An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(76)

Rob took two steps before a steel grip locked onto his wrist.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Vic growled. “What’s this about?”

“Why not ask him?” Rob snapped, tilting his head toward Jarod. “He knows Alex, so he automatically assumed I was guilty of everything he’d heard. So much for how fucking accepting this lot is.”

Rob’s anguish poured out. He’d done everything he could to make Vic proud, to be a more responsible person. He had a job that now he was probably going to lose. He’d started to think of Vic’s place as home, and now that would be gone.

“I…. He’s not at fault, Sir. This was on me,” Jarod said to Eli. He turned back to Rob. “Rob? I cannot say enough how sorry I am for upsetting you. When it comes to Alex and our friends, I tend to have tunnel vision. Sometimes I forget there are two sides to every story. It isn’t fair of me to judge you based on one person’s recollections.”

Rob heard the words, but they didn’t register. His heart hurt more than he thought it could. The look on Vic’s face, anger mixed with disappointment, threatened to tear Rob apart. Why the fuck do I care what he thinks? He knew the answer, of course. He’d let Vic in, and he was beginning to think that was probably the most stupid thing he’d ever done. If he had just kept to himself, none of this would be happening.

“I have to go,” Rob said, trying to pull free of Vic.

“Like I said, you’re not going anywhere.” Vic leaned in close, his hands around Rob, holding him tight. “You’re stuck with me for the long haul.” When Rob tried to struggle, Vic held firm. “I mean it. Rob. You. With me. End of story.”

Vic’s obvious sincerity seeped into Rob’s battered mind, and he became still.

“That’s it,” Vic said softly. “Maybe if I say it often enough, you’ll finally get it into your head.”

Rob leaned into him, his anger and self-loathing melting as he breathed in Vic’s presence, his strength.

Vic turned to Jarod. “I know you don’t know us, and you have no reason to do us a favor. That being said, I would like to ask you not to talk to Alex about this. Rob is doing his best to deal with it, and one day if he’s ready, he’ll contact Alex and work it out. Okay?”

“Jarod? I think it would be good if you took Rob upstairs for a cup of tea,” Eli said suddenly.

“Of course, Sir. Rob? Would you like to come have a cup of tea with me?” Jarod spoke as though Rob was a child he was trying to coax out of a tantrum.

“He goes nowhere without me,” Vic insisted.

Bless him.

“You’re welcome to come along, Sir,” Jarod replied. “We have plenty of tea. This is England, after all.” The joke fell flat, but Jarod smiled anyway.

Vic’s lips brushed against Rob’s ear. “We can go home if you’d like.”

It was good that Vic was giving him an out, but Rob knew he’d have to face up to what happened at some point. If Jarod knew Alex, maybe he’d listen. “Is it okay if I go with him?”

Vic didn’t seem convinced.

“He’ll be in good hands,” Eli promised. “Jarod is the kindest soul around.”

“Please,” Rob said. He turned his head to whisper to Vic, “I have to start somewhere.”

Vic gave a sharp nod. “Fine.” He glared at Jarod. “He’s been through a lot, and I expect you to keep that in mind.”

It didn’t surprise Rob when Eli jumped to Jarod’s defense. “Don’t worry, I promise that Jarod will be the perfect host.”

Rob followed Jarod to the lift, pausing to glance over his shoulder. Vic nodded in encouragement.

Here we go.





Chapter Twenty-Two


ROB FOLLOWED Jarod into the lift, an oppressive silence hanging over them. A thousand possible things to say floated in Rob’s head, but none of them made their way out.

“Have you ever met Scott or any of Alex’s other friends?” Jarod asked.

Rob was grateful for the question. Anything was better than worrying about their upcoming conversation. “No. I saw his posts on Facebook, though. He cares a lot about them.”

“They were there when he needed them most.”

Yeah, sure. Make me feel even guiltier. “I’m glad he had someone.”

Jarod gave a sad smile. “You didn’t, though, did you? I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you.”

He wasn’t trying to be mean. Rob believed Jarod really did feel bad.

What must it be like to have friends like that? Alex was lucky enough to find Leo, but to build a whole new family? A sliver of jealousy joined the ever-present guilt.

The lift dinged and the doors opened. Jarod directed Rob to exit first. When they entered the apartment, Rob was confronted by the sight of an older woman sitting on one couch, talking animatedly with a dapper young man facing her on another.

“What are you two plotting now?” Jarod asked.

“There’s a sale at Mavis! We’re going there in the morning,” the woman said excitedly.

The young man smiled at her, then addressed Jarod. “It’s a wool shop in Bushey.”

“Mother, you’ve got bags and bags of wool,” Jarod protested. “How much do you really need?”