“They’re still babies. How on can you be at that age?”
“Oh hush,” Tally rolls her eyes. “Millie’s feelings are valid. Even if he wasn’t the one, break-ups are hard. At least she has you and Theo to pick up the pieces.”
“If Theo doesn’t leave him in pieces first.” Raine frowns.
“I’m sure you’ll convince him not to,” Liv snickers.
“I’m sure you’re right.”
We all chuckle at that.
“And how are you, Abs? After almost setting the Chapel on fire with your little staircase tryst.”
“I… I’d rather not talk about that.”
“Babe.” Tally eyes glitter with amusement. “You’re with Elliot now. The sooner you shed your innocence the better.”
I let my hair out from behind my ears, desperately trying to hide the flush to my cheeks.
“You can’t hide from us, Abigail Bancroft,” Liv chuckles. “We all heard what you did.”
“Okay, okay,” I murmur. “Can we please stop talking about it?”
“Own it, babe,” Raine says, offering me a knowing smile.
“Jokes aside, how are you feeling about everything?” Tally reaches for my hand. “I still can’t believe his dad turned up here.”
“I’m almost surprised it didn’t happen sooner.” Liv scoffs.
“Honestly, the only thing I care about is that Elliot is okay. Nothing Johnathon Eaton says or does can hurt me.”
“I’m sure he was just all talk,” Tally offers but I can tell from the worry in her eyes she doesn’t believe her own words. “Do you want to talk about it… The other stuff.”
“I…” God, I was stupid to hope they wouldn’t have picked up on that. “I can’t. Not yet. I love you all so much but I’m not ready.”
“We understand,” Raine says. “But whenever you are, just know that we’re here for you, Abs.”
“Thank you.” A heavy silence falls over us and I hate it. So much I blurt, “I offered Elliot my money.”
“What?”
“That’s been the issue from day one, hasn’t it? That Mr Eaton would cut him off? Well, I have money. More than I’ll ever need. If it means he can make a clean break… What?” I ask when I realise they’re all staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“You love him,” Tally says.
“You really love him,” Liv agrees.
“Well, yeah.” I close in on myself, feeling vulnerable all of a sudden. “I love him so much. And I want to be with him. I want this to work.”
“How did Elliot react to your… offer?” Liv asks, and I grimace.
“As well as you can imagine.”
“Well, I think it’s a great idea.” Tally leaps up, grinning. “You can buy a cute little place together and Elliot can teach junior rugby at the local youth centre?—”
“Elliot will be at university,” I point out, and they all look at me again.
“If you think for one second Elliot is going to leave you, you’re more deluded than we thought. Besides, attending SCU is his father’s dream, not his.”