Amber
Weeks passed, and Zach came to meet me whenever our schedules allowed it.
There was no rhyme or reason. We simply couldn’t be apart.
Every morning and night we messaged or called one another.
Sometimes those calls got out of hand, and we ended up sexting or having phone sex.
It was as if he’d uncaged an insatiable beast inside me.
Mum was so busy with the wedding she hadn’t noticed anything.
Sadie hadn’t appeared again, so I presumed Luke had sorted that out.
My obsession with Zach made me understand why Sadie would be curious about my mum.
I now considered every girl Zach had dated.
I may have even looked a few up on social media.
Alisha was back home, working at a local hair salon. That stressed me out, since we went into the town centre whenever we managed to drag ourselves out of my bedroom or hotel rooms. I couldn’t help but feel the same wave of shame whenever I thought of her.
Which made me think of how dismissive Zach used to be. Now I had everything to lose. Especially my heart. It wasn’t a blow I’d survive.
Not this time.
? ? ?
The fun part was stuffing Zach into my closet whenever my mum came to my room. He looked like a petulant child as I closed the door on his face.
“Amber?” Mum said again.
“Coming,” I said, scanning the room for Zach’s things before opening the door.
“I hardly see you these days,” she said, walking past me. “Are you okay? You’re always in your room. Why don’t you get out for some fresh air?”
She paused and sniffed the air.
“Maybe open the window. It smells funky in here.”
I don’t know how I managed to keep a straight face, but I did.
“I’m busy between studying and gaming,” I said, which was partly true. “I’ll probably go out for some food, though.”
“That will be nice. Who are you meeting?”
“Whoever’s free this afternoon,” I said, avoiding another lie and the guilt that usually followed.
“I’m staying at Luke’s tonight. Do you want to come with me? I don’t particularly like leaving you alone at night.”
“I’m officially an adult now, mother. Go, you kids have fun,” I said, gently turning her around and nudging her toward the door.
She was still grumbling when I shut my door, and the closet door opened with a sullen-looking Zach emerging. I was almost sympathetic when I saw the turquoise lace sticking out of his jeans pocket.
“Put my knickers back, Zach. Or I’ll end up going to class knickerless.”
His eyes widened as realisation sank in. He dug his hands into his pockets and pulled several pairs of my underwear out.
The boy had zero shame.
? ? ?
“All I’m saying is that I deserve a reward for returning all your knickers,” he said innocently, guiding me to a booth close to the window.
“What would you like in return for not stealing my underwear, Zach?”
He grinned and rubbed his hands together like an evil genius, clearly missing my sarcasm. Then he sat next to me and I leaned into him. I couldn’t help myself with Zach. His touch, his smell, and the way he cared—without even realising it.
His hand rested on my hip, toying with the gap between my jeans and top. That’s all it took for us to kiss. It began as a soft peck that grew deeper.
Someone cleared their throat.
My eyes opened.
It was only the waitress.
“Welcome to Mocksy’s,” she said, with zero enthusiasm in her soul.
Zach pulled back.
“Are you ready to order, or would you like some drinks first?”
Zach grabbed the menu, turning it over and scanning the contents.
“Two cheeseburgers—one with regular fries, one sweet potato fries—and for the drinks, one vanilla milkshake and one strawberry.”
I guess I was predictable.
“Sadie is gone for good?” he asked, placing the menu back in the holder at the end of the table.
“As far as I know, she hasn’t been back to our house, but I don’t think Mum’s telling me everything,” I said, glancing up as the bell above the door jingled and someone came into the restaurant.
It was my worst nightmare.
Alisha.
All blonde and perfectly applied makeup, still effortlessly fashionable, while I sat there in comfortable sportswear, ketchup smear probably still on my napkin. The smell of frying oil and melted cheese suddenly felt cloying instead of comforting.
She was at the takeaway counter, ordering out, tapping her nails against the counter while she waited. I almost sighed in relief—until she turned around, and I watched recognition land as she stared at Zach.
“Zach,” she screeched, the sound cutting clean through the low hum of the diner.
I closed my eyes and ducked my head down, letting my hair fall over my face like a curtain.
“It’s been years. When did you get back?”
Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she crossed toward our booth. All the same insecurities and shame crept back until I felt sick, my stomach twisting tighter than the vinyl seat beneath me.
“You ignored my messages.”
I snuck a glance at Zach. He wasn’t looking at Alisha. He was staring at me.
“Who’s this?”
I tried to shrink back into the booth, but his hand dug into my hip, anchoring me in place.
“Amber,” he said, flat and final.
Her brow furrowed as she studied me, and I watched the moment she placed my face—the same malicious light flickering back into her eyes, sharp as it had been years ago.
I straightened my back and raised my head.
“Hello, Alisha,” I said, as her gaze swung between the two of us, the fluorescent lighting overhead doing nothing to soften the look on her face.
Malice or jealousy—I couldn’t decide which emotion was stronger. Either way, she wasn’t happy.