Page 199 of In at the Deep End

Owen put his glass down. “Let’s see what it’s like in the kitchen.”

Jeff nodded and followed him indoors, the noise of the party following them. Thankfully, no one was in there, and the kitchen door swung closed behind them, muting the voices outside.

Jeff took a breath. “I need to tell you something.”

Owen’s heart sank. What now?

“What?”

Jeff stared at him. “I spoke to Matt.”

Owen’s stomach roiled. “When?”

“About half an hour ago. I think he called me because he knew I’d be here.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me he misses you.”

Owen stopped breathing for a moment. Those three words hurt more than anything else Jeff could have said.

Not he’s angry.

Not he hates you.

Not he never wants to see you again.

He misses you.

Because that meant Matt was still standing on the other side of the distance Owen had created, wondering why Owen had left him there.

“He said other things too, but I think it’s best if you hear those from him.”

Owen jerked his head towards Jeff, who stared back at him.

Jeff swallowed. “I owe you an apology.”

That was the last thing Owen expected. “For what?”

“For what I said to you.”

Owen frowned. “Jeff⁠—”

“I was scared.”

“So was I.”

“No. You were scared before I ever opened my mouth. All I did was give your fear a voice.”

Owen’s chest felt constricted.

“You know what the worst part is?”

He didn’t answer.

“I thought I was warning you about the future. I thought I was making you think about what could happen twenty years from now. The age difference. The things you might not be able to give him.”

Owen tightened his jaw. “You succeeded.”