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sat silently next to Jayden holding his hand. Jackson noticed the gentle caress of Noah's thumb as it swiped over the back of Jayden's hand. Jackson ached at the thought that he would never get that with his mate.
    Jayden was the first to break the silence. "Boy, are you in the shit with Mum and Dad."
    "Jayden, language," admonished their mother.
    Jackson groaned as his brother laughed.
    "Sorry, Mum," Jackson said as soon as their mum turned her attention away from Jayden. The little shit stuck his tongue out at Jackson. He was hard pressed to hold in his snort of laughter at the action. He had missed this side of his little brother.
    Jackson walked over to the table and collapsed on one of the chairs, taking another bite of the crunchy bean he still had in his hand.
    "Okay let's get this over with, shall we? Before the rest of the family arrives," Jackson said as he looked at his parents. "Mum, I'm sorry I ignored your calls, it won't happen again. I just needed time to think about things without the rest of the world butting in."
    "Butting in?" his mother screeched. Jackson winced and Jayden laughed at him. Jackson turned and poked his tongue out at his youngest brother. Jayden laughed harder when their mother admonished him.
    "Sorry, Mum, maybe butting in was the wrong words to use," he tried to soothe her ruffled feathers.
    "I should think so," his mother replied. Jackson looked at his dad and saw a twinkle in the man's eyes. He wasn't getting any help from that direction.
    Jackson closed his eyes and groaned.
    His father cleared his throat, indicating he had something to say. Jackson opened his eyes and looked at his dad. All the mirth had disappeared from his face, replaced with a stoic expression.
    "I've left word with Frannie that Aiden Montgomery is not to be allowed back in the office," his father announced quietly. Jayden stopped laughing while Noah sat silently, looking between Jackson and their parents.
    "Dad," Jackson started but he didn't get any further before his father interrupted him.
    "No, Jackson. The man hit you in the middle of the office, for all to see, I cannot condone that type of behaviour in the workplace or against one of my children." His voice was low. His dad meant what he said.
    "He's my mate, Dad, you can't ban him from the office," Jackson pleaded.
    "Mate or not, he had no right to take a swing at you."
    "He had every right!" Jackson yelled. He stopped himself, taking a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Aiden Montgomery is someone from my past. Someone I hurt greatly with my actions. He is also my mate and I have to live with the fact that I've caused him a great deal of pain. I have no idea if I'll ever get the chance to apologise to him for what I did or if the man would ever, could ever, forgive me. Please don't make this harder than it already is." Jackson was close to tears. Laying it all out on the table for his family—actually voicing his fears—was a lot harder than he thought it would be.
    "Oh, Jackson," his mother said quietly.
    "It's just the way it is, Mum." Jackson swallowed down the lump rising in his throat. "I always knew my past might come back to bite me on the ass, I just never thought it would be this bad. I honestly have no idea if I even have the tiniest chance with my mate or not."
    "Aiden Montgomery is a good man." Noah spoke up for the first time since Jackson joined everyone outside. All eyes turned to him and he blushed a little under the scrutiny. "He works for my company, has done practically since we opened. When his partner unexpectedly passed away at work, I put him in touch with Jayden. He's loyal and kind and very forgiving. I have no idea what's happened between the pair of you in the past but give him time, Jackson. I'm sure he'll come round.
    "Everyone loves him and I've never once heard a bad word about him. That's why I was surprised when Jayden came home and told me what happened." Noah paused. "Would you like me to have a talk with him