‘Leon wants a meeting?’ Snowie repeats my words as a question.
‘That’s what he said.’ I tip my stubby up to drain the dregs of my beer. ‘And considering he’s the boss, I’m assuming he knows what he’s on about.’
I’m honestly trying to keep my mind on this conversation, on Snowie’s presence here in the kitchen this morning. But I swear it’s like my brain’s got hives. It itches around, scratching for more distracting lines of thought.
All the things Amie said to me last night. The things I said back. How she let me hold her. All the feelings of it –
I can’t think about feelings right now.
‘Where’s this meeting gonna be again?’
‘Huh?’ I look at Snowie properly. ‘Um, just the club, hey. Dunno, it’s like Leon lives there or something. Does he ever leave?’
Snowie shrugs, makes a face.
Reggie’s head and shoulders appear around the corner of the kitchen doorway. He still looks washed out, with big circles around his eyes, but there’s more colour in his face. Steph’s crocheted blanket is draped around his shoulders like a cape. ‘Hey, Harris, you up for another game of cards?’
‘For sure. Just gimme a sec. Y’okay?’
‘I’m bored shitless,’ he confesses.
‘Well, you shouldna knocked the telly over then, should ya?’ I roll my eyes towards Snowie. ‘That’s what happens when you kick the footy on the couch.’
‘He all good, then, is he?’ Snowie says, as Reggie’s back retreats.
‘Yeah, he’s fine.’ I try to sound blasé about it. ‘Checked himself out this morning, little bugger, when he got wind they were trying to sic Social Services onto him. By the time I went to pick him up he was already halfway down the street.’
Snowie snorts. ‘Gutsy kid.’
It was Snowie’s gear ripping through Reggie’s system yesterday when he keeled over sideways. It’s Snowie and Leon and the rest of the crew running this whole palaver. I have to focus on something else, on picking the label off my stubby, until the desire to plug Snowie in the chops dulls to a more manageable level.
‘Okay, then.’ Snowie stands up. ‘Meeting about three this arvo. Guess I can work that in. Got any idea what’s gonna come up?’
I shrug. ‘Delivery dates, I s’pose.’ I can’t reveal how much that excites me. ‘And the business outta Tulane Road. Word is, Leon’s looking for whoever did the house and took his package.’
Snowie shudders. ‘Tulane Road – that was some shameful shit. That’s gotta be Mazerati’s crew.’
I shake my head. ‘Who knows, mate. No one’s putting their hand in the air for it, that’s for sure. But the jacks are out in force, so make your way in careful this arvo. Staggered arrival. Ando’s gonna text the times.’
Snowie nods and sucks his lips, disguises his trembling hands by shoving them in his pockets.
When he’s gone I text Amie to say I want to see her at noon so I can tell her about the meeting Leon’s sprung on us. Actually, it doesn’t matter I have a reason, I would still want to see her. It’s dangerous, meeting each other again so soon like this, so often. But these sensations inside me are demanding. Seeing Amie, being around her, is essential now, like breathing.
I go play cards with Reggie, try to keep myself distracted.
*
‘You’re early,’ Amie says, climbing out of her car. She’s wearing cut-offs and a white buttoned shirt. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t make it at noon, I had to –’
‘Don’t worry about it, it’s cool. I’ve only got an hour, though. Leon’s arranged a meeting of all the players at three.’
‘You’re cutting it fine.’
‘I’m waiting on a text from Ando, so I’ve got an hour to kill.’
I grin at her as she slides into the passenger seat of the Pitbull. Some sort of barrier between us got broken down last night. Now, the day is hot, and nothing matters except I’m getting to spend some time with her before I go and face the shit.
I drive in to our usual spot, park for a quick getaway if necessary. The car is over-warm and I’m sweating: the last few days, it’s like spring and summer have been fighting a turf war over who gets to blast Mildura first. We get out and plonk on the grass, close to the water.
