Page 40 of Tough Love
I latch on to his arm, pleading with doe eyes. “Please, don’t. That’ll just make things worse.”
His gaze falls to where I hold on to him with a death grip, and then drifts to my face. “Amelia, right?”
“Yeah.” I let go, wriggling back a little just for good measure.
“We haven’t met yet.”
“No.” I mean, they’ve only been dating for a few weeks, so….
“I’m Tristan.” He stands, reaching out for me. “How about I take you home?”
“Sounds nice. Thank you.”
What a sweet guy. Damn, Kath is so lucky.
FOURTEEN
I set my breakfast bowl in the bottom rack of the dishwasher, and take the mug Mum holds out for me.
“I thought I might head home for the afternoon and tidy up some loose ends, if that’s okay.”
Mum nods, crossing over to where Dad stands at the island reading a newspaper he has spread out before him. “Sure. We need to head out to the shops and pick up something to wear to the funeral anyway, so we can drop you off then if you like?”
“Sounds great. Thanks.” I take a sip of the warm coffee in my hands as I turn for the stairs.
Truth is, I don’t have a lot to sort out in order to have this week off work. My boss knows I’m on leave, I don’t have any pets to worry about, and the perishables from what Jess bought over came with me in the weekend when she dropped me off.
Nope. I have another plan.
After what Mum revealed yesterday, all I can do is think, replay the past over and over in my mind while I search for anything I might have missed, any clue as to why Kath would have stuck so solidly by Tristan’s side.
Solidly enough to get pregnant.
Logic would dictate he abused her, like he did me, and controlled her. But deep down I know that’s not right. He was different with her, almost … normal. If she stayed with him, it was because she chose to.
That’s what hurts the most.
I pass by where Briar’s planted in front of the television, mindlessly shovelling squares of toast into his mouth, and head upstairs to his room. I need privacy, but heading out the front door would only raise suspicion with my mother, and her questions aren’t what I need right now.
Satisfied everyone’s settled downstairs, I quietly snick Briar’s door closed behind me and set the coffee down on his set of drawers. I’m taking a gamble even calling Evan, considering he’s probably at work, but in amongst the thoughts that have swirled through my mind the past twelve hours he’s stood a constant.
He was there. He understands. And selfish as it may be, right now I need validation from somebody who knows me that how I feel is okay.
That the loss of trust toward the people who should matter most to me is normal.
“Hey,” he answers, the hint of a smile in his tone.
“I hope I’m not interrupting a car chase or anything glamorous like that,” I tease.
“Not at all. Just sat down for my first break.”
“Already?”
“You do know what time I start, right?”
I chuckle before realising I’m twirling a strand of hair around my finger like a giddy schoolgirl. “True. I forgot about that.” I shake my hand out, detaching the offending strands.
“How’s everyone today?” The cadence of his voice drops, the nature of the conversation stealing our light banter away.