Page 53 of Meant to Be

“I might catch something. It’s a shithole.” I realise I’ve just voiced my thoughts out loud.

“It’s this or prison buddy.”

“Yeah, yeah… it’ll be fine.”

“Okay, here’s your keys. There’s a whole sheet of rules and regulations, don’t break them. Don’t upset the landlady either, she’s a little feisty. She takes no messing.”

“Thanks.”

“Don’t forget you report to me once a week on a Monday morning at nine am. Any rules you breach you’ll be back inside; no pass go and no collecting two hundred pounds either… sorry, little joke.”

Sarcastically, I grin. I take the keys from him and the sheet of rules and see him out.

Looking back at the bed as I shut the door, I decide I can’t sleep in those sheets. At least in prison, everything we wore or slept in was clean… I need to go shopping. Grabbing the keys again, I lock the door behind me and walk back down the stairs.

Opening the front door, the sunshine blinds me. Pulling my sunglasses from my pocket, I place them on my nose and begin the walk to the centre to get essentials. Stepping into the local Asda, I grab a basket and start filling it with food I can eat that doesn't need cooking. Bread, beans, butter, that kind of stuff.

Turning into the next aisle, I get sheets and a new duvet and also new pillows. Lifting my head, I see the back of a familiar head of hair.

“Harry?” He turns around sharply, “Jax? When did you get out?” He asks walking back towards me.

“Earlier today.”

“How are you doing? Jesus man, you’ve beefed up.”

“I'm good. Better.”

“Sorry about your mum.”

“Shit happens.” I shrug it off, I don’t need pity or sympathy where she’s concerned, she was already drinking herself into an early grave.

“You weren't at the funeral…”

“I refused to go. How’s Shelby?”

A familiar face walks up behind Harry, but not exactly friendly.

“Addison. How are you?”

“I’m okay thanks.” She nods with a tight smile, so I do the same, I don’t want to push my luck, she doesn’t seem too happy to see me. She clasps my cousin's hand, and I turn back to my trolley.

“Harry, look at this, it's so cute.” Her voice reaches me, making my head snap up. I see her, but I can't speak. My eyes are fixated on the bump she's bearing, a huge and noticeable bump, what the fuck? Her eyes also widen when she realises it's me.

“Shelby?”

“Oh my God. Jaxon.”

“Is... is it mine?”

The shocked look soon turns into an angry one.

“How dare you. I don't see you for over seven months, and that's what you have to say to me? Well, screw you Jaxon.” Fuck, she's still sexy as hell.

“Guys you're in the supermarket, don't do this here,” Harry speaks up trying to calm the situation.

“I need some air, I'll be outside.” Shelby dumps her purchases in the trolley and marches away. Addison walks the same way joining her friend, shaking her head in disgust at me.

“What?” Holding my hands out in front of me in question.

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