After serving the last table, I remove my black apron and grab a coffee for myself. I slide in beside Chance, mid-conversation across the table with Zane. He’s sitting between Adele and Kristin.
“C’mon, Chance, I’ll never hit on your sister because I know you’ll be watching me like a bloody hawk.”
Adele glares at Chance.
Chance folds his arms. “So, you never wanted to get with her?”
“Stop it,” Adele says, getting in his face.
Shit. A protective big brother.
“Hey, I don’t mind, I want to know where I stand with my mate here.”
“This is weird. We’ve been mates for years even though we’ve barely seen each other. Won’t change anything. But yeah, I wanted to hit on your sister because look at her… she’s stunning.”
Adele smiles at Zane.
“See that look right there,” Chance interrupts the longing look Adele is giving Zane. “She’s obsessed over you for years.”
Adele groans. “You’re out of control.”
“And we all know your rep, mate. I can’t help looking out for my sis.”
I sip my coffee and want to reach for the popcorn.
“My rep?” Zane runs his fingers through his dark hair. “What about yours? How are we different?”
“You’re not,” Kristin interjects. She plays with her blonde pony, stroking it as though it magically will calm her friends. “You both are hot guys, and it’s natural for girls to be attracted to you. But both of you… get around.” She raises her eyebrows. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know how else to put it. I love you both, but I also understand why Chance wants to protect his sister.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.” Zane crosses his arms.
“Yet,” Kristin says as though she knows a secret.
Adele smiles and shoots another glare to her brother as though to hush him. “It’s my decision whether I get with someone. Not yours.”
“You’re breaking the mate code,” Chance tells him.
“I’m breaking it,” Adele tells Chance. “I’m the one who has texted Zane since I was fourteen. He was there when I got stuck with math problems.”
Zane shrugs. “Math is my thing. Its why I’m studying engineering.”
“And it wasn’t your thing,” Adele tells Chance. “Football took you away from me. And I couldn’t party with you and your friends,” she says a little louder as though she remembers it clearly.
The table isn’t drawing attention, but I want to tell them they can order alcohol because it is now lunchtime, anything to calm them. Maybe I’ll suggest one of Dominic’s desserts. Either way, I can’t drag my focus away from watching how siblings and friends interact. Georgia and I have never exchanged heated words.
“You’re the reason nothing has happened,” Zane pipes up while he’s staring at Chance. “I’ve always liked Adele. Kept it to myself because I didn’t want you to act like this. Camping with both of you was fun, especially the times your dad asked me to come along for boys-only weekends. My father didn’t have time for us. He was too busy with work. And your dad seemed to know something about everything.”
The table fell silent.
Then I remembered Chance mentioning his father is having tests.
I bump him with my shoulder. “Everything okay?”
He nods.
“I overreacted, I’m sorry,” Chance says. “To both of you. I suppose if Adele is to get with a guy, I hope it’s someone like you.”
“Get with a guy,” she repeats. “I’m not a virgin. And I’ve had guys before.”
Zane and Chance both turn rigid.
“Please pass the lunch and wine menu, Kristin,” I say, leaning across Chance. “I think it’s time you all order something. And for the record… I know it’s none of my business, and I don’t understand what’s going on here as I’m an only child… as far as I know.” Adele giggles. “But if you were my big brother, I wouldn’t like you interfering with my sex life even though I’d want you to have my back if I needed it.”
Chance’s eyes round.
“We make our own mistakes.”
His phone buzzes in his pocket, and I’m thankful for the distraction.
Adele mouths, “Thank you,” to me from across the table.
“I’m not the only one who has protective issues,” Chance says, grinning at the screen of his phone. “My man, Reef, asked when I was dropping by. And why I’m sitting next to Macy?” He chuckles. “Looks like the AFL boys were looking out for their mate.”
I pretend it means nothing. The warmth travelling down my spine and pumping through my body is enough for me to panic. No guy has had this effect on me at the mere mention of his name.
Chance reaches an arm toward Zane, and both clash knuckles.
“We’re cool?” Zane confirms.
“Yeah, brother.”
“Is Reef at his apartment?” I ask Chance.
“Yeah. He can’t go far. You heard what happened?” I nod.
“Poor bastard. He’s lucky it wasn’t higher.”
Now I’m thinking how high is his cut from the surfboard. I can’t ask to see it. Dangerous waters because if he lowers his jeans—my mind goes into overdrive, my cheeks warm. “Nice meeting you all.” I shake Chance’s friends’ hands. “Please come back again.”
“Hey, if you’re ever heading to Broken Hill anytime, shoot us a message. We’ll show you around.”
“Cool. I appreciate it. Give me a moment.” I retrieve my phone from my pocket and reactivate Instagram.
Kristin swipes her phone. “What’s your last name?”
“Reynolds.” New friends made. No uncomfortable questions or complications. “Well, I hope to see you guys soon.”
“We’re heading to Broken Hill in a month,” Adele says. “You should come for the trip. Chance and I are flying here from Melbourne, then hiring a car to drive there.”
Her generosity steals my words. I have no idea how to react. I barely know them, and they’re offering a road trip. I’m not sure I can handle being in a car for hours on end with people I barely know if the questions come. Because what else do you do in a car with strangers?
“It’s so kind of you, Adele. I’ll think about it. It might be a case of not getting time off work. And talking of…” I say before they respond, “… I should get back on the job.”
I head out back to the restroom. My thoughts side-tracked by my new friends and missing a certain someone. Before slipping on my apron, I send a message to Reef.
How are you today? Hope the pain is okay. I’m at work and was chatting with Chance and friends and your name come up. Now I’m missing you.
“Do you want to head to the pool?” I ask Dad when I get home from work. With no response from Reef since the message, I need to keep busy. Telling him I was missing him is a big deal for me. A scary big deal! A rehab aquatics class is scheduled for tonight, so I thought Dad could try it, and I could accompany him.