Chapter 33 - Nova
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Taking a deep breath, I let the phone ring.
Calling Lizzy to apologise, and possibly grovel for ruining her big night.
I've been so nervous to make this call that I've brushed my teeth three separate times after eating the pizza Ace had delivered to our room on the drive back.
I really need to take him out or make him dinner when we get home.
He’s always one step ahead of me, anticipating my every need, especially with food.
The ringing echoes over the speaker and each second feels like I'm another step closer to losing my sister.
The last person in my family I will ever choose to have contact with.
Squirming in Ace’s hold, he won't let me go after he cottoned on to what I was doing, so now we’re sitting on the bed, his back against the headboard with my back against his chest.
His arm is around my waist and his legs rest over mine in some stupid martial arts hold he knows.
I've already whined that it's not fair for him to use his macho know-how on me but he just laughed and kissed my cheek before ringing the number.
So now we sit here, Ace, with a front-row seat to the last part of my past severing their connection with me.
I'm about to tell him to turn it off when the phone connects and a rustling sound can be heard.
A very panicked Lizzy crying over the line.
“Nova? Nova? Is that you? Ace? NOVA? Phillip! I can't hear her. Hello? Oh my god, the phone is broken. How can this be happening? Of all the nights!”
“Lizzy it's me, I can hear you,”
I say timidly.
“Do you think it's connected to the car? Hello? Nova? For god's sake Phillip if I have to light a bloody fire and send smoke sig–”
“LIZZY!”
“Nova?”
“I couldn't get a word in. Sorry for yelling. I'm so sorry Lizzy. I'm cursed. I ruin everything.”
Ace lets out a low growl from behind me but I'm not in the mood for one of his stop talking negatively talks. I feel like shit. I've basically ruined my sister's wedding because, once again, my past decided to creep in and remind everyone that I still exist.
“Oh Nova, you didn't ruin anything. I'm just so grateful to hear your voice. Are you okay? Nothing that happened tonight was your doing. I was standing on stage and saw everything. I’m so sorry, Nova. I never thought they would do that, especially in front of everyone.”
She speaks without taking a breath, and with such passion that I'd be stupid not to believe her. I'm so incredibly grateful that it hasn't ruined our relationship.
“After everything that's happened tonight and the lead up to the wedding, I just can't do it anymore and I've decided to go no contact with Mum and Dad. Tonight was the push I needed but they've made my life hell over the past few months, the last few years really. Mum even said to Phillip's dad that he should be thankful they have been accepting of their position in society. What the fuck does that even mean? She's acting like she’s the queen or something. Anyway after your last visit, I took a leaf out of my big sister's book and we eloped. It was beautiful and perfect and mum wasn't anywhere in sight.”
I sob into the phone, not caring how I look as the tears stream down my face. I'm so incredibly relieved that I've not lost her, that our mother won't get her claws into her now. I never realised how much I was still holding onto, worried that somehow Lizzy might be roped into some sort of situation and blamed for it.
“I'm so happy for you both,”
I bawl, as Ace leans over to get me the tissue box from the nightstand.
“Lizzy?”
Ace questions hesitantly. “Sorry for shooting up your reception.”
“Ha! It's okay. My aunt’s a bitch and she deserved it after hitting Nova. I'm just glad you two are okay. You are okay, right?”
She asks tentatively.
“We’re good, Sis. We’re good.”
I can't help but grin over him using the word Sis, cementing her place within our little family. A mishmashed group made up of the people we want and not who we’re forced to be around.
“Phillip's dad is friends with the local police sergeant and explained what happened. The official word is everyone thinks her vape exploded so no one will come looking for you. I feel like we're criminal masterminds but I'm just glad you're both safe.”
Lizzy continues to talk a mile a minute over everything that happened after we left. Our mother was frothing, apparently, screaming that her reputation was ruined and how ungrateful I was. I couldn't help but roll my eyes because of course, it was my fault I was hit. She would no doubt say I should have moved out of the way faster. I relax back into Ace's hold and despite it being the worst night ever, it's also been a hugely successful night to. It allowed me the little kickstart I needed to embrace everything that Ace can give me. I’m not that scared girl anymore, my future is warm with his body wrapped around mine, and I’m not going to hold back from everything he has to offer.