Page 49 of No Strings

Just as I step out of the shower a knock comes at the door, “Morgan?”

Hey, he used my name, “Yeah, yeah I’m coming.”

“And so is Christmas.”

“Eat a dick.” I call back.

Soon enough, I’m dressed and have an overnight bag packed. When I walk outside, I see the four-wheel-drive is packed and just waiting for me.

“Come on, Esky.” Her tail wags, happy to be going for a drive.

“Ah yeah, no dogs are allowed.” Davis is the one to inform me.

“But she’s a dingo.”

They all kind of just look at me with sad eyes. Well, not Rhys. He’s smiling. Jerk.

Okay well I’m not going. I’d rather stay with my dingo then be with these morons anyway.

But as if reading my mind, Rhys picks her up. “No Morgan, you’re coming. You need to get off the station. Stop being cooped up.”

“As if I could be cooped up, out here.” I reach for Esky, but he moves her away.

“You know what I mean. What have you done sinceShane picked you up?”

Fuck, he has a point, and I hate him for it. Maybe it’s not him, maybe I’m annoyed at myself. I haven’t ventured far from what has been base. Mum and Dads, and now the homestead. I have let Ethan control me for too long. I don’t have to look over my shoulder here. I can be free here.

“Fine.” I hold her head in between my hands, kiss between her ears then give them a scratch. “Be good.” And then I get in the car.

“It’s just a dingo.” Beau mutters, but he gets a quick punch from Davis. “Um, ouch.”

“Don’t be an ass.”

“But you like my ass.” Beau gives Davis a wink.

Davis on the other hand, widens his eyes while mouthing what the fuck. Beau shrugs and smiles in triumph as he slumps back into the driver’s seat.

“Are you two—?” I don’t exactly know how to finish the question.

“No,” Davis says. At the same time Beau says, “He doesn’t want to label it.”

How did I miss this?

Two and half hours later, we’re pulling up into a shopping centre carpark.

“You find something to wear to swim in, and we’ll get the last-minute things.”

I grunt my response and wave my hand in a way that I hope is telling him to fuck off, then it dawns on me.

“Wait. I don’t have my purse.”

Rhys throws me his wallet. “Don’t go crazy.”

I catch it, flick my eyes up to him and allow a smirk to slowly kick the corner of my mouth up, “Okay.”

He calls after me, “Morgan, I’m serious.”

“Yeah, and I heard you.”