‘Ah, yes. Hawaii. I got distracted. Definitely an excellent place to holiday.’
‘So my mother said.’
Zeb looked disconcerted, but only for a second. ‘Indeed. And how is your beautiful mother? Do give her my best and...’
For goodness’ sake.
Impatience snapped within Adam and he opened his mouth to intervene just as Olivia leant forward and thumped the table. Her small fist caused the cocktail to give a little jump, its paper umbrella falling to the tabletop.
‘Jodie is pregnant,’ she stated. ‘And you’re the father.’
Pallor stripped Zeb’s face of its tan and rendered it blotchy. With one abrupt move he snatched the glass and drained it, before signalling to Saru for another one.
‘Are you sure?’ he demanded, all trace of bluff joviality vanishing
‘Yes.’
‘So why isn’t Jodie here?’ Zeb asked.
‘Because she believes that you won’t want to know; she thinks it’s unfair to burden you with a child you hadn’t bargained for.’
The colour returned to Zeb’s face, along with a smile that creased his eyes but didn’t reach it. ‘Your mother is a wise lady,’ he said.
As the impact of Zeb’s words smashed into him Adam shifted his chair closer to Olivia and laid a hand on her denim-clad thigh. Anger and sadness vied inside him; clearly being a father to Adam had changed nothing for Zeb.
‘Yes, she is,’ Olivia said quietly. ‘But I still thought that you would want to know. That you’d want to be a part of your baby’s life.’
Saru brought the drink across; as he placed it in front of Zeb he shot Adam a quick glance. Instead of returning to the bar he sauntered towards the door, seemingly casually, effectively blocking Zeb’s exit.
‘It’s better if I’m not,’ Zeb said. ‘I’m sure Adam has told you that I’m a wanderer. I’m not parent material. I’ve done my parenting stint and it’s over. Of course I can send money—or if I can’t Adam certainly can.’ Zeb pushed his chair back and made to rise. ‘Be sure to wish Jodie well.’
‘Wait.’ Olivia’s voice was sharp. ‘Please.’
‘My dear girl, there is little point in trying to change my mind.’
Zeb stood and Adam mirrored the action.
‘Sit,’ he said. ‘Olivia wants you to stay, so that is what is happening.’
Zeb hesitated and then threw his hands in the air. ‘Very well, then.’ He sank back down with a shake of his greying head.
‘Don’t you feel anything for your baby?’ Olivia asked.
Adam flinched, wondering if Olivia was thinking of her own father. This must be her personal hell: to see the face of indifference in the flesh. Here was a man thinking only of himself, with never a thought for the child he had helped create.
‘Of course I feel something,’ Zeb said expansively. ‘I accept a fiscal responsibility and I believe that I am doing the right thing for the child. Better that I don’t raise any expectations that I know all too well I cannot come anywhere near fulfilling. The Mastersons don’t like to be tied down, Olivia.’ He waved a hand at Adam. ‘Adam will vouch for that.’
Zeb’s words sucker-punched Adam. They were no more than the truth and he would do well to remember it.
‘So...’ Zeb picked up his drink and glugged it down. ‘Any more questions? Do I need to order another drink or am I free to go?’
Adam shot a glance at Olivia, who shook her head. She looked pale, her shoulders slumped, and his heart ached for her. For a second he was tempted to grab Zeb and force him to do what she wanted, make him grovel to Olivia for hurting her. But there was no use in walking that path. It would simply put off the inevitable. Zeb would always leave; that was what Mastersons did.
‘Just go, Zeb.’
Weariness descended on Adam’s shoulders as he watched Zeb bound to his feet.
For a second the older man hesitated. ‘Adam, I am as I am.’ He walked around the table and clapped an awkward hand on Adam’s shoulder. ‘I’ll see you.’ He nodded towards the door. ‘You may want to let your friends know I’m good to go.’
Adam turned and nodded at Saru, knowing he’d pass the signal onto Gan, who was no doubt lurking in the vicinity.
‘Ciao.’
With that, Zeb was gone.
‘Olivia.’ Despite knowing Zeb’s actions weren’t his fault, guilt jabbed at Adam. ‘I’m sorry.’
She expelled a sigh and shook her head. ‘Don’t be. You didn’t walk out through that door. I just can’t believe that’s how it went down.’