The beach that had finally caught up with him.
Alex dropped onto a wrought iron bench at the stone wall, and Jason perched next to him. They stared at the darkening water.
“I kept a lot of secrets.”
Alex shut his eyes.
“I lied about a lot of things. My name, where I work, who my friends and family are. But, Alex? I didn’t lie about any of my feelings.”
“You faked being in love with Uncle Owen.”
Jason’s heart pounded. “Did I?”
Alex’s eyes pinged open.
Jason continued, “I came here curious about who the other half of my family were. I didn’t realise I would make another one I don’t want to lose.”
Alex blinked and threw his arms around Jason, holding him tight. “I’m a hypocrite. How could I get so mad when I kept my secret from Mum for much longer? I should’ve understood. I was frightened of their response, so frightened, and you distracted Mum. You gave up your secret to help me manage the fallout of mine. I should’ve just hugged you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I mean, if you hadn’t run out, I’d still be sitting there fielding a town full of questions.” He paused, wincing. “Which I left your uncle to do. Damn, he really is always saving me.”
“I’m sure he likes it. I’m sure he wishes he could do it forever.”
Jason laughed, rolling his eyes. “I’m sure.”
“I’m sure.” A soft feminine voice from the shadows.
Jason jumped, and Cora came into view beside him, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
“Cora?”
“I’ve been walking up and down here to calm down. I heard everything.”
Jason stared at her, the lump in his throat refusing to budge even a little. “You were curious about where you came from.” She sniffed and dabbed her eyes again.
Alex pressed his palms to the bench. “I should go—”
“No. I don’t want there to be any more secrets.” She let out a deep breath, and laughed. “Horoscope promised this would be quite the month of family changes. Wasn’t wrong.”
“Cora, I’m sorry. I just . . .”
“I snuck into all your shows when you played in Melbourne and Sydney. You wanted to know where we all ended up. If we’re all . . . happy.”
“You watched my performances?” He gestured for a tissue and Cora, sniffing, fumbled for a fresh one and handed it over.
“You’re remarkable. Both of you are. My Jason. There hasn’t been a day where I haven’t thought of you.”
Jason’s tissue was already damp.
“You’d never have had the opportunities you did if . . . It hurts, but I’m still convinced it was the right thing. For both of you. I was too young, too immature. I ran away from home and never told anyone I was pregnant. My parents weren’t exactly the type who cared, either, you know? I only had an aunt who cared. Patricia. You were born on her bathroom floor, where I had been hiding out those last months while she was overseas. I lived like a hermit, and drove forty minutes every other week for groceries and to a doctor so no one saw me. I was good at hiding it. She got back as I started having contractions, and she was so shocked. I pleaded with her to not tell anyone. She agreed to help. Took us to the city to adopt you both out. Only Patricia, she got attached. She wanted you both, but she didn’t have the money or the time for two, so in the end . . . well, you know the end. We came back here and she pretended she’d been the one who had the surprise baby, overseas.”
A shuddering breath. From all of them. Alex clasping Jason’s hand for support.
“We’ve all kept secrets. They felt right at the time. But . . . this weight off my chest, it’s . . . freeing.”
“Yes.” Jason paused. “Cora?”
She met his eyes.
“Just because you weren’t ready to be a mum then, doesn’t mean you won’t make a good one now.”
“W-what?”
“You know what I’m talking about. If he asks, say yes. I hope that’s enough sign for you.”
“What if Carl . . .”
“Carl knows. He loves you, too.”
“Too?”
“Yes, too.”
She nodded and nodded, and swiped more tears, and laughed. “Look at us! We could be a television drama. With a happily ever after.”
“Wouldn’t that be nice.”
“I’m sure of it. Sagittarius and Libra make a great match.” She gestured behind him, and Jason turned.
There, not more than six feet away in the last glimmer of sunset, Owen sat, palms planted on the stone, listening, observing.
He stumbled in the sand, tripped, and scurried up again. So smooth.
Smirking, Owen slipped off the wall and moved over tussock and sand towards him. Jason wanted to bolt, but still he was unsure in which direction, and before that—
He held out his finger—just a sec—and chased after Cora. “Wait.” She paused, eyes just like his hitting him in a way he wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to.