I’m the one who knows Kody and I used my substantial influence to get him to perform tonight.’
‘Good for you. You’re friends?’
‘Something like that.’
Jane didn’t understand Tash’s secretive smile. Maybe Tash had a crush on the rock star and wanted to be more than friends? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t her place to ask. They’d always been polite to each other over the years but Jane didn’t know the waitress that well. ‘I’m guessing you won’t tell me how you know him if I ask?’
Tash tapped the side of her nose and winked. ‘That’s on a need-to-know basis, I’m afraid.’
‘I figured as much.’ They laughed, and Jane hoped Tash would answer her next question, the one she really wanted to ask her.
‘Can I ask you something that’s not rock-star related?’
‘Sure.’
‘I know you got out of town for a few years, then came back. What was it like escaping?’
If Jane’s odd question fazed Tash, she didn’t show it. ‘I loved the freedom of not living in a fishbowl, of not having every action scrutinised, of not being judged. But you know something? There’s a lot to be said for a small town, because once people get past their hang-ups, they can be pretty damn supportive too.’ Tash’s gaze drifted over the crowd who’d stuck around for a few drinks after Kody’s performance and she smiled. ‘It took me a long time to figure that out.’
Jane mumbled an agreement and Tash shot her a glance. ‘Are you thinking of leaving?’
‘Yeah. Considering I’ve lived here my entire life, it’s time.’
Tash hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, before reaching out and patting her on the arm. ‘Do it. Who knows, you may end up like me and realise that time away from this place actually makes you appreciate it more when you return.’
Doubtful, as Jane had no intention of returning to Brockenridge once she escaped. ‘Thanks.’
‘No worries, and good luck.’
As Jane watched Tash move between tables, chatting and laughing with patrons, completely at ease, she wondered if there would ever come a time she’d feel as comfortable in this place.
Considering she intended to flee and not look back, absolutely no way.
Jane raised her wine glass, waiting for Louise and Bec to do the same. ‘To renewing old friendships.’
‘To us,’ Louise echoed, and Bec added, ‘To moving forwards.’
They clinked glasses and sipped at their wines, yet another uncomfortable silence extending between them. It had been easier with Kody Lansdowne performing as the music had prevented any awkward pauses in conversation. Jane had organised this impromptu get-together at the roadhouse as a way of purging more of her past. Confronting her mother had been cathartic but not nearly enough. She’d once been best friends with these girls, not that she’d treated them well. Back then she’d emulated Gladys, expecting everyone to kowtow to her, and that’s what Louise and Bec had done. The three of them had never been equals; Jane had resided at the centre of her own universe and expected the other two to bask in her light. She’d been a bitch. But it was never too late to make amends and while she couldn’t change the past she could make an easier future.
‘I can’t believe we got to see Kody Lansdowne perform live tonight,’ Louise said. ‘Choosing Ruby’s place for us to catch up is a nice touch too.’
Jane searched for any sign of sarcasm and found none. Maybe they’d all changed for the better. ‘Yeah, his performance was phenomenal, and Ruby’s been great, considering how awful I was to her in high school.’
‘We all were.’ Bec grimaced. ‘Why did we do that?’
‘Because we were young and stupid and ten foot up ourselves.’ Louise’s dry response made them laugh. ‘And we thought Jane walked on water so we did everything she said.’
‘You’re right.’ Jane shook her head, mortified she’d been so awful back then. ‘I was a horrible person and I’m sorry for dragging you two down with me.’
‘Hey, we weren’t blameless, not by a long shot.’ Sadness clouded Louise’s eyes. ‘Though a small part of me does wonder if karma is real and all that bad shit we did back then is coming back to haunt us.’
‘Don’t believe in it.’ Bec snorted, but her gaze shifted away. ‘Though considering you’ve got a cheating arsehole for a husband, I’ve got four kids and no money, and Jane’s single and stuck in this dead-end town, maybe karma really is a bitch.’
‘Hey, I chose to stay here.’ Jane lifted her glass.
‘Why?’ the other