Page 36 of Samuel's Heart

“How are you?” I ask, because I want to know, but also so I can get him off my back. I don’t expect a long silence so I’m surprised when I get one. “Jason?” Now I’m getting worried.

“I’m good, I’m good. I’m always good.”

I hear the tension in his voice, and I don’t like it one bit, because it’s so out of character.

“Are you working today?”

A laugh fills my ears, his usual laugh, and that gets me to relax a bit.

“I’m always fucking working.”

I have to laugh as well, because that’s the truth; he’s a fucking workaholic. And no matter how much nagging we all do, he can’t stop.

“I want to see you soon.” Another long pause, and now I’m ready to go there and demand answers.

“I’m out of town,” Jason replies, before I can say ‘I’m coming over.’

“I want to see you as soon as you’re back.” It’s not a request, it’s an order.

“Sure, sure. I’ll call you again.”

“If you want to talk, I’m here.”

“Yes, I know. I wish sometimes you could use the same kindness on yourself and fix what’s broken.”

That leaves me without a comeback, and when I’m ready to tell him to fuck off, the line is already dead.

What the fuck was that?

I don’t have time to dwell on the question because my phone rings again. This time the name showing on the screen is someone I prefer not to talk to, but I have to.

“Aidan.”

“Come and see me. Now.”

“Can we have this conversation over the phone?”

“I don’t do business over the phone. You have one hour.” And the line goes dead before I can say anything once again.

What the fuck is wrong with people today?

I let out a bear sound when my phone rings again, because I have received too much bad news already. When I pick it up, Rory’s name is there, on top of a message. I would have preferred talking to him on the phone, and hearing his voice, to settle down some of my frustration. However, I can’t think of him that way, so maybe his texting me is better than calling.

I am all fucked up.

So, I ignore the message because if I engage, I won’t text him, I’ll call him, and I don’t want that now that I have to see Aidan. He’s too good at what he does, and he would read me like a book.

I get ready as fast as my leg allows, and when I open the door to follow Aidan’s order, I take a deep breath and push every feeling I have growing inside me for Rory deep inside of me. I put on a poker face, and I keep it until I’m at Aidan’s place.

When he opens the door, I’m ready.

“You called, your majesty?” I say to him, because I can’t resist punching him in the gut—with my words.

“I didn’t know you were that funny,” he says, while moving away from the door to let me in.

“You bring out the best in me.”

“I thought Rory could do that.” And the fucking mask I had all the way here is stripped away from my face. This fucking bastard won—again.

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