by Shona Husk
She had grown up over the last three years. She hadn’t caved in and gone along with what Ed had wanted to keep him around, instead she’d gone too far and pushed him away. There was a middle ground, but she had to find it.
She looked at her sister, whose feet were frozen at the idea of getting married. It had been an adventure she’d been ready to go on, but was that because it had been the easy path and the one that was expected or because it had been what she wanted? She didn’t know. It had been so long ago and had happened to a different Olivia.
“What if I’m in love with the idea of being married to him, more than I am with him?” Julie twisted the stem of her glass, her gaze on the contents.
“Only you know that.” The guys came inside, having finished talking about how best to connect the water feature. Olivia was sure Shaun didn’t have a clue—he never got his hands dirty. “I’m going to check on Ethan.”
She left Julie with her expensive wedding dilemma and watched as Ethan made wrapping paper mountains to go with the box tunnels. Three years of her life had slipped by without her doing anything. She’d followed along and danced to the same tune every day.
“Come here and let me get a photo for Nan.”
“No.” Ethan scowled. He’d been up too early with the excitement. No doubt there was a meltdown coming, and a nap.
Olivia sat on the floor with him, leaned in and took a selfie. Ethan was looking at the train she’d bought him, but he was wearing the clothes his other grandparents had bought him. Her parents had bought him a paddling pool.
It wasn’t the best photo, but never mind. She typed up the Merry Christmas text to Karen and hit send.
She stared at her phone and the last text Ed had sent her, and her reply. At some point relationships were about having the guts to jump in without knowing how deep the water was. At least this time she knew how to swim for shore instead of being sucked under. She sent Ed a message with the picture attached.
Christmas at the Vincents’ was a revolving door event. His mother made sure there was always food out. So far Ed has endured the jibes from three different cousins. He was the youngest and they had always picked on him. He was sick of it, especially now. While he tried to laugh it off as jealousy, it was getting harder.
He sat out the back with a beer, wishing he could lock himself in the garage and finish writing the album. Watching Olivia leave seemed to be inspiring him. It really was turning into a breakup album.
He checked his phone again, but Mike and Dan hadn’t replied. Gemma had. She was still in Bunbury and so far her father had stayed away. She said she had three partials and that she’d be back after Boxing Day. That made him smile. They’d have more songs than they’d need—which was good as they could throw out the shit.
His phone buzzed, but the message wasn’t from one of the guys. It was from Olivia.
A picture flashed on the screen. He wanted to resist but couldn’t. He’d missed her and it had only been two days. He wished he’d kept his mouth closed and let things continue as they were. The picture was at an odd angle, but she was smiling. The blond kid was looking away. It took a heartbeat for him to realise that was Ethan. She’d sent him a photo that included her kid.
That had to mean something…didn’t it?
His father walked outside. “Your aunt can talk.”
So could her boys. “Yeah.”
He toyed with the phone in his hand, wanting to write something back but unable to find the words. He had to let her lead the dance. He’d never been in this situation. Girls had always come on to him. But Olivia wasn’t a girl. She was a woman who had worked out that she wanted him. Maybe. He hoped so.
“I heard your cousins talking.”
Ed tipped his head back and closed his eyes. “They were just being dicks.”
“You know I’m proud of you. You’ve given this a real go. And gone further than your mother and I ever thought you would.”
“Thanks.” But that wasn’t the end. He knew when his father was warming up for a lecture and he knew what it was about.
“Edward—”
“Don’t do this today.”
His father sighed and looked up at the cloudless sky. “You’ve chosen a hard path. It’s okay to change your mind.”
Too late, his father had decided today was the perfect day. “You told me and K to follow our hearts and chase our dreams.” His parents had supported the band. Given them space to practice. Hell, they’d let Gemma move in when she left home. “This is what I want.”
“It doesn’t seem to be making you happy.”
Ed blinked. This wasn’t about him getting a real job, despite his father’s reminders when he complained about being skint. “Things have been a bit difficult lately. Dan and Lisa split. Gemma…” He didn’t need to go into details as they knew all about that. “But we’re getting there.”
“And everyone wants this as much as you? Hasn’t Mike been working?”
“His mum needed a hand.”
“And what about your girlfriend?”
Ed almost said she wasn’t his girlfriend, but the unwritten and unspoken law was that thou shalt not bring randoms home, only girlfriends. He’d always tried to respect that as he didn’t want the privilege revoked.
“At some point you will want to move out…I hope…and you’ll want a family.”
“Dad, I’m twenty five. I don’t have to think about that yet.” Or did he? Olivia came with an instant family. And while he did want to move out it was, in reality, way down the list of things he needed to do.
“When I was your age—”
Ed knew that his parents had been married and had bought their first house already. “It’s different now. Olivia lives at home. She’s just lost her job. We aren’t in a rush.”
But he had been. While she’d wanted to dip her toes in the water he wanted to dive in. He had to remember that she’d been burnt before. He only had to look at Dan to realise the damage that could be done to the heart. Something tickled the edge of his subconscious, there was definitely something in that idea but he couldn’t look at it right now with his father hovering around.
His father looked at him. “I want you to know that if you choose to walk away from being a rock star we will support your next dream. We don’t want to see you tearing yourself, or others, up for it.”
His father was giving life to the doubts that had plagued him. So Ed raised one more. “What if I’m no good at anything else?”
He wasn’t smart the way Olivia was—math had never been his best subject. He wasn’t practical like his father. He was more like his mother and sister, creative.
“I don’t believe that. You’ve had more success than many ever see. If you put your mind to it you can do anything. I remember how stubborn I was when I look at you. I’d dig my heels in and refuse to budge even if I was wrong. Drove your mother crazy. It was when she moved out for a week that I realised what was important.”
Ed had never heard that part of the story before. He had to figure out what was important and what he could live without. Right now he wanted Olivia in his life. If they weren’t sure how that worked, they could muddle through. “Let’s see how the second album does before I start looking at alternative careers.”
“You could always do a Diploma of Education and put that arts degree to good use.” His father stood up. “You can’t hide out here all day.”
Sure he could. His cousins wouldn’t come outside, preferring the air-conditioned house. “I’ll be in soon.” He picked up his phone.
“Are you inviting your girlfriend over for New Year’s?” That was code for it’s about time we meet her since she’s been visiting.
He hadn’t planned on it, he didn’t know if she was free and right now they weren’t exactly on the best terms. Would she run if he tried to introduce her to his friends and family? She hadn’t been impressed that he hadn’t wanted to tell people, but then she had claimed to only be interested in the sex.
; “I’ll see if she’s free.”
“You do that.” His father went inside.
Ed waited for the door to click closed before opening up the message. He had to respond. He’d told her to call when she knew what she wanted. The picture of her and Ethan obviously meant that she was opening up that part of her life to him.
Nice picture! Merry Christmas, looks like you’re having fun.
More fun than him. Sitting on the floor playing with trains would be infinitely better than making nice with his cousins.
If you aren’t doing anything NYE there’s a party at my place x
He hoped that wasn’t pushing too hard. But if she wanted to meet his friends and family he wasn’t going to stop her. And if she wanted to keep it simple and physical?
Well, he might roll with that too, in the hope she’d come around and realise he was good for more than a screw. Maybe. Maybe he wasn’t and that was why he hadn’t had a girlfriend in ages.
His phone buzzed again.
If I go to that, you have to come to my sister’s wedding.
That was not the answer he’d expected. He was also pretty sure it was blackmail—one of his smartypants lawyer cousins would know.
She was no doubt expecting him to say no.
A wedding…err, hell no. He replied thinking to call her bluff. Fine
Good.
Hell. He’d agreed to something and he had no idea when or where it was and he’d probably need a suit.
He gave up on texting and called her. After three rings he wondered if she was going to answer.
“Hi.” She whispered and he heard a door shut.
“Bad time?”
“I just got Ethan down for a nap. I was lying on the bed with him.”
“Sorry.”
“If you hadn’t rung I might have had a nap.”
“Extra sorry.” He paused for a heartbeat then decided to jump in. “I need to know when the wedding is.”
“January seventh. It’s a full-on performance in the Swan Valley.”
He’d just be back from tho two day festival down south. But he’d be back so he was going to attend. “So a suit.” In the middle of summer. That was going to suck.
“I’ll send you a picture of the invite so you have the details.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah. Weren’t you?” The hesitation was back in her voice.
It was too late to backtrack. “I want you to meet my family, but when you’re ready. I don’t want you to freak out if we go out and I do get recognised and your picture ends up online.” There had already been speculation about who he was dating at the height of the tour. When he’d had no date for the ARIAs it had also been noticed. Not by anyone major, but by fans. Many had said he was secretly with Gemma.
“Your family I can handle. The rest…”
“I know it’s the reason you don’t want to be with me.”
“If you can accept Ethan, I need to accept that part of you too.”
“So we’re good?”
“Yeah. You should know that you might get lucky and the wedding might be cancelled.”
“So close?’
“Long story, but at least now I know why she’s become bridezilla. She’s going to hate that I have a plus one.”
“If it’s going to cause trouble…” He’d be more than happy to not go, although it was an excuse to spend the day with her.
“No backing out. What time is your New Year’s Eve thing?”
“Whenever you get here. People will be crashing, so if you wanted to stay over…”
“I don’t think I’ll be staying.”
“Okay.” He tried not to sound too disappointed.
“I’ll see you during the week?”
“Yeah.” Although he really wanted to make the most of the week between Christmas and New Years to write. Studio time had been booked and they had to deliver. “Merry Christmas.”
“You too.” Then she was gone.
He should have got her something and he hadn’t. With Olivia he was never sure if he was doing too much or not enough. She made life interesting.
Chapter 13
Olivia waited a couple of days before telling her mother that she would be bringing someone, then she texted Julie to let her know and to ask if she was okay. She’d been dreading sending the message but had decided that a message was better than a call as it was in writing, plus it wasn’t like she and Julie had big phone chats. She didn’t expect Julie to ring her straight back.
“Of course I’m okay. Why would you write that? Are you trying to break us up so you feel better?” There was a light echo. Was Julie hiding in the bathroom?
“I was concerned. You were seemed so worried on Christmas.” Olivia didn’t wasn’t to call it cold feet to Julie’s face.
“That was the effects of too much champagne, nothing more. How many people have you told?”
“None.” Not quite true but Ed wouldn’t talk. Right now she was wondering why she’d wasted any time worrying about her sister.
“Good. Keep it that way. I know how much you like to keep the world revolving around you. Is that why you’ve decided to bring your fling?” Julie’s words were clipped as she bit out each one.
For a moment Olivia didn’t know how to respond. She didn’t like being the centre of attention. Did Julie think that the accident had been a ploy for attention and pity? Really? But for that first year no one had been looking at Julie, they had all been looking at her. First to see if she’d live, then to make sure she was coping.
There was nothing she could say. It wasn’t Olivia who’d always been trying to be in the spotlight as a kid. She certainly didn’t want it now. Ed had warned her that it might happen. She’d have to deal with that if and when it happened. Her lips twisted into a grin as she imagined Julie’s reaction to that.
She was sick of Julie and her demands and her hissy fits. While she’d glimpsed her sister on Christmas she’d vanished again beneath the hard shell.
Olivia drew in a breath. She might only get one chance to say it and she was going to take it instead of swallowing and keeping the peace. “Just because you’re afraid you’re making the wrong decision doesn’t mean you need to take it out on everyone else. Life is about chances. Some leave scars. I learned that the hard way. Maybe this is your car wreck and no matter what you do it’s going to hurt. But if you cut everyone off you will have no support.”
Her hand was shaking, but she felt better. It had been a long time since she’d stood up to Julie. It had been easier to always demure and not make waves, particularly over the last three years.
Julie was silent for a moment. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Exactly what she’d said. “You work it out.”
“You can’t bring him. I won’t let you. It’s my wedding.”
She should let it go. It was going to be horrible for Ed to be at the wedding and not know anyone, but she couldn’t, not while she was on a roll and making a stand. Her parents were behind her on this. “Why? Because you don’t want to see me happy while you are so uncertain?”
“No.” But Julie’s voice betrayed her.
“Then it won’t be a problem.” She held her breath and waited.
“Fine. He’ll have to sit with Rhys and the other single guys since you are in the bridal party.”
Was Julie waiting for her to get out of being a bridesmaid? Or for her to relent? Neither was going to happen.
“I’m sure he won’t mind a bit.” And she’d make sure that her brother looked after him while she was busy. Her brother would be glad to have someone who wasn’t family to hang out with. Right now she envied her brother. He was arriving home in a couple of days and hadn’t had to deal with any of this.
Although the hens’ night would always be one of her favourite memories.
“Good. I don’t want to have to redo the seating.”
“Didn’t expect you to.” She was pretty sure a group of adults were quite capabl
e of finding a seat on their own. “I’m glad that’s settled. I’ll see you for hair and makeup on the day.” She wasn’t going to make the effort to see her before the wedding. There was no point.
Olivia hung up sure she was going to be sick. If Ed backed out now, she’d never hear the end of it.
In the days after Christmas they’d tossed a couple of songs, written a few more. Mike had liked what he and Dan had done with the old drums that hadn’t gone anywhere last time. Despite the success, there was a tension between them. Dan seemed to have a fixed smile and no other expression, Mike was more silent than usual—which meant he was down to one word when he bothered. Gemma was tense—but that he could understand.
The air obviously needed clearing and he’d have to start.
“It’s the usual party here for New Year’s.” His parents had started it as a way to make sure he and Kirsten didn’t drink and drive. “So you don’t all get a shock on the night, I wanted to tell you that I’m seeing someone.”
“When did that happen?” Gemma frowned.
Good, that meant Kirsten hadn’t said anything. His sister might needle him but she wasn’t a bitch.
“Over the last month…it’s a little new, so please, no horror stories.”
“But you invited her.” Dan’s smile slipped a little. This had been his first Christmas without Lisa in three years.
Ed scuffed the edge of the rug with his toe. “It was a bit of a standoff. She’d come to my thing if I went to hers.”
“What was hers?” Gemma leant forward, sensing blood in the water.
“Her sister’s wedding.” Ed looked away and kind of mumbled. He knew what they’d say.
Dan laughed. “You got screwed.”
“I think he’s hoping to get screwed.” Gemma added.
