Page 31 of Tricky Girls

‘Oh, doing that, are we? Shit, things got serious fast. Okay. Hanging up now. Goodnight, sleep tight and all that.’

The line goes silent. I chuckle, darkening my phone and sliding it beneath my pillow. I close my eyes, making room for Lady who jumps up beside me. I wish it was Tilda. Insane thought, but god, I’d do anything to feel that body cuddled up to mine right now. I bet she’d fit perfectly. She seems the perfect size against me.

It’s better than thinking about that tired man upstairs, his wife laid out in a hospital bed, my sisters sick to their stomachs and our mother fighting every second of every day not to end herself.

Yeah, the thought of holding Tilda is a hell of a lot sweeter.

CHAPTER 10

Nic

Hockey bag slung over one shoulder, I enter the kitchen to fill my water bottle.

‘All set?’ Haz says, making up a black coffee by the kettle. Last time I had the shit she peddles, my heart was palpitating weirdly for a week.

‘Reckon so. Guess we’ll see.’

Her eyes flick to mine, a rare seriousness in them that gets my hackles up. ‘You know it’s not the end of the world if they don’t let you back, yeah?’

‘They’ll let me back,’ I huff. ‘They’d have said if not. Not wasted my bloody time.’

‘Alright. Just saying, if there’s anything there to throw you off your game, don’t let it. But also…it’s cool if you choke too.’

I frown, screwing the lid on my bottle. ‘What are you saying?’

She shrugs, turning back to her drink. ‘Not saying nothing.’

‘Double negatives,’ I mutter reflexively. ‘You in later?’

‘Nope. Got me date, haven’t I.’

‘Who’s the unlucky bastard?’

‘Just that girl you seem to hate for no fucking reason.’

I falter by the door, all thoughts of hockey evaporating.

It’s that quick, like Tilda has her hands around my throat, ready to squeeze at all times.

A date. A fucking date.

With Haz.

When I glance over, she’s regarding me closely. ‘Gonna say what your deal is with her? I’d assume she fucked you over or something except she has a thing for telling me just how straight she is.’

‘Then take the fucking hint.’

‘I’m no quitter,’ she scoffs.

‘You’re pathetic, is what you are.’

‘Love you too.’ Picking up her coffee, she retreats into the lounge. ‘Have fun at hockey, won’t you.’

I’m late.

All going well so far.

With it raining like hell and the wind up as much as it is, I shouldn’t have been surprised to find the outdoor field empty apart from the fat raindrops pocking it.

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