Page 146 of Begin Again Again

Byron waited, his heart pounding.

“… it felt like a jinx. It’s ridiculous, but it did. So, I pretended you were fine, and I didn’t have to think about it and I’m fucking sorry. It was stupid, acting like I’d cook my leg just by asking how you were.”

Byron stared at the carpet. “The night it happened, I was in the hospital whacked out on Endone, and I prayed to God. Said if he fixed me, I’d never have another go at my dad for trying to tell me how to kick straight.”

Derek laughed, long and hard, and Byron found himself joining in. “So don’t feel too bad for superstition. Happens to the best of us.”

Derek smiled. “Fuck I’m glad my old man’s in jail.”

“Post’s too expensive to send you constructive criticism?”

“Ten bucks a minute to the guy with a phone in his arse, last time I checked.”

They grinned at each other.

“Right.” Derek stretched his arms over his head again. “That’s out of the way. Let’s get into your missus.”

“Beth.”

“Beth.”

“Sorry,” Byron said. “But I don’t reckon she’d rate being called my ‘missus.’ Especially now she isn’t.”

“You don’t know that.” Derek leaned forward, elbows on his thighs. “I mean, mate… it doesn’t sound like she’s broken up with you.”

“Then why’s she leaving?” Byron paused, port glass to his mouth. “Jesus, that sounds whiny.”

“It does.”

“Still, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do here.”

“Have you talked since you left? Has she messaged?”

Byron checked his phone. To his amazement, Beth had texted.

Hey Byron, I hope you’re doing okay. I know today has been huge. I’m going to go check out a car in Greenvale—

“Has she sent something?” Derek asked.

Byron nodded and kept reading.

I’m going to go check out a car in Greenvale, but when I get back, I’m happy to talk or come see you. Or not. I know you need your space. I also know nothing about me leaving is because I don’t see a future with you. I do. I just need it to be a future where we’re both free. I don’t want anyone who isn’t you and I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you. Please think about coming to Perth, even just to visit.

Beth xx

“How’s it look?” Derek asked.

At a complete loss, Byron held out his phone.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, help me out.”

Derek read for a moment, then chuckled. “I get why she likes you.”

“Huh?”

“She thinks like you. Or you think like her. Real wordy. Real…” Derek waved his hand around his head.

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