Page 92 of Away With You
“Thank God this year is almost over.”
Today has been a shitshow. I mean, it started off well. Waking up with Katie in my arms was pure pleasure. But then it was all downhill from there.
First, my mother dragged me out of bed to deal with a wedding ‘emergency’ that could have been dealt with by any of the people planning this wedding. After I’d stupidly responded to her demanding messages, she’d sent me out on several ridiculous errands before declaring that I was to be in charge of sorting the floral arrangements at the chapel, a role I was underqualified and not the least bit inclined to take on. I’d then spent many fruitless minutes arguing that I knew nothing about floral arrangements, that I didn’t want to be involved in this wedding at all and that I wanted to get back to Katie as quickly as possible, but when I’d seen the stubborn determination on her overly-Botoxed face, I’d known it would be easier to give in and do as she’d asked. It seemed the path of least resistance; the faster way to get me back to the bungalow and the beautiful woman in there waiting for me.
“What did you do?” Rosie yells as she charges towards me, her face like thunder.
I stop in my tracks, quirking a brow at Theo, who’s a few steps behind her. “I’ve done many things this morning, little sis. You’ll have to be more specific.”
She punches my arm and I wince. Her fists are small but mighty.
“What was that for?” I rub my arm and sidestep her, not in the mood for her tantrums. I’ve been dealing with too many of them this morning. I’m all out of patience for my family.
“How could you do that to her?”
Rosie’s voice is thick with tears, and I glance back at her, shocked to see her chest heaving and her eyes glassy. She’s really upset.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can we deal with whatever this is later? I need to see Katie.”
I’m jogging now towards the bungalow, sensing Rosie and Theo following closely behind me.
“Wait!” The urgency in my sister’s tone halts me in my tracks, and I turn to face her.
“What is it?”
Rosie nibbles on her lips. “Katie’s in there. And she’s really upset.”
My blood runs cold. “What happened? Was it Mother? Victoria? George?”
“It wasyou!” she yells. Her cheeks are flushed, and her small hands are clenched into fists at her side. “You did this.”
“Me?” I scramble to play catch-up. “What did I do?”
“You decided today was the day to become a two-time cheating rat.”
I scoff. “Whatever this is, I don’t have time for it. If Katie is upset, then I need to get in there and fix it.”
Rosie and Theo follow close behind me as I enter the bungalow, stopping short at the pile of luggage stacked by the door.
She’s packed? She’s leaving?
“Katie?” I charge towards where she’s seated outside, her eyes closed, shoulders drooping down. “What’s going on?”
My heart stumbles in my chest when she turns, her beautiful face pinched. “You’re back,” she whispers. “Finally.”
I glance between her and Rosie and Theo, who are loitering behind me. “Yes. I’m sorry it took so long.”
“That’s what you’re sorry for?” my sister screeches next to my ear. “How about being sorry for your shenanigans with Victoria this morning?”
Frustration rises in me, fraying my temper. “Rosie! Can you please butt out of this?”
Theo steps between us with his hands up. “You don’t speak to her like that.”
My anger drains out of me as I stare at Katie, who’s refusing to make eye contact with me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Please, can you give us a minute?”
Rosie’s worried gaze darts to Katie, who nods. “Fine, we’ll leave you alone.” She turns to leave. “Make sure you fix this,” she adds, then nudges Theo, and the two of them walking out of the bungalow together.
Fix what? What’s going on?
