Page 65 of Playing the Game

”She won’t let me go out while I’m studying. She buys all my clothes. And she chooses my friends.”

That sounded about right. Tuva had tried to do the same thing to him. Emphasis on tried.

”That’s a lot,” Adam conceded. ”When do you finish school?”

”Not until June,” Anna replied.

Her eyes filled with tears again.

Poor kid. Summer might as well be a decade away for her.

”Same as our season,” Adam said. ”Why don’t we all celebrate with a holiday next summer?”

Anna’s eyes lit up. ”Could we?”

”Of course. Disney. Cruise. Ibiza. You can do all the research while you’re stuck at home and choose.”

Anna sat up. ”Jonas?”

He came over and perched on the arm of the couch behind Adam. He rested his hand on Adam’s shoulder.

”Definitely. We can come and visit before then too.”

To his relief the smile returned to her face.

”I suppose I will have to go home then,” she said. ”Promise you’ll call me?”

”Of course I will.”

A stab of guilt shot through him. With the move to Brockton, he had neglected her. To be fair, he hadn’t realised how much she needed him.

He made a vow that he would not let that happen again. He’d had to face that controlling woman on his own. Anna would not suffer the same fate.

”Go get your bag,” he said.

She got off the couch and flung her arms around both of them.

”Thank you.”

With that, she ran into her room.

A lump formed in Jonas’ throat. Adam saw and leapt up.

”Hey now.”

He put his arms around Jonas and held him close. The comforting smell of him levelling Jonas out.

”Sorry,” he said, wiping his eye.

He looked up at Adam.

”No need to apologise,” Adam said, stroking Jonas’ hair. ”I hate to see her upset too. She’s a great kid.”

”She is. Tuva is a stupid bitch. Imagine alienating your greatest success in life.”

Adam kissed Jonas’ cheek. ”Do you still want me to come to the airport with you?”

Jonas shook his head. ”I think it’s better if I go alone. I want to make sure she doesn’t get upset again.”