Folding her arms, she stares ahead, stony-faced. The way her jaw clenches reminds me so much of Zayden. They both have fiery personalities and are extremely stubborn, too alike for their own good. Growing up, I was always the peacekeeper. It helped having Mason around – he centred my brother and always brought light-heartedness into the house.
‘I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on,’ I press. I glance down at her arm, where a long bruise sits. ‘That looks sore. What did you do?’
‘Hmm?’ Mum replies, looking down at her arm. ‘Oh, nothing. Must have bumped into something.’
‘Must have hit it hard.’ I frown.
‘Well. You know me. I’m a klutz.’
‘I inherited that from you.’ I roll my eyes. ‘So, you’re really not going to tell me what the fight was about?’
When Mum doesn’t reply, I exhale and rest my head back, giving up. We spend the rest of the afternoon catching up, and when the sun starts sinking into the horizon, I make my way back to the Airbnb.
I drop my keys on the floor when I see Mason’s face. Tears spring to my eyes as I rush over to him. Taking his face between my hands, I inspect it, before remembering Zayden is in the room. Dropping my hands, I step back, feeling the weight of Zayden’s gaze on me.
‘Fuck,’ I murmur. ‘I won’t ask how it went.’
‘Thanks,’ Mason says dryly.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Me too.’
‘Can I do anything?’ I ask. ‘Is there anything you need?’
‘I just want to relax, honestly.’
‘Relax.’ I nod. ‘We can help with that.’
‘I was keen to go out for dinner,’ Zayden states. We both turn to stare at him. ‘Not go out,’ he quickly adds. ‘Just dinner. Casual, quiet dinner.’
Mason and I glance at each other.
‘It’s up to you, Mase,’ I say. ‘Are you feeling up to it?’
He shrugs. ‘Dinner sounds good.’
‘Alright, then.’
‘Yay!’ Zayden claps enthusiastically, and we ignore him.
Once we’re all ready, we head into town, deciding that dinner at the local pub will do. It feels like old times being back here, especially since I recognise every single face. Smiling and waving as we pass, we make our way to a table out in the beer garden, away from the noise of the TAB and pokies.
‘Oh, shit,’ Zayden mutters, rubbing his face. He looks tired. ‘Be right back, I’m going to go hide in that corner and pretend I don’t exist.’
Raising my eyebrows, I look up to see Leasa in line at the bar. I wince. ‘Have you spoken to her since the break-up?’
‘She liked my Instagram story the other night,’ Zayden replies thoughtfully, avoiding my question. ‘What do you think that means?’
‘Depends. What was the story of?’
‘I was holding a beer in front of the sunset.’
I shrug. ‘I don’t know. I wouldn’t think much of it.’
Zayden’s eyes linger on his ex-girlfriend for a moment longer before he drops into the seat, purposely sitting with his back to the bar.
‘Why did I think coming home was a good idea?’ he mutters.
