We watched the blurry outline of my father talking with Adam’s mum through the rain-drenched windshield. A whimper escaped my little brother’s throat when his friend disappeared inside his mother’s car and Dad headed back empty-handed.
I sat up straight, my gut dipping with excitement from a pressing nugget of information. “Relax, Adam’s coming.” And he’s bringing his brother.
“How do you know that? It doesn’t look like it.”
“I just do.”
It’s complicated.
With a protesting squeal, the driver’s door opened, moist air rushing in to greet us. Will’s head bumped my shoulder, the whole car shaking as our father hefted his weight into the driver’s seat before slamming the door.
“She said no?” Will whined.
“Nuh. They’re gonna meet us there.”
Will’s gaze darted back to mine, his smile infectious. “Cool.”
Yeah. Kinda.
Taking in my mud-soaked jeans and shoes, I wiggled my toes against the squelchy feeling. Desperate for a shower, I curled my lip at having to wait around for Stewart. We’d better go home first. I didn’t want to eat lunch in front of Ben looking like I’d had a bath in a pig pen.
The car swayed again as Stewart opened the door and took a seat in the front with Dad, bringing noxious gases with him.
I slapped my hand over my mouth. “Even Mother Nature isn’t strong enough to wash away your pong.”
“Nah. I know how you love my smell. Blends in with the shit wagon, hey, Dad?” He slapped the dash, baring his teeth in a grin.
“You’re disgusting.” I rolled my eyes, frowning at the passing scenery.
“Watch your language, and don’t insult the Plumber Hummer.” My dad tried to pull the authority card, but his smirk made it worthless.
“Hey, if it’s not pissing down tomorrow, are we still going fishing?”
Dad white-knuckled the steering wheel. “Stewart!”
“Oh, come on. Are you telling me you never swear in front of Will?”
“Anna doesn’t like it.” Dad stared hard at the road ahead, his tone gruff.
Swearing. Another concession for Dad’s second wife. He was so concerned with her feelings and eager to keep her happy. When he’d lived with us, he’d swung between angry and absent. I guess part of being truly in love was being motivated to be the best version of yourself.
“You’re a sixteen-year-old boy. You shouldn’t be talking like a ... forty-five-year-old plumber. Apologise to your brother.”
“Sorry, bro.” Stewart reached behind to give Will a fist bump.
That was the thing about Stewart. He made mistakes all the time, but he was happy to own up and ask for forgiveness. He wasn’t trying to do anyone damage. He just ... didn’t use his brain.
_____
After a production line of showers in our one bathroom, and a change of transportation to something sanitary, Anna’s car, we descended upon the golden arches. Dad and Stew aimed for the lunchtime line-up at the counter, while Will and I headed straight for the play equipment. I raced him to be the first one up the colourful tubes. His squeals echoed in the hollow plastic space as we climbed to the top. I didn’t care that I was supposed to be too mature to want to use a slide. Who said growing up meant you couldn’t have fun?
I crouched at the top of the slide, twisting my neck to see Will waiting eagerly behind me for his turn. “Do you want to go together?”
He frowned, almost looking insulted. “No. I’m big enough to go on my own.”
“Fair enough. You go first then.” I pretended to back out of the way. He tried to move past me, but I blocked him, getting my legs in place. “Too slow!”
I laughed all the way down with his complaints chasing me.
I only had a second to register that there was an obstacle blocking the exit before I crashed into a pair of hairy, muscled legs. With my crotch. Heat rushed to my cheeks. Kill me now.
Limbs splayed either side of his, I reluctantly lifted my head to find Ben, his eyelids peeled back in shock. He side-stepped, turning away as he coughed. Or choked. Or maybe he was laughing. I dunno. I didn’t have a chance to figure it out as Will landed on top of me, followed closely by Adam.
“Shit!” That hurt.
“Another dollar for the swear jar,” Will sang, rolling away before he sprang to his feet.
Fucking swear jar.
Ben offered a hand to pull me up and I grabbed on, twitching as warm tingles rippled along my arm.
Oh, yeah. The slide had nothing on the slippery slope that offered itself to me in his blue eyes. If I decided to take the ride, I was definitely gonna end up hanging by my fingernails. And I’d love every second of it.
I gave him a grin, only just stopping myself from adding a wink. ’Cause that would be wrong. He was my brother’s friend. If I should be avoiding anyone, it was a person who actually thought Stewart was funny. But it was endearing that he humoured Stew. Most people got pissed off and offended by him within the first hour of meeting him. And if Ben and I were going to spend the rest of our lives together, it was important to me that he got along with my family.
Ben was going to be my husband—he just didn’t know it yet. Don’t ask me how I knew. I just ... did. Did I understand it? Nope. Did I trust my knowing? Sort of. Kinda. No. Not really. I wanted to. So badly. But every time I pictured walking down the aisle to meet Ben at the altar, I felt completely
