Page 117 of You Had Me At Thirteen

I’d be more worried about the fact some guy is dick deep inside her while her daughter now has to burn her eyeballs out and remain permanently blind.

With my eyes squinted shut, I’m running out the door, using my hands to feel my way so I don’t face plant down the stairs.

Wren walks through the door, a frown on his face when he sees me bent over, my hands on my knees, panting. That image will be forever imprinted in my memory. God, if only Icouldburn my eyes out.

‘What the fuck?’ Wren says, grabbing my shoulders. ‘Are you okay?’

I shake my head. ‘You don’t want to know.’

Wren glances up the stairs, just as Mum and whoever this guy is walk down them. Dressed this time. Thank fuck.

Mum clears her throat, and her eyes dart from me to Wren, before old mate steps up beside her and wraps an arm around her waist.

What in the ever-loving shit is this?

‘You,’ Wren says, his eyes locked on my mum’s fuck buddy.

‘Hi Wren,’ Mum says, tucking her hair behind her ear. ‘Nice to see you.’

‘Wait, what? You know him?’ I say to Wren, cutting him off before he can say hi to Mum.

‘He was at the funeral,’ Wren says, his gaze never leaving the stranger.

Mum looks over at her friend, who steps forward, his hand out.

‘I’m Eli. Sorry about that.’ He clears his throat. ‘I’m an old friend of your dad’s, Wren.’

Wren snorts and takes his hand, his eyes scanning Eli as though he’s a threat. ‘Maybe you know where he is then, because I’m shit out of luck.’

I’m not liking what’s happening right now. I’m so fucking confused.

Eli chuckles. ‘Sorry, mate. I was hoping to catch up with him. It’s been a few years.’

‘Good luck with that,’ Wren says as he pulls me to his side, his protectiveness igniting my insides. If we didn’t have company right now, I’d get on my knees and show Wren just how much I appreciate him.

There’s an awkward silence before Eli clears his throat again.

Mum places a hand to her chest. ‘God, I’m sorry. Eli, this is my daughter Matilda.’

Eli nods at me. ‘Matilda. Nice to finally meet you.’

Finally? Then I realise. Is this what Mum was referring to a couple of weeks ago when she said she wanted to talk to me about something? Is Eli, this something?

My mother is a big fat liar. I thought she’d been doing way too many shifts at the hospital.

‘Can I speak to you?’ I say, pulling her by the arm towards the family room at the back of the house. ‘In private.’

Mum gives Wren and Eli a tight-lipped smile. ‘Excuse me a moment.’

When we’re out of ear shot, I turn on her. ‘When were you going to tell me about this?’

She sighs and walks over to the single couch before sinking into it. She’s quiet for a long moment as I stand there with my hands on my hips, waiting for her response. I swear if she doesn’t start speaking soon, I’m going to have an aneurysm.

‘I’m sorry, Til. I didn’t know how to tell you. You know I’m not good with this stuff.’

‘How long?’

She finally looks at me. ‘A few weeks.’

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