BooksBarbecue
Back The truth about keeping secrets
Chapters (22)
  1. Chapter 1
  2. Chapter 2
  3. Chapter 3
  4. Chapter 4
  5. Chapter 5
  6. Chapter 6
  7. Chapter 7
  8. Chapter 8
  9. Chapter 9
  10. Chapter 10
  11. Chapter 11
  12. Chapter 12
  13. Chapter 13
  14. Chapter 14
  15. Chapter 15
  16. Chapter 16
  17. Chapter 17
  18. Chapter 18
  19. Chapter 19
  20. Author Interview
  21. Acknowledgements
  22. Follow Penguin

‘There’s ice on there in the winter, June. You could slip. And you’re drunk.’

‘We’re fine. Look. In one piece.’

‘That’s not the point.’ He looked us both up and down, and I hoped I wasn’t blushing. ‘What were you guys even doing?’ he asked. My mental capabilities weren’t currently sharp enough to discern whether or not he was asking because he suspected something.

‘I just wanted some air, babe.’ And June made a beeline to him like she forgot I was there, or maybe because I was there, and wrapped her arms round his shoulders. His hands slithered on to her hips. She kissed him, long and hard, not just one kiss, but that thing where you think the kiss is done but then there’s more contorting and squishing. That kind of kiss. I watched. ‘Sorry I missed you at midnight,’ June said when their faces lost suction.

And then I remembered: the countdown. It was past midnight. Olivia.

Shit.

I clicked my phone on for the first time since I’d arrived: five texts and three missed calls.

9:02 hey!! hope you’re having fuuuuun. what time do you think you’ll be here?
9:50 pizza here!!! avec lil peps as requested. you can just heat it up when you come :-)
10:55 uh  so, miles’ curfew is 11 (i know. on friggin new years) uh, so, he’s leaving … lol. lonelyyyy
11:31 idk man. just a liiiiitle bit bummed
12:03 ok. Happy new year. Glad u r having a good time see u whenever

Ah.

A timely reminder that I didn’t, in fact, live in a fantasy and was instead primarily an asshole who let down her one friend in the naïve hope she’d gain the affections of some faraway girl who didn’t like girls.

‘I have to go,’ I said suddenly, looking up from my phone. I think I might have interrupted the two of them whispering sweet nothings to each other, but whatever.

Heath spoke first. ‘Is everything OK?’

‘Yeah. Well, I mean, no. I’m … I’m a bad friend. I was supposed to, uh, meet Olivia before midnight, and I’m such an idiot, I totally forgot –’

‘I’ll take you,’ June said, already moving towards the door. ‘Let’s go.’

Heath grabbed her hard by the arm. ‘Are you out of your mind?’

‘I’m not drunk, Heath.’

‘You’re joking. So irresponsible. Oh, by the way.’ He pulled a phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. ‘I found this in the grass in the backyard. Sure, you’re not drunk. I’m taking you, Sydney,’ he said, like they were debating who should escort their daughter to soccer practice.

I banished any thoughts of potential car awkwardness and agreed.

‘OK. Yeah. Let’s go.’

Chapter 11

Chapter 11