Her head shot up. “He is not!”
Her father jerked back, his expression surprised, then his face hardened. “Don’t you raise your voice with me, young lady, that boy’s nuthin’ but trouble. He’s constantly in and outta jail, always gettin’ drunk, not to mention he can’t keep it in his pants. What were you thinking?”
“He’s not like that now, and he loves me—unlike Ash. He’s the horrible one, not Dante.”
“He’s pro’bly horrible to you cos you’re with his brother.”
“He’s the one who left me.”
“Only cos you cheated on him with Dante.”
“Who told ja that?”
“Corey.”
Beth gritted her teeth, wanting to hit the little dobber.
Her father continued, “That’s unacceptable, Beth. I didn’t think I raised a child who would cheat.”
“He cheated on me emotionally. After he broke up with me, he got back with his ex.”
“After he broke up with you, not while he wuz with you. You’re the one who’s in the wrong here, so stop makin’ excuses.”
Beth grimaced, angry her father was taking Ash’s side, regardless of whether she was in the wrong or not.
He exhaled loudly. “Though, I must admit those Rata boys are nuthin’ but trouble. I knew you wouldn’t last long with Ash, and it’ll pro’bly be the same with Dante.”
“No it won’t, and Corey’s with a Rata, and you’re not complaining ’bout him.”
“Sledge is Corey’s friend, not his partner, plus that boy isn’t like his brothers. Minus his big mouth, he’s mostly a good kid.”
Beth bit her tongue, angry with her father’s ignorance, but knowing she couldn’t set him right, no matter how much she wanted to.
Movement caught her attention. Her eyes went to the doorway, where Corey was standing, staring at her fearfully, probably thinking she was going to dob him in. She frowned, feeling conflicted over what she felt about him. Her brother was so adorable-looking it was hard to think of him doing anything wrong, but she knew there was a devil hidden beneath his angelic exterior.
She pushed up. “I should go.”
Her father grabbed her hand and tugged her back down. “No, you’re stayin’ for dinner. When your mother gets back, we’ll sort out how we’re gonna support you and the child.”
“Dante will—”
“Do nuthin’, cos Hell will freeze over before I allow my grandchild to be raised by drug money.”
“He doesn’t deal anymore, he gets paid to sing.”
“You can’t raise a child on singing at pubs.”
“He doesn’t sing at pubs, he’s got a recording contract with a top music producer. He’s livin’ out in Herne Bay now.”
Her father’s eyebrows shot up. “You can’t be serious?”
“It’s true. He’s livin’ in an expensive mansion, with a view of the Waitemata Harbour.”
Her father ran a hand over his hair, looking shocked. “Never in a million years would I have thought that boy could do anything but crime. Why didn’t cha tell me sooner?”
“He’s been unwell, but he’s better now.”
“Well, I hope he understands he needs to do right by you. You two needa get married before you start to show.”
She smiled. “We are gettin’ married. He proposed to me.”
His eyes widened. “When did this happen?”
“Earlier today.”
He stared at her, looking stunned.
“Say sumpthin’, Dad.”
“As long as he’s on the straight and narrow, I give you my blessing, but if he steps outta line, I will come down on him so hard—”
“Dad, please.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry. I just wanna see you happy.”
“I am with Dante.”
“Good, cos I only want the best for you, baby.” He leaned over and gave her a hug.
Beth hugged him back, surprised he’d taken the news so well.
The front door closed. “Pizza!” Sledge yelled from the lounge. “Gimme, gimme!”
“Sledge, calm down,” Beth’s mother said. “And Corey, sit down. You shouldn’t be walking without your crutches.”
Beth looked at the doorway as Corey disappeared through it, their mother appearing in his place. Her eyes went to Beth, a frown forming across her brow. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I’ve had a good talk with Beth about the pregnancy,” her dad said.
Beth’s mother breathed out, not looking happy about it.
“Love, I know it’s a shock,” he said, getting up. “But it’ll work out.” He walked over and gave her a hug. She hugged him back, the two looking like an odd couple. Beth’s father was half a head shorter than her mother and twice as wide. But they were great together, the two loving each other unconditionally.
Beth’s mother pulled back and gave him a soft smile. “I’m just glad you’re not mad anymore.”
“It wuz a shock at first, but I’m not willing to lose another child.” Sadness fell over his features. “Maybe if Samuel felt he wuz able to talk to me, he wouldn’t be missing.”
“Oh, Dad.” Beth pushed up and wrapped her arms around him. “That’s not your fault, it’s his horrible ex’s, and like I told Mum, I’m sure he’s just wanting to be on his own for a while. When he’s ready, he’ll come home.”
Her father pulled out of her hug, his face worried, but he still nodded. “I pray so.”
“I know so.”
He smiled at her. “You’re a good daughter.”
Her mother made a grunting sound.
Her father turned to face her. “What didja say?”
“We better get in the lounge,” Beth’s mother replied, dodging the question. “I think Sledge is eating all the pizza.”
Beth’s father let out a bark of laughter. “He is a big lad. I hope you got more than one.”
A smile pulled at her lips. “Yes, I know what that boy’s like, but I can’t promise he won’t take another one, so we better get in there quick.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the lounge, Beth following close behind. And true to her mother’s word, Sledge was devouring a pizza and not being very polite about it.
Corey leaned back into the couch. “You can have my pieces.”
“I already plan to,” Sledge said with a full mouth.
“Corey!” their mother said. “You have to eat.”
“I’m not hungry,” Corey replied.
“Oh, come on, love, you can’t keep going without. You’re too skinny.”
Sledge looked over at Corey. “Nah, he looks hot like that.”
Corey went still, Beth too, not expecting Sledge to say that out loud. She looked at her father, who was no longer smiling.
“What do you mean by Corey looks hot?” her father said.
Sledge shrugged and kept chewing, looking like he didn’t realise his slip up, his eyes on the TV.
“Sledge! What didja mean by my son looks hot?”
Sledge stopped mid-chew and looked over at him, his face confused.
“He didn’t mean anything by it,” Corey piped up. “He doesn’t understand half of what he says now.” He tapped Sledge’s head. “He constantly uses the wrong words cos of his brain injury.”
“I understand enough, dipshit.” Sledge smacked Corey’s hand off him and turned back to watch the TV, looking like he couldn’t care less that he’d angered Beth’s father.
Beth’s mother placed a hand on her husband’s arm. “It’s true; he does say the wrong things.”
Beth’s father frowned. “How can someone misconstrue the meaning of hot? A guy doesn’t say that ’bout another guy.”
“Yeah, they do,” Sledge said. “Especially if—”
“Sledge!” Corey yelled. “Shut up!”
Sledge’s head whipped around. “No, you shut up, you arsehole!”
Corey shoved him. “Don’t call me an arsehole, you arsehole!”
&nbs
p; Sledge shoved him back. “You’re the arsehole, cos you—”
“Shut up, shut up!” Corey yelled.
“BOYS!” Beth’s father boomed.
They stopped fighting and looked over at him.
“You two are like li’l kids when you’re together.”
“He started it,” Sledge mumbled.
“I did not,” Corey snapped.
“You did too.”
Corey went to open his mouth, but his father cut him off. “Not another word, Corey, nor you, Sledge. You two can leave the room if you can’t behave yourselves.”
“Corey can,” Sledge said, “cos it’s way past his beddy-bye time.”
Corey gave Sledge another shove, Sledge giving him one back.
“That’s enough!” Beth’s father bellowed. “Both of you; go to your rooms.”
“I don’t wanna be near him anyway.” Using his crutches, Corey pushed up and hobbled towards the passage door.
“I don’t wanna be near you either, you oversensitive twat.” Sledge turned back to the pizza and picked up a slice.
“Sledge, I told you to go to your room,” Beth’s father said.
Sledge looked up. “But I can’t walk properly,” he mumbled with a mouthful. He dropped his gaze, his expression upset. He put the pizza down and covered his face.
Beth’s mother rushed around the coffee table and sat down next to him, pulling him into a hug. “Don’t get upset, Sledge.”
“Everyone’s mad at me,” he said. “I’m useless and stupid. I can’t do anything right.”
Beth’s mother kissed the top of his head like he was a small child. “I’m not mad at you, and you’re none of those things. You’re a sweet and lovely boy.”
“No, I’m not, Corey called me an arsehole.”
“You both said things you shouldn’t have, now let me take you to your room.”
He nodded and pushed up with his good arm, Beth’s mother helping him to his wheelchair. She moved behind it and pushed him past Beth and her father, heading down the passage and into Beth’s old room. Beth frowned, not happy that Sledge was staying in there, regardless of whether she’d moved out. Still, she didn’t like seeing Sledge so upset.
Beth’s mother reappeared, closing the door behind her. She indicated to the couch. “Take a seat, Beth. Let’s discuss more about you and the baby.”
“And Dante. I’m marrying him.”
Her mother’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”
Beth nodded.
Her mother smiled. “What is it with you children and the Ratas?”
“Bad luck,” her father said, “but luckily Sledge left some pizza, cos I’m starving.” He sat down and patted the seat next to him. “Sit here, Beth. Let’s eat and talk ’bout your future.” He picked up a slice of pizza. “Oh, by the way, Josie called. She asked if you’d spoken to me ’bout someone called Saul. Who is he?”
Beth felt her stomach drop. “The policeman on the Ant Torres case. What did Josie say?”
“She asked if you’d mentioned him. I said you hadn’t, so she told me to talk to you ’bout him, then hung up. What does she mean by that?”
Beth’s gaze moved to her mother, then back to her father, wondering whether she could actually say it.
“Beth,” her father said, “are you all right?”
She cleared her throat, then opened her mouth, forcing herself to tell him what Saul had done to her.
Her mother cut her off, “Is Saul the officer who saved you and Corey?” she asked, making Beth close her mouth.
She nodded.
Her mother smiled. “He called the other day for Corey. He’s such a nice man. He asked how he was doing, was genuinely concerned for him. Did he check up on you too?”
Beth nodded again, now unable to confess. Everyone loved Saul. No one, other than her parents and Dante, would believe what he’d done to her. And if she did speak out, her and her family’s name would be dragged through the mud.
Her thoughts went to Ash, his offer to deal with Saul coming to mind. Although she wanted Saul in jail, she knew it would never happen, which meant he would continue to harass her. But if Ash took care of him ... on his own ... it would all end. Not only that, Dante’s hands would be clean, and if Ash stuffed up and got caught ... only he would go to jail. She just needed to make sure he didn’t implicate her.
Beth picked up a piece of pizza and bit into it, knowing she had to face Ash one last time.
17
L
L finished his hot chocolate and placed the cup in the holder, knowing he couldn’t keep stalling. Jade had lent him his silver Audi coupe so he could visit Ash – which was why he had a stomach full of butterflies. He looked out the windscreen at Ash’s house, the morning sun shining bright over the one-storey building. It was the same one that Ash had lived in when he’d gone to high school, just with a fresh coat of white paint. Jade had mentioned that Ash was moving, which L assumed was why a refuse container was on the front lawn, filled to the brim with junk.
Knowing it was now or never, L pushed open the car door and stepped out onto the street, which looked miles different from Jade’s neighbourhood, the two suburbs polar opposites. Jade’s was extremely wealthy, while Ash’s was dirt poor, the street a rundown mixture of weatherboard and Fibrelite buildings, with a burned-out house a few properties down.
But it didn’t matter where Ash lived, because it didn’t change a thing: L would rather live here than at Jade’s mansion if it meant he could be with Ash. It was the real reason he’d returned to New Zealand—to finally see the man he’d fantasized over for a decade. He just wished the trip wasn’t so bittersweet, because no matter how much he wanted Ash, Ash would never be interested in him. All Ash cared about was Tiana Lilu, who Jade said Ash was still with. L used to be jealous of Tiana at high school, but knew it wasn’t fair to be, since Ash should have whoever he wanted, the man truly deserving happiness after all he’d been through.
And L needed to finally accept that and move on with his own life. Ash was unattainable, not a reality, which L had fooled himself into believing for so long. He needed to see Ash as that, or at least no more than a friend, like they’d been for a short time as kids. Then maybe L could finally find someone else.
L walked through Ash’s gate and up the footpath, willing himself to move forward one step at a time, the butterflies in his stomach not making it easy. He climbed the few steps to the front door and raised a hand to knock on it. He hesitated for a moment, then knocked, not allowing himself to back down.
A male voice shouted, “Someone get the door!”
Footsteps approached the door, then it swung open. A little boy stared up at L. He looked like a tiny version of Dante, just with slightly darker skin. L smiled, the boy absolutely adorable with his wavy black hair and gorgeous little face.
“Are you a model?” the boy asked. “You look like one. My friend says models are pretty. I think they’re pretty too, but I like sports better. Girls suck anyway, like the ones at school. They’re always giggling and lookin’ at me. I told them to stop, cos they’re stupid and don’t know how to throw a ball properly. Do you know how to throw a ball properly?”
L laughed. “I’m not sure, I don’t play sports.”
“That’s why girls aren’t fun. But there’s this one girl who can throw a ball at my school. She’s cool, except when she says I’m a pansy, then we fight. I’m not a pansy.” He raised his arms and flexed them. “I’m strong like my dad. I told her my dad wuz stronger than her dad and she said he wuzn’t, and that her dad could beat up my dad. I laughed, cos no one can beat up my dad, he’s the strongest man in the world. I told her that and said she better be nice to me. She saw my dad’s neck tattoo and believes me now. She’s nice to me cos of it, ’specially since she knows my dad can beat up her dad if he wanted to.”
L smiled wide, letting the boy continue, not wanting to interrupt the adorable spiel.
“Who are you talkin’ to, Angelo?” a male voi
ce called from somewhere in the house.
“A model!” Angelo yelled back. The boy took off, leaving the door wide open. He disappeared through another doorway, reappearing a second later with a tall man. L’s mouth went dry at the sight of who could only be Ash, the man just as mouth-watering as Dante. No, he was more, because it was definitely Ash—someone L had been in love with since he was fifteen-years-old.
Ash looked like he’d just gotten out of the shower and had thrown on some jeans, his chest still wet. He was holding a towel and wiping his wet hair, which was black and dripping water onto his wide showers. Like Dante, he had tattoos, but not the colourful type. Instead, his were black. One covered his left bicep and extended over his left pec, the design a Maori one, representing part of his culture. He also had a tattoo around his neck, which was also black.
Ash walked up to him, curiosity in his dark eyes. “Caitlin?” he asked, referring to L’s sister.
“No, I’m Llewellyn.”
Ash’s eyes widened. He looked down at L’s chest, reminding L of what Dante had done. Though, Ash didn’t linger on it, but instead raised his gaze almost instantly, his shock no doubt over the fact L looked like a female.
“Christ, I wouldn’t have recognised you.” He tossed the towel aside and grabbed L, pulling him into a hug.
L froze, completely shocked that Ash Rata was hugging him. Not only that, he didn’t feel scared like he usually did with men. He had felt fear with Dante, who looked just like Ash, but then again, Ash was different, the one person who L should never be afraid of.
L lifted his arms and wrapped them around Ash, hugging him back as hard as he could, so happy to be holding him, someone who had stuck by his side when he was suicidal—when they were both suicidal. They’d been a team back when they were sixteen, two kids who’d sought each other out through their unified suffering. They’d made a pact to commit suicide together. It was just lucky they’d been stopped, because no matter how bad it had gotten, it was worth living just to experience moments like these.
“Mum, Mum, Mum ... Dad’s hugging a model!” Angelo hollered.
Ash laughed and pulled back, moving his hands to L’s shoulders. “God, you’ve changed. Didja get that sex operation you wanted?”
Behind the Secrets (Behind the Lives #4) Page 17
