Page 80 of The Science of Attraction

“It’s for a thirty-something ex-rugby player who’s had a spinal fusion. It finished his career and he’s still struggling a bit. It would be great to get your opinion on the rehab side, maybe even draft something I could work with while he’s here.”

“Sure, I can do that.” I stood and began gathering plates. “Get the permission side sorted and then give me a call.”

Gil and Luke rallied to help clean up, while Holden, Zach and Jules discussed all things lambing. It was strangely nice. We were just about done when my phone rang and Jules passed it to me over the breakfast bar. I stilled at the sight of Connor’s name flashing on the screen; it was way too early for my nephew to be up and about on a Saturday morning. My thoughts instantly went to my sister and Jules must’ve seen something on my face because he immediately stood and came to my side, watching me intently.

“Hey, Connor.” I tried to sound calm, but my heart was thumping. “A bit early for you, isn’t it?”

“Oh... yeah. I guess.” Connor’s usually cheeky attitude was missing, and my nerves cranked up another notch. “So, I, um, I might’ve done something.”

I made my way across to the window and breathed through a lengthy pause. “Okaaay. I’m listening.”

More silence. “Maybe I should tell you in person.”

“You wanna switch to video?” Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I started toward the bedroom for some privacy.

“Um, no. But if you could come pick me up, that’d be great.”

I paused with my hand on the door. “Pick you up?” My gaze shot to Jules whose eyebrows were on the rise.

“Ah, yeah. So, as it turns out, I might actually be in... Tekapo.”

I pictured the wince on his face as I barked into the phone, “Tekapo? What the hell are you doing in Tekapo?”

“Calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, just start explaining.” I slumped into the nearest armchair and put my head in my hand.

“Okay. Well, I ran into those same guys yesterday afternoon and they laid into me again.”

“Shit.” I groaned and fell back against the cushion.

Jules appeared and sat on the footstool beside me.

“I’m so over it.” Connor’s voice broke, and my heart squeezed. “I just had to get away for a bit and so I caught the late bus, the one that goes via Cromwell. Can I stay with you for a couple of days? Please? Just a few days. I’m at the café by the bridge.”

“Connor, I’m working. You can’t just arrive and expect—” I snapped my mouth shut since it wasn’t like I could do anything about it now. “Does your mother know?” I was guessing no since there were no missed calls on my phone.

More silence. “No. I didn’t go home last night. I told her I was staying at Damien’s, and he dropped me at the bus. I know it was stupid, but...” He trailed off and silence flooded the line.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Jules’ arm slid around my waist and I turned to find his worried grey eyes fixed on mine.

“Jesus, Connor.” Still staring at Jules, I took a deep breath and counted to five. Going off my tree at my nephew could wait, at least until I got him in the car. The car.Shit. We’d driven over in Jules’ ute.

“You still there, Uncle Liam?” Connor rarely called me uncle, which told me a lot about how worried he actually was.

“I’m here. Wait inside the café so you don’t bloody freeze to death, and we’ll be there in thirty minutes or so.” I raised my eyebrows at Jules and he nodded. “Have you had breakfast?”

“Yes. And who’s we?” Connor asked.

“We, as in me and Jules. He’s my client’s son. I don’t have my own car available at the moment. And while you’re waiting, you’re going to ring your mother and tell hereverything. I’ll give you fifteen minutes to get yelled at and then I’ll call her as well, so don’t even think about fudging things, understand?”

“Okay. I’ll call her. And, Liam?”

“What?” It came out harsher than I intended, and I pictured Connor’s surprise. I didn’t often lose my temper.

“I’m sorry if I fucked up. But I didn’t think you’d let me come if I asked, and I’m just done with it, you know?”

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