Page 52 of You Had Me At Thirteen

And Matilda got herself off while she watched.

Koby raises an eyebrow. ‘Have you met you?’

‘Shut up.’ But it’s a fair call.

I’ve had my share of women over the last couple of years. I’m only eighteen, but since I hit puberty three or four years ago, I’ve always looked older than I am, and I use that to my advantage. When it comes to using women for sex, I’m no saint. I’m not proud of it either, but I’ve never been the type to commit. It seems like too much work just to lose it all someday. What’s the point in giving your heart and soul to someone else, only for them to hate you in the future? If I only have my parents as role models for how relationships work, then I’m fucked.

‘Do you think Audrey will be there?’ Koby picks at something on the timber table and chews on his bottom lip.

‘Just go ask her out,’ Emerson says. ‘What have you got to lose?’

‘My dignity if she says no.’

‘What if she says yes, dickhead? Don’t be a pussy.’ Emerson slaps him on the back, seemingly over his tantrum from moments ago. Sometimes I wish I had his ability to let things fly. He can fight with Koby one minute, make plans to hang out the next.

There’s never a dull moment with these two. After my mum’s diagnosis, I gave them the news, then told them we weren’t to talk about it unless I brought it up. They both agreed, and ever since, they’ve done as I asked.

On the outside they can seem like the most arrogant arseholes around, but underneath all the vulgarities are two of the most loyal guys I’ve ever met. When I moved here, they didn’t have a problem letting me into their circle. Emerson and Koby grew up together for most of their lives. Willis arrived before I did, but Emerson and Koby brought him in when he didn’t seem to fit in anywhere else. Then there was me. They didn’t hesitate to bring me in to their circle either, and here we are, five years later.

Sure, we’ve had our fair share of throw downs over the years. Emerson and Koby are the worst for it. They’ll go at each other’s throats, bickering about anything and everything.

One thing we never do though, is fight about girls. They’re off-limits, and if one ever got between us, then we’d have to reassess our loyalties to each other. We made that promise years ago. No chick will ever get between our friendship, and that’s the way it has stayed since then.

But Matilda is changing that for me. Not that any of the guys would dare try anything with her – they know she’s mine – but I feel this pull to do anything she fucking wants me to, and if I have to break a brother’s face for her, I won’t hesitate to do it.

TWENTY-TWO

Matilda

* * *

Mum is in the kitchen when I walk through the door that afternoon. Wednesday is her day off, so I’m happy we can spend some time together. I feel like I’ve spent no quality time with her in weeks, her job taking up every single waking, and sleeping, hour. I’ve even picked out a couple of movies we can watch while we order take-in.

‘Hey Ma,’ I say, placing my backpack on the ground next to the island bench. ‘Ready for our movie marathon tonight?’ I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

She gives me an eye roll and a playful grin. ‘Let me guess? Horror?’

‘Keeps the heart going, you know?’

Mum shakes her head. ‘As long as it’s not that human centipede thing again. I didn’t sleep for a week.’

‘Yeah, well, I can’t say I enjoyed it, either. Pooping hasn’t been the same since.’

Mum snorts. ‘Matilda, gross.’

I shrug and sit at the island bench. Mum has been busy cleaning in here today, the lemon-scented disinfectant she uses to clean everything tickling my nostrils, making me sneeze. I swear I’m allergic to citrus. Unless it’s in Wren’s body wash, then I’m totally fine.

‘How was training this afternoon?’ Mum says as she holds up her mug in silent question.

‘Yes, please.’

She knows the way to my heart is a hot cup of tea. Even in thirty-degree heat, I’ll still drink a scalding cup of the liquid calm. Plus, it’s our way of bonding. You can fix anything with tea. At least that’s what Mum always says.

‘And training was fine. I’m not too concerned. I’ve beat the Sunny State girls before, so I expect the same at the next meet.’

‘You’ve worked hard for it, Til. But just remember, it’s not always about winning.’

‘Of course it is. What’s the point otherwise?’

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