“Minx.”
I nudge his arm, and he chuckles. “It’s your fault,” I say.
“Oh. Am I justtoosexy andirresistible?”
“Yes.”
He grins as he says, “Then why aren’t you jumping my bones now?”
“I’m hungry,” I reply as I grab the plate and take my ham and lettuce sandwich to the lounge.
Conner sits beside me, and he turns on the TV. Unfortunately, he can’t change the channel in time, and I tell him to wait until Dad comes on screen. News reporters swarm him. He’s with the policewoman, and they are going up the stairs to the courthouse.
The headline on the bottom of the screen states:John Taylor heads into court to face his charges of destroying vital evidence eight years ago.
“This is the first court case,” I murmur. “He has four more big charges against him, doesn’t he? Selling drugs, in the procession of illegal drugs, the one with the other two police officers who ignored Mrs Crawford’s calls and the charge my mum put on him.”
“Noya…” Conner grimaces, averting his gaze.
“What?” I sit up and suddenly feel panicked.
“At this stage, your mum isn’t pressing charges.”
Leaning back on the lounge, I move to the side and rest my head against Conner’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” I take a bite of my food, but don’t feel hungry anymore. “I should have seen this coming.”
“Maybe when she’s better in rehab, she might change her mind.”
I doubt it,I think, but force a smile instead. “Why don’t we watch more of those Marvel movies? I really like Black Widow. She’s my favourite.”
“Y-yeah, baby,” Conner says.
We flick on Disney, and I snuggle further into my comforter, known as Conner, and we spend the night watching movies.
I need this to keep my mind off Mum and Dad.
63
D.V.A.
I amgrateful that Sammy is coming with me to this seminar. I pull from the front of her home, and she races out. Her mum slams the door, causing me to flinch.
Sammy hops in and swoons over the inside of the car, telling me it smells nice in here. I look away, feeling the blush crawl up to my cheeks.
“Uh… is everything okay with your mum?” I ask as we head to the school.
“Oh, you know. Same shit, different day.”
“Um…” I dart a look at her and then away. “Did you think more about what I told you on my birthday?”
Sammy smiles. “Dylan and I talked about it, but we’re trying to stay at his nan’s place first. She has a granny flat in the backyard, and she said that as long as I have a job and pay the bills, we can live there.”
“That’s very kind of her,” I say.
“Your idea was amazing, Noya. But,”—She sighs deeply—“Dylan and I fuck too much.”