4. Helen
Chapter 4
Helen
“God, that was delicious, Ma. Thanks for suggesting it.” Conner winked as he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach.
“Yeah, yeah, you keep telling yourself that. But it was a nice idea. It’s good to see you all,” I replied, putting my knife and fork on my still half-full plate, my hangover making it hard to enjoy lunch.
“I can’t get used to the hair. You look…”
I tutted. “Nice… I think the word you’re looking for is nice, Jasper.”
“You look younger, Ma. Way younger,” Callum added, offering me a smile.
Conner rolled his eyes. “Why would she want to look younger? It’s not like she’s going to date.” I didn’t say a word. “Tell me you’re not dating, Ma. That’s weird and fucked up,” he continued.
I sensed four sets of eyes on me.
“I’m forty-nine, not ninety-nine, Conner. If I live until then, I’ve only lived half my life. Do you suggest I spend the rest of it single and alone?” God, what was going on with me? Until last night, I would have happily agreed to spend the rest of my life by myself, but now… Nope, not having that thought. Totally inappropriate. Never going to happen.
“You’re our mum. I don’t want to think about you dating… or…” He made a fake vomit noise.
“Dessert anyone?” I stood, my chair noisily scraping across the floor, helpfully changing the subject. Jackson stood too, helping me clear the dishes while my boys laughed and joked amongst themselves.
“Dudes, you could help,” he hissed and the three of them leapt up and began cleaning the plates and filling the dishwasher. “Take a seat, Helen.”
I did as he asked, and I couldn’t help but notice the wink he gave me, a shiver rippling down my spine.
“So, how is life back in town, Jackson?” Conner asked.
“Jax, remember, idiot,” Jasper muttered.
“Sorry. Jax.”
“It’s weird and familiar. I mean, the place has changed a lot, but it’s nice to remember the streets we used to ride our bikes on and the places we used to hang out.”
“Yeah, we did used to have fun, didn’t we?” Jasper wrapped his arm around Jackson’s neck, pulling him close as his other hand ruffled his hair.
“Get off me, dickhead.”
Jasper released him, turning his attention back to the dishes. “It wasn’t the same after you left.” Silence fell over the room as everyone froze. Jackson leaving had been hard on my boys; Jasper especially. They were best friends. Inseparable. And then suddenly, Jackson came over one night and told us he was moving the next day. I didn’t really think Jasper ever got over it. He found it so hard to make long-term friends and keep relationships—as if he was expecting them to end from the minute they started.
Jackson was the first to break the tension, placing his hand on Jasper’s shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my idea to leave, and all I ever wanted was to come back. It’s why I’m here.”
Callum placed the apple crumble that had been warming in the oven on the table and Conner added the ice cream, plates, and silverware as they all took their seats again.
“So you’re sticking around?” Conner asked.
“I mean, I have a job here that I love and I have no plans on leaving anytime soon… or ever, if I have my way. I just need to find somewhere to stay.” He looked around at my boys. “The sale on my place fell through. I’m in a hotel and, well, it’s not great.”
“Places round here are like gold dust. It took Mum a while to find somewhere,” Jasper told him, causing Jackson to blow out a long breath.
“Yeah, I was hoping that wouldn’t be the case. I can’t live in that hotel. I’ll lose my mind.”
I spooned the crumble into bowls, avoiding everyone’s eyes because my boys could see right through me and they’d never understand Jackson staying here last night.
“Ma, you’ve got a spare room and you keep complaining about how you hate living alone.”
I glared at Conner. “I said that once and now you annoying buggers keep showing up to keep me company.”
Callum leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re welcome. But seriously, you can let Jax stay, can’t you?”
“I’m sure he doesn’t want to be staying with me? Right?” I looked at Jackson.
“Yeah-yeap. My shifts are all over the place. I don’t want to disrupt your life.”
I reached over and placed my hand on Jackson’s without even thinking about what I was doing. “That’s not it at all.”
“See, she’s a good egg. So he can stay?” Jasper asked.
I offered a small nod, pulling my hand back.
“Really?” Jackson whispered, his mouth curving into a wide smile that I knew I couldn’t say no to.
“Fine. Eat your dessert and then you boys can go help him collect his stuff from the hotel.”
My oldest son nudged Jackson in the arm. “It’s good to have you back, man. It will be just like old times.”