Page 56 of Reckless Hearts

Unfortunately, I’m failing epically at least fifty times an hour.

Today, though, with Brett here, along with the cuteness and importance of my task, I’ve managed to avoid checking my phone for the last couple of hours.

It’s not until we’re back in the car and Brett is cheerfully talking about the ecological importance of wetlands on the drive back to the city that I give in to temptation and slide my phone out of my pocket to sneak a look.

No new messages.

My chest tightens. The phone suddenly feels heavy, as if it holds the weight of my disappointment.

To make matters worse, tonight is the weekly dinner with Saskia and my parents.

How will I sit through Saskia talking about all the fun she had with Marcus for the past two months?

Saskia’slate arriving to dinner, which means at the start of the meal, I have the full quota of parental attention.

The dining room is filled with the aroma of Mum’s roast lamb. Dad’s busy carving the meat while Mum fusses with the green beans.

“So, how did bird watching go today?” Dad asks.

“I’m not just watching them. Today, I weighed the chicks.”

“Oh, that sounds…fun.” Dad’s got that look on his face, the one I always interpret ashow did I end up with a son like this?

My parents are generally supportive of me. I know how lucky I am that coming out wasn’t a big deal for me. I have a feeling they already suspected I was gay before I told them when I was fourteen. And Saskia has always been an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally, even before she became friends with Marcus.

I’m certain none of the disappointment I sense from my father has anything to do with my sexuality. Instead, it’s because I’m not the rugby-playing, popular head boy he expected.

But he’s had eighteen years to adjust to that reality.

Before I can continue to tell my parents about my internship, there’s the sound of the front door opening.

My heart starts to race.

Thudding footsteps sound along the hallway before the door to the dining room bursts open.

“There is the big traveler,” Dad says with a grin.

“Sorry I’m late,” Saskia says breathlessly.

We stand, and she gives us all big hugs.

Saskia’s tan and her hair is sun-bleached, making her look like she’s stepped right off a California beach. When she embraces me, the scent of her perfume washes over me.

For a moment, I’m torn between my happiness about having my sister back and my anxiety over what news she might share about Marcus. Do I really want to hear about all the fun they had, especially if it involves Marcus hooking up with other guys?

“Oh, I’ve got so much to tell you all,” Saskia says as she sits at the table. “But you’re not going to believe the biggest news!”

“What is it?” My mum looks so much like Saskia as she leans forward in anticipation that I blink.

“Marcus got discovered,” Saskia announces.

My stomach rolls at the sound of his name.

“What do you mean, discovered?” Mum asks.

“It was just like in the movies.” Saskia’s eyes are bright. “We were at this club in Las Vegas, and Marcus and I were dancing, and then this guy came up to Marcus and asked him if he’d ever considered modeling or acting.”

“What did Marcus say?”