Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
RHYS
I t’s the day we’re leaving. Morgan wants to say goodbye to Paige, and assure her that it won’t be like last time; I’ll make sure she keeps to that. Hell, I’ll fly her back here so they don’t lose touch.
I need to go to Rafter Falls to make sure everything in the storage unit gets on the truck and leaves on time.
When I sold my grandparents’ house, I sold almost everything. But anything that meant something to me, ended up in storage. I wanted to travel light and that’s what I did. But now that I have a home, I’m moving everything with me.
I’m waiting on my Uber, something that is going to cost me a small fortune, when I spot my dipshit stepbrother. Fuck. I subtly turn away and try to keep my head down, but he spots me.
“Rhys?”
I turn to face him, but I say nothing. He looks… older? He’s only a year older than me, but fuck he looks almost ten years older.
“Long time no see. ”
Yeah, about six years, when I got asked to give over the house.
“Not going to say anything?”
I shrug, wishing for my ride to hurry up. “I have nothing to say.”
“Mum would love to see you.”
“Mum?” He calls her Mum?
“Yeah, she talks about you, you know.”
I can’t help it, I laugh. “No, she doesn’t. She kicked me out in favour of you, and only came to me to ask for my grandparents’ house for Penelope, she doesn’t miss me.”
He has the decency to look ashamed. “Look, she feels bad about all that.”
“I’m sure she does,” And thank fucking god my Uber rocks up “Tell her to not feel bad, my life turned out great.” I get in the car and then drop the window. “This will be the last time you’ll ever see me.”
With that, I wind the window back up as the driver pulls away from the curb leaving Reid standing there with his stupid mouth agape. I could have found better words; but what do I say to the person who turned my life upside down? And Mum, well she’s no better. So, they don’t deserve closure.
When I finally get to Rafter Falls and hand over my kidney in payment, I meet the movers. We pack the back of the truck, making sure everything is there and wrapped to protect it all. Once the truck is loaded, I round the last thing that is in here, covered in a dusty sheet.
“Need a hand with that?” The burley truck driver asks.
I grasp the edge of the sheet. “Nah, you guys get started, I’m sure we’ll catch you on the Nullarbor. ”
“Not a problem boss.” He gives me his back as he turns on his heels, I pull the sheet.
Dust particles fill the air, settling over my grandad’s powder blue ZB Ford Falcon.
I run my hands over the smooth paint. Shane and I helped him restore the engine, while Nanna and Morgan would just watch us.
Grandad tried to show Morgan, but Shane and I protested, a lot.
He even taught us to drive in it. So, leaving Barrenridge and driving into our future seems right in this car; driving us to new beginnings.
MORGAN
“Are you sure you have to go?” Paige hugs me.
“Yeah, I’m sure. But you can visit me and I’m sure we’ll be back.
” She doesn’t seem so sure. “Plus, I’m not with a controlling asshole anymore,” I finally opened up about the shit Ethan put me through, leaving out the fact that I murdered him.
“So, I will definitely be able to keep in contact this time.”
Tears gather at her lashes as she nods. “Okay.”
I do wish we could stay longer, especially with everything going on, but Rhys needs to sign some paperwork, and I want to try to find a job.
There was a posting about a Graphic Designer needing someone familiar with Marketing, so maybe I could do that.
As soon as I get to Ridgewood Downs, I’ll email her; I think her name was Delilah Sainsbury.
Baby Sawyer fusses in Paige’s arms. “Here, can you take her?”
I don’t hesitate to take Sawyer, taking the chance to give her a hug. “I’m going to miss you baby girl, maybe almost as much as I’ll miss your mum.”
“Aunty Morgan talking nonsense?” I snap my head up to look at Paige. “What? We were joined at the hip when you were here. Just because you’ll be on the other side of the country doesn’t mean you can’t be her aunty.”
“I love you guys.” I wrap my free hand around Paige and pull her into a hug.
Shane’s throat clears behind us. “Where’s lover-boy?”
“I’m actually not too sure, he went to Rafter Falls to make sure everything in the storage unit got on the back of the truck, he should be here any minute.
” I look down the road but see nothing. I do however hear the rumble of a car, but pay it no mind until it is turning the corner and stopped in front of us.
“Oh my god, is that your Grandad’s car?! ”
Rhys gets out and leans over the roof of the car. “Yep. We’re driving back Princess.”
“Fuck, I haven’t seen that in, well since you parked her up.” Shane marvels over the car.
“You know your Grandad taught me to drive in this car.” I tell them. They used to kick up such a fuss when I tried to get involved. “Even got me to change… I don’t know, some part, the carburettor? Said you guys didn’t put it in properly.” I hold my head high.
Where our parents failed Shane and I, Rhys’s Grandad and Nanna really stepped in for us .
Shane doesn’t even acknowledge me, too busy admiring the car. Rhys kills the engine and walks over to me, slinging his arm over my shoulders. “Is that right?”
I have a goofy smile on my face while I look up at him. “Yep.”
“Well good thing you know where that is because if this car doesn’t make it, you’re fixing it Princess.”
My goofy smile turns into a smirk. “It won’t break down, you and Shane restored it right?”
“Oh, it’s breaking down.” Paige mutters behind us causing me to snort a laugh.
Rhys looks over to her and glares, but it somehow makes the situation funnier. He throws his hands up and mutters something about women. Walking over to Shane, they pop the hood and inspect the engine.
I focus back on Paige who is now tearing up again. “Oh babe, no don’t do that. As soon as we’re settled come visit?”
She nods, and I hug both her and Sawyer. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Ditto.” My own tears threatening to fall.
We pull apart and Paige hands me the paper bag that has been resting at her feet. “Here, I made snacks. Sandwiches, fruit, I baked some cupcakes, and I think there’s a couple packs of chips.”
I look from the bag to her. “Did you know we were driving?”
“Of course I did, you think he planned this by himself?”
Rhys closes the hood and calls out. “Hey! The car was my idea.”
“And who organised everything else?” Paige rests her hand on her hip.
“Semantics.” Rhys closes the distance between us. “ Come on Princess, the truck has about an hour’s head start on us.” He pulls me into his hold.
“Just let me say one more goodbye.” He nods, and I turn to quickly give Paige another hug as Levi is walking up to us, “Look after them.” I tell him, as if he hasn’t been doing that the whole time. He simply nods and takes a reaching Sawyer. I bop her nose. “Give them hell baby girl.”
Turning to my brother, I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze. “I’ll miss you.” I pull back and ask. “We’ll see you for Christmas?”
“Yeah.” He quickly wipes his eyes muttering something about dust. I roll my eyes, but let him have it.
“Princess?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I’m not ready, I just got them back and now I’m leaving them again. He is behind me again, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on the top of my head.
“This isn’t the last time you’ll see them, I promise.” He kisses the top of my head and steps back, offering his hand.
His hand I took so many times before. The one that has helped me through panic attacks, taught me to fight, and brought me pleasure. But most importantly, the hand that has offered his heart, and a future promised with love and safety.
A hand I don’t hesitate to take.