get over it.”
“It was meant to be for her. She ordered it,” I tell him, rolling my eyes.
“Like you can talk. Didn’t you steal Aiden and Bailey’s food not long ago?”
Fuming, I place my hands on my hips and turn to him. “Hey! That’s not fair. I was doing them a favour. Sunday was poorly and the food was going cold. You know how Aiden is about wasting food.” I take in a breath before continuing. “And wasn’t it you who stole the cake Aunt Kayla made for Uncle Myles last year?”
“It was my birthday too,” he snaps back.
“She made you your own,” I yell.
“What on earth is going on?” Mum calls out, rubbing her arms up and down against the cold.
Dad presses his lips together, his eyes scrunching as he narrows them on me, warning me not to talk.
“Nothing, Mum, we were just talking about how Maddox shouldn’t be sneaking into Lily’s.”
Mum looks over at Maddox in disappointment. “Maddox, sweetie, they’re married. You can’t keep doing that.”
Pushing past us, he huffs, heading into the house as he mumbles how unfair everyone is being.
Mum looks at the closed door in concern. “Maybe we should get his dad to sort his neighbours out. They must still be making a lot of noise.”
“He doesn’t want to move,” Madison replies. “He’s been waiting on the council to do something. The last time he spoke to them, they said they would be installing something to prove they’re making noise.”
Dad, suddenly straightening, glances at Mum. “Did you leave the cupcakes out?”
She sighs, looking up to the sky. “Yes, Max, I did. I bought them for everyone, not just you.”
“God dammit, woman, you know these kids eat us out of house and home.”
Please give me strength to get through tonight.
*** *** ***
Lily and Jaxon are yet to arrive. It’s taking a toll on my uncle Maverick. He’s finding it hard letting go of his girls, and with Faith’s wedding coming up, it’s showing. From as young as I can remember, my granddad told us how Maverick was the caregiver, the one who went above and beyond to help raise his brothers, even after Granddad was given custody and he no longer needed to put that pressure on himself. I wish there was something I could do to make it better for him.
His expression morphs into one he only gives us girls when Bailey hands over Sunday to him so she can clean up the mess she’s made behind the sofa. He laughs at the mess the beautiful little girl has made of herself. It seems the mini Carter will take after her dad and love her food. She has icing, chocolate and ice cream smothered around her mouth and down her dress. I should feel an ounce of guilt—I saw what the little girl was up to—but I don’t. Those cupcakes were the best.
My ringtone blares from my jacket pocket. Pulling it out, I groan, loudly, seeing ‘Hot Jerk Boss’ flashing across my screen.
“You okay?” Mum asks, her glittering blue eyes pinning me in place. “You’ve been acting weird all week. Is it that boy?”
Silencing the call, I place my hand on Mum’s arm. “It’s not about him, Mum. He was forgotten the minute I walked out of the flat. It’s just work.”
“Difficult customer?”
I laugh quietly as I bump my shoulder into hers. “No. I don’t deal with customers as such.”
“I wish you’d tell us. We’re already proud of you, and we’ll be proud no matter the profession.”
“Even if I was a stripper?”
She flashes her megawatt smile at me, one that matches my own. “Even if,” she tells me. “You could teach me some moves.”
My phone starts again and I roll my eyes at the name I put Clayton under. “I should take this. They won’t stop calling otherwise.”
“Go on, we can continue after.”
I give her a brief hug before walking out of the living room and past everyone talking amongst each other. I head upstairs, where it will be quiet and no one can overhear. Everyone, even the Hayes family, is downstairs, so they’re all occupied.
Going up the stairs, my eyes run over the pictures hung on the wall, one’s I’ve seen a thousand times. But the one at the end catches my attention. It’s new. I’m not sure who took it but it’s lovely, and not only because the girl pictured is angelically beautiful.
It’s Lily and Jaxon on their wedding day. From what I remember, they had just finished giving their vows. Lily’s expression