Page 107 of Begin Again Again

He turned to see Sal pouring them another tequila. “Yeah?”

“I hate Mum and Dad,” Sal said in the way you might say, ‘it’s a nice night.’

Byron blinked, absorbing the shock. It wasn’t anything he didn’t know, but it hurt to hear.

“I’m not coming to Christmas,” Sal said. “I can’t.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

“But if you do—”

“I know.”

What the fuck would Christmas be like now? A nightmare, likely. Mum was going to cry. Dad was going to sulk. All the aunties and uncles and cousins would ask him about Sal. Say stupid shit and piss him off. And Sal wouldn’t be there, the only person who didn’t stress him out at Christmas. Who, like him, just wanted to eat turkey and play Mario Party and not say ignorant shit.

“Sally…”

They gave him a look. “Sal.”

Byron’s chest hitched. “Fuck. I’m so sorry. I haven’t in ages—I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Sal’s face softened. “All attempts are appreciated.”

Maybe, but he hadn’t fucked up like that in the longest time, and after a whole evening of fucking up, he’d thought he was done. He reached for his shot, drank it down like water. Sal followed suit. “I’m gonna host a Christmas party with Klaus. You should come.”

He eyed the tequila bottle, wanting more. “Mmm.”

“You could bring Beth. She’s a Kiwi so she’ll be alone. Unless she has family here?”

He didn’t know, but it didn’t matter. “I told you, I don’t think I’ll be seeing her again.”

“Why?”

He shrugged.

“Yeah, fuckin’ solid gold talk, bro.”

He remembered Beth in the hallway yelling ‘good talk.’ Fuck it. Why couldn’t he say things? He stared at Sal. “Audrey and I are still messaging.”

The roach tumbled from Sal’s fingers. “You fuckingwhat!?”

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not a thing.”

“But, then what happened?”

“Beth heard her message me.”

“Heard?”

“It was a voice to text thing—it came through my speakers. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Beth heard it and the whole thing’s just fucked and I can’t do this shit again.”

Sal looked nonplussed. “What shit? How many girls have heard you sexting Audrey?”

“It wasn’t sext—I don’t want her back. It’s just…” He reached for the tequila bottle, missing it by inches.

“I think that’s enough of that.” Sal snatched the bottle and set it at their side. “Seriously, block The Cuntess and tell Beth you’re sorry. She’s cool. And even if she’s not cool, fuck Audrey.”

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