Page 97 of The Attraction

“Hi, Mum.” I try not to let the emotion I’m feeling creep into my voice.

“Forrest, what a surprise, lovely to hear from you.” I can hear her smile in her excited tone.

“Thanks, I know I haven’t called for a few weeks. Life got a little crazy.” And that’s the understatement of the day.

“That’s okay, my boy. How have you been?” Oh, Mum, what a loaded question that is.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Mum. How are you and Dad?” I ask, smiling to myself because I know what I’m about to get as a reply, and that’s exactly what I need tonight. To just feel normal and be that little boy who felt safe in the arms of his mum. I put myself in a dangerous place, and although I would do it all over again, it’s nice to just be worrying about my father’s bowel habits tonight. God, I can’t believe I just thought that.

“I’m really glad you took him to the doctors like I asked. I’m sure he is feeling so much better now.” I try not to laugh at my mother’s sigh as she agrees that a doctor was better than her diagnosis off the internet.

“How is our beautiful Harper, is she right there beside you?” Mum’s voice picks up an octave as she gets excited that she might get to speak to her. And my chest tightens because I wish I could answer yes.

“No, unfortunately. She needed some time to work on herself so has moved in with Flynn and Felisha for a little while.” It’s like someone is pushing on my chest, saying the words out loud.

“Oh, love, I’m sorry. You two are so good together. Do you need me to talk to her? Because I can, you know, woman to woman,” Mum says with all the conviction that she can fix this for me, and I can’t help but laugh now.

“No, Mum, I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“Well, I hope you haven’t given up. I hope you are fighting for her, making her see how you feel.” I can imagine my mother standing in front of Harper right now being my greatest cheerleader, because that’s what all good mums do.

“I’m trying, Mum, throwing my whole body into it.” Literally.

“Good. Well, I’m sure she will see it soon. She’s a smart girl, that one, and she deserves someone sweet like you.”

I’m not sure Harper will ever see me as sweet, but I’ll take that from my mum.

“Thanks, Mum. Say hi to Dad for me, and I’ll see you both soon. Love you both.”

“Love you too, Son, good night.”

Sitting with my phone in my lap, I’m left understanding how hard it must be for Harper not to be able to just talk to her father whenever she likes. Missing a parent is hard, and I think the last few days I have learned to appreciate my parents even more than I did before. Life’s short, don’t take it for granted.

Pulling into the underground parking of my apartment building, I see Flynn’s car in one of the visitor’s spots, and I let out a groan.

“Great,” I mumble as I get out of the car and grab my luggage from the driver.

Swiping my card in the elevator to take me up to my floor, I lean back against the wall and let my head fall backwards.

“May as well get this over and done with. I don’t know why I’m surprised really, I should’ve expected it,” I say out loud to myself.

Stopping outside my front door, I take a deep breath—well, as deep as I can with bruised ribs—and slip my key into the lock.

The moment I push the door open, I hear his voice.

“You’re lucky you are already injured, otherwise I would be first in line to punch you for being such a dickhead.” He marches toward me as I leave my bags in the foyer.

“Glad to see you too, Brother,” is all I get out before he wraps his arms around me and takes the wind out of me. I know it’s a hug full of love and fear, but he could’ve waited a few days for that one.

“Arggghhh, asshole,” I let out as he squeezes me tightly.

“Good, I’m glad it hurt.” He steps back with a smile on his face, while I’m still trying to get a breath in. “You deserve that.”

“Flynn, don’t be a dick.” Nic comes up behind him and whacks him on the shoulder as he passes him, stepping toward me. “Good to see you in one piece.” His hug is much gentler and just a typical half hug between two guys.

Rem’s hug is much the same as Nic’s. “We will have words later about this, but right now, I’m just glad you are okay and that it turned out the way you hoped it would. Ashton tells me I should hire you as part of my team.”

“Fuck no, you can have that GI Joe shit all to yourself.” Looking around the room at the three men who are so important to me, I’m suddenly feeling eternally grateful.

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