An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(77)

She gave him a pointed stare. “And you’ve got a chest full of sex toys. Does that stop Eli from buying more?”

Rob snorted and Jarod’s face went red. “Rob, this is my mother, Margaret, and her… coconspirator, Maxwell. Mother, this is Rob. He’s…. I know his brother.”

She held out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rob.” Her smile was radiant, and she gave the impression of being full of life.

Rob walked over to her and took her hand in his. “A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

She cocked her head and stared at him for a moment before reaching up to pat his cheek. “I think the pleasure is mine. You seem like the type of young man I could call when fussy pants here doesn’t want to go out with me.” She indicated Maxwell with a flick of her head.

Maxwell frowned. “Since when have I ever refused to take you somewhere?”

Her eyes gleamed. “Don’t you worry, my boy. That day will come, and when it does, I’ll call Rob here. He seems to be the sort who doesn’t mind a little fun.”

Rob liked her already. Margaret was a jewel.

“So, do we have a plan of action ready for tomorrow morning, or what?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Maxwell replied, rolling his eyes. “We leave here at nine, and it’s just over an hour if I take the North Circular. Then you can shop till you drop.” His gaze met Jarod’s. “At least you know what yours and Eli’s Christmas presents will be this year.” He grinned. “What’s the betting Maggie can find a pattern to knit a cock? Or maybe a sweater with a design made of dildos?”

Jarod groaned. “That’s right, give her more ideas, why don’t you?”

Maggie snorted. “Like I haven’t already thought of that.” She pulled Rob down into a hug and patted him on the back. “Whatever is going on, it’ll be okay,” she promised. “I’ll always be here to talk if you need someone to lean on.”

She sat back, leaving Rob reeling. He gave her a smile. “Thank you.”

“Right. In that case I’ll make myself a cup of cocoa and go to bed.” She winked at him. “I might look up some knitting patterns while I wait for it to cool.” She rose to her feet, and Maxwell went with her toward the door.

He gave Jarod an apologetic nod. “Good night, boss.”

Jarod shook his head. “Don’t look at me like that. You’re as bad as she is.” He waved them off.

“She’s lovely,” Rob said once the door had closed.

“She’s… a handful, but I love her so very much.” Jarod walked over to the kitchen area. “What kind of tea would you like?” he asked as he filled the kettle.

“I’m not picky.”

“Be careful when you say that. My mother likes to… experiment. There might still be a box of chili and lime green tea floating around somewhere.”

Rob shuddered. “Do you have chamomile?”

“I do.”

Rob settled against the seat cushions, letting the couch envelop him. It had to be the most comfortable one he’d ever sat on. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, trying to find that center Vic kept telling him was so important. When a spoon clattered on a saucer, he sat up and found Jarod sitting across from him. Two cups sat on the coffee table, along with a sugar bowl.

“May I once again say how sorry I am? I should know better than to behave the way I did.”

“Not your fault,” Rob replied. “This is on me.” He picked up his cup and inhaled the delicate fragrance.

“That’s the thing about fault. There’s usually enough to go around.” Jarod sipped his tea. “Do you want to talk about it? I promise to do my best to remain impartial.”

The only one who knew was Vic, and the urge to admit to someone else what had happened rode Rob hard. Slowly, hesitantly, he began the story of the night he saw the bruises on Alex and had gone to their mother. He told Jarod about the police. The devastated look on Alex’s face when he, Leo, and some of their friends came to take Alex’s belongings away. How it sunk in that Alex was gone. Then he got to the part about Jamie. Jarod didn’t interrupt. He just listened, nodded, and hummed a few times. When Rob finished, he felt a little lighter for having finally admitted the truth, not just to Vic, but to someone who knew Alex.

“Wow,” Jarod whispered. He put his cup down and steepled his fingers. “And you haven’t spoken to Alex since then?”

“No. What would be the sense?”

Jarod paused, his gaze locked on Rob. “May I tell you a story?”

“Sure.”

Jarod cleared his throat and his eyes misted over. “Many years ago, well before Eli, there was a man named Phillip. He became my first—what I thought would be my only—master. I loved him with all my heart and soul. Every day I shared with him was a gift, and I cherished it. There was only one problem, and I think it’s one you’re going to understand. Sometimes we become complacent. We only see today, and never really give much thought to tomorrow. Then suddenly tomorrow’s here, and we’re left wondering about all the yesterdays we missed out on, or things we should have done and probably didn’t.”

Rob knew that feeling all too well.

Jarod continued. “In my case, my master boarded a plane, like he’d done dozens of other times. Only this time he never came back to me. He died doing what he could to save other people when the plane crashed. Afterward, I couldn’t cope.”