“Leroy didn’t warn you?”

Fox snorted. “Leroy hated my guts back then. Well, hatedandlusted after them simultaneously is the way he tells it.”

“Sounds like there’s a good story in there.”

“And one day I might even tell you. Hey, Terry,” Fox called to the man sitting on the couch opposite, talking to Patrick and Jam. “I hear you’re flying solo tonight. Hannah’s at a friend’s place, right? Am I going to need to mop you up in the morning?”

---