Page 162 of In at the Deep End

Matt smiled. “It’s almost finished.” He glanced at Owen. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’m done for the day.” He returned his attention to Callum. “It was good to see you again.”

“I’ll text you later,” Owen said as Matt turned to go to the side gate.

Matt raised his hand in a wave before disappearing from view.

Owen cleared his throat. “I’ll put the kettle on. I presume you want tea.”

Callum didn’t respond.

“Cal? Is something wrong?”

His son was staring at the floor. “I actually got here ten minutes ago.”

Owen frowned. “What have you been doing all this time?”

“Sitting in my car, waiting.”

“For what?”

Callum lifted his chin. “For when it was safe to ring the bell.”

Owen had lost the thread of this conversation. “I don’t understand.”

Callum swallowed. “When I got here, I used the side gate. I thought I might find you in the garden.”

Owen’s stomach dipped.

He locked gazes with Owen. “I heard you.”

The words landed like a punch.

Fuck.

Owen rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “I’m sorry.” He truly was, not with what Callum knew, but with the way he’d discovered it.

“I wasn’t trying to listen. I was looking for you.” He folded his arms. “So how long has this been going on?”

“Since the beginning of last month.”

Callum huffed. “Well, I did wonder.”

Owen blinked. “What?”

“Dad… you smile now. You laugh more. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long while.” He took a deep breath. “I like Matt.”

“So do I.”

“No, I mean I really like him, and that’s why I’m worried.”

“About what?”

Callum looked at him. “You.”

Owen stared. “I don’t understand. Again.”

“I’ve watched you since Ben died.” Callum’s voice was quiet. “I’ve watched you with people. I’ve seen you fall into bed with them, then walk away.”

Owen narrowed his gaze. “That’s not fair.”