Page 62 of Something Real with the Sea Monster
I can see Luke wants to go with them, but I stop him. “They’ll be fine.”
He relents.
As soon as they’re out the door, Dad sits on the bed and folds his arms across his chest. “Now, Jack, you’d better explain why you filmed that nice young woman in such a compromising position and left it lying around where anyone could see.”
Luke laughs, and I elbow him. “Dad, I didn’t know anyone would look on my personal laptop.” I give Mom a meaningful look.
“Sorry, Jackie, I’m not used to you having secrets.”
That cuts a little. “She’s not a secret. And I’m a grown kraken. Which reminds me, I’ll be looking for a place to live now I’ve got a mate.”
Mom and Dad and Luke share a look, which rankles. “Well actually, Jack. We have some news of our own.”
I pause in the middle of saying that I’m going to get a hotel for the night and blink. “You do?”
Mom nods. “Your dad and I are moving out. Luke has built us a gorgeous little granny flat, and it’s time for us to downsize. We can’t maintain a big, huge place now it’s just the two of us. So why don’t you and Tegan move in above the Inlet Views? It’s big enough for a family—” She winks at me and I flush. I hadn’t even considered having a family. “And you’ll be able to keep on running the place after we sign it over to you.”
“You mean—?”
Dad grins. “We’re officially retiring. I’m now a gentleman of leisure. We’ll still be around if you need a day off, of course, but it’s time for us to take advantage of the stage of life we’re at while we can. The cancer taught me that. We have to enjoy it now. So we plan to travel a lot more.”
Luke slaps me on the back. “Congratulations, Jack. Looks like you’re the proud new owner of Inlet Views.”
“Wow. Thank you. There’s just one thing, though.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve gotta check with the boss before I say yes.”
Everyone laughs, and then Tegan and Mia are back. Tegan looks at me with a grin. “Did I hear you talking about me?”
I’m glad to see her spark back. I hated seeing her so quiet and reserved. I pull her into a hug as Luke helps Mia back into bed. “Just saying you have the final say on our living arrangements, if you’ll agree to move in with me that is?”
She answers straight away. “I’d love to. I think a sea-change to Kraken Cove is just what I’ve needed all along.”
THIRTY ONE
Tegan
As I stand, I feel every eye in the room on me. I cough awkwardly and try not to make eye contact. It’s hard enough standing in front of a whole circle of people while trying not to see the judgment on their faces, and frankly, I feel like such a fraud.
“Ah, I’m Tegan, and I’m an alcoholic.”
The thirteen other people in the room, including Jack, all say in unison. “Hi, Tegan.”
I roll my eyes at Jack, but he just sticks with his encouraging smile which makes me feel worse.
I’m all hot. I tug at the collar of my t-shirt and try to gather my courage. “I, um. It’s been nine days since my last drink, and I feel like I don’t belong here because I’ve never thought of myself as an alcoholic before.”
There’s silence, but it’s a welcoming silence. Some people are nodding. One lady silently mouths, “Me too.” Suddenly a whole lot of words spill out in a mad torrent.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come because I didn’t know if I needed to be in AA. Only my amazing mate encouraged me, and I’m here because I don’t want to let him down again. I never want him to have to see me the way he saw me when I drank last time again.”
The group leader, a tall minotaur with wide, sweeping horns and a long, serious face clears his throat. “Thank you for sharing, Tegan. Jack, can I ask how that felt when she let you down?”
I want to look away, but I settle instead for diving for my chair as Jack clears his throat. “Well, it wasn’t good. Things got pretty messy.”
I wince.
