Chapter 8
Flynn swore as he put the phone down. That was just what he needed, to see Prita more often and not less. He had been prepared to see her again tonight at the BBQ for her birthday at Nat and Reid’s, but he hadn’t thought he’d need to see her earlier than that. But of course, she’d want to see Aaron to check up on him before they headed over to the barbie—she was a good doctor. Besides, Carter and Aaron were friends. Of course he’d want to come over and visit his friend when he was sick. That would be bad enough, except, apparently, she and Carter had been thinking up ways of keeping Aaron occupied so he didn’t re-injure his shoulder. Which was nice and all, but that meant they’d be around more often.
A picnic down at the creek later in the week sounded like a great idea—except for the fact Prita would be there.
A movie night was a good idea too—except for the fact Prita would be there.
A day going to Healesville Sanctuary was a great day outing—except for the fact Prita would be there. Well, maybe he could palm that off on his mum and Nat, but the others, he couldn’t escape from.
It was bad enough he’d be seeing her tonight in a social context. It was lovely that Carter wanted to spend time with Aaron so he wouldn’t get bored, but it all just seemed like extra torture he could do without.
Perhaps he could find some excuse to disappear early tonight. Maybe he’d ask Mac to call him and make some horse-related excuse where he’d have to run out to deal with it. Yeah. Maybe. Although, Mac would want to know why he had to leave the barbie early, and that was a discussion he didn’t want to have with the nosy bugger.
Think of the bright side.
He could still hear Anna’s oft-said phrase when things weren’t going his way. Somehow, she’d always managed to find some bright side in any situation, calming him down so he wouldn’t be so gloom and doom.
So what was the bright side in this situation?
Carter coming over and keeping Aaron occupied would hopefully cheer him up. That would be a good thing.
He scraped his hand through his hair. Right. Good. Now to tell Aaron. He plastered a smile on his face as he walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. Aaron was sitting exactly where Flynn had left him after they’d had breakfast an hour ago, staring morosely at the cartoons playing on the TV. Although, this time, he was practically hidden by dog. ‘Charlie. Farrah. Get down.’
Aaron made a grab for Farrah as Charlie slunk off the couch and gave him sad-dog eyes. ‘Gran said I could have them in here with me.’
‘I’m pretty sure she didn’t mean on the couch.’
‘She didn’t say not on the couch.’
Flynn opened his mouth to argue, then thought better of it. ‘Good news. Doctor Brennan is coming over early to check on her favourite patient and she’s bringing Carter.’
‘When?’
‘They’ve got to go down to Traralgon to do some shopping after morning clinic, but they’ll be here about four, Prita expects. They’ve also got some great ideas to help keep you busy over the next few weeks.’
‘Really?’ Aaron looked up at him, eyes brightening.
‘Yeah. Although Carter wants to tell you, so don’t tell him I said anything.’
‘If she says it’s okay, can I go outside and play with the others tonight?’
‘I don’t think she’s going to say it’s okay, A-man. You know what the doctor said last night at the hospital. You’ve got to stay quiet and not run around so you don’t do any more damage to your shoulder.’
‘I didn’t think he meant I’d be stuck inside forever.’
‘It’s not forever, A-man. Just the first few days at least. Maybe a week. Then you can go outside.’
‘Can I go riding then?’
‘Absolutely not. We can’t chance you doing more damage.’
‘It’s not fair. I never fall off.’
‘Well, you did yesterday.’
‘Rebel bucked me.’
‘That’s what happens when you disobey the rules and try to ride horses you know aren’t ready to be ridden.’
Aaron’s lips tightened and he went back to staring at the TV, face set in that stubborn way that was purely his mother.
Crap. He’d said the wrong thing. Flynn rubbed his hand over his face, wishing he could just go outside and get on a horse and ride until the need to bellow had left his system. But he couldn’t do that. Instead, he was left here with his angry, sullen son, wondering why he always seemed to be saying and doing the wrong thing lately. The disagreement they’d had yesterday was one of the reasons Aaron had run out and tried to ride Rebel. Aaron had wanted to go riding by himself with Tilly, but Flynn had said he couldn’t because he wasn’t old enough. Aaron had yelled at him that age had nothing to do with being a good rider and he’d yelled something about maturity and the ability to recognise dangerous situations and deal with them—hell, he couldn’t even remember exactly what it was he’d said—but it had set Aaron off, yelling that he knew Flynn and Reid had gone out riding by themselves when they were his age and Flynn was such a hypocrite. Where he’d learned that word and how to use it, he didn’t know. Kids these days. They came to everything so much faster than when he was growing up. He wasn’t entirely sure it was a good thing—particularly when he was so crap at dealing with a son who was as full of beans and mischief and stubbornness as Reid
