Page 94 of Toy Boy

“She’ll listen to me. I’ll make sure she does, because I’m not willing to lose her.”

“And what happens when you leave here? What happens then?”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

And just like that, my plans have changed again…

Megan

“Megan?” Laney gets up the second she sees me, and I stop, and I look around, even though I have no idea what I’m looking at; lookingfor, I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. What Iwantto do. “What’s wrong?”

“Can we get out of here?”

“Of course we can, but, what about Xander…?”

“Can we just go?”

She grabs her jacket and bag and we’re just about to head down from the terrace onto the beach, to avoid going back inside the pub, when Xander turns up. And that stops Laney in her tracks, because she’s unable to let anything go. Me, I’m ready to walk away.

“Megan, wait, please!”

I reluctantly stop, and slowly turn around, and I’m aware of many sets of eyes already on us, and I really don’t want to turn this into a spectator sport.

Laney throws me a look, and I just shake my head. “Is everything alright?” she asks, directing that question at both of us, her gaze finally settling on me.

“It will be,” Xander replies, and I applaud his optimism. I’m just not sure I agree with it. “Can we just talk about this, Megan? Please?”

Laney cocks her head and widens her eyes and I know that standing here, in front of half the town, well, it’s really not the best idea. I can already see Greta whispering something to Tania, who immediately starts looking around, for Scott, I’m guessing. Seems like the gossip machine is already in full swing, so it’s time to get out of here.

“Come on.” I reach for Xander’s hand, and I don’t want to, but hopefully it’ll quickly shut down whatever assumptions people may already be making. Act normally. Don’t give them a reason to think there’s a drama about to unfold.

I cast a glance back over my shoulder at Laney, mouth“I’ll call you”and leave her to answer any inevitable questions that may come her way. She’s my sister. She’ll cover for me, which is a big ask considering she has no clue what’s going on, but I’ve no doubt she’ll go looking for Scott. And take his side of the story with a pinch of a salt.

Once me and Xander are well away from The Swan, I let go of his hand, and he stops walking, causing me to stand still, too.

“Megan, I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

He briefly drops his gaze, slides his hands into his pockets, and then slowly looks back up at me. “How much of that conversation did you hear?”

“You used me?”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Okay,” I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest, and yes, it’s a slightly defensive action. I’m wary now, because this man lied to me, too. He isn’t who I thought he was, I’m certain of that now. “Let’s talk.”

“We’ll go to mine, it’s nearer.”

I shake my head, we’re not going to anyone’s house. “No. We’ll go to The Shack. Less prying eyes there.”

“Alright. If that’s what you want.”

I want neutral territory, that’s all. And The Shack will be full of people who won’t give a shit who we are, or what we’re doing. So I nod and he falls into step beside me.

“I just need you to listen to me, Megan. There’s a lot to explain.”

“And what’s Scott got to do with it?”

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