CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
GEORGE
Despite my answer,my brain is firing on so many cylinders I probably shouldn’t be in charge of a vehicle. But the change in focus shifts some of the noise into the background, so I’m grateful for the distraction.
When I pull into Lachlan’s permanent parking spot at the school and hand back the keys, it’s with regret.
“I should hire you to be my personal chauffeur,” he says, giving me a strange sideway look that makes me wonder what’s going on behind those eyes. “What are the going wages for a dishwasher?”
Patrick hasn’t told me to avoid the subject of my employment, but I skirted around the truth when the topic of jobs came up in our group. It’s a reasonable guess that Lachlan won’t be ecstatic about the change.
I shift in my seat, eager to break eye contact.
Deception has never come naturally to me.
A half-truth then. “I’ve upgraded to a server,” I say, hoping he doesn’t notice the pause. “But fairly terrible. What exactly are you offering?”
“For the right person? Limitless earning potential.”
“Ah, limitless.” I raise my eyebrows, struggling as I undo the seatbelt. My shoulder aches where the man hit me, the pain increasing as my shock dissipates. “Sounds more like you don’t know.”
He shrugs. “You got me. I have no idea how much to offer. If you want to take advantage, now’s the time.”
My fingers rest on the doorhandle when my shoulders slump. All my inside fears wanting to come out. “Are you s-sure he’s going to be okay?”
He leans over, taking my face in his hand, using his thumb to tilt up my jaw. Even his fingers are firm, and I lean into them, craving his strength. “I don’t know. What I know is that you being there won’t change things if he’s not.”
“What happens if he doesn’t call? He might d-disappear forever.”
There’s a twist to his mouth that makes me think he’s not a fan of my dad. “Let’s just wait and see.”
When I nod, he withdraws his hand and gets out of the car, walking around to let me out since I’m still struggling.
He puts a comforting hand on my back as we walk inside, then drops it once we reach the corridors of the accommodation block. The only other time I’ve been inside here, I paid little attention. Now, I’m desperate for something to distract me from the worry.
The students we pass seem just as interested in me and I shuffle slightly farther away from Lachlan, realising any of them could be on their way to spill gossip to Kari. Falling over themselves to keep her up-to-date with her boyfriend’s betrayal.
I feel guilty and I’m not even doing anything. This is just an emergency measure, I remind myself. Just until we’re sure the men won’t come back.
And then what?
Lachlan told my father to go. He might not get in touch for a while but when he does, he’ll expect me to join him. It’s not like I have a choice. I can’t afford my own place on what I’m earning, even with the upgrade courtesy of Patrick.
So far, all I’ve done is pay down my credit card balance. I panic when I think of how much more money I’ll need if I want to stay.
“Hey.” Lachlan stops walking and pulls me into a hug, making me even guiltier. “It’s okay.”
It’s not. It’s really not.
I can’t stand to start up with Dad again in a new town. I love him but I’ll never be able to trust him again.
If it had been sooner, I would have tried to return to Auckland. Bunk down with friends and couch surf until I found some place to house myself on a more permanent basis.
Move in with Jack.
Even thinking of him makes my skin crawl. Then again, it always did when we were apart. Whenever he stood in front of me, it was a different story.
“I know you can’t just turn off your brain but try not to worry.”
