was I going to ask you to come to Melbourne with me at Christmas and meet my family?”
My mouth falls open, but no words come. I shake my head trying to take in what he just said. “You know I couldn’t leave Dad, especially at Christmas,” I rasp. My throat is tight knowing what his words mean.
“No, I don’t know. You’ve told me nothing. Only you have to leave every night, and you can’t stay one night with me.”
“I’m not getting into this with you now.” I love my time with him, but he’s confusing me. I have to be responsible, and I don’t expect Reef to understand. We have great sex together. Isn’t it enough?
I walk out on the verge of tears and fight it the entire ride home. Of course, I want to stay with him. My body hums when I’m with Reef. I promised myself nine years ago I’d look out for Dad. I’m not about to break that promise for sex, even if the thought of lying next to Reef all night stirs excitement like never before.
When I pull up at my house, I park behind a strange car. The lights are on inside. What’s going on? I hope Dad’s okay.
I hear voices along the hallway, and I have no clue who could be here. “Dad,” I say to warn him.
“Love, I want you to meet my friend,” he says, pointing for me to go to the living room.
I step in the room and do a double-take at the woman I met at the pool. “Hi, I’m Macy.”
“Bernadette,” she says and holds out her hand.
Bernadette who had a broken leg?
“I’ll make a tea and head to bed.” I smile at Dad, so happy he has made a friend.
Dad follows me into the kitchen. Leans on his crutch to talk with me. “How was your night?”
“Fine.”
“When I said you didn’t have to come home, I meant it.”
“I know.”
“Because Bernadette is staying the night.”
I pause, kettle halfway to pouring hot water. “What?”
“She’s visited those nights you were out. Only stayed a couple of hours because she didn’t want to offend you. I asked her to stay. We want to have a go at this.”
I blink, willing my brain to catch up. “Okay. Do you mind if I head out then?”
“Of course not, love. I’ll call if I need you.”
Grabbing my keys, I head out the door, relieved not to be in the house tonight. Shit, I’d need to sleep with a pillow over my ears.
Driving to Reef’s, a million things run through my head.
His reaction to me coming back.
How I’ll feel in the morning.
Where do I park the car?
Right now, I don’t care. I park it in a four-hour zone and chance getting a fine. The receptionist recognises me and waves me through. Wow.
When I reach his floor, music echoes down the hall the moment the elevator doors open. I knock, and the tall guy with black hair and blue eyes I recognise opens the door.
“Can I help you?”
Music blares from the speakers in the living room. I can’t believe in the short time I was gone a party is pumping.
“I’m looking for Reef.”
He pushes the door wider and shoves a thumb toward the lounge. I take a step inside and see him on the lounge with two girls either side him, both of them in bloody bikinis. I freeze on the spot. He hasn’t looked up considering the blonde is talking with her hands demanding his attention, and he is laughing with her. He looks so happy and right at home with those girls.
The tall dude’s gaze darts from Reef to me and back to Reef.
“Thanks, but I changed my mind.” I turn and head for the elevator keeping my finger on the button. Come on. Come on.
I glance toward Reef’s door. Please don’t come out.
My gut is in knots. My chest is so tight I can hardly breathe. “Why did I believe him?”
After a quick ride in the elevator, I run toward my car. A few steps from my car, I turn to look over my shoulder and jump when my phone sounds with an incoming call. Fumbling to find it, I pull it out of my bag and read the screen, and tap decline. “Fuck you, Reef,” I mumble.
I let go of all my emotions the entire ride home. My chest aches, and my muscles are taut, constricting any movement I make. I pant each breath as I sob. Tear trails stain my cheeks. I