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Rosie looks up at me, sorrow in her eyes. “I’m sorry. We came here and basically kicked him out. I just couldn’t form any words.”
“He’s a softie. He might have all those tattoos, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly. We tried to get him to stomp on a spider last week, and instead he caught it in a jar and set it free.”
She smiles, her face lightening. “At least he didn’t run screaming.”
I laugh. “No, but me and Mark did. It was huge,” I tell her, holding my hands together to show her. “Would you like a drink?”
“Coffee,” they both say, then start laughing.
“I hear you. I’ve not had a cup yet.”
“You poor thing,” Jordan empathises.
She gets it. Banner would just roll his eyes at me and tells me to wait. He’s not really a big coffee or drinker—or tea. It’s weird.
I head into the kitchen, flicking the kettle on and grabbing cups out of the cupboard.
“How was your visit with your friends?” Jordan asks as they both follow behind.
“Great. I really miss her, more now she’s here to talk to. Before, I thought she was gone forever.”
“What do you mean?”
I finish making their coffee and step into the front room, taking a seat in the love chair. Since they shared about Rosie, it’s the least I can do to share some of my past. I normally avoid any topic of my past, hating the empty feeling I get inside my chest.
“When we were at high school, she was involved in an accident with her mum and brother. She thought she was the reason her brother had died. She ran away because she couldn’t bear to face her parents. She was out of her mind with grief and self-hate. The accident wasn’t anyone’s fault, though. About a year and a half ago, Max found out about her past, and contacted her parents. She had been homeless, so his nan had taken her in,” I explain. “Lake was shocked when she found them downstairs, and found out her brother was alive.”
“Oh, my god, that sounds horrible. I bet she’s just as happy as you about being back in each other’s lives.”
I shrug, then take a chance when I tell them a bit more. “I was going through something when she ran away. I suffered with depression and missed her like crazy. But I was also mad at her for leaving me when I needed her the most. When I found out she was alive and back in our home town, it helped me move forward. I just don’t like the thought of losing her again.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t let that happen.”
“Yeah.”
Clearing her throat, Rosie sits forward. “Jordan said you’re volunteering to help with the cake sale. Do you want any help?”
“If you want to help, more the merrier, but I’m good if you can’t,” I tell her, not wanting to push her. I can see she’s in a bad place still, but she’s also a fighter. I can see it in her eyes, no matter how blank her gaze gets when she’s lost in thought.
“I want to. I love decorating cakes.”
I brighten. “Are you good at it?”
“Yep.”
“Great! I’m only good at the basics. Anything beyond plopping icing on the cake is a no go. If I bake them, do you want to come and decorate them?”
“I’d like that. Are you going to cook one to donate for the raffle? I can help decorate that, too, if you’d like. Most of it I can do at home until the cake is baked.”
“That sounds awesome. When I was asked, I said yes, not thinking about that part of the baking,” I admit, laughing. I’m also glad for the change in subject, no longer wanting to live in the past.
By the time we finish planning what we’re going to do, it’s late in the evening and time for them to go. I walk them outside.
“It was lovely meeting you, Rosie.”
“Same. I don’t go out much, but if you ever want to hang out at mine, or meet up somewhere quiet, call me. I’ll get Jordan to text you my number.”
Jordan beams with pride as she listens to Rosie. It’s just a guess, but I’m presuming this is a big step for her.
