Four months. The dreaded four again.
The final criteria was proving harder than anticipated, despite applying for every possible location and it wasn’t allowed to be with a family business, which eliminated my idea to work at my brother’s bar or nightclub.
Pity, as it could have solved my other current problem - securing me a place to live now Mum and her partner Toby had decided moving in together was top of their bucket list and needed to be done yesterday. If I really needed to I could stay, but surprising no one, I didn’t want to be around for that. Plus, I was thirty-two and still living at home, it was beyond time for me to sort out my life, starting with a place of my own. Although, the sweet ride of paying no rent had been blissful while it lasted.
Grabbing my diffuser, I threw my head forward and began the tedious task of trying to calm my mane. I kept it shorter than I would like but only because it was a workout trying to wash and straighten these thick, plush curls. I didn’t have time to spend two hours straightening it on a good day, but especially tonight as Seb would be here soon and I couldn’t be late. If only I didn’t work up such a sweat cleaning houses, I could have better timed my wash day, but I needed every cent and that meant calling in sick was not an option.
I also couldn’t be late, because my brother was already doing me a huge favour playing escort because he hated coming home. Found returning to the place we grew up where the memories of our absent father were strongest, triggered things he’d rather not deal with. But ever my saviour, he also knew it was the first time I’d been out in forever. With studying and my part time cleaning job, I didn’t have either the time or money for a social life. Tonight was a rare exception though, because it was Arna’s bachelorette party, and given how much I loved and respected her (and, honestly, the thinly veiled threats she made if I dared to even consider skipping it), the job hunt was officially paused for the night.
With only forty-five minutes to get ready though, it was going to have to be curly hair for the win, with a clip tossed in my purse of course, because it would most definitely be thrown up within the first hour. Racing down to his car when I heard the beep, I threw my shoes on the floor before turning to my older brother with a grin.
“Hey, Sebby, thanks for picking me up.” His hazel eyes, the same shape as my own, were shielded by his deep frown and I paused in the act of buckling my seatbelt.
“What’s wrong, do I look awful?” I wanted to buy myself something new for tonight, but money was tight and my main priority was ensuring I had enough to get home, rather than a new outfit. But the scowl which lined his features made me second guess my decision of jeans and a strapless top.
“I just wasn’t sure it was you without your normal gremlin gear.” He backed out of the driveway and pointed to the centre console where he’d placed a small bottle of wine and a glass. My nerves dissipated and I laughed at his backhanded admiration.
“Hurtful. I’m a poor university student.” Deciding to ignore the glass, I drank straight from the bottle.
“Well, it’s clear you aren’t graduating from the School of Subtlety.”
“You’re lucky I’m taking small sips.”
“Can take the girl out of Moorway…” He replied and we both laughed.
I loved my big brother all the time but none more so than in this very moment. He knew me scarily well and not only because we were comparable on the socially awkward scale but because he knew tonight would be worse because all I’d done for the last four years was stare at a textbook. I busted my guts to make sure I wasn’t a burden on anyone. Paving my own way - a trailblazer if you will - but some days, I wondered why I didn’t just take him up on his offer to financially bankroll my life.
“Growing up in Moorway was a privilege!” I admonished with another quick sip of the wine. And I meant it. Despite the dilapidated rows of tired brick units, it was a neighbourhood stitched together by hand-me-downs and shared hardship. There was no space for judgement because everyone was living the same life fuelled by rust and resilience. And as much as I wanted to get out, I loved our childhood home and all the quietly proud moments within those four walls.
Judith Micallef had done her very best to give Sebastian and I everything we needed and all while wearing a satin dressing gown and holding a cup of tea. I’d never missed my father, because I hadn’t needed to. She was both my mother and father and anything she couldn’t offer, my brother provided. It was an upbringing I could never begrudge because no matter what happened outside, every corner of that house held laughter, arguments and the kind of love that sticks around. Seb was the closestthing I’d ever had to a reliable man in my life. Simple gestures, like picking me up and making sure I got to the bar tonight, had a way of steadying me, easing nerves I might’ve otherwise drowned in. And because of him, I knew I’d never settle for a man who didn’t show he cared. Genuinely, and without being asked.
“Your perception of privilege is warped, Evs,” he grinned, but I knew he’d loved it as much as I did. He struggled with our father’s absence more than I, probably because he’d taken on the weight of looking out for me. And that weight, in turn, became my guilt to carry. But he also loved our childhood suburb.
“Do you like the wine?”
“It’s perfect, thanks. Is Marls excited?” His slow smile softened his features at the mention of her name, and I grinned back. Since he met her just over a year ago, I’d never seen him happier, and in Marlee, I’d found a best friend of my own. With her bestie Arna, and their friend Felicity in the mix, I’d somehow ended up with a little girl gang of my own. And honestly, I felt pretty damn lucky.
Tonight, Winter was also joining us, and while I’d only met her a handful of times, she seemed like exactly the sort of person I would want to be friends with and the perfect fifth to round out our circle. A little quieter than the vocal vibrance Marls, Arna and Flick brought, Winter was more of an observer – just like me. It was still baffling that of all people, she was dating a high-profile footballer, given she hated attention, but her and Jack were the most adorable couple. He was the talented, supremely good-looking defender for the Sydney Hearts Football Team, and she was the insurance specialist by day, aspiring author by night who found passion in the pages of a novel. Theirs was a love story built on friendship and the jealousy from me was palpable whenever I was in the same room bearing witness to the unshakeable bond they shared.
Thankfully, my envy could take a hike tonight, because it was ladies only and we were hitting a bar to celebrate before Arna married the love of her life. Like Jack, Andy also played for theSydney Hearts and his and Arna’s story was as hilarious as it was romantic. Think razor-sharp editor with no patience for ego, forced to interview the taciturn, smouldering team captain who treats the media like the enemy. According to Marlee, it took them both a little longer than it should have to accept their feelings, but you’d never know. When they were together, they’re either staring intently into each other’s eyes like lovesick puppies or fighting for oxygen while they ravaged each other. There was no in between which wasn’t ideal for anyone in their vicinity.
“Yeah, I dropped her to Arna’s place just before I came here. She told me not to wait up.” Seb practically growled and I laughed both at how annoying he found the request and her saying it at all. He was always measured and calm, but she knew exactly how to get under his skin and it was one of my favourite things about her. I could picture the slight tilt of her head as she teased him, knowing exactly how he would respond.
“We all know that won’t happen,” I grinned knowingly, and he shot me a glare which I think was supposed to be intimidating. “Relax. You have nothing to worry about. She’s feisty.” He harrumphed, and I knew he was likely pondering over all Marls had been through. Their story wasn’t an easy one and hers was particularly heavy, only, they’d made it through together and I could not have been happier for my brother.
“That’s what I’m worried about. There is always trouble with you lot.”
“What could possibly go wrong? I’m barely even drinking!” I smirked as I tipped the rest of the bottle back with deliberate provocation.
“That will be your only drink, won’t it?” The grin was clear in his question. He knew me well and alcohol and I were not the best of friends. I didn’t enjoy the taste, or the feeling and it was rare I drank at all let alone to a level of intoxication.
“Probably but I will be sure to give Marls all of my shots.” I joked, enjoying the scowl which darkened his features as we sailed down the highway to the city.
“Evvvvaaaaaaa,” I heard my name squealed, definitely Arna and definitely alcohol fuelled. I spotted her instantly, thanks to the ridiculously large penis antennae bobbing on her head along with flashing neon green balls bouncing with every move. I burst out laughing as I made my way over to the bar where they were seated, clearly having already started drinking.
“Hey, ladies -” I was cut off as Arna howled like a dog on heat and engulfed me in a hug.
“Evangeline! Where the hell have you been hiding that?” She gestured up and down my body before giving my backside a slap.
