“Ask her, Travis.”
“Now?”
“No, you lazy twit, get it all set up. Something special.”
“Yeah, yeah … I’ll think of something.”
“How’s the hoodie coming along?”
“Can’t keep it in stock. You’re doing good, mate. Who knew a fucking word would sell out.”
“It’s not the word—it’s the meaning.”
Travis’s laugh came through the phone. “Listen, I’m not going to try and understand it. As long as it’s selling, yeah?”
“Yeah, you’re doing good.” Jinx tapped over the glass with his knuckle. “Look, mate, I have to go. I’ll ring you Thursday.”
“Sounds good! Happy new year, brother.”
“Happy New Year.”
I hung up and stuffed Mia’s mobile back in my pocket before pushing through the door. “Thanks again, mate, for everything.”
Jinx closed his eyes with a single nod. “Anytime.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“When the sun dies and darkness bleeds
she’s the black sheep I’mcounting;
A loose cannon; another’s regret,
what-if, and repeated mistake.
She dances for no one and howls with the wolves.
A moon child with the spirit of amood ring.
She’s myall-timelove.”
—Oliver Masters
mia.
“YOU INTO THIS PHOTOGRAPHY thing now?” Ethan asked as we passed the same bench my father sat when he confessed the truth.
Bruce, my father, had said I was welcomed home after my time here, but he could no longer live under the weight of a lie. But did he ever truly love me? Or had I turned into an obligation? Maybe I’d been my mother’s baggage all along. It was the reason he could no longer look at me, seeing as I looked just like her. Aside from her hazel eyes, I was the spitting image of my mother.
“Shouldn’t you be with your family? You know, celebrating the holidays like everyone else?” I snapped another picture of him. I’d only seen Ethan in uniform or boxers. Never had I seen him dressed in a leather jacket, white tee, and destroyed jeans.
Ethan’s head fell to the side, giving me that all-knowing look.
“Hold it,” I demanded, and snapped another picture just as Ethan reached for the camera. Just in time, I hid it behind my back. “It’s not me, I swear, but the camera wants to fuck you.”
“Yeah, and I’ll fuck up the camera if you take another photo.”
“Don’t like your picture taken?”
