Page 94 of Come Back To Me

Sliding my phone in my back pocket, I immediately pull it back out.

Me: How are you?

Travis: I’m good, Mads. You know me

Yeah. I do know.

Me: That’s why I’m asking

He takes a minute to reply.

Travis: I’m good

I don’t press him anymore. Even though I know he must feel buried.

Me: What time will you be back tomorrow?

Travis: I’m on the list to see Dean, I’ll be back late afternoon. You still good to help out?

My fingers rub my forehead. I’d forgotten about offering to help at the clubhouse. It’s the last thing I want to do. Most of the club are away further north, not back until tomorrow. It’s clear even to a blind man the club’s new business is taking them into uncharted waters, but they never turn down helping charities. That’s why I volunteered to be around; make sure things are in order for when they get back. It just means I’ll have to pretend everything’s okay when the reality is so far away from that.

Me: I’ll be there

Travis: Appreciate it. Anyway, enjoy girls’ night. See you tomorrow

Me: Night

Taking the stairs carefully, one hand on my hip, I walk into the lounge. My phone vibrates again.

Mollie: Mads, sorry it’s bit late. Are you home? I’m passing, wondered if you were about?

Over recent weeks, Mollie and I have messaged regularly. She joined Jess and I one Friday, but hasn’t made another girls’ night since. So when she asks if I’m free, naturally I feel pleased.

Me: Of course, come over

Mollie: Great. See you soon

I sit on the sofa, picking up my plate. “What we watching tonight?” I ask.

Jess looks at Lauren. “We can’t decide.”

“No,” Lauren starts a little sarcastically. “Your sister is being picky.”

With a laugh, I stab at my food, shoving in a mouthful. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I am not picky,” Jess says, rolling her eyes with a look of indifference. “You’re the picky one. I’m simply offering my opinion that Die Hard is a Christmas film, therefore we shouldn’t watch it. Your tiny adolescent seems to think we can, seeing as we’ve sworn off chick flicks.”

I look between them both.Yourtiny adolescent, as if she belongs to me. I guess she has no one else. “It’s a Christmas movie,” I say siding with Jess.

With a shake of her head Lauren takes a mouthful of her food. “Fucking ridiculous.”

I choke on a huff, and Jess does too.

Lauren casually crosses her legs where she’s sat on the floor.

“You have got to stop hanging around with Travis,” I tell her sharply. “I mean it, these evenings spent working on his bike or whatever it is you’re doing there, it’s turning you into him.”

“Chill, Mads, it’s all good.”

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