Page 96 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

“Thanks, brother.”

I turn to Mum and Dad. Dad’s eyes are bloodshot with tears, and Mum is smiling as I’ve never seen before.The old bird can smile...

“Nan and Pop, huh?” I tease.

“Penny’ll do just fine,” Mum says with a smirk.

“I’ll take Pop any day of the week,” Dad says, with a wink.

I grip the curve of Finn’s shoulder. “Come on. We need to toast.”

A crease forms between his brows.He’s worried about me on the booze.

“Relax. A fuckin’ drink won’t kill either of us.” I secure him in a headlock.

We laugh and stumble until he frees himself. The warped timber door of Mum and Dad’s liquor cabinet squeaks as I raid the contents.

The whisky glugs as I pour it with pace into two glasses. I shove a glass into Finn’s hand and clink my drink against his. “Cheers.”

“Yeah, cheers.”

As I slam back the amber liquid, the instant burn and warmth calms as it slides down my throat. “Seriously, though. How you feelin’ about it all?”

I’ll never forget the fear that radiated off him while we waited for Daynah to come out of heart surgery. We could’ve lost her.

Finn talks me through how closely they’ll have to monitor her pregnancy, with a high chance of Daynah having to give birth early so her heart doesn’t undergo too much strain.

He rakes his hands through his hair and huffs out a breath. “Fuckin’ shit scared, but excited at the same time, you know?” A smile pulls at his lips.

“I’m happy for you.” I bow my head and focus on my sock-covered feet. “I want what you guys have. I do.”

“You will, mate. I know it.” He sips at his glass. I’m busting for another swig but rein it in. I don’t want his judgey eyes on me.This is why I drink alone. No one to tell me when to stop. Besides, tonight I’m driving, and there’s someone special waiting for me at home.Home.

“How’s Liv? She holdin’ up okay?” Finn asks.Was I smiling just now?It’s as if the bugger read my mind.

Memories of Liv and I dancing in the kitchen, of her beating my arse at Uno, spring to mind.

“Good. Real good.”

His eyes focus on my face, his piercing gaze like truth serum. “And how are you?”

A million things run through my head as I stare at him. He’s always saying he wants to help, and most of the time I shut him down. But if things are going to move ahead with Liv like I want them to, I need to get sorted and stick to a fuckin’ business plan.

“Kinda strugglin’.” The words leave a bad taste in my mouth. “I could do with some help.”

He nods. “Sure. What do you need?”

“Reckon you might have some time to come out tomorrow? Shoot the shit and help figure stuff out?”

He slaps me on the back and grins like the fuckin’ Cheshire Cat. “I’ll be there.”

***

Surrounded by blanketson the couch, TV going, Liv is passed out. Pirate is living the life of luxury, snuggled in beside her. He growls. At me. As if I’m an intruder in my own home.

Liv stirs.

“Hey,” I whisper and sit on the edge of the couch beside her.

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