He raises his own mug to me in cheers. “Thankfully, I’m not one of those people.”
“Me neither.”
Something unfamiliar settles in my chest as he looks at me. Sharing in this moment. That’s the trouble when you do everything alone, refusing to let anyone get close. You’re missing that person in your life who’s there to help share the load. A person to confide everything to. Who knows everything you’ve been through, everything that challenges you, and they still choose to stay. Not only to hold your hand through the hard times, but to be proud of you.
Of course, not all stories end with a happily ever after. Sometimes, the person you think is the one to walk beside you ends up being the one to drag you down. That’s why I am the way I am. I refuse to be anyone’s rock bottom. I’m aiming for the stars.
9
“Maevyn!”
Ugh, so close yet so far.I plaster a smile on my face as I turn to meet Lydia and her gaggle of perfectly manicured mums.
“Good morning,” I say, fiddling with my bangles. “What can I do for you?”
“I noticed you signed up to be a chaperone for camp next month, but you didn’t list a second person.”
“Do I need to bring a second person? I thought that was the point of me signing up… one more person to help?”
“Surely Aurora’s father wants to be involved, too?” Would it be too hostile to smack the smug look off her face?
“Well, he’s not—”
“We also need some more people to contribute baked goods for the fundraiser in a few weeks. Shall I put your name down for that, too?” Lydia cuts me off, pulling a pen and notebook from her handbag.
Yeah, if you want food poisoning, you can put me down for baked goods. I can’t bake for shit.
I remember seeing the email come through last week for their community day, but it was when I was getting ready for a set at The Matchbox. I completely forgot to go back to it.
I nervously adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder. “Remind me of the details for that one again.” I chuckle. “I’ve been busy with work this week.”
“Our annual community day raises funds for a local charity of the students’ choosing. We host a raffle and bake sale. It’s always done very well in the past. Parents just love to get involved.”
Dear God, just beat me over the head with your world’s best mum tiara. Who has time for all this shit?
“Amazing.” I beam with zero authenticity. “I’ll donate a spa package for a local salon, and I’ll be sure to send Aurora to school with some treats.”
I’ll just figure something out with Claire and Liv. Anything to get this woman off my back.
“That’s the spirit we love,” Lydia says, arching a well-groomed brow. Damn, they’re fierce. I’m low-key impressed. “I’ll add you to the email list for updates.”
“Great.”Not.
“And you’ll send me her father’s details for the camp sign-up, yes?”
“Oh, of course,” I say with an exaggerated, obnoxious chuckle. “Right away.”
“Excellent.” Her smile is as fake as her nails as she spins on her designer heels, groupies falling in step behind her, while my stomach falls out of my arse, because…Whoops.
“W-wait! Lydia!” I call out, but she just throws a hand over her shoulder, waving like a queen.
Ah, fuck.That’s gonna be awkward to fix. I really should let people meet my sarcastic side in small doses first. Surely, she got that I was joking; otherwise, where the fuck am I going to find a fake dad? I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Pres.
ME:
Where does one find a fake baby daddy? And no, you don’t get to ask any other questions.
I stomp around my car, slamming the door and dropping my head against the steering wheel witha groan. I sooo don’t need this kinda mess.Dammit, Maevyn, why can’t you hold a conversation like a normal person? Oh, right, cos that sounds super boring.Ugh, this is a problem for later. I put the windows down as I make the drive over to Parlour Tricks. The warm air circles around me with every deep breath in and out. I am peace. I am calm. I am—motherfucker, I can’t escape this guy!
