Page 97 of The Question of Us

Then it stopped altogether once I’d read the first few lines.

Dearest Nick,

I want to call you son but I have no right, I know that. Especially after what I did. Please believe me when I say that leaving you that day broke my heart and I’ll always regret not being able to?—

I dropped the letter, the words burning into my brain like a fiery brand, my painful past screaming up at me from the page.

“Nick? What’s wrong?” Mads’ warm hand landed on my thigh. “Who is it from?”

I couldn’t find the words, so I shoved the paper his way. He frowned at me for a second, then picked it up. He’d barely begun to read when he gasped and slammed it down again.

“Holy shit.” Mads stood and pulled me into his arms, crushing me against him. “Lee. Aaron. We need some time, please.” His commanding voice brooked no argument and thebrothers left the room without a word. A minute, an hour—I couldn’t say how long Mads rocked me in his arms, but I never wanted to leave. It felt the only safe place in the world at that moment. The one true thing I could rely on.

Too soon, Mads leaned back and scrutinised my face, his concern etched in every line on his beautiful face. “Come on, baby.” He kissed me softly on the lips and steered me back into the chair. “How about we read it together?”

I nodded wordlessly, numbness creeping up my body, my tongue lying fat and useless in my mouth. Mads held the letter out for me to take but I shook my head. “You read it. I can’t.”

Mads frowned. “Are you sure?”

I nodded. “Please.”

Mads hesitated a few seconds longer, then locked his hand around mine and started to read.

The End