Page 79 of Finding Forgiveness

I roll my eyes. “How many times have we shared a bathroom stall when we’ve been out clubbing?”

“We were drunk … it doesn’t count.”

“Just do it, biatch. I’ll keep my back turned if it makes you feel more comfortable.”

“It would.”

“Although, it may be my last chance to see your vag intact before it resembles mincemeat.”

I giggle when she extends her leg from where she’s sitting on the toilet and kicks my calf.

“For that comment, I’m banning you from the hospital when I go into labour.”

“Your loss,” I say unaffected by her threat, because I know that will never happen. “I could’ve assisted the doctor since I’m an expert on birthing now.”

“You do realise I’ll be popping out a giant human and not a piglet, right?”

“Same, same,” I say with a flick of my hand.

“Okay, I’m done. What do we do now?”

“We wait.”

After Jacinta washes her hands, we both take a seat on the edge of the bathtub. I reach for her and she laces our fingers together. The thumb on my free hand is in my mouth as I nervously chew on my nail. I get a flashback of myself doing exactly this six years ago. The one big difference being the way I’m feeling. Back then I was petrified of what a positive test would bring, this time my anxiety is coming from a place of excitement. I’m going to be a kick-arse aunt.

Chapter24

Connor

My eyes keep flicking towards the hallway where Cass and my sister recently disappeared. They’ve been gone for ages, and every fibre of my being wants to get up from this table and find out what’s going on, but I somehow manage to quell that impulsion. I love the friendship the girls have, but I’m already missing having Cassie all to myself.Selfish, but true. I want to be the one she turns to when she’s happy or upset.

The battle is lost the moment I hear a loud squeal. I stand so quickly my chair topples over, hitting the floor with a thud. I’m across the room and heading in their direction in a few lengthy strides.

The bathroom door is the only one closed, so I raise my fist and knock. “Is everything okay in there?” I ask.

A few seconds later, I hear the click of the lock. The door opens a fraction and Cassandra pops her head out. The tears in her eyes are evident, but the smile on her face is contradictory. “All is fine, Con. We’ll be out in a minute.”

“Then why did I hear a scream.”

“Oh, that was nothing.”

“Who screamed, Cass, and why?”

“Umm … a spider. Yes, that’s it, we saw a spider and we kind of freaked out. It was big with beady eyes and eight hairy legs … absolutely hideous.” She does a little shiver to try and bring home her point, but she’s a shit liar … always has been.

My eyes narrow. “I don’t believe you.”

“Excuse me,” Cassie retorts, completely offended. “I didn’t realise you were the spider police, Maloney.”

“It’s okay, Cass,” Jacinta says from somewhere inside the bathroom. “You can let him in.”

When Cassie sighs and opens the door the rest of the way, I see my sister quickly hide something behind her back. The girls share a look, and then Cassie dashes towards the basin and starts shoving the contents lining the countertop under her shirt.

When they both turn to face me, they look guilty as sin. “What the fuck is going on?” I grumble.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cassie says, pulling back her shoulders and raising her chin in the air.

“Nothing is going on,” my sister adds.