An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(48)

His gaze snapped up to meet Vic’s. “You… were?” Inside, he started up a silent prayer. Please, tell me you mean this.




“I WAS,” Vic said. “At the time I dismissed you as someone who was just a pretty boy who might have wandered into the wrong place. That night when I picked you up, though? Your determination as you walked through the streets in the driving rain, not once giving up? That called to me. It’s part of the reason I picked you up.” He pointed to Rob’s plate. “Eat. It’ll go cold otherwise.”

Rob’s cheeks pinked nicely as he picked up a forkful of pasta. It pleased Vic to know that the anger he held on to so tightly within him, and the tough guy facade he had tried to cultivate, were beginning to crumble.

“And it’s also the reason I was glad when you returned. You were uncertain about whether you were welcome, but you still made the trip. You didn’t let fear hold you back, and to me that’s the mark of someone I want as a friend.”

When Rob looked up, his eyes shone. “Thank you. I… I don’t know what to say.”

“You needn’t say anything. I’m not telling you this because I want you to be grateful. I’m saying it because you need to hear it. Were you wrong with what happened between you and Alex? Yes. I can’t stress how awful you were. But you cared enough about him to try to protect him. But there is something that I’d like to know. Why didn’t you ever reach out to him? Tell him the truth about what happened?”

Rob shrugged. “He had no reason to believe me. I never did a thing to make him question what a shit I was. And he knows Mum isn’t going to win an award or anything, but she’s still our mum. I figured since he already blamed me, I might just as well let him.”

“No,” Vic said firmly. “You can’t take responsibility for someone else’s actions. You’re doing a disservice to yourself and Alex by keeping the truth from him. You need to clear the air. Let him make a decision based on the true facts.” He had an inkling that Alex might be far more forgiving than Rob realized.

Rob’s chin dipped. “I’m not sure I can.”

Vic was certain he could, however. Rob had already begun to own up to his mistakes. He’d obviously been trying to make a change, based on what Vic saw in him.

So many people have let him down. I’ll be damned if I’m going to do the same.

Vic was going to be there for Rob, if he needed him. Literally.

“Would it help if I was with you?”

Rob stared at him for a moment, as though assessing whether Vic spoke in earnest. Then he nodded. “I think it might. But not now. I can’t do it right now. There’s so much hurt and anger between us, and it’s all on me.”

“Tell you what,” Vic said. “Why not give me the two weeks to work with you? Let me teach you meditation so you’ll be able to find your emotional center.” He paused when Rob chuckled. “Okay, share the joke.”

“It’s nothing,” Rob said quickly. “It’s just… well… it’s amusing to hear words like ‘meditation’ and ‘emotional center’ coming from a guy who looks… well, like you do. It just sounds so….”

“New Age? Hippie?” Vic suggested, grinning. “Remind me to show you my Zen garden sometime.”

“Your… you have a Zen garden?”

Vic nodded. “Were you never taught about judging a book by its cover?”

Rob bit his lip. “Oh, come on. Most New Age, hippie types do not have as many muscles as you, and definitely don’t look as….”

Vic arched his eyebrows when Rob’s face flushed. Oh, what wouldn’t I give to know what just went through your mind. His reaction was adorable, and Vic couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “Oh, don’t stop there, Rob. This is just getting interesting.” When Rob swallowed hard, Vic knew he’d pushed him out of his comfort zone. He looks like a bunny who’s just spotted a wolf hiding in his favorite patch. “I’ll continue, shall I? I was about to say, when you feel you’re ready, I’ll go with you to talk to your brother. Or, if you want, your family.”

Rob blanched. “My family?”

Vic had known this was coming. “You can’t move to London and not tell them.”

Rob’s mouth fell open, then snapped shut. He blinked rapidly. “I never thought about that. Hell, I didn’t even tell Mum I wasn’t coming over for my birthday dinner. And do you know what really burns me? In anyone’s book that would make me a rotten son, but if I go there, I’ll only hear the same thing I get every time I visit her. How Alex disappointed her, how I’m the good son…. Man, does she have it wrong. Alex has a new job, he’s got a husband, they’ve got all kinds of friends, and I’m all kinds of fucked-up.”

That last part made Vic’s stomach clench. He really believes that. Then Rob’s words sank in. “And how do you know he has lots of friends? I thought the two of you weren’t in contact.”

Rob lowered his gaze. “I might… check up on him now and again on Facebook.”

Vic said nothing but regarded him with interest. That one sentence revealed a lot.

Rob peered at him suddenly. “I’m proud of him, you know? Even after the things I did, he’s still made something of himself.”