Chapter 21 – There’s a Note
Luke – 23 years old
H adley jumps up and down on the spot at the window of her mum and dad’s house, she’s excited to carry on the yearly tradition of beating the triplets. Apparently, last year was a gut-punching loss for them all, and this year, I need to help them.
“Do not show me up, Walters.” Hadley points in my face, and I laugh, but the vein in her neck tells me to carry on at my own risk, so I cover it up with a cough.
“Don’t you think you’re taking this a little too seriously? They are only, like, nine years old.” All four of them turn and glare. Margo flips me the middle finger while Hadley’s mum pours sweets into a bowl.
“Go outside, I dare you, Walters.” Hadley’s dad taunts. Game on.
I know how dramatic Hadley and Margo can be, so it can’t be that bad. “Okay, I’m going outside.” After strolling confidently towards the door, I pull it open, and a water balloon bursts on my face. You little fuckers.
A hand grabbing the back of my jumper and hauling me inside allows me to avoid the bag of flour from covering me.
“You’re welcome.” Hadley grins, throwing a towel down onto my head.
“So, what’s the plan here?” I snap, annoyed that the little fuckers have soaked through my jumper and T-shirt.
“We wait,” Hadley’s dad answers before holding out a jumper towards me. I take it gratefully as I strip out of my soaked clothes.
“There’s a note, there’s a note, there’s a note!” Margo shouts as she rushes through the back. “I just found it on the decking outside.”
“What does it say?” Hadley asks.
I sneak out the front door, knowing exactly what’s about to happen, so I can be there and ready for when it does.