my lips as I pretend to wince. “It’s shocking, isn’t it?”
She nods, still open-mouthed as she ushers her kids away. The lift hums as it descends.
It’s only then that I realise I’m not upset about him cheating. In fact, it gave me the perfect out. Because no matter how many men say it’s girls who get emotional during a break up, I’ve only ever encountered men who do. They beg, get clingy, call you constantly, or threaten to sleep with your sister, one you don’t even have. It’s ridiculous. And if I hadn’t caught him tonight, I can only imagine what he would have gone on to do.
I tried to make it work between us, yet that spark just wasn’t there. I’m young, however I want more than meaningless encounters with the men I’ve dated. And then there’s my overbearing dad to take into account. Russell was that dimpy at times, my dad’s insults would have flown way over his head.
As I push through the doors leading outside, I lose the keys, throwing them in the bin just outside the door.
Cold licks at my face and bare skin and creeps under my clothes, causing me to shiver.
It’s then that I hate myself for not bringing a jacket. I had hoped to spend the night inside a hot, sweaty club. Not outside where I could get frostbite.
Annoyance flares through me when my phone begins to ring and vibrate. If it’s Russell calling to try and—
Seeing my dad’s name flash across the screen, I groan. However, it’s still better than listening to Russell cry.
If he’s calling me about those damn mini muffins, I’m going to lose it. He can’t prove it was me who ate them. And it’s been a week. He really needs to get over it.
I answer. “Dad?”
“Hey, Hay,” he greets.
“Har, har,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
“Hey, sweetie,” Mum calls over the phone. I hear cars in the background, so they must have me on the car speaker.
“Hey, Mum.”
“Um, I know you had plans with your friends tonight, but we need all the family tonight. Would they mind if you cancelled?”
“Um, yeah, I can. They won’t mind at all,” I tell her, my voice hard at the end when I think of Russell.
“What aren’t you telling me, woman?” Dad screeches, and I wince, pulling the phone away from my ear.
“Nothing. Will you just drive, already?”
“Liar,” he accuses. “Where do you want picking up from? I’m coming to get you,” Dad explains, talking to me now.
I sigh, looking up at the block of flats, knowing I won’t be able to talk my way out of it. “I’m not out with girlfriends.”
“Where are you?” he asks, his voice calm, stern. It’s his ‘I mean business’ voice.
I suck in my bottom lip. “I’m at the Duncan Fall flats. I was going out with my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” he explodes, and I roll my eyes at his dramatics.
“Not anymore,” I rush out before he goes into one of his rants. All I bloody need is for him to give me a sex education lesson again. The first time was horrifying enough.
“Who is he?”
“That guy I said was trying to sell me a vacuum last week.”
“That weird looking kid who was flirting with you?”
“Dad,” I groan, wishing he’d drop it.
“What happened tonight, then?” he asks, his voice hard.
I smile, bouncing on the balls of my feet. “He cheated,” I cheer.
“Um, why are you happy? I’m going to rip his balls off and feed them to the pigs.”
I snort. “We don’t have pigs, Jaxon does,” I tell him, then cringe when I realise who I mentioned, so I rush on before he can go on yet another of his rants. “It’s fine. I caught him and his new neighbour going at it, but before I went in, I made the Maddox Concoction and added a few of my own things. I’ll send you the picture later. Don’t worry, I got my revenge.”
“That’s my girl,” he hoots, and I hear my mum groan.
“Thank you.” I beam, even though he can’t see me. “I just hope he doesn’t call the police and sue for damages.”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll never speak of it again,” Dad growls, and I hear a horn honking loudly in the background. “Fucking move! We don’t have all year; it ends tonight.”
“Max, calm down,” Mum scolds.
“Fucking old drivers.”
“She was in her twenties,” Mum snaps.
“Guys,” I call out, beginning to shiver. “Why are you coming to get me?”
“Jaxon is marrying Lily tonight,” Dad explains,