by Leesa Bow
“Nope. Those guys have their own table. I’ll catch up with them later tonight.” He steps aside and introduces me to his sister, Adele, and their friends Zane, Steele, and Kristin. “Adele and I met these guys years ago as kids when Dad took us camping to a station outside Broken Hill.”
“Right. Welcome to Lombardi’s.” I hand out menus and leave them to reconnect.
After seating the footballers, I overhear mullet guy make a comment about Nemo. “No training until next month, and then he’s heading home for Christmas.”
Home.
I fumble with the iPad. Somehow, I’d forgotten he’d have his own family somewhere. Another life.
Focus.
Between filling the front fridges with gourmet cakes on display and taking orders, I’m running between the kitchen and dining area.
“Are you ready for another round of coffee? Lunch?” Chance and his friends have stayed long enough for one meal to blend into the other. “I’m going on break, so I thought I’d get your order in before Tara relieves me.”
“Why don’t you sit with us during your break?” Chance pats the seat beside him. “Steele here can move his ass over for you.”
I’ve never sat with customers in my break and hesitate, believing it inappropriate. It’s Chance, and so his bubbly, easy-going personality wins me over. I’m also keen to meet his friends. “Sure, why not.”
After serving the last table, I remove my black apron and grab a coffee for myself. I slide in beside Chance, mid-conversation across the table with Zane. He’s sitting between Adele and Kristin.
“C’mon, Chance, I’ll never hit on your sister because I know you’ll be watching me like a bloody hawk.”
Adele glares at Chance.
Chance folds his arms. “So, you never wanted to get with her?”
“Stop it,” Adele says, getting in his face.
Shit. A protective big brother.
“Hey, I don’t mind, I want to know where I stand with my mate here.”
“This is weird. We’ve been mates for years even though we’ve barely seen each other. Won’t change anything. But yeah, I wanted to hit on your sister because look at her… she’s stunning.”
Adele smiles at Zane.
“See that look right there,” Chance interrupts the longing look Adele is giving Zane. “She’s obsessed over you for years.”
Adele groans. “You’re out of control.”
“And we all know your rep, mate. I can’t help looking out for my sis.”
I sip my coffee and want to reach for the popcorn.
“My rep?” Zane runs his fingers through his dark hair. “What about yours? How are we different?”
“You’re not,” Kristin interjects. She plays with her blonde pony, stroking it as though it magically will calm her friends. “You both are hot guys, and it’s natural for girls to be attracted to you. But both of you… get around.” She raises her eyebrows. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know how else to put it. I love you both, but I also understand why Chance wants to protect his sister.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.” Zane crosses his arms.
“Yet,” Kristin says as though she knows a secret.
Adele smiles and shoots another glare to her brother as though to hush him. “It’s my decision whether I get with someone. Not yours.”
“You’re breaking the mate code,” Chance tells him.
“I’m breaking it,” Adele tells Chance. “I’m the one who has texted Zane since I was fourteen. He was there when I got stuck with math problems.”
Zane shrugs. “Math is my thing. Its why I’m studying engineering.”
“And it wasn’t your thing,” Adele tells Chance. “Football took you away from me. And I couldn’t party with you and your friends,” she says a little louder as though she remembers it clearly.
The table isn’t drawing attention, but I want to tell them they can order alcohol because it is now lunchtime, anything to calm them. Maybe I’ll suggest one of Dominic’s desserts. Either way, I can’t drag my focus away from watching how siblings and friends interact. Georgia and I have never exchanged heated words.
“You’re the reason nothing has happened,” Zane pipes up while he’s staring at Chance. “I’ve always liked Adele. Kept it to myself because I didn’t want you to act like this. Camping with both of you was fun, especially the times your dad asked me to come along for boys-only weekends. My father didn’t have time for us. He was too busy with work. And your dad seemed to know something about everything.”
The table fell silent.
Then I remembered Chance mentioning his father is having tests.
I bump him with my shoulder. “Everything okay?”
He nods.
“I overreacted, I’m sorry,” Chance says. “To both of you. I suppose if Adele is to get with a guy, I hope it’s someone like you.”
“Get with a guy,” she repeats. “I’m not a virgin. And I’ve had guys before.”
Zane and Chance both turn rigid.
“Please pass the lunch and wine menu, Kristin,” I say, leaning across Chance. “I think it’s time you all order something. And for the record… I know it’s none of my business, and I don’t understand what’s going on here as I’m an only child… as far as I know.” Adele giggles. “But if you were my big brother, I wouldn’t like you interfering with my sex life even though I’d want you to have my back if I needed it.”
Chance’s eyes round.
“We make our own mistakes.”
His phone buzzes in his pocket, and I’m thankful for the distraction.
Adele mouths, “Thank you,” to me from across the table.
“I’m not the only one who has protective issues,” Chance says, grinning at the screen of his phone. “My man, Reef, asked when I was dropping by. And why I’m sitting next to Macy?” He chuckles. “Looks like the AFL boys were looking out for their mate.”
I pretend it means nothing. The warmth travelling down my spine and pumping through my body is enough for me to panic. No guy has had this effect on me at the mere mention of his name.
Chance reaches an arm toward Zane, and both clash knuckles.
“We’re cool?” Zane confirms.
“Yeah, brother.”
“Is Reef at his apartment?” I ask Chance.
“Yeah. He can’t go far. You heard what happened?” I nod.
“Poor bastard. He’s lucky it wasn’t higher.”
Now I’m thinking how high is his cut from the surfboard. I can’t ask to see it. Dangerous waters because if he lowers his jeans—my mind goes into overdrive, my cheeks warm. “Nice meeting you all.” I shake Chance’s friends’ hands. “Please come back again.”
“Hey, if you’re ever heading to Broken Hill anytime, shoot us a message. We’ll show you around.”
“Cool. I appreciate it. Give me a moment.” I retrieve my phone from my pocket and reactivate Instagram.
Kristin swipes her phone. “What’s your last name?”
“Reynolds.” New friends made. No uncomfortable questions or complications. “Well, I hope to see you guys soon.”
“We’re heading to Broken Hill in a month,” Adele says. “You should come for the trip. Chance and I are flying here from Melbourne, then hiring a car to drive there.”
Her generosity steals my words. I have no idea how to react. I barely know them, and they’re offering a road trip. I’m not sure I can handle being in a car for hours on end with people I barely know if the questions come. Because what else do you do in a car with strangers?
“It’s so kind of you, Adele. I’ll think about it. It might be a case of not getting time off work. And talking of…” I say before they respond, “… I should get back on the job.”
I head out back to the restroom. My thoughts side-tracked by my new friends and missing a certain someone. Before slipping on my apron, I send a message to Reef.
How are you today? Hope the pain is okay. I’m at work and was chatting wit
h Chance and friends and your name come up. Now I’m missing you.
“Do you want to head to the pool?” I ask Dad when I get home from work. With no response from Reef since the message, I need to keep busy. Telling him I was missing him is a big deal for me. A scary big deal! A rehab aquatics class is scheduled for tonight, so I thought Dad could try it, and I could accompany him.
“I don’t have the energy, love. Think I’ll give it a miss.” He lies back in his chair and rests his hands on his stomach.
I stand in front of the television and block his view. “Your physiotherapist suggested it. Take it slow. Only do half of the class, but I think you should start tonight.”
He gives me a pointed look. “Why do you want me to go so desperately? I’m happy how I am. A bit of exercise in water isn’t going to change anything for me.”
“It will improve your health.”
“Rubbish.”
“Dad, please. If the doctors tell you to do something, you should do it. I don’t want to risk anything happening.”
“It won’t, especially now you’ve cut back my beers.”
“What if—”
“No. No what-ifs. I don’t live that way. And you shouldn’t either. I’m doing what makes me happy. No what-ifs about the past. Now stop worrying about me and move aside please, love.”
Sliding into the lounge chair opposite him, I can’t imagine not worrying about my father. I can’t imagine what I’d do if something were to happen, and I lost him—the only person I truly care about. We’re a team, and I have to help him. It’s all I’ve known since I was fifteen, just us two supporting each other so both didn’t fall.
The day will come when one of us tumbles, and the question is, will the other be able to pick up the shattered pieces?
Chapter Ten
MACY
If you’re keen on the road trip we mentioned, we could meet at the airport, grab the rental car, and hit the road! I’ll message you next week and see what you think.
It’s an Instagram message from Chance.
Thanks, but I now have to work. Enjoy!
When they asked me, it sounded wonderful. New friends. New places.
Deep down, I’m not as brave as I portrayed. Since I haven’t heard from Reef, I’m uptight, my walls are up, and a road trip would leave me unable to breathe. I’d want to jump out of the car. Did I really want strangers to witness my cracks?
Right now, I’m glad for the excuse to be working.
I recheck my phone hoping for a message from Reef.
After making Dad a fruit salad for breakfast, I convince him to try an aquatic class, for me.
“If it means getting you off my back, all right then.”
“Really?” I jump up from the kitchen table.
“Yes, though I have no idea where my boardies are?”
“I’ll find them,” I tell him knowing the extra material in the long board-shorts will provide some confidence.
I sing along to the radio as we drive to the pool. I walk beside Dad until he gets to the edge. A therapist meets us and helps him into the water. I watch from a seat deciding not to swim lengths during his first class. Like a parent, I’m proud watching my father get through the class. He even smiles and chats with the other men. And one woman. My heart cracks a little wishing Dad could find love and happiness with another. No matter how many times he reiterates ‘it’s him and me against the world’, he hopes one day I’ll have the confidence to find someone I care about even though I struggle to foresee it in the next ten years. It’s a constant fear in my heart of him being left alone. I can’t do it to him, not after all he’s done for me.
I open Instagram.
Search for Reef Burton.
Read the last message I sent him, then type another.
Are you ghosting me because I said I was missing you?
To clarify, I then type out a message.
I miss your cocky notes on the back of the menus.
I hit send hoping it tones down any neediness.
Dad cheers, and his laughter snares my attention. I smile, watching him share a joke with the therapist. One session, and he’s laughing. I can only imagine him in his heyday flirting with all the girls.
“You seemed to enjoy the session,” I say to Dad on the way home in the car.
“I did. I was chatting with a lady who had her leg crushed in an accident. She almost lost her leg and has had extensive treatment and rehab just to walk. All these years later she still goes to the pool because she said it’s the best therapy.”
“See,” I say in an upbeat voice. I knew there’d be someone Dad could relate with. “Hydrotherapy is going to be good for you. The next time I’ll swim laps while you’re in the pool.”
By the time we reach home, I’m also smiling after reading an Instagram message from Reef.
Your poetry sucks.
I tell Dad I’ll organise some lunch for us when he showers. While chopping salads, I reply to Reef.
Sucks? Why?
For once I get brave and you deflate me.
I chop the carrot, and my screen brightens.
Suck and deflate are two words killing me atm
Sexual innuendo. I smile. The game ball is finally in my hands.
My poetry sucks. You know it’s not the only thing I sucked. Sucking is something I do well. You should see me suck spaghetti. I could come over and cook it for you sometime…
I manage to finish chopping the cucumber before my screen lights up again.
If you were here, the last thing you’d be doing is cooking… I think you’re the one who said we have unfinished business.
I toss the salad in a bowl.
You want me to finish you?
Shit, I’m getting horny by teasing him.
Thanks to you I have a hard-on. The first one since my surfboard tried to slice off my cock. No groin pain because I’m not moving. The reassurance it’s working fine is a bonus.
Did he think he couldn’t?
I could test it further?
I jump when Dad flops onto the chair with a thud. “Sorry, love. I’m a bit shaky. The pool took it out of me.”
“You should have called out. I can walk beside you when you’re not feeling strong.”
“It shows how unfit I am. You’re right. It is good for me.”
I smile at him like a mother to a child with I-told-you-so pointed look. “I’ll grab some cold meat, and we can have some rolls.” My phone lights up on the table, and I snare it before Dad can read the message.
Saturday night. I’ll be here alone.
Taking Dad back for his second aquatics session helped brighten my mood and not overthink the upcoming date with Reef.
A date. Is it?
During my break on Friday, I message Georgia and ask her to meet me at work for a Friday night drink. Georgia loves hanging at Lombardi’s, and as much as I also enjoy it, socialising at my place of work still feels a bit like I’m at work.
Right before knock-off time, she waltzes through the doors, heads turning at her figure-hugging red mini dress, her long, blonde ponytail swinging in rhythm with every click of her pointy-heeled stilettos. Lips, dress, long nails, and high heels the colour of blood, she always knew how to make an entrance.
I point to a free table near the back. “Give me five,” I mouth.
Heading out the back, I wish everyone a good weekend, grab my bag, and step out to the dining room to meet Georgia.
“You look amazing,” I say as I slide into the seat opposite her.
She strokes her ponytail and grins at me. “I have a date.”
“With who? How long have you been seeing him?”
She rolls her eyes. “No. A Tinder date.”
Tyler brings over the drinks, two glasses of South Australian rosé wine. “You want it on your tab, Macy?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Where are you going?” I take a sip of wine and moan in delight.
“To his.”
I
’m not surprised and not sure why I asked. If I had Georgia’s looks, I’d dress like that every day.
“I have a date tomorrow night. I’m also going to a guy’s house. It’s why I asked you to meet me tonight.”
She tilts her head. “Reef’s?”
I nod. “I like him.”
“Are you doing the thing we spoke about? Keeping your distance? I don’t want you to get hurt because you know what these guys are like, right?”
I remember the rules.
Most importantly, not dating anyone for more than two months, especially not letting a guy close enough to steal your heart. Your vagina and breasts are fair game, but not your heart because it messes with your head. The problem is Reef has messed with my head before we even began.
“He’s feeling down at the moment. For some reason, I cheer him up. So, I’m heading there tomorrow night.”
Georgia chuckles and eyes my rack. “Your puppies would cheer any guy up.”
“Hope they do.” I waggle my eyebrows.
“Enjoy yourself. What am I saying? Of course, you will. So, what is it you wanted to chat about?”
“Him.”
Georgia slowly places her wine glass on the table as though it was full to the brim and overflowing. She gives me a wary look. “It’s just sex, Mace.”
“I know.” I shrug.
“That look right there…” She shakes her head. “You like him way more than you should.”
“I know,” I say again. “But it is only like… or lust… and I’m still on safe ground. But the ground’s shaky. And I know with every time I see him, my heart’s opening a little more. It feels strange. I’m thinking about him all the time. I panic when he doesn’t respond to an Instagram message.”
Georgia’s eyes round, causing her fake lashes to reach her brow. “What changed?”
