Page 13 of Wild Hearts

“Why not? It wasn’t your fault. From what you told me, Brady seems to really care for you. Maybe if you tell him about what happened with Drew, you two can sort through all the issues that caused you to break up in the first place. Brady was clearly messed up over everything going on with his dad last year. I know you still like him.”

“It’s... I’m... I do still have feelings for him, but it’s not that simple.” I sigh. “I can’t...I can’t be withanyoneright now. I’m still recovering.”

“Okay, I get that.”

I’m grateful that Airlie is so patient with me. She’s the only one who stuck by my side when everyone else at school turned on me. Walking into school to whispers and stares was horrible, but the worst thing was being abandoned by the people who I’d considered friends.

“What about telling Ivy?”

“She doesn’t know about me and Brady. I don’t want her to hate me for lying to her.” I trace my fingers over the three blackbirds tattooed on the top of my right hip. I’d gotten them on the last day of school. They’re my symbol of survival. I may have lost friends over something that I couldn’t control, but I wasn’t going to let Drew Pembroke win. Iwouldfind a way to move on. Somehow. It’s a work in progress.

“She’s not going to hate you.”

“You don’t know that.”

Airlie sighs. “So, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to get dressed for Jordan’s party, and I’m going to pretend like today never happened. When Ivy and Brady pick me up, they’re going to find their old, lovable, completely normal Wren.”

“That’s my girl!” I can hear the smile in Airlie’s voice. “Remember, I’m only a phone call away.”

“I know.”

“And Wren?”

“Yeah.”

“If you need someone to talk to, my cousin Felicity is in Blue Haven for uni as well. You can trust her.”

My heart leaps into my throat. “Did you tell her what happened?”

Airlie hesitates.

“Airlie?”

“No, I didn’t. It’s not my secret to tell. But, Wren, I want you to know, it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. From Felicity or from Brady and Ivy. I love you, and I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine.” I sigh. “I’ve got you.”

“Always. Have fun tonight. Just keep it in mind.”

After hanging up the phone, I stare at the ceiling fan, watching it spin around and around. Deep down, I know that Airlie is telling me the truth, but after everything I went through I don’t want Ivy, Brady, or any of my new friends in Blue Haven to look at me differently. I don’t want to walk into a room where the whispered conversations come to a stop because they’re about me. Been there, done that, and it fucking sucked!

Nope.

Time to pull on my big girl pants. Being blindsided by Brady when I was exhausted, I had no chance. I wasn’t expecting all of the feelings to come flooding back the way they did. The feel of his strong, muscular body wrapped around me, the familiar intoxicating scent of sunscreen and saltwater – my body still reacts.

I’m damaged, not dead.

After an early start, the drudgery of unpacking my apartment and the emotional reunion with my friends, I’m drained. I have just under four hours before Brady and Ivy will be here to get me. I yawn and stare at my bed. I need to recharge and prepare myself to put on a believable show.

IT’S STILL QUITE WARMout, so I throw on my blue denim cut-offs and an oversized white Nirvana tee, but when I look in the mirror, it reminds me too much of the outfit I was wearing last summer – the night Brady and I had our make-out session in the kitchen at What’s the Scoop?! Instead, I change into a pale pink sundress with capped sleeves. I leave my hair out, letting the waves fall over my shoulders, putting on a hint of mascara and some cherry lip gloss. I’m going for a natural look – It’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone.

Liar.

I had some time when I woke from my nap to duck out and grab some essentials, and I quickly fix myself a tuna salad for dinner. As I eat, my gaze wanders around my new home. It’s bright and airy. My parents gave me the couch from their second living room and my gran’s dining table that had been sitting in storage since she passed two years ago. I used the money I’d saved from my part-time job at McDonalds to buy a coffee table and a free-standing lamp, but the pale blue walls are bare. I make a note to myself to go down to the Sunday market to try and find some artwork to brighten the place up a little more.

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I recall fond memories of Ivy and I riding our bikes down to the Western Gardens where the market is held on the last Sunday of every month. We would lock up our bikes and run straight to the fresh smoothie van, ordering a Tropical Sunset for me and a green smoothie for Ivy made up of apple, pear, and kale, which despite it’s awful appearance, actually tasted delicious. From there, we’d get a serve of Dutch pancakes with lemon and sugar and sit in front of the music tent stuffing our faces. Next, we’d browse the different stalls, using our pocket money to get henna tattoos and beaded friendship bracelets. Finally, it’d be time to hit up either the Mexican or Spanish food trucks for lunch before riding our bikes down to the surf club and spending the rest of the day at the beach.

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