“Liar,” Reese coughs.
“Come on, let me clean you up.”
Her small hand slips into mine and I’m powerless but to allow her to tow me towards the sofa where a first aid kit awaits.
Sitting back, I tap my lap, encouraging her to get as close as possible.
“Elliot,” she warns. “You’re hurt.”
“And I need my girl. Straddle me, Red. Let me feel your hot little body against mine.”
“Christ,” Theo mutters.
I get it. They’re not used to me being so tactile with anyone, but they’re gonna have to get used to it.
This is it now.
Me and Abigail.
Us and our family.
A rush of unease goes through me as I think about what Dad’s next move will be. But I figure that we’ll handle it.
“What happens now?” Reese asks once they’re all sitting back around us.
I shrug one shoulder as Abigail gently drags a wipe across my bottom lip. It stings like a bitch but I don’t let them know it.
“I guess that’s for me and Abi to decide.”
“Do you really think your old man will just let it go?”
A bitter laugh spills from my lips, making Abigail tense on my lap.“Not a chance. But there’s very little he can do at this point.”
“What about uni?” Oak asks. “Will you still get into SCU without your connections?”
“I really fucking hope not,” I confess.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Theo asks.
“It means…” I swallow nervously as they all stare at me. “It means that I’m not going to SCU in September.”
“What?” Reese baulks. “But?—”
“But nothing. My whole life has been dictated by him. By them. It’s not anymore. My life—our lives—are ours to do with what we want.”
“So what are you going to do?” Liv asks.
“Honestly, I’ve no idea. I still want uni, sure. But Abi isn’t going next year, so maybe I’ll wait for her. We can go together wherever the hell we want.”
Silence follows my confession.
“You can’t do that,” she says quietly. “You’ve been working so hard and?—”
“My results will still be there next year,” I assure her, reaching up to cup her cheek. “And you’ll be ready then too.”
“But what will you do?”
“Get a job,” I guess. “I’m pretty sure my trust fund just vanished before my eyes.”