An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(93)

This time will be different. This time he had his anchor, his rock.

This time he had his Vic.




ROB STOOD at the familiar blue-and-white door, hand poised to knock. He could have walked in, just like he’d done every day for eighteen years, but now it seemed it would be wrong. This wasn’t his home. That was in London, with Vic.

No, that wasn’t right either.

Vic was home.

“We don’t have to do this, you know.”

Vic’s voice in Rob’s ear was a welcome salve to the doubts that had crept in since they’d stepped off the train. Everything that had once been familiar now seemed to be a distant memory that Rob wanted to let go. They’d caught a taxi, and when they’d driven by places that he and Jamie had used to frequent, there was no nostalgia or regret. Yes, they’d had some good times, but more often than not, the fun always had a price tag on it. Rob had money; Jamie liked things. Rob never thought it weird when Jamie asked for him to lend him a few pounds, even though he knew he’d never get it back. It made his friend happy, and Rob never questioned it. Now, with the gift of hindsight, Rob could see the truth clearly.

Shit. He was using me, even back then.

“No, we don’t have to do this, but I do,” Rob said, his voice surprisingly solid. He rapped on the door.

When it opened, his mother’s voice rang out. “Is that Rob?”

Dad glanced back over his shoulder. “It will be if you give me a chance to let him in.” He smiled at Rob, appearing genuinely happy to see him. “Hey, stranger.”

“Hello.” Rob shifted on the balls of his feet, momentarily ill at ease and conscious of Vic at his side. How the hell do I introduce Vic? Everything had seemed a lot more clear-cut back in London.

Fortunately, Vic stepped in. He gave Dad a bright smile and extended his hand. “Mr. Daniels, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Vic Prentiss, a friend of Rob’s.”

“The name is Doug, and it’s good to meet you, Vic. Don’t stand on the doorstep. Come in. We’ve got some coffee or tea if you’re interested.”

“I would love a cup of coffee,” Vic answered, as he ushered Rob through the door. “We got up way too early this morning.”

Vic’s words made it sound as though they’d spent the night together, which of course they had. It’s my bed too now. What came as a shock to him was that he didn’t mind how it sounded.

They followed his father to the kitchen. Rob tensed as they entered, but Mum wasn’t there. Dad went over to the coffee machine and poured them each a mug of dark, rich brew. They stood in the middle of the kitchen floor, mugs in hand.

Vic sighed when he took his first sip. “Ooh, I needed this. Thank you, Doug.” He grimaced. “The coffee on the train was awful.”

Dad gave him a sympathetic glance. “Oh God, I hear you. Nothing worse than crap coffee.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “The doctor says I’m not supposed to have coffee, but there are some pleasures a man can’t live without.”

Rob was about to say something when his mother entered the room. She stood there, glaring at Vic, and Rob felt his temper start to rise. Already? He closed his eyes for a moment, focused on his center, then opened them again. “Mum, this is Vic Prentiss. Vic, this is Rebecca Daniels, my Mum.”

She eyed Vic warily, and a sense of déjà vu overcame Rob. His palms grew clammy and his chest tightened.

“I can’t do this.”

“Then don’t.” Vic’s voice exuded calm.

Rob’s mother’s gaze narrowed. “Rob? Is something wrong?”

Beside him, Vic said nothing, as if he was waiting for something.

In that instant Rob knew it was time to finally grow a fucking spine.

“Vic isn’t a friend. He’s my… shit, boyfriend? Lover? Whatever. The point is, I live with him in London. Have been for the last few months since I got fired from the store for stealing when I was a kid. Me and Jamie used to nick things from there and they found out.”

“You’re not gay!” his mother yelled.

Yeah, that was his mum. Ignore the bit about losing his job and stealing, and head straight to the “I have a boyfriend” part.

Rob met her glare with a calm that surprised him. “No, you’re right. I’m not strictly gay. I like women too. But I… I want to be with Vic.”

His mother glared at Vic, her eyes like ice. “What have you done to him? Rob isn’t like that.” She took a step toward Rob. “Come home. Let us help you.”

Rob sucked in a breath as his calm began to fray at the edges. He opened his mouth to respond, but then his heart soared when Vic got in first.

“Rob doesn’t require help. He’s fine as he is. In fact, he’s probably a lot better than he’s been for a very long time.”

She sneered at him. “You don’t know my son.”

Vic wrapped an arm around Rob’s shoulder and pulled him close. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mrs. Daniels. I suspect I know Rob better after three months than you have after a lifetime with him.”

She stepped back as if Vic had slapped her. “You can’t come in here and say things like that!”

“Why? It’s probably true,” Dad said.