by C. J. Duggan
“He said I was fat!”
I grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Oh Ellie, that’s not what he meant.”
“Well, that’s what he said.” She sniffed.
Oh God, how did I even begin to save this train wreck? I knew she wouldn’t see reason. So I did what best friends do. I deflected.
“Scott called me Tic Tac in front of the entire bar, in front of Angela and Sean, Chris and Toby.”
Ellie’s eyes narrowed with sympathy. Yep, it was working.
“Don’t worry, Tess, they don’t know what it stands for.”
I gave a half smile. “Angela knows what it means, so they’ll know.”
“Oh, fuck Angela,” she snapped.
My eyes widened.
“Who cares, anyway, stuff them all, let’s go find Adam and have a good time. We can make our own fun. You, me and Adam and my back fat.”
I burst out laughing, and even Ellie joined me. We had managed to drag each other out of the depths of despair once again. We heard a snap of a branch to see Adam appear with a guarded look on his face.
“Everything okay?” His eyes flicked from my face to Ellie’s.
We could only manage to nod.
“Do you need me to call Stan out? Kick his arse?”
This only made us laugh even harder.
“I’m serious,” he straightened. “I could take him.”
Ellie snorted which made Adam break into a smile and join us in our laughter. The kind where the outside world would look in on us and think we were mad. Though it had been a bit rocky this afternoon, we were back. We understood each other perfectly and no matter what, we would always be there for one another.
“Oh, my God! I gotta go pee, wait for me?” Ellie wandered off to find the toilet block. I wiped away tears that had emerged after laughing so hard. Adam straddled the log to sit next to me.
“Seeing as this seems to be some kind of circle of truth,” he said, “I have a confession to make.”
All of a sudden, I was very sober and my laughter died down as I looked into Adam’s serious, earnest eyes.
“I did give you a funny look today.” He started to pick at the bark on the log, a sign that he was uneasy.
“I just didn’t recognise you; when I was standing on the porch at the hotel I saw Ellie walking up with some girl, and I was watching this girl, in this hot, white bikini, and I thought I have to know this girl, and then you came closer and I saw it was you, but it couldn’t be you. This girl was so carefree, confident. I thought it was the sexiest thing I had ever seen. Then you looked up and saw me, and the look on your face was the Tess I knew. The goofy Tess McGee. I was a bit taken back. I saw the way Toby and Sean were looking at you, and I kind of went all Alpha male on you.”
He smiled sadly.
I didn’t dare breathe or think about asking what he meant by the way Sean or Toby looked at me. I just remained quiet.
“I was just being a jackass. I had only been away for a few weeks and I felt, I don’t know, replaced. Pretty stupid, huh?”
“Yes,” I said, “idiotic! As if I could replace you!” I kicked him. So he wasn’t judging me – well, not in the way that I had thought.
“Adam, you’re my best friend and that’s not going to change, I can tell you that, so stop going all Alpha on me, okay? Unless you want to avenge my honour with a banana because you can totally do that anytime you want.”
He kicked me back, and we were us again.
“So … you thought I was sexy, huh?”
He threw his head back and groaned.
“You thought I was sexy.” I grinned.
Adam rolled his eyes.
“You totally love me, you want to write me poetry, and …”
Adam covered my mouth with his hand, which only made me laugh. “What is revealed in the circle of truth remains in the circle of truth.”
“Nuh-uh, only if the circle of truth has a cone of silence and as you can see …” I lifted my hands up to the sky. “Nothing.”
He gave me a bored look.
It was then a delayed thought registered. “So what you’re saying is the goofy Tess you know is not sexy?”
“Ugh, Tess, quit it already!”
“No, no, I want to know,” I said. I pointed to myself. “You wouldn’t want to tap this?”
“Right now I want to choke you.”
He slid over to me and grabbed me closer to him. My smile fell from my face with the unexpectedness of it. His hands cupped my face, his lips hovering above mine.
“You seriously want to know, Tess?”
He closed the space and claimed my mouth with an urgent, hot, delving kiss.
He smiled. “You are sexy, in your own goofball way, you’re sweet and beautiful and smart and funny and, although you kiss to the point where I feel like I want to go back for seconds, you’re my best friend, and that’s why I don’t want to tap that.”
I was breathing heavily, he had wiped my brain blank, all thoughts, all smart-arse retaliation, everything evaporated from my mind. He thought all those things of me, but, above all, he valued our friendship. It was something I would cherish for the rest of my life.
There was a coughing sound, and I broke away from Adam with such speed I nearly toppled off the log. The Onslow Boys stood before us. Sean gave a wry smile. Toby was deadly serious, and poor Stan’s worried eyes weren’t focused on us; he had his own troubles. My eyes darted back to Toby, who unflinchingly stared back at me with a deep, burning gaze.
“Don’t mind us.” Sean propped himself on the opposite log. As usual, Toby chose to stand.
“Do you know where Ellie went?” Stan asked. “Is she still pissed?”
Adam answered for me. “A word of advice, Stan, let that one cool down for a bit.”
***
It was Ellie’s laughter that sent me in the opposite direction of the toilet blocks. I found her near the swimming pool talking to a couple of tall boys with towels draped around their necks, smiling down at Ellie.
“Tess! Come and meet Wes and Mark.”
I didn’t want to meet Wes and Mark. I just wanted to get to the shed, and I wanted Ellie in tow.
I offered a pleasant enough smile as I turned to Ellie. “They’re waiting for us.”
“Oh, right!” Ellie agreed (thank God!).
“Do you guys wanna come to a party?”
“Uh, Ellie, I don’t think we’re in a position to invite people,” I whispered.
“Oh, it’ll be fine.” She waved me away, which really got my back up.
“Half of Onslow will be there, and the boys are staying at the caravan park anyway, right?”
I knew exactly what she was up to, and I did not like ‘Operation Make Stan Jealous’ one bit.
“Whatever! Do what you want, I know you will anyway,” I snapped and walked off without so much as a backwards glance.
I loved Ellie, but she sure could infuriate me sometimes.
Chapter Eighteen
I followed the thunderous rock music that filtered through the night.
It led me towards a giant shed that housed an array of mis-matched sofas, a pool table, a folded down table tennis; aside from the high tech stereo and a giant television, the rest looked like stuff that had been salvaged from hard rubbish day. It was a man’s paradise!
Sure the style was stuck in the 70s, but the shed was packed with people, most I had never seen before. Seriously, did I know anyone here?
‘Heartache Tonight’ thumped out of the mounted sound system, and I tried not to scoff at how appropriate the song choice was. I spotted Toby reading the back of a CD cover near the stereo, when he looked up at me.
I wandered over. “Your choice, no doubt?”
“What makes you say that?” He looked back down at the cover.
“Oh, I don’t know, seems like your kind of music. Plus you were playing The Eagles in your car.”
He didn’t say anything.
I picked up the co
ver to the album, looking over the track list. It was the same as my dad’s tape I had been listening to in my room.
“I like number nine,” I announced.
Toby didn’t respond; instead, as the song faded out he took the CD from my hands and put it into the player, flicking it to song nine. Then he turned and sat on the couch.
Huh. Maybe he’d had a fight with Angela? I silently hoped so. I sat next to him as Timothy Schmit’s voice filled the room, with ‘I Can’t Tell You Why’. I tilted my head down, getting in his eye line to coax him to look at me.
“Please don’t make me have to use a really hideous cliché,” I whined.
That had him looking at me, frowning as if he didn’t speak English.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. You asked for it: penny for your thoughts.”
“Oh.” That made him smile. “Yeah, that’s pretty hideous.”
At a loss as to what to say, I thought I would give not being a smart arse a go and see how that worked.
“Look, you don’t have to fix my bike. I was just razzing you about it.”
His gaze flicked up. “No, no, a deal’s a deal … I don’t mind.”
“Just saying.”
“Do you need a lift home later?” he blurted out.
I stammered at the question.
“That was a part of the second condition, wasn’t it?”
“Ah, yeah, it was.” I felt all uncertain and coy.
“Just checking.” He leaned back on the couch, his eyes lighting with that familiar spark.
“I haven’t read the contract yet, so I’m a bit fuzzy on the details.”
I smiled and shook my head. “My secretary is so fired.”
Toby seemed to relax. “Give her a go, she’s probably out on the town with the netball girls.”
“Ha! Even more reason to sack her.”
“I wonder if there is any Shania Twain in here somewhere.” He jumped up to paw through the CD collection again.
“Don’t you dare.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him backwards. His eyes darted to where my hand rested on him. I didn’t move my hand, I couldn’t physically bring myself to break the contact; all of a sudden there were no smiles, no jokes, just him and me and our space on the couch. I could only hear the music and be aware of the heat of his skin and the rapid rise and fall of my chest in this moment.
The only thing that snapped me out of my daze was Toby’s words which seemed low and raspy.
“Is Adam your boyfriend?” His gaze flicked over my face as he waited for my answer. My mouth gaped open; I couldn’t hide the fact I was dumbfounded by the question.
I blinked quickly and took my hand from his arm. I struggled to construct a legible sentence.
“Oh – um, no, we’re just friends, it’s not like that.”
His stony expression didn’t falter, didn’t reveal any kind of emotion. He was so hard to read, and I wanted to read him so badly. He gave a small nod and handed me the CD cover.
“Better go and make sure these guys aren’t cheating.” And without another word, he got up and headed towards the pool table.
I tried to gather my thoughts. He had been intense and distant, and then we were joking and then BAM, an out-of-the-blue question, and then he was gone.
I didn’t want to sit there with a perplexed look on my face all night, so I headed for the fridge for a drink, only to spot Ellie walking into the shed with the taller tourist, Wes. Oh yes, she did!
Adam wandered over and took the open can from my hand.
“She works fast.”
Everyone’s eyes went to Stan who was standing by the pool table, glaring at the happy new arrivals. Toby patted him on the back and handed him the pool cue, flicking Sean his own unamused look.
“What must people think of us?” I said.
“Ellie’s her own person. It’s got nothing to do with us.”
“Yeah, but guilt by association and all that.”
“I don’t think you could ever be compared to Ellie, Tess, you two are chalk and cheese.”
Ellie laughed obnoxiously loud at whatever Wes had said. My heart sank. Ellie’s stupid games really bugged me. I just never understood the logic; you like someone, they like you, isn’t it a no-brainer? My gaze rested on Toby who was lining up for his shot.
What would I know? When I wasn’t making out with my best friend, I was mooning and flirting with a very-much-taken twenty-two year old. Yep! I was all about the moral high ground.
“When did things become so complicated?” I sighed.
“No idea. I must say, I’ll be glad to head back to the city and watch re-runs of M*A*S*H; you girls are far too exciting for me these days.”
“Oh? Must be the new Tess, that’s far too cool for school. Got to make sure I don’t lose myself by the time you get back next.”
I elbowed Adam playfully.
“You better not.”
I frowned. “I won’t, dummy.”
“Just saying.” We turned to watch the pool game.
“Do you want some words of advice, Tess?”
I glanced at Adam’s profile as he sipped.
“Don’t give your heart away too easily.” He turned to me. “Make him earn it.”
And with that, cheers echoed throughout the shed. Toby potted the black.
I’d had enough of cryptic messages, and didn’t get a chance to ask Adam who exactly he was referring to. Who had to earn my heart? And why didn’t I get the chance to press him further? He was suddenly too busy glaring across the room. I followed his gaze and my eyes froze on the only thing that could possibly have evoked such a reaction in Adam, because it evoked the same in me.
Scott, Steve and Dusty walked into the shed like a bitter wind. So much for avoiding the horrors of high school.
Sean sauntered over to get another beer from the fridge beside us.
“What is he doing here?” Adam spoke, low and bitter.
I just shook my head in amazement. “It’s Onslow. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting someone you know.”
I wondered how Ellie could stand it? Hooking up with all these different boys and constantly running into them. But then again, nothing much really got to Ellie, I mused, as she flirted with Wes right in front of Stan.
Sean followed Adam and my seething glares.
“What’s the deal?”
“Tess’s ex.” Adam glowered.
Sean laughed with surprise. “Geez, Tess, how much more of a trail of broken hearts can you leave? You’re a lucky man, Adam, best defend your honour.”
“We’re just friends!”
Adam frowned. Maybe that had come out a bit loud.
“You don’t have to sound like the idea repulses you so much.”
“That’s my cue,” Sean said, retreating back to the pool table.
Scott made his way over to us.
“Don’t you move,” I warned Adam.
“Hadn’t planned on it.”
“Tess, Hendo, what’s happening?” Scott spoke like we were long-lost buddies.
“Thought you were going to Stevie’s?” Go on, run away, I thought.
“Apparently this is where all the action is.” He looked over at Ellie and Wes who were getting closer and closer, leaning in to each other to speak over the music, which wasn’t that loud anymore.
Scott’s gaze focused on me, giving me a long, lingering once over, with a smile I just wanted to wipe clean off his face.
“Looking good tonight, Tess.”
“Well commit it to memory, because we’re out of here.” Adam grabbed my hand to leave, but Scott stepped in front of him.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Hendo, I was just talking to the lady.”
“Lady, is it, tonight?” I said. “Not frigid, or Tic Tac or some other degrading nickname?” I spoke slowly, quietly, but I couldn’t wholly contain my venom.
“Oh, come on, Tess, you know I’m just razzing.”
“Step aside, Millo,” Adam said sarcastically.
&n
bsp; Scott’s smile turned snide. “Wait a minute, Tess, you’re not fucking Hendo, are you?” He started to laugh like the snivelling germ he really was.
“No, she’s fucking me.”
A deep voice floated over from behind Scott, who instantly sobered, his eyes widening as he turned to face a wall of Sean’s muscular chest. Sean looked down on him with a cold, hard stare. The entire shed went deathly quiet as they watched the showdown. I squeezed Adam’s hand, threatening to break his skin.
“What of it?” Sean’s voice was low and filled with malice.
I heard Scott gulp as he assessed the danger he was in. His eyes darted from Sean to me as if hardly believing that such a pairing could be possible. I just smiled sweetly at Scott, quirking my brow, silently daring him.
Go on, just try it!
“Your shot, babe.” Sean passed me the pool cue. Because? … Oh yeah. I was like, totally playing pool with my fictional boyfriend.
I took the cue from Sean who stepped aside, touching me lovingly on the lower back to usher me past.
Oh, he was good.
He continued to stare down Scott who couldn’t hold eye contact.
“You come near Tess again, and you and your friends will be fish bait. My old mate Tobias over there …”
Toby gave him a two-fingered salute from his brow.
“… Well, his family is connected to the Mafia, and they don’t look too kindly on little boys walking in uninvited and harassing our friends.”
Toby flicked me a perplexed look, like he had no idea what Sean was talking about, and Stan’s smile reappeared to the point he had to turn his back on the scene so as not to give the game away.
Steve and Dusty looked like a pair of rabbits in the headlights.
Steve croaked, “We were just leaving, weren’t we, Scott?”
Scott nodded quickly and backed away, his face ashen.
None of them dared to even look my way as they quickly made their exit. As soon as they were gone, well, that’s when laughter erupted.
Sean came up to me. “Sorry, Tess, no doubt we’re going to be the next hot gossip in Onslow.”
“I dare say all of Onslow and Perry will know by now,” added Adam.