Page 3 of Girl Violence

“I’ll order pizza,” he says, and she sighs. Takeaway again.

Heading for the stairs, Josette goes straight into the bathroom and peels off her wet clothes, glad to step under the hot spray of the shower. But it doesn’t relax her. Her mind won’t stop replaying the way Vince looked at her. The coldness in his eyes sends shivers down her back despite the heat of the water.

He never looked at her like that. Josette knows people change as they get older—she isn’t the same person she used to be either. But surely your entire personality doesn’t get reconstructed in just a few years?

In the past, she dreamed about Vince coming home. It was a much different scenario than the one that happened. For one, she wasn’t soaked, makeup-less, and wearing dusty clothes. And Vince wasn’t looking how he does now, covered in tattoos and so…angry. Not that the tattoo additions bother her, but dream Vince was at least happy to see her. The new him seems like an ass.

After scrubbing her hair and body, she dries herself and dresses in a long, black shirt that stops just before her knees. The doorbell dings loudly downstairs just as she runs a brush through her hair.

Knowing her dad won’t answer, Josette rushes to open the door, expecting to see the delivery guy holding a stack of pizza boxes. It’s not. It’s Diane.

“Hi.” She smiles. Now that she’s up close, she looks different than Josette remembers. Older and tired, like her zombie dad. “I’m sorry to bother—”

She goes quiet when Josette’s dad emerges from his study with his wallet. He stops when he sees Diane instead of their food, his eyes widening with recognition. Josette’s nose wrinkles from the coffee stain slurped down the front of his T-shirt and wayward hair. He’s a mess, wearing black sweatpants and brown slippers with holes in them.

“Hi, Evan,” Diane greets him with a smile.

“Diane, wow. It’s been a long time.” Moving past Josette, he reaches forward to shake Diane’s hand. Laughing, she hugs him instead, making Josette feel awkward. Are they having a moment? “You moved back?”

“Yes, just me and Vince,” she replies.No David, then.She looks back at Josette. “I knew it was you when you walked by earlier, Jo. You’re all grown up and so stunning!”

Josette cringes but forces herself to smile. Thankfully, her dad carries on the conversation, so she doesn’t have to say anything. “What brings you back?”

“Ah, you know me...” She looks momentarily uncomfortable. “My heart’s always been in Graycott. But anyway, I did come over here for a reason.” She laughs, running a hand through her own messy hair, secretly attempting to flatten it. “Any chance I can borrow some teabags? I haven’t been shopping yet and just found my kettle and a cup. One cup, can you believe? God knows where the rest are.”

“Sure. Come on in. I’ll grab you some.” Beckoning her inside, they leave Josette by the door. Footsteps have her glancing over her shoulder, expecting pizza. Again, it’s not.

This time, it’s Vince.

His steps falter when he spots Josette by the door. She isn’t usually the self-conscious type, but she wishes her hair wasn’t damp, she wasn’t barefooted, and maybe had some makeup on. Especially now that she’s seeing him up close. Because holy fuck, he looks even better.

Dark hair sweeps across his forehead, and his muscular arms are covered in black ink. He’s gotten taller and thicker in all the right places, his features now harder; sharp jaw, straight nose, and nice lips. The type you could stare at for ages while wondering what they could do. The kind to never get bored of kissing.

And Josette has kissed them. One time,long ago.

“Is my mum here?” he asks, his voice deep and silky, sending strange spasms through her body; her heart is going crazy.

“She’s getting teabags,” she manages to say.

He comes a little closer and folds his arms over his chest, quite like how he was when she first saw him. He’s standoffish, and it’s weird. She’s known him since she was five. The Vince she knew was never skittish or grumpy.

Josette’s eyes drop to his ink again. He has two sleeves of intricate designs, and she’s sure she spies the beginnings of one on his neck. His eyes unabashedly do the same to her, looking at her from her head down to her black-painted toes. There’s no way he can’t remember who she is. The question is, why isn’t he saying anything? There’s a stab somewhere deep inside of her. The silence is awkward between them when it never used to be.

There’s a laugh behind her, and their parents return, Diane with more than just tea bags. She has a jug of milk and sugar too. It’s probably the first genuine smile Josette has seen on her dad’s face in months.

“Oh, Vince,” Diane says cheerily. “Remember Evan? And your old friend, Josette?”

Vince glances at her, and a small, teasing smile shapes his lips. One that isn’t friendly. “Yeah, I remember…”

“Nice to see you again, Vince,” her dad says, but Vince doesn’t acknowledge him.

“Anyway,” Diane breaks the tension, stepping outside and nudging her son away. Maybe she can sense his bad vibes as much as Josette can. She was totally right; heisan ass. “Thank you again for all of this, Evan. And it’s so nice to see you again, Josette. Hopefully, we’ll all have a catch-up soon. Have a barbecue when it gets warmer.”

“Sounds great,” her dad says eagerly, like he’s suddenly the socialising type. “If you need anything else, don’t be afraid to come over.”

They’re already walking away, bickering back and forth. Josette’s dad returns to his study, saying nothing more. But Josette stays, eyes narrowing as she watches Vince walk away, wondering what his problem is.

As if he can sense her glaring at him, Vince turns back to look at her. Their eyes meet, and they stare at each other for a few moments. Josette doesn’t move, even though a part of her wants to slam the door in his face.

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