Page 27 of Tribute Act

“Course. I had my gran and grandad.”

“In Perth?”

“Nah, they lived in Glasgow.” So that had been another move for him.

Mack’s eyes tracked my face unselfconsciously. Right now, there was no awkwardness between us. The wariness I’d grown used to seeing on his face was gone, and his mouth had an uncharacteristically relaxed set that made his lips soft and kissable.

And, Christ, why was I letting my mind go there?

I cleared my throat. “Did you get on with your grandparents?”

“They were okay,” he said, his tone noncommittal. “They made sure I had everything I needed. They were just set in their ways. They didn’t approve of me being gay. Anyway, it wasn’t for that long. I left when I was seventeen.”

Not exactly a glowing reference. The renewed burst of rage I felt towards Derek startled me. Because really, why should it bother me so much that Mack had been neglected by his dad? Mack himself seemed pretty philosophical about it, even with his inhibitions down.

Was he though?

“I’m not here for a reunion, Dad.”

Since the day he’d arrived in Porthkennack, Mack had avoided spending any time with Derek, to the extent that even when Derek was around, he would address most of his remarks to Mum.

No, he probably wasn’t philosophical about the situation with Derek. Not deep down.

I couldn’t help wondering how he felt about me. While he’d been left to his own devices, I’d had the benefit of both my own parents and Derek in my life. Mack had had no one by the sounds of it.

Mack closed his eyes again. He was pale with exhaustion. I was surprised he’d stayed awake as long he had, looking as tired as he did, and with all the drugs in his system. Even like this though, looking far from his best, I still found him unbelievably appealing. There was something about Mack MacKenzie that just got to me. It wasn’t only his appearance—though yeah, I liked the way he looked a lot—it was something about the man underneath. He had to have strength of character to have come here, to Porthkennack, to help the sister he’d never met, despite his history with his dad. I admired that a lot. And then there were those hints of fragility he occasionally showed. That he was showing right now. Those got to me in a different way.

Damn, I really was a fixer.

More than anything, I wanted to drive away the shadows that I saw in his eyes. Wanted to mend the rift between him and Derek. Wanted to see if I could coax him to smile, genuinely smile. Laugh too, raucously, holding nothing back. I wondered if he ever did that. It occurred to me that I’d give a lot to see that.

I watched him for a few minutes, waiting to see if he’d open his eyes again. He didn’t. He just lay there, almost unnaturally still. I was pretty sure he’d fallen asleep, but I’d said I’d stay till he did, so I wanted to be sure.

“Do you want me to leave?” I whispered softly.

He didn’t answer. His face was peaceful. I could practically see the lines of tiredness ironing out.

I sat there for another few minutes, waiting for a nurse to come along. Finally one did, cheerful and bustling in green scrubs.

“Is he sleeping?” she asked, making no effort to lower her voice. I glanced at Mack anxiously, but he didn’t move a muscle.

“Looks like it,” I said, getting to my feet. “I should leave.”

She smiled at me. “You must be the brother.” She winked conspiratorially. “I was speaking to your mum earlier. She said you might pop by.”

I stared at her. I wanted to say, I’m not his brother, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead I gave her a strained smile. “I’ll pop by again tomorrow.”

“He should be less tired then,” she assured me, twitching the curtains round the bed.

The metal rings clattered as she tugged them along the rail, but it didn’t matter.

Mack didn’t so much as stir.

Months have passed since you were last

The lover I once lost myself in

I can’t believe it’s Christmas Eve