“I’m not seeing him,” I tell Chance.
He chuckles. “Call it what you want. Reef told me otherwise.”
His wink is exaggerated, and I groan at the corniness. Adele looks to Zane and then to me. “We have caught up a few times,” I say backtracking so as not to give the wrong impression to Adele. Zane is definitely not on my radar. I swipe my face with the onset of flies buzzing near my face.
“You’ll get used to them,” Kristen says, witnessing my attempt at deterring the flies from landing on me.
“Why me? They’re not interested in you.” I continue to wave my hand about.
“Maybe they can smell fresh meat.” She laughs. “Come inside. The cooler is on, and we’ll show you to your rooms before we head out to the touristy spots.”
We arrive back at Zane’s late afternoon for a quick shower before heading into town. After trekking through hills to witness unique sculptures in the outback, I understand the need to wash the red dirt from my feet.
This morning before leaving, my screen had lit up like a Christmas tree with messages from Reef. Still not ready to speak to him, I left my phone at Zane’s with Adele promising to airdrop photographs to me once we were back within Wi-Fi distance.
While Adele is in the shower, I pull out my phone and read the first message from last night when I rushed from his penthouse.
Were you just here?
Hunter described someone looking for me, and it sounded a lot like you.
I shake my head and keep reading his messages.
I’m guessing the radio silence is because you think you saw something.
I haven’t done anything wrong.
So please don’t assume anything.
I did see something, douchebag.
Macy, what’s going on?
I woke up hoping you’d message me back.
Call me.
Nothing happened last night.
Why did you come back to the apartment?
I hoped we could spend tonight together.
I’m sure he’ll find someone else. His teammates will probably have another party.
So, you can go away for a weekend with Chance and hang out with his friends and yet you can’t stay one night with me.
Nice work.
Well played.
My breath catches. I open up Instagram and scroll through the feed and see the pictures Adele has posted. I wasn’t sure whether Chance mentioned it to him since they’re friends. Regardless, he needs to know I didn’t play him, but I can’t force myself to make the call today. I reach into my bag and pull out the poem he wrote for me. Before I open it, Chance knocks on the door.
“I have Reef on the phone. He wants to talk to you.”
Adele pushes past Chance and makes a disgruntled noise. “Out. I want to dress. Shower is free, Macy.”
I refold the note and stand to head to the shower. “I’ll call him later. Zane has us on a schedule.” I walk past Chance and hear the last of the conversation.
“Mate, she said she’ll call later…
“I don’t know…
“She never said anything…
“She messaged me saying she wanted to come for the trip. I did put it out to you to come as well—
“It’s not my fault. Talk with her later.”
Before closing the door, his phone buzzes again, and I hope it’s not Reef.
“Mum,” he says. “What’s up?”
I click the lock to the bathroom door. Under the shower, I think about last night. Reef’s free to hook-up with whoever he pleases because we’re not a couple. Still, my gut hurts every time I think about him, and it’s warning enough what we have going on has gone too far. Maybe we need to end it.
I turn on the shower and promise myself not to think about Reef until the road trip is over. At least not every minute of the day.
Sunday morning Zane and Kristen drive us to Silverton, a tiny town not far out of Broken Hill. An opportunity for Chance to visit his favourite artist before we hit the road to Adelaide—a six-hour trip if you count restroom stops.
The artist paints emus with big round eyes and creates sculptures. I buy a small one thinking of Reef. I don’t want to admit it’s for him because I’m still so mad at him. But after last night, I think we need to talk when I get home. And if I’m being honest, I don’t want to stop seeing him. God, I’m conflicted. Seriously, who in their right mind would want to be with me?
I make my way outside to find Chance among more paintings and, well, there’s no other way to describe it other than a wall of junk—arty junk assembled in a way to look creative and tell a story. Chance slowly pads the length of the wall taking in every detail, mesmerised by it all.
“It’s cool.” I smile at him and wave at my face because the flies are worse out here than in the town centre.
He nods at me and offers a half-smile, minus the dimples.
“Are you okay?”
He nods and slaps at the air. “Love this stuff. Making art out of junk. It challenges you to find purpose with bits people discard and think useless. One person’s junk is another one’s treasure.” He keeps walking the wall. “John said I can take some remnants back with me. I love what he’s done here.”
“Yet, you’re not really smiling.”
He glances at me, rubs the back of his neck, and looks over to his sister giggling with Zane. “Dad is being admitted to the hospital next week. He’s jaundiced and not sure why. Needs more tests on his liver.”
“I hope everything is okay.”
“Mum says he’ll be fine, but I’m not saying anything to Adele until we’re on the plane.”
I nod. “I’m sure your mother is right. But I understand your concern until you get the results.”
“You done yet?” Zane calls out to Chance.
Chance and I head out to the side, and I pick up large rusted bolts and screws while he carries a clump of iron and something else I have no idea what. We throw it in the back of Zane’s car and head back into town.
After loading our bags in the rental car, I thank Zane and climb into the back seat. Chance and Adele take a moment longer to say goodbye, and then Adele kisses Zane, wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss.
Shit.
I can’t see Chance’s expression, but I can’t imagine he’s pleased, and expect him to say something to Adele when in the car.
“I’ll miss you,” Adele tells Zane before she shuts the door.
“Get me tickets to a game,” Zane yells out to Chance. “I’ll be there after Christmas.”
“Send me dates. I’ll see what I can do.”
The first five minutes of the trip are in silence. When we reach the hills and spy the goats, I finally see Chance smile.
Settling into the back seat, I open my phone.
SOS only.
I have plenty of time to think about what to text Reef.
We hit level ground, and I settle into the cushioned seat. The long, straight road hazes over in the distance tricking the eye to thinking it’s a never-ending journey. Looking out to the open road, I realise my life without a relationship is like this—safe and in one direction—a journey without curves lacking surprise or excitement for what’s around the bend.