Page 32 of Stoney Gazes for Helpful Gorgons

He nods. "And served it with bread. Dad loved it."

"What did you eat?" I know he didn't fill up on bread, he's gluten intolerant.

"I managed to eat about half of the soup, but I was just hungry after."

I take a deep breath. "Okay. So let's start by having some lunch, then we can plan what we're going to do for the weekend. I'm guessing you don't have any spare clothes with you?"

He shakes his head.

"My t-shirts will probably drown you, but it's better than nothing. Your school trousers are just going to have to wait, but we'll make sure your shirt's washed before you go back."

"Thanks, Jack."

I smile at him, wanting to assure him that I've got his back no matter what, but it doesn't really seem like enough given the situation. But I guess showing him is the next best thing.

Chapter 14

RHEA

The kitchen door swings open and Sage bounces in. "Your apparently not-a-boyfriend is here."

I turn around, ignoring the pot bubbling on the stove. "What?"

She rolls her eyes. "Jack, who you claim nothing is going on with."

"Yes, I know who you're talking about, I just wasn't expecting him."

She shrugs and gestures to the door. "I sent him to your room."

"Right." I look at the pot of pasta. It's nearly done anyway, and I can just reheat it when I'm ready. I take it off the heat and put it to the side. "Don't let anyone touch it."

"I can't promise anything, you know what people get like when they're hungry."

I shake my head and head past her to go to my room, finding Jack standing outside it.

"Hey." He waves.

"You can go in, you know."

"You didn't answer when I knocked."

"I was cooking. If you're hungry, we can go eat." I gesture towards the kitchen despite the fact he's been here before, and that our flats share the exact same layout.

He shakes his head. "I made my brother some pancakes and ate way too many."

I laugh. "Yeah that'll do it." I push open my bedroom door and gesture for him to come inside. "Has he gone back home?"

"No, he's fallen asleep on my bed, so I thought I'd come explain."

"Is he okay left on his own?"

A dark expression crosses his face, but I don't think it's aimed at me. "Well considering what Dad's doing at the moment, I think he'll be okay in my room. I told him if I'm not there when he wakes up that he should message me and I'll be right back."

I nod and gesture for the two of us to sit down on the bed.

"Are you okay?" I ask. "I know I shouldn't, but I've been worrying about you all day. And your brother, but mostly you."

He sighs. "Yes and no? I'm glad Eddy thought it was safe to come see me, and to tell me all about it, but I'm also heartbroken over what Dad's doing."