Page 69 of Wild Hearts

Harley gives a subtle shake of his head but as usual, Jordan runs his own show.

“It’s weird,” he muses.

“What’s weird?”

“We’ve been night surfing at the Point for ten years.”

“Yeah?” My stomach coils into a knot.What the hell is he getting at?

“We know those waves like the back of our hand.”

“Jordan,” I growl. “Get to the point.”

“Did you surf into those rocks on purpose?”

The room falls dead silent. Jordan’s words hang in the air. All three of them are watching me.

When my brain remembers how to function, my words come out in a choked whisper. “W-what?” I clear my throat, my anger building. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Lachy looks away first, fiddling with the label on his beer bottle.

“I was distracted by the news that my shithead father has knocked up the chick he left my mum foragainand they want me to be the godparent of the other child that tore our family apart. What, you think I fucking ran my board into the rocks on purpose? I may hate my dad, but I don’t have a fucking death wish.” My chest is heaving by the time I finish. My fist has tightened uncomfortably around my beer and I force my fingers to relax. “You guys seriously thought I’d do that?”

Harley rubs the back of his neck, a pained expression on his face, but Jordan’s still laid back in his chair as if he hasn’t got a care in the world.

“Un-fucking-believable,” I mutter, shaking my head as my body deflates back into the couch.

“We’re just worried about you, B,” Lachy finally speaks up. “Like you said, you’ve got a lot going on.”

“No more than anyone else in this room,” I point out defensively. “Since when has hanging out with you guys turned into a Dr. Phil session? I didn’t hurt myself on purpose. I wouldn’t do that.”

Lachy clears his throat and grabs another slice of pizza. Harley takes another swig of his beer, eyes locked on the television screen. Jordan, however, continues to watch me.

“I swear to you, I wouldn’t do that,” I repeat, my voice cracking as I stare down my best mate.

Finally, he nods, and the tension leaches out of my body.

“I can’t believe you guys actually thought I’d do something so careless,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“Can you blame us?” Jordan raises his eyebrows. “Your head’s not exactly screwed on right when it comes to stuff with your dad. Not to mention, Wren’s going to be there. How are you expecting to get through the Baptism without saying or doing something you’ll regret?”

I shrug and lift my beer as if to say, “Alcohol”.

He shakes his head. “I think that’s the last thing you’re going to need.”

I push a frustrated hand through my hair. “You have no idea–”

“No, I don’t have any idea what it’s like to have my dad cheat on my mum, and everything else that went along with it. But B, you gotta stop letting him get in your head. I’ll make a deal with you.” Jordan leans forward in his seat. “You and me. No drinking next week. I’ve got your back, man. We all do.”

Harley and Lachy nod in agreement.

“One of us will be with you at all times,” Harley adds.

“I’m not a little kid,” I grumble. “I don’t need a fucking babysitter.”

“It’s more like a buffer between you and your dad,” Lachy says.

“And you and Wren,” Jordan offers. I shoot him a filthy look, but he just smirks.

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