Page 154 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Forty-Eight

Jerry

If it wasn’t Dad’sbirthday, we’d be out of here. I’d feel like a dick trying to round up Jean and Jay to get going, but I’d do it.

“Fuckin’ hell, Ma. What is your problem?”

She toys with the straps of her apron. “She provoked me,” she spits. “Wouldn’t take a simple apology.”

I shake my head. “Maybe it’s because you didn’t give her one.”

She groans.

Fuck me. All she had to do was say sorry and be genuine about it. But she couldn’t fuckin’ do it because she believes what she said. Stubborn arse woman.

I should’ve known the offer was too good to be true. I wouldn’t have come here knowing she was going to pull this shit. Liv doesn’t deserve the head fuck, and neither do I.

“You don’t know what you’re doin’,” she finally says and purses her lips. “It’s a mistake.”

Mistake?

My blood simmers to the point I can’t hold back. “A mistake? I fuckin’ love this woman! Do you hear me?”

Eyes wide, her face pales, the shock of my outburst clear on her face.

“Love? P-lease. You’re pussy whipped. You don’t know what love is. You’ve never been happy, always itchin’ in your own skin. One woman to the next. She’s a phase. You think you can come in and save the day?” She scoffs. “Well, you better wake up quick, boy, because once that baby comes along, she’ll have her hooks in you and you won’t be able to walk away.”

“I don’t want to! Don’t you get it? I lost her once, I won’t do it again. We broke up because she didn’t wanna burden me with a child that wasn’t mine. For the first time in my life, I’m in love. I have a woman who treats me like an equal. Gives me the benefit of the doubt.”

Liv and I together is like possessing a hidden superpower. She’s there for me, wants me to succeed and have a life together. This isn’t your typical relationship, but when have I ever gone with the norm? Where has that got me?

“I won’t let you ruin this for me, Ma.”

“And what possessed you to tell her about the adoption? You had no right.”

I had every fuckin’ right because it’s my life!

“She’s here to stay, so get used to it or...” I stop myself, the threat burning on the tip of my tongue.

Could I truly do it? Excise myself from the family?

“Or what?” she says on an exaggerated exhale.

No. Stop before you say something you’ll regret.

She steps into my personal space, eyes on fire. “Or. What, Jericho?”

My teeth squeak as I grind my jaw.

“Answer me!”

I point my index finger at her face. She slaps it away. “You speak to her like that again, and you’re sure to find out.”

The hum of a vehicle in the distance draws our attention. Were we expecting someone else today? Sally?

When the familiar four-wheel drive rounds the corner into view, the reflective decal in blue and white, a tonne of river stones settle in my gut. The vehicle squeals under the bonnet as it comes to a halt behind my truck. A belt definitely needs replacing.Why the fuck is he here?

The fine hair in Len’s combover flaps in the breeze as he gets out. He smooths his hand over his head and approaches me.

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