Page 19 of Forever Summer

“Megsy?”

Megsy who-ripped-your-heart-out Swanston?

I wanted to act like I didn’t have a clue, that my memory had lapsed from that point in time of our childhood where I couldn’t quite place her. But I had to be smart, Adam would see through my bitchy façade in a heartbeat; it took everything in my willpower to appear surprised, delighted, happy to see her. We embraced like long-lost friends; I crushed her petite little frame to me with an oomph.

Yep, keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

“My God, what are you doing here?”

No, really, what the fuck are you doing here?

I pulled back, still holding her by the shoulders, looking on at her in wonder. My academy award-winning welcome seemed to relax her; I could feel as much as her rigid stance melted under my hands in relief.

“Oh, my mum and dad still live out at Ivanhoe, so I come back on holidays from time to time. Adam convinced me to come out to the Onslow though, so this is a first.” She laughed, glancing at Adam who stood to her side.

It took every fibre of control not to dig my nails into her skin. So Adam had convinced her to come? Meaning this wasn’t their first encounter together, that he had talked her into coming along, where? When? This weekend you belong to me. They had been Adam’s words. And yet, he invited Megsy Fucking Swanston. This weekend. Of all weekends. I wanted to shine a light into her eyes and play bad cop. Instead, I let my hands fall to my side, tilting my head and pouting.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you,” I lied.

Dear God, I was going to hell.

I turned to Adam, who was looking all smiles. I so wanted to wipe it from his face.

“I know I escaped. I’m bad.” I winced, kind of delighting in talking to Adam about something Megsy wasn’t privy too.

Adam shook his head. “I never doubted you’d stay for a single second. Nobody keeps Ellie Parker hidden for long.”

I laughed, clinking my beer against his. “You know me too well,” I said, ensuring to look into his eyes as our glasses touched. I sipped on my beer, never once breaking my eyes from Adam, knowing that Megsy was watching on.

Game on, Megsy, game on.

Oh God, I really was a two-pot screamer. I was fading, and fading fast, but I couldn’t be defeated, I couldn’t. I had to stay. I couldn’t let Adam and Megsy bond. I just couldn’t let them go down memory lane to remember the good times of Onslow High, that’s if there were any—I couldn’t remember—but then again everything seemed a bit foggy, or maybe that was the Carlton Draught talking. I held my chin on my hand, trying to blink my eyelids from drooping as I tried to listen to Megsy talk about her missing years, how she had missed Onslow and blah, blah, blah. I felt an elbow in my ribs causing me to snap to attention. My head swung around to see Adam casting me a dubious if not amused look.

“You okay, soldier?” he asked, trying not to smile.

My brows lowered. “It’s been a big day, you know; I’ve been up since five.”

“Hence the nanna nap I interrupted this afternoon.”

“That’s right, interrupted, so I’m even more fragile now.”

Adam burst out with laughter, causing Megsy to still, mid gripping conversation about her arts course.

“Sorry, Megsy, Adam’s just being a—”

“Play nice,” he warned.

“I always play nice.” I straightened, secretly loving the banter between us that always had a way of separating us from everyone else. Adam didn’t reply to me, he merely shook his head and sipped on his—wait, what the? Was he drinking water? Had I blacked out when that had happened?

He must have read the wide-eyed look of horror across my face, as he examined his drink.

“What? I said I’d give Megsy a lift home. Thought I better take it easy for a bit.”

As much as you had to admire Adam’s responsible water intake in order to be a designated driver it had me instantly feeling ill. No more could I pretend that I was okay; maybe it was the alcohol that had worn me down, encouraging me to pretend to be nice.

“So, Megsy, are you coming to Sean’s lake house tomorrow night for the surprise party?” Bel asked.

My head snapped around, my vision glowering into Bel’s profile. It was an innocent enough question, but one I seriously didn’t want to know the answer to.

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