Heavy (Heavy Hearts Book 1)

by Sarah Jane Duncan

  Lexi-West

  It’s fine, Marcus. I’m going to the city to see my dad so don’t worry ☺

  My lies are so convincing that even I’m starting to believe them.

  More messages come in from the boy's group chat as well as the girls. I spend less than a minute reading over Tasha’s rant about some girl called Rhys deliberately tripping her over in the hall in front of a group of year 12 guys. I really want to write “Go Rhys”, but since I shouldn't, I keep that opinion to myself and move onto the boy's chat.

  Shaun is laughing about Tasha getting tripped, and he sends a video through that is already going viral around school. I shouldn’t watch it, but I do. I also shouldn’t laugh, but I do. Tasha can be a real bitch, so maybe Karma is paying her a visit.

  I leave the conversation when Simon starts talking about Tasha’s rack and Garrett, Jared and Marcus start weighing in. Maybe I should have reminded them that I can see what they are writing. Then again, they know damn well I’m part of their group chat.

  I jump back into the girls chat to see if they know about the video of Tasha, and I almost wish I hadn’t. Now Tasha is talking about a rumour going around. Apparently, there is a witness to the school vandalism, and the cops have been notified.

  Fuck! I really hope it’s nothing more than a rumour, because if there is a witness, then I am screwed. Shit! Shit! Shit!

  I debate reaching out to Travis but think better of it. Bringing that up in a message could backfire and so far the only thing Travis and I discussed in our messages was getting weed off Mike. I’d be thankful if the police find out about that and bust my brother.

  My heart is beating against my chest, and dread is crawling up my spine. I’ve fucked up so bad. Once people find out it was me that trashed the school, not only will I lose my friends and probably get kicked out of school, but I’ll be nothing more than a low life criminal.

  Seriously, fuck my life!

  A little over an hour later, I disembark at Flinders Street Station and weave through the thick city crowds to my dad’s apartment building on Queen Street. I try calling him a couple of times on the walk, but all I get is his voicemail again, so I leave a pissed off “call me dad” right before arriving at his building. It’s the first time I’ve been to his apartment in the city, which now that I think about it, kind of seems strange. Why haven’t I visited him before? He’s never asked me to come here, so I guess that’s why.

  The foyer on the ground floor is small but chic. I ignore the security guard sitting behind the tall marble desk and move to the tenant panel on the wall, pushing the buzzer for Mr M West, Room 1123. There’s no answer. No surprises there!

  “Can I help you?” The deep voice of the security guard draws my attention, and I move to his desk.

  “I’m here to see my dad. Mr West. Maxwell West.”

  “Your name?” The overweight red-headed security guard frowns at me and checks something on his computer.

  “Alexis West.”

  The security guard frowns again and shakes his head.

  “I’m sorry, I don’t have any record of an Alexis West on file.”

  “Oh, try Lexi West.” Dad probably used the name I go by.

  He frowns again, looking at his screen only to shake his head.

  “No, I’m sorry, Miss West.”

  “He’s my dad. Can you just call up to his apartment and see if he’s there?”

  “Mr West is out right now.”

  “Look, I’m his daughter. Can you just let me into his apartment so I can wait until he gets back? I have nowhere else to go.” I force my eyes to tear up a little, hoping the lost puppy look will sway the security guard. It doesn’t.

  “If you’re not on the list for Mr West, then I cannot grant you access. You are welcome to sit and wait for him to return.” The annoying security guard points to a sofa by the window, and I glare at him before claiming a seat on it to wait. And wait. And wait.

  I pass the time by falling asleep, re-watching Ayden’s video, and re-reading his messages. Three hours pass, making me angrier by the minute, but then I remember my dad said he would call me at 8 o’clock tonight. He never misses these calls, so I’ll just have to wait to tell him I’m here then.

  A couple of hours after the sun has set on the bustling city, my eyes are drawn to a silver car pulling up outside the building—a car which looks a hell of a lot like my dad’s. I sit up in relief when my dad steps out, and I stand gathering up my backpack and phone.

  It’s been a couple of months since I’ve been face-to-face with my dad, and even though he can be a moody hard arse, I realise now how much I’ve missed him.

  Making his way around the car, I watch as my dad opens the passenger door holding his hand out, and a tall brunette in a sensual fitted red dress steps out. Handing his keys to the valet, my dad then turns to cup the brunette’s face and kisses her passionately.

  What the actual fuck!

  CHAPTER TEN

  Time freezes. My breathing stops. My already fucked up world crashes down around me. I can’t believe what I’m seeing, so I blink profusely, hoping I’m looking at someone else. Unfortunately, the tall man with hair the same shade of blonde as mine and the same blue eyes that match the ones he passed on to me, is very much my dad. The woman he is with, however, is very much not my mum. When the car pulls away, I witness my dad, hand in hand with this other woman as they cross the street and disappear into an Italian restaurant.

  Blood is pumping profusely through my veins as shock and anger grip me. This can’t be happening. My dad, can’t be having an affair? As much as I wish it weren’t true, I can’t ignore what I just saw.

  I look at my phone. It’s 7:55 pm. He’ll be ringing soon, he said as much in his text message this morning. Surely he won’t call me while he is with another woman, though?

  I see red! Fury takes over, and I storm out of the foyer and into the busy city street, barely looking to see if cars are coming as I stalk across the road. Watching them through the glass door, my dad and the brunette are sitting at a table in the centre of the restaurant while a waiter fills their glasses with red wine. For fuck sake, they aren’t even trying to hide their relationship!

  I think over everything I know about my parents, and things start to fall into place and begin to make sense. While I thought my dad was too busy working or possibly staying away because of my mum and her addiction, he, in fact, has really been too busy for us because he has found a new life. A life that includes a leggy brunette, apparently. He lives here in his bubble while my mum’s lonely heart is numbed with substances, leaving me with no one to care for me or protect me from his deranged love child.

  After clinking their glasses together and taking a sip, my dad stands looking at his watch and excuses himself from the table, but not before he leans down to kiss his mistress. Fucking prick!

  As he disappears somewhere towards the back of the restaurant, I take the opportunity to walk inside.

  “Can I help you?” The hostess steps in my path, preventing me from making my way deeper into the restaurant, eyeing my school uniform. I guess a school uniform doesn’t meet their clientele dress code.

  “Oh no, it’s okay. I’m here to see my dad, Mr West, and my new step-mom.” I internally high five myself because I sound convincing as hell right now.

  “Oh, of course.” The hostess steps aside, and I give her a nice big fake smile as I brush by.

  With my eyes locked onto my target, I walk straight up to my dad's table and take his seat, lifting his wine glass to my lips, guzzling a long sip.

  “Excuse me! Can I help you?” The brunette snaps, her large brown eyes widening.

  I hold my finger up to hold her off while I take another sip. I’m going to need the confidence the smooth, rich liquid will bring. Putting the glass down, I use my dad’s napkin to dab each side of my mouth before giving the brunette a big cheesy smile.

  “Nope, I’m just waiting for my dad.”

  The brunette frow
ns, “Well, as you can see, your dad, whoever he is, is not here!”

  “Oh no, he will be calling any minute now.” My smile is big and smug as I place my phone on the table, watching as 7:59 ticks over to 8 pm. Then my phone rings.

  “Oh, look, right on time,” I answer it on loudspeaker, watching the frown deepen on the pretty brunette.

  “Hi, Daddy,” I say sweetly.

  “Hi Princess, how are you?” His tone throws me a little, and I realise he hasn’t listened to his voice mails and has no idea about mum and Mike. Otherwise, he would sound more concerned.

  “I’m super,” I give the brunette another toothy smile, “I’m just wondering when you’re coming home. Mum misses you.”

  The brunette huffs, crossing her arms over her chest while looking around the restaurant, probably searching for a waiter to help her remove me from the table.

  “Princess, you know I’m busy working. I can’t come home yet. Maybe in a few weeks.”

  The more my dad talks, the more the brunette frowns, and I see the moment recognition flits across her face.

  “That’s a shame.” I say to dad, “I’m actually in a super cool restaurant right now. Very fancy.”

  “Really? Lucky you.” He says.

  “Yeah. I’m just drinking wine with my future step-mum. She has killer curves. Gorgeous brown eyes and hair. Oh, and she looks super yummy in the red dress she’s wearing.”

  My dad goes silent for a few moments.

  “What did you just say, Alexis?”

  Ha! Got you, arsehole!

  The brunette looks confused.

  “Say hi to my dad, Max West.” I direct my words to the brunette.

  “Max?” She asks although I don’t know if she’s speaking to me or the phone.

  The line goes dead.

  I pick up my phone and down some more of my dad's wine while I wait for the bastard to appear. And there he is storming across the restaurant, his face red in anger.

  “Oh, here he is,” I say to the brunette as he reaches the table.

  “Alexis, stand up and come with me.” He hisses under his breath, and his tone reminds me so much of Mike, that I flinch.

  “Max, what’s going on?” The brunette asks as if she hasn’t already worked it out.

  I continue to drink the wine with a smirk on my face, which I just can’t seem to wipe off. That is until my dad’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and pulls me forcefully out of the seat.

  “Outside, Alexis!” He growls.

  I can’t remember the last time he used my full name so much. Wow, I guess I’m in trouble. My dad’s grip tightens when I try to sit back down, and the strength behind it makes me cry out in pain.

  “Max, stop! You’re hurting her!” At his mistresses distress and the growing audience of the restaurant's diners, he lets go of my arm. Trying to fight back tears and appear unaffected, I shove my hand out to the brunette.

  “Hi, I’m Alexis West. Max’s daughter.”

  Dazed, the brunette takes my hand and gently shakes it, looking between my dad and me dumbfounded, her mouth opening and closing like she’s a fish out of water.

  “Max? Is this true? Is this your daughter?” She asks, tears filling her eyes. For a moment, I feel bad for her, but only for a moment.

  Hanging his head and gripping the back of his neck, my dad tries to massage out the tension.

  “Oh, Daddy,” I lace my voice with sarcasm, “You didn’t tell your mistress about me? What about your wife, Ruth? Did you tell her that you are married?”

  A sob escapes from the brunette as she picks up her purse from the table, and my father, now furious, seethes. “Hardly married, Alexis!”

  I grit my teeth, livid, “You’re a fucking coward!” I scream. Grabbing up the brunette's wineglass, I hurl it at my dad, which slams into his chest, red wine spilling down the front of his pristine Calvin Klein shirt. “While you play with your mistress, we’re at home suffering. Mum is in the hospital because Mike attacked her today! I had to put locks on my doors to stop him from doing crude things to me! All while you fuck your secretary.” I have no idea if the brunette is his secretary, nor do I care. I take one last look at both of them and then turn, running out of the restaurant.

  I hate him! I HATE HIM!

  Tears flow down my face as I sprint towards the station, needing to get far away from my dad. The shout of my name is a deep bellow from behind me. My dad’s voice is filled with a rage that scares me, so I push my burning legs harder to escape him. Footsteps pound the pavement not far behind, and I drive my legs harder, faster, desperate to flee from the man I no longer consider my dad.

  Pulling my transport card out of my blazer pocket, I scan it and jump up and down with frantic impatience waiting for the gate to open. When it does, I bolt towards platform three, hoping I’m not too late to get the train home, back to Fox Pines.

  “Alexis!” The roar of my dad’s voice comes right before his strong hand grips my wrist hauling me backward. The move jolts me, sending pain up my arm.

  “No!” I scream, pulling myself in the other direction, trying desperately to get to the train. My scream captures the attention of bystanders, so I scream some more in the hopes someone will help, “Let go of me!”

  I kick my legs towards his shins and flail my arms, trying to shake my dad off. The fury I see in his eyes terrifies me. It’s almost like I’m looking into the eyes of a stranger, one who is possessed with evil. Right when I’m sure I’m about to lose this battle, a PSO appears behind my dad and grabs him, causing his grip on me to falter. I don’t think twice. I turn and bolt toward the train doors that are now closing.

  “No, wait!” My dad yells, “She’s my daughter!”

  I make it on to the train just in time and spin to face my dad as he is manhandled by two PSO’s on the platform.

  “I AM NOT YOUR DAUGHTER!” I scream right before the doors seal shut.

  The silence of the carriage meets me. Sobs jump out of my throat, and tears spill in a rush to the train floor below. As the train pulls off, I watch the man I used to consider my dad get dragged away. Whispers dance around me, curious passengers packed into the tight space witnessing the drama I brought so abruptly into their lives. All I want to do right now is hide.

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I grab it out, hoping the distraction will help me stop crying in front of the audience.

  It’s a message from Ayden.

  Ayden Mitchell

  Lex, look to your left.

  Confused at first, I re-read his simple message. What? Using my sleeve to wipe my eyes so I can see clearer, I slowly turn my head to the left. The train carriage is filled to the brim with bodies standing and sitting in each other's personal space, many of whom have their eyes on me.

  That’s when I see familiar piercing blue eyes that remind me of a summer sky. Ayden.

  “Come here.” He mouths, and I choke on a loud sob and start weaving through the sea of bodies to get to him. When I reach him, his powerful arm pulls me in tight, and I bury my face in his chest. Ayden’s heat envelops me, his firm hold a cocoon of safety as we sway with the motion of the train. If it weren’t for his strong body or the way he steadies us with the handgrip above, I would have fallen to the floor.

  In his arms, I fall apart. Any chance at resembling the strong, smiling girl from school is long gone. From the moment Ayden laid eyes on me, I haven’t been able to hide from him. He saw right through my charade, saw more than even my best friend had, more than anyone had.

  “You know each other?” The concerned voice of a lady speaking to Ayden distracts me.

  I feel a response rumble through Ayden’s chest as he whispers to the lady.

  “Yes, we go to school together.”

  “It seems like she has had a rough night. Please make sure she gets home safely.”

  “I will,” Ayden assures her, and his hand leaves my back for a moment, “Thank you, she’ll need these.” Ayden gently nudges a small pack of tissues
into my hands, and I have to pry my grip from his hoodie to accept them.

  I use my close vicinity to Ayden to breathe in his scent, taking comfort in the way he gently rubs my back, the soft friction soothing me. Why is Ayden here? How is this even possible? I want to ask him, but I can’t stop crying. Instead, I grip him tighter, never ever wanting to let go. Some time passes, and my sobs turn into an occasional shudder as the sea of passengers thin out.

  “Lex, let’s sit down.” Ayden’s gentle voice warms my ear, and I nod, not willing to let go of him. He maneuvers us until we are seated, but the change in position means I have to let go of his chest. The thought of that suddenly seems terrifying to me, but before I freak out and make a fool of myself, Ayden settles me against him with my face turned into the crook of his neck.

  I take deep breaths, inhaling his scent again, which is even stronger from this vantage point. It calms me immediately, and I’m sure my new quest in life will be to figure out how to get his scent into a bottle so I can spray it on everything I own.

  Ayden switches from stroking my arm to my head and then back to my arm. It’s almost as if he can’t control his need to touch me. Not that I’m complaining. Hell no. I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, and this is one gift I’ll gladly take. His touch is so soothing that my eyes flutter shut, and I fall asleep. It’s a light and brief nap, but when I wake, the train is at a stop two towns away from Fox Pines for a 10-minute break.

  The carriage lights are bright, and I become self-conscious of how I must look. I quickly excuse myself and dash to the nearby toilet, ducking my head in the hopes of hiding my snot covered red nose from Ayden’s view.

  The light in the toilet cabin is dull, making my pale skin almost appear green in the graffiti-covered mirror. Lifeless bloodshot eyes look back at me with not a speck of makeup living on my face anymore. The most colour in my face comes from the fading bruise courtesy of Mike.

  I hardly recognise this stranger looking back at me. Who is she exactly? Is she like Mike and destined to be a violent abuser? Is she like my dad, willing to lie and cheat? Or is she like my mum, falling dependant on substances? And if she isn’t like any of them, then who is she exactly?