Page 68 of Wild Hearts

“YOU DID THE RIGHT THING,” I say, tossing Harley a beer and grabbing one for myself before settling onto the couch in the Rossi’s pool room.

He stares down at his phone in his lap, where a text from Ellie looks back at him. “Then why do I feel like shit?”

“Because you care.”

“That’s pretty fucked-up logic,” he says with a sigh.

“Alright, alright,puttanas,” Jordan says, clapping us both on our shoulders. “Enough wallowing in your own self-pity. Plenty more fish in the sea and all that jazz.”

“Easy for you to say,” Harley mutters, but Jordan pretends to ignore him.

“It was never going to work between the two of you,” he says with a shrug. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, but Conrad’s not going to let you anywhere near his sister. You’re better off finding someone who doesn’t have three older brothers with a grudge against your family.”

I shoot Harley a sympathetic look. “I hate to admit it, but I think J’s right. There’s too much history there for it to ever work out. And after what Conrad did to Tom, I don’t think he would be happy if Ellie started hanging around either.”

He tips his head back and gulps down half of his beer. “I know you guys are right,” he shakes his head. “It just fucking sucks.”

“Tell me about it,” I say, knocking my bottle against his.

I settle into the couch and stare at the television screen which is showing highlights of the last ten years of TropSets. Patty Ingles is shredding his last wave in his final major win. I remember sitting on the beach as a twelve-year-old grommet watching in awe and hoping to God I’d have half his talent when I was older.

Lachy walks in carrying two large pizzas and places them on the coffee table. My stomach growls in anticipation and I grab a slice.

“Dad just called,” Lachy tells Jordan as his brother shoves an oversized bite into his own mouth. “He said they’ll be home about lunchtime on Monday once all Mum’s discharge papers are filled out or whatever.”

Jordan just grunts in response.

“How’s she doing?” I ask after swallowing my food.

Lachy shrugs. “It’s still early, but Dad said she seems to be doing okay.”

“That’s good,” Harley says. “If you guys need a hand around the store or whatever, just let us know, yeah?”

“Thanks, man,” Lachy runs a hand through his hair as he sits down and pops the lid off his own beer before turning to address me again. “So, what do you want to do for your Ivy’s birthday this weekend? I was thinking maybe something lowkey? I’m not really in the party mood.”

Jordan opens his mouth to protest but I cut in.

“Yeah, I’m not really in the party mood either.” I ignore the filthy look Jordan shoots my way. “What about mini golf and a few drinks at Patty’s?” His face lights up at that suggestion and I roll my eyes.

“Sounds good to me,” Harley says, though his tone reads like he’d rather be anywhere else.

“Let’s just agree on one thing: no drama for Ivy this year,” Lachy says, taking a swig of his beer. “She been through enough.”

I nod. She needs to have fun on her birthday this year. We all do.

Jordan raises his eyebrows in my direction. “Speaking of family drama... Your brother’s Baptism in a couple of weeks... How’re you feeling about it?”

“C’mon, man,” I groan. “I say we ban the topics of girls and fucked up family drama tonight.”

“I second that,” Harley mumbles under his breath.

“Alright then. How’s your knee?”

I glance down at the brace still wrapped around my knee and shrug. “It’s getting there. Physio says I can lose the brace this week.”

Harley and Jordan share a look that heightens my senses.

“What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at them.

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