Page 136 of Muddy Messy Love

“Betsy would be jealous as hell,” I call back. A notion Liam seems to seriously consider as he rubs his scruffy chin with a frown.

The passenger door sounds, and Jen appears, grinning as she skips towards me. “Let’s get loaded.”

I smirk. “Thanks for your help.”

“Don’t mention it.” Jen scans my face, her smile fading some. “Are you okay?”

I nod. “I’m hanging in there.” No longer do I mask up or play pretend.

“Good,” Jen says. “Now show me to the stuff. Last time, I missed out. Is it weird that I’m excited?”

I lead her to the garage. “Definitely. Moving house sucks.”

“Soon I’ll find out for myself,” Jen says.

I stop and turn around. “Come again?”

An epic grin plays on her lips. “I’m moving out with Liam.”

My mouth falls open. “Oh my God. When? Where? Shit, what’d your dad say?”

Jen laughs, then counts off her fingers. “We’re looking now, near uni, and let’s just say I learnt a dozen Scottish Gaelic swear words. Anyway”—Jen hitches a shoulder—“I’m an adult now, so Dad will just have to deal.”

I hug Jen, knowing how hard that conversation would have been. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Ditto,” she says. “Who would have thought two crazy gals like us would ever grow up?”

I laugh. “Weird, isn’t it?”

Jen and I duck under the half-open garage door to assess the box pyramid and my abandoned furniture—the wonky red dining table and peeling vinyl couch. My rusty wrought-iron queen bed. It will be a step down from the unearned luxury I’ve been living in, but at least it’s all mine.

I open the garage door the rest of the way, and Liam strolls in, furrowing his brow. “Think I’m having déjà fucking vu. Didn’t I move all this junk seven months ago?”

Indeed, he did. “You know I love you for it though, right?” I offer with a shrug.

“Yeah, right.” Liam snorts as he shoulders past me and grabs the top box from the stack.

Jen bops the bandana tied around my hair, then eyes me up and down, tugging at the frayed bib of my faded denim overalls. “Cute. Very ‘I run an art studio, can’t you tell?’”

I smile. “Thought I’d look the part.”

“It suits you,” Jen says. “This whole idea does.”

“C’mon, you two. Don’t expect special treatment just because you have vaginas.”

Jen shakes her head and grabs a box. I copy her but eyeball Liam. “I’m surprised you can still walk normal with triple-sized balls. They must have been small to begin with.”

Liam belts out a laugh. “Tiny,” he agrees. “Jen neutered me long ago.”

“Hey,” Jen objects. “Not nice. You love being my bitch.”

Amongst the four of us, we’re loaded one hour later and ready to go. Jen waves out the truck window as it wheezes to life. “See you there.”

I salute her, then look at Beth, joining my hands in prayer with a sugary smile. “Pretty please, can I drive?”

Beth inhales through her nose but throws me the car keys with a sigh. “Please don’t kill me. I’ve finally found great sex.”

I smirk at her uncharacteristic admission, but just like that, a new nickname is born. Beth’s new beau shall henceforth be known as Des Diggler. “I’ll do my best,” I say. Beth glances heavenward, mumbling, then crosses her heart before climbing into the passenger seat.

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