“What’s your point?”
“I’m just curious as to what made you chooseherspecifically. She’s practically a kid herself. Does she even have experience with children Jake’s age?”
“She’s twenty-three, and she came highly recommended by Skylar. You, of all people, know we can always trust her judgment. She wouldn’t suggest someone unless she truly believed they were perfect for the role.”
“Of course she’d recommendherown sister, Jason.”
“Mila’s had a few years of babysitting experience behind her, making her more than qualified for the job,” Jason retorts, and in that moment, I just want to hug and squeeze him.
“Well let’s hope that’s the only reason why you hired her,” she hisses.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that I don’t want to hear from Jake one day that he saw his dad doing God knows what with his babysitter because he couldn’t keep it in his pants.”
“Are you serious right now, Elena?” Jason snaps, his patience clearly waning.
“Exactly what are you accusing me of? Because if I remember correctly, wasn’t it you who Jake walked in on, having sex with his swimming instructor in our bedroom while I was away at a food and wine convention!”
What! Oh my God!Elena had an affair—with her son’s swimming instructor?
What the actual fuck!
Elena inhales sharply. “You said you wouldn’t bring that up again! You promised that you were willing to move past that for Jake’s sake!” Jason lets out a frustrated sigh. “Look, all you need to know is thatour sontrusts and feels secure around Mila, and she obviously cares about him a lot. So just stop this bullshit, Elena! And for once in your goddamn life start considering what’s really best for him!” With those final words, I hear Jason storm off, quickly followed by the distinct click of Elena’s heels, indicating that she too has left the scene.
I rush into the restroom, eager to escape before anyone catches me lingering. Locking the door behind me, I fix my gaze on my reflection, trying to make sense of the shock that still rattles me. As I stare into the mirror, two things stand out with brutal clarity: Elena’s unmistakable disdain for me, and the real cause of her and Jason’s divorce.
After learning more than I probably should have tonight, I can say with absolute certainty that I have a newfound respect and admiration for Jason. Despite all that his ex-wife had put him through—the heartache and betrayal, he’s still willing to tolerate her and her shitty behaviour for the sake of their child.
Sadly, this only makes me realise just how lucky Gemma is to be with someone as incredible as Jason. If he were mine, I would never take what we have for granted, not for a single moment.
CHAPTER 13
Jason
I can think of a million better ways to spend my time than babysitting Kaden’s drunk arse while he drowns his sorrows in whisky. The moment he walked into my bar, looking like the most miserable bastard alive, I knew I was in for a long night.
It’s been weeks since I last saw him after that heated confrontation with Lucia at his house. Occasionally I’d call or send a quick message to check in with him, but neither of us has made any actual effort to hang out in person.
Since he moved in with his mistress, there’s been this undeniable distance growing between us. And honestly, it really fucking sucks. I miss my best mate.
In all my years of knowing Kaden, we’ve never once let a woman come between us—not even my sorry excuse for an ex-wife could shake our once solid friendship. But everything changed the moment Lucia came into the picture. It’s as if Kaden has become a complete stranger—someone I barely recognised. Now he seems to be spiralling towards a destructive path with her, one that I’m not sure how to pull him out from.
Nursing his fifth whisky neat, he stares at me with heavy, bloodshot eyes. The slight swaying of his body on the stool tells me he’s well past his limit. “Two months, Jason. Two fucking months, and I still haven’t heard from her!” His voice wavers, a raw mix of desperation and frustration. “It’s really fucking gutting me!” I rest my elbows on the counter, leaning forward until I’m at eye level with him. “I don’t know what else to tellyou, Kaden,” I reply with a neutral tone. “Sky has made it clear that she doesn’t want to be found. Perhaps it’s time to take that as a sign to start moving on. Isn’t that’s why you moved in with Lucia?”
He releases a sharp exhale, shaking his head as though his new reality is pressing down heavy on him. “I have no idea what I’m doing, man,” he murmurs, his fingers tightening around the whisky tumbler. “Since moving in with Lucy, we’ve been fighting more, and her jealousy over Sky is driving a wedge between us. It’s making me question whether I’ve made a huge mistake.”
“Are you having regrets moving in with her? If so, just say the word, and I’ll have a room ready for you at my place in no time,” I reassure him.
A faint smile crosses his face. “Thanks, man, I really appreciate it. But if I walk away now, everything I’ve sacrificed would be for nothing. I have to at least try and make this work.”
“Kaden, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you’re not exactly radiating with joy and excitement right now. Most of the time you’ve been distant and miserable. You haven’t been yourself lately, and it’s starting to worry me.”
“I’m miserable because I lost my wife. And before you say anything, I already know I deserve it. It just... fucking hurts, that’s all.”
In that moment, Gemma strolls up and asks if I’m ready to leave. Before I can answer, Kaden cuts in, surprising both Gemma and me with his next comment.
“Why do you look familiar?” he slurs, tilting his head slightly to the side in curiosity.
