Page 43 of No Strings

“Mo?”

I can’t help the frown that takes over my face, “Why are you panting?”

“Workout”

Ah I’ve missed his one worded response.

“Kerry-Anne?” I tease while leaning back on the bed. I watch the fan spin as Shane mutters.

“Not funny.”

I chuckle softly to myself. “You’re right, it’s hilarious.” He doesn’t say anything, apparently not possessing any ounce of humour. An awkward moment passes before I break the silence. “Anything on where Ethan is?”

“No, sorry.”

“That’s ok. Rhys killed someone. Apparently, it was an accident though?” I’m not sure if I’m allowed to tell him that. But oh well, he knows now.

“Ah, so he did it.”

“I’m sorry what, you knew? You’re a cop, how can you condone murder?”

“He was protecting you. Has my stamp of approval.”

I roll my eyes so hard, I’m sure he can hear it. “You know I can protect myself, yeah?”

“I know. Look I got to go, but I’ll call you later.”

“Ok well, tell Kerry-Anne I said to rot in hell.”

“I’m not with her.” Then a dial tone. Seems I struck a nerve.

Instead of putting my phone down, I decide to scroll once again through social media. It’s all pretty boring. I notice I haven’t posted anything since 2022, so I take a quick picture of Esky, curled up at the end of my bed. I post it with the caption: “My favourite girl.”

Short, sweet and my coming back to the world that issocial media. Once again reaching out to Paige crosses my mind.

Her profile picture is of her and Levi, no surprise there. What does surprise me is that she had a baby. I have missed out on so much of her life. I don’t want to miss out on anymore, if she will let me. Steeling my spine, I tap on the message icon and prepare myself. I write my apologies but the page wont load. The internet is down. Pilbara living, I guess.

My stomach rumbles, I need something to. Still not wanting to be the first to crack, I listen for Rhys. God, how did I go from being prepared to masturbate to the thought of Rhys to being annoyed with him, to social media? Well, the first part kind of sums up our relationship. Maybe not the masturbating thing. That’s new.

When I don’t hear anything from outside of my room, I assume he’s at the fire, so I go to the kitchen to get myself some food. When I open the fridge, I hear a male voice behind me. “Thought you were hiding?”

I spin around, my heart in my throat, just to find Rhys sitting in the dark like a fucking creep, the light from the fridge casting a glow over his sharp features.

“Rhys.” I place my hand over my racing heart. “You scared me.”

“Sorry, Princess.”

With I sigh, I try to make a demand, “Stop with the Princess thing.”

“Nope.” He pops the P, pissing me off even more.

I give him my back and go back to hunting for food. Seriously, how do men live on just the basics? When I stand up, I feel Rhys at my back. Again, he causes me to jump.

“Rhys.” It comes out in a breath.

He stretches one arm out over my head, allowing his hand to rest on the fridge, propping him up. The other ghosts past my hip. Almost like he’s scared to touch me.

My heartrate has picked up. I don’t know if that is from the scare or from Rhys being so close.