“But you never cared before. Why is it different with Keira?”
“Because I like her more. I would have thought that was obvious. She wouldn’t be okay with me sharing a bed with you, so I’ll sleep on the couch. I don’t know why you’re making a big deal of it.”
She pressed her lips together, looking thoroughly amused. “Please don’t tell me you think I’m upset about you not wanting to share the bed with me?”
“You’re being pretty weird about it.”
Her features softened. “I always knew our relationship would change when you had a serious girlfriend. That was inevitable. I don’t particularly like it, but it’s fine. I’m happy for you. And you’re right that we shouldn’t share a bed if she means that much to you … I’m just surprised because I wasn’t sure things were that serious between you.”
His eyes widened. “Really? You didn’t get that from any of our phone calls? Or from the fact that I brought her home and introduced her to my family?”
“I thought so,” she said, cocking her head to one side. “Which is why I’ve spent the last month bracing for the conversation where you tell me that you’re staying in Bristol. But it seems as though that’s not going to happen, so I can’t figure out what’s going on in your head. If you like her so much, why are you coming home?”
“You know why.” He was surprised that she had to ask. If anyone knew all the problems in his family it was her.
“I’ve got no idea.”
“Mum needs me,” he said, irritated. “I promised her I’d only be gone for a year. The year’s up.”
“Your mum’s all right. Me and Kit keep an eye on her. And Trystan is back quite a lot.”
“Exactly. Everyone else is doing their bit … except for me.”
“Lowen is pretty useless too,” she said wryly. “And Jago’sneverthere.”
“Jago has a different life. He’s never been around. As for Lowen, I get annoyed at him for keeping his distance. Which is a bit rich when I’ve been doing the same.”
“It’s not the same at all.”
Noah’s whole body tensed as his anger levels rose. “Lowen stays away purposely to hurt Mum.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Seren laid a hand on his shoulder. “He stays away because he’s hurt and angry. Which is understandable.”
“Is it? I reckon he’s just being spiteful.”
“He’s not. You should try and see things from his point of view. You also forget that he was having a tough time long before your dad died.”
“You mean that chip on his shoulder which has always been there?”
“Being angry with Lowen doesn’t help anyone.” She gave his shoulder a squeeze then backed away from him. “But we got off topic. My point was that you shouldn’t come home out of some sense of duty.”
He pursed his lips. “It’s starting to sound as though you don’t want me to come home.”
“I’m desperate for you to come home, but I’m concerned about how much time I’ll have to spend listening to you crying about missing Keira. You know I’m not going to have a lot of patience for that, don’t you?”
“Duly noted,” he said with a smile.
“Off you go then.” She picked up his pillow and shoved it at him. “I’d offer to sleep on the couch, but I’ve sat on it so I know it’s the most uncomfortable couch in the world.” Flopping back on his bed, she stretched her arms and legs out and made a show of getting comfy.
“I hate you,” he said, walking to the door.
“Hate you too,” she shot back. “Sleep well!”
As he wandered to the living room he was certain there was no chance of him sleeping well. Getting any sleep at all was the best he could hope for on the grey monstrosity of a couch. He dropped his pillow at the end of it and lay back as he hit dial on Keira’s number.
“You finally made it home?” she asked sleepily.
“Yeah. Have I woken you up?”