Page 107 of Toy Boy

“Good. I’ll book us a table at Mika’s.”

“Ask for that one in the corner, by the window. I love people watching from that table, it’s the perfect spot.”

“Alright,” I laugh, just talking to this woman makes me feel instantly better. “Eight 0’clock okay?”

“Perfect.”

“Tania, before you go…”

“Yes?”

“You don’t deserve someone like me.”

“Maybe we deserve each other, huh?”

I smile as I head down the small, narrow street lined with shops and cafés, towards the sea front. After Megan’s visit I needed to clear my head, grab some air, I need to think.

“I’m not good for you, Tania.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one who decides what – who’s good for me, and who isn’t?”

“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for anything more than friendship. And staying here… I don’t know if that’s the best idea anymore.”

“You’re thinking of leaving Beachcastle Bay? Jesus, Scott, we’ve only just got you back!”

“I know, and it might just be me having this knee-jerk reaction to Megan’s rejection, but…”

“Megan’s rejection? Have you seen her? Have you spoken to her?”

“We’ll talk over dinner.”

There’s a slight pause before Tania speaks again. “Okay… Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I just – I really need to see you tonight.”

Another pause. “I’ll meet you at Mika’s. I’ve got a lot of paperwork to get through and a dozen calls still to make before I can leave the office, so, get the ouzos in. I won’t be late.”

I smile, I can’t help it. I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing her later. “Don’t work too hard.”

“I wish! You enjoy the rest of your day off.”

“I’ll try.”

I hang up, slide my phone into my pocket, and stop for a moment. I look around me and I breathe in the warm, salty sea air, a familiar smell, I grew up here. This is my home. It just – it doesn’t really feel that way anymore. But, you know, if anyone can persuade me to think again about leaving, Tania can. Maybe. I don’t know.

Sighing quietly, I push all thoughts of Megan and what could’ve been – what should’ve been – to the back of my mind, dig my hands into my pockets, and step out into the road…

Xander

I didn’t see him, I wasn’t expecting anyone to be there, the lights were on green. I vaguely remember shouting, possibly people yelling at him to step back, the lights were on fucking green! Too late. And I wasn’t speeding, I wasn’t, but the sound of his body crashing into the front of the car was deafening, I swear, I couldn’t avoid him… I couldn’t…

19

Megan

“He just stepped out, Megan.”

“I know. There were a lot of witnesses.”

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