“Thank you. I’m pretty sure this is my best birthday ever,” I exclaim as I shovel some chips in my mouth.
“Can’t be your best. What about your family? They aren’t here,” he flippantly adds.
“You know they're assholes to me. Better they aren’t here stressing me out,” I reply.
“Of course. Sorry.” He meekly waves a hand in the air.
“All good. I have come to terms with them. I can’t change the situation.”
We're silent for several long moments.
“What did you wish for?” he asks.
“I can’t tell you…”Don’t want to tell you.“…it won’t come true.”I could lose you.
He leans over, resting his chin on my shoulder to whisper in my ear, “Maybe I can help it come true?” My stomach flips.
“Doubtful,” I reply, side-eyeing him.
He smiles at me, and I turn my head to kiss him.
“Fine. Don’t share,” he replies cheekily, going back to eating and watching TV with me.
We make a good dent in the food, demolish the cake, and are laying on either side of the lounge, his hands rubbing my legs, lulling me into a doze.
Best birthday ever.
23
Mabel
August – Second half of season – Mt Panorama, NSW
Sitting around a light and airy pub, a chorus of cackles bellows out from our table. Fleur, Nikki, Sophia, and I are fighting for reprieve, leaning on each other for support.
Nikki chokes on her drink as Fleur waves her hands in the air. “Don’t tell Cole I told you that.”
“He will never let you use his motorhome ever again if he finds out you told us that!” Sophia laughs, gripping onto Nikki’s arm.
“What’s the deal with you and Cole?” Nikki queries. “You’ve known each other for ages, right? No sparks flying?”
Fleur looks away and scoffs. “We have known each other since the youth academy when we were twelve. I don’t see him like that. At the end of the day, I have been working with three of my annoyingbrothersfor the last four years. Big turn off.”
“Is there anyone else who has caught your eye on track?” Sophia asks.
“Nope. I am happy being on my own,” Fleur announces positively with a smile.
“That’s so good.” I nod at Fleur. She is so confident and self-assured. I really admire her.
“What’s been happening between you and Riley?” Fleur turns her attention to me.So much for admiring her.
“You and Riley?!” Nikki squeals, then frantically looks around at the half full pub while we laugh.
“You didn’t know?” Fleur asks.
“No, I mean, I saw how he was looking at you at go-karts last month, but I didn’t know anything was officially happening?” Nikki sputters out.
“Oh, yeah, he is one of those cartoon characters with heart eyes every time Mabel is around,” Sophia adds, holding her hands up in front of her eyes.
