Page 5 of No Take Backs

Knowing that Amber had been as safe as possible by using condoms perhaps helped. But that tiny percent chance of protection failing was a shit of a thing.

Eight months from that festival that changed her world, Amber had finished up her final school exams last month and was waiting for her results. Always focused, she’d already put in her applications for studying next year to start her veterinary nursing course, and had even maintained a part-time job until last month.

I was so bloody proud of her.

“I don’t even know why I’m laughing.” I shook my head, becoming somber. “Gran’s health isn’t great, and you know how stubborn she is. I honestly don’t know how Amber is going to manage being a new mum and studying while trying to make sure Gran is taking her meds and following the doc’s orders.” Yeah, there was nothing funny about any of it really. And while I did know Amber would cope, my concern was she’d struggle and not ask for help. Asking me for a Big Mac from Maccas at ten at night was a bit different from admitting she struggled with new-mum duties.

Since Amber’s brother left—the only way I thought about him these days—I’d stepped up. Admittedly, it was my decision to do so, but with Amber being so young when he’d gone to America and her gran getting on in years, I’d felt responsible, and there had been a kinship in our sorrow those first years after he’d moved to the US.

There was nothing I regretted about forcing myself more firmly into the Broadwater home either. I spent more time—more recently especially—with them than my blood family. And I loved every moment of it. Well, the late-night calls from Amber I could do without.

Amber’s gran had become my gran somewhere along the road, and while I had my parents who had also helped them out over the years, the past couple with my dad’s heart issues meant my folks had his well-being to worry about.

“I imagine it’s the only way you won’t lose your mind,” Patrick said, referring to my previous comment.

“Yeah. I just know something is going to give, and I’d prefer for that to be handled before it all turns to shit, you know?” My concern just wouldn’t budge and was making me increasingly uneasy.

“Has Amber spoken to Ryan?” My stomach dipped at the mention of his name. Oblivious to my internal battle, Patrick continued, “Maybe if he knew how worried you were, he’d, I don’t know, help them out or something.”

My snort was bitter. “All Ryan thinks about these days is himself. He’s not interested in being there. Throwing cash at a problem is more his style.” While I was sure he worked his arse off for it, he’d hurt his family by breaking promises of seeing them often. Having already been abandoned by her mum, Amber felt that more acutely than anyone.

While he’d done an amazing thing a few years back and bought a new home for his family, which I knew Gran was beyond grateful for, Gran had still worked her full-time job to pay the bills and had only recently taken late-retirement. I’d asked more than once if she was okay financially, but she’d reassured me she had a decent superannuation fund, enough to keep her and her granddaughter going.

Patrick’s brows shot high. The venom in my words left little to the imagination where my feelings were concerned. Patrick had no idea of my history with the prodigal town hero who’d up and left eight years ago, never to return. All the town knew was that Ryan was the basketball star who’d made it big in America.

A simple Google search on the sports pages could give them an insight into who Ryan Broadwater was. All of which I actively avoided, but temptation was a bastard of a thing sometimes.

The clean-cut, true-blue Aussie was an elite pro basketballer. He kept his nose clean and was only in the celebrity magazines for charity work and being arm in arm with the occasional supermodel at a party.

But I knew a different version of the guy.

When he’d first been drafted out of college in the early days, he’d flown Amber out when she was only fourteen or so to visit him. She’d returned early, upset she’d spent only a handful of hours with him in the five days she’d been out there—having been left alone for the majority of that time. Me? The first year he was away, we’d spoken at least once a week while he was at college. The second year had dwindled to once a month—him regularly not returning my calls.

At first I’d understood. I could only imagine the pressure he was under to perform, to play his hardest and make the cut. By the third year, though, I was surprised he’d remembered my birthday. After that, my back was up, and my heart was broken when he finally told me he didn’t have time to talk to me anymore, so it was best if I stopped calling altogether.

It hurt a lot, and I still spent too many hours reminiscing about our time together, but grieving over a lost friendship and an unrequited love only led to bitterness. And based on Patrick’s surprise, the bitterness held strong. But I never regretted his family or being so close to them.

“Oh wow, okay.”

“Do you want to go and prepare the delivery area? The truck should be here in about an hour,” I said, changing the subject altogether. Thoughts of Ryan would lead to nothing good. And I was already worried enough about Amber and Gran that my blood pressure remained high.

“Yeah, sure.” Patrick dipped his head in agreement and left me to it. A quick glance at the time told me I needed to unlock the front doors. With my coffee in hand, I opened up and tried to concentrate on surviving the day without finding a spot to hide and curl up to sleep.

* * *

The big,breezy veranda was one of my favorite spots to kick back and sip beer. It just so happened to be at Gran’s house. I tried not to overthink who had bought it for her and Amber three years ago.

The large Queenslander was a new build, with all the traditional charm but less maintenance than an original. It was stunning. Not only that, but it felt like home, and pretty much was these days with how much time I spent here.

Amber was another week closer to her due date. Honestly, I was surprised she hadn’t gone into early labor after the stress of the past twenty-four hours.

“Gran’s taken her meds and is having a lie down.”

Amber waddled onto the whitewashed area and to the overstuffed chair. She wedged herself in before lifting her feet onto the footstool with a sigh.

“And how are you?”

Another heavy breath escaped her. “Okay, now, but finding Gran like that last night….” Tears filled her eyes, and she shook her head. Amber released a humorless laugh. “I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

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