But I’ve never done this before. What if I fuck it up and we still have to live next door to each other? I would have disrupted everything safe and comfortable aboutAurora’s new home. And for what? A few orgasms? Some home-cooked meals and midnight meetings on the balcony?
Maybe I shouldn’t ruin what we have and just be friends with the guy. Take sex off the table so I can at least keep that part of him. The sweet and caring side.
My phone dings twice in my back pocket, making my heart skip a beat. I roll my eyes at how excited I get over a simple text. This guy already has too much of a hold over me.
When I unlock my phone, there’s a text from Royal.
The blood drains from my face as I remember the text he sent me two days ago. I’ve been so distracted with thoughts of Westley since that night, I completely forgot about the bomb Royal dropped on me. My dad got out.
ROYAL:
You haven’t answered me in nearly forty-eight hours. I’d be concerned if it weren’t for the fact that Aurora’s phone was mostly at home all weekend, and then I checked your messages and saw you were away. Hope you were safe with the eggplants. Your dad’s back on the scene, went straight to his dealer a few hours after he got out. We’ll be watching him closely.
Shit.For the past twelve years, the little comfort I’ve had in knowing we were safe tied entirely to the fact that Dad was in jail. He was already being watched by authorities for associating with a known dealer, and they had pages of evidence to put him away, without adding what I witnessed. There was no way he could have known it was me who laid the final nail in the coffin. But did he know I left after he was arrested? Did my mother tell him? Does he suspect me, and if he does, are Aurora and I in danger now that he’s free?
My head is spinning as I type out a quick reply.
ME:
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. But wtf you tapped into my phone? Should I be worried? Do you think my dad’s going to try and find me?
ME:
The eggplant was fantastic, thanks for asking.
ROYAL:
I’ve been looking out for you for twelve years, of course I have both your phones tracked. That was the first time I checked your messages though. I was worried about seeing something I couldn’t unsee. This weekend confirmed I won’t do that again. I don’t think so, but like I said, I’ll keep an eye out.
ME:
Has he been to see Mum?
ROYAL:
No. He hasn’t had any contact with her the whole time he’s been inside.
At least that feels like a tiny shred of hope. Of course, when I finally feel free, my past comes back to haunt me. To remind me where I came from, of what I was running from.
This is bullshit. I’m tired of running, of being afraid.
I want tolive.
I want arealstart to a new life for Aurora and me. One that’s far from the shadows of night, cloaked in fear and doubt, and instead lit up by the shimmers of stars. Little glimmers of hope and endless possibilities.
30
“You need some help getting it in?” my boss, Lee, asks as we stand in the office kitchen. I keep missing the powerpoint to plug in the kettle. I’m too distracted by thoughts of Maevyn.
“That’s what she said.” Jeremy, one of the other carpenters, throws his head back and laughs.
I push him as he walks behind me, still clutching his stomach.
Lee shakes his head at Jem with a smile before turning back to me. “What’s on your mind?”
I shake off the daydreams, manage to get the plug in, then turn on the spot, leaning against the benchtop. “My neighbour.”
Jeremy rushes back over, bumping into Lee’s side as he pins me with a curious stare. “She hot?”
