As Frankie walks away, the only thought still working in my head is that it’s possible for things to go back to the way they were. The publicity will calm down. Trends come and go so fast, the sudden interest in Frankie will fade in a week or so.She can go back to working at Flamingo’s, and we can keep getting to know each other, but as more than friends.
As I dump the avocados in the bin, the thought takes hold and won’t let go. Hope follows on its heels. By the time I’ve checked how full each bin is and told Felix to drive the tractor and bins to unload in our storage shed, I’ve convinced myself—despite our friends conversation—Frankie and I have a chance at something real.
I can’t hide my smile as I make my way to my family’s picnic spot. I’m not letting Hayes take my spot next to Frankie today. I’ll fight him for it if I have to.
But when I round the last row of trees and my family comes into sight, Frankie’s sitting apart from them, watching the commotion. I stop and study her, analyzing the faraway look on her face.
I’ve seen it before. Not on Frankie, though. On Kayla. And I know exactly what it means.
Frankie’s already gone.
Chapter 14
Frankie
Isit apart from the Holloways, not because I don’t want to join them, but because of how badly Ido.The way they laugh and tease reminds me of how Archie, Dex, Rhys, and I are with each other. Dex and Rhys aren’t blood related, but they’re brothers to me and Archie. I don’t know their partners well, but Britta and Stella already feel like sisters. Even Archie’s girlfriend, Piper, who used to be our stepsister is more family now than she ever was when Malcolm was married to her mum. They’re my chosen family.
Being around the Holloways, though, has made it hard for me to ignore how much I miss my own “family.” Part of my ache for them, I’m sure, is mobile withdrawal since it’s back at the house, still dead, keeping secret all the messages in the Absolutely Not Malcolm Chat. I can’t remember the last time I’ve gone this long without “talking” to any of them, especially Archie.
But then Jo ambles over and hands me a plate of chicken salad and homemade rolls, along with my mobile.
“I charged it for you,” she says. “We can’t live without thesethings anymore, can we? It’s been pinging all morning. I hope you didn’t miss anything important.”
“Cheers, Jo.” My stupid throat is tight as I take the mobile from her, forcing myself not to hug her for being so thoughtful. Like a real mum.
I swallow hard and squeeze back the ridiculous tears trying to spring up out of nowhere for no reason at all. When I open them, I don’t look anywhere besides my mobile, even when Junie says my name.
Keep it together, mate.I repeat over and over in my head as I scroll through the fifty-three texts waiting for me.
As I suspected, most of the messages I’ve missed are from the ANM chat. Along with the texts, I have a dozen voice messages, mostly from Archie. Each text and voicemail grows increasingly panicked when their questions go unanswered. I read half of them before I stop to shoot off a text.
I’m all good. Calm down. Mobile was dead.
Then I go back to read the rest of the messages, hoping they haven’t gone and filed a missing person report.
Junie sits down half on me and half off. “Can I play a game on your phone, Frankie?” she reaches for my mobile, and I tug it away.
“No, love. I’ve got messages I need to read.” My “friends” convo with Cal replays in my head, along with my promise to not hurt his little girl.
Frustration bubbles in my chest. Dunno if the convo is to blame or the fact Junie’s crawling all over me while I’m trying to assure my mates I haven’t been kidnapped by some weird sex cult. Because, of course, that’s where Archie would go. Straight to the worst.
“Then can we pick cados?” Junie gets right in my face, so there’s no avoiding looking her straight on.
“I need to go into town with your daddy, but I’ll be back later.” Hard as I try, impatience slips into my voice.
Junie doesn’t notice, just keeps trying to crawl into my lap. “Can I go too?”
“Junie I’ve got something to show you,” Hayes calls from a few feet away.
“What?” she asks suspiciously.
“Come over here, and you’ll see.”
With a sigh, Junie walks to Hayes, dragging her feet, and I send him a grateful nod.
The group chat suddenly explodes with questions about where I am and why I didn’t charge my mobile. Reckon they got my message.
Before I can answer, Archie pings me separately.
