“Just working late at the boat hire.” Jesse looks between Max and I. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing, just telling your girl here not to bring her dog on our property?”
I fold my arms across my chest to match his stance and step forward with my chin jutting out. “Don’t worry. I won’t do it again because you can all get fucked.” I move to step around him, but he blocks the door.
Jesse circles my waist, his breath fanning my neck as he holds me from behind. “Hey, hey. Take no notice of him.” He stares at Max. “Max is gonna apologise and we’re all gonna have a drink and enjoy the party. Right Max.”
Max tenses.
“Max,” Jack’s voice commands an answer.
Marie hands the boys a beer. “Come on guys, lighten up.”
Max rolls his eyes. “Whatever. You two fucks can play whatever game you like. Just leave me out of it.” He walks into the other room, with Marie following behind.
Jesse releases my waist. “You good?”
I nod and take another sip of my drink and the boys get distracted with some other guys.
Lucy stays close by. “Ignore Max. He can be moody sometimes.”
No kidding. “You know Kane isn’t actually my dad.” From the thoughts I’ve been having about him recently, it’s a good thing too. I can’t help but be a little envious of Mum bagging herself an army guy who’s so hot he melts panties just by standing close. I wonder if he was always this hot, but judging by the photo I study every time I walk into the living room, he was just as scorching then as he is now.
“Hello, earth to Letty.”
“What? Oh.” I giggle and take another drink.
“Girl, where did you go?” Lucy hooks her arm through mine and we wander around the house. She chats to a few people and introduces me, but nobody holds a conversation with me. I cock my hip and lean against the wall, thinking a trip to the cemetery to sacrifice a few chickens sounds appealing right now. I’m sure I would have even had more fun staying home with Kane, however torturous that is when we’re sitting next to each other on the sofa.
The music changes to some dance anthem and a few girls dance in the centre of the living room. Major cringe. Although it is offering some light entertainment. Yaz was right, Lucy’s friends are a bunch of dickwads and not really my people, despite Lucy being a nice person and inviting me.
I drink the last of my can and can’t face another fizzy drink. I’m already bloated from the last four and the thought of hanging out here being ignored by everyone except Lucy and the odd smile from Jesse is wearing thin. “Lucy, I’m gonna take off.”
She spins her head around with pinched eyebrows. “Already?” She signals to Jesse, who has kept one eye on us all night while he’s been doing the rounds with all his buddies. He stalks over, weaving through the crowd. “Jesse, Letty is talking about leaving. Tell her she can’t go yet.”
“Little early, isn’t it?”
I glance at my phone to check the time. If I leave now, I may just get time to have a drink with Kane on the sofa. “I need to go now or I won’t be able to get a lift home.” I lie. I’m sure Kane will pick me up anytime I want. He didn’t actually specify a time.
Jesse moves my hair off my shoulder, grazing my collarbone. “I’ll take you home. I’ve only had two beers.” He slips an arm around me, causing a flurry of tingles.
“Okay.”
He winks at Lucy as we leave and I give her a wave, ignoring everyone else as Jesse guides me to his Land Rover. The night air whispers with the threat of fog as a misty blanket hovers over the hills. Jesse shifts into gear and drives through the row of cars towards the open iron gates.
“Want to go for a drive?” He glances my way with his bright smile that says butter wouldn’t melt.
“Isn’t that what we’re doing? You’re driving me home.”
“I could take a little detour on the way. I don’t have to take you home right now. It’s still early. Nobody will expect you home now, will they? Or do you have a curfew?”
My bottom shifts in the seat and creaks against the leather. “I can stay out as long as I like.”
My stomach tightens each time he looks in my direction. The full beam highlights the top of the hill and our descent as he drives towards the lake. The house disappears behind us as we drive over the rough terrain towards the lake.
He parks in front of the still water, lit only by the moonlight and a canopy of stars. He kills the engine and we sit in silence. I twist my small bag in my hands and feel the tin beneath the fabric. If I’ve ever needed something to take the edge off, it’s now.
As if Jesse can read my mind, he opens his glove box and pulls out a pre-rolled joint. “Smoke?”
