Page 48 of Something Real with the Sea Monster

“Wait—”

She reaches for the door. “No. I’m leaving. Don’t follow me.”

“But, Tegan—”

“Oh, and I quit your stupid job! Serves me right for fucking the boss. Again.” The door slams behind her and the timer on the light clicks off, leaving me in darkness.

I lean forward to let my head thunk into a pile of towels. I miss the towels and hit the metal frame of the shelving unit with a thud instead. Why did I think I knew how to handle this? I feel bad for all the times I berated Luke and Noah for how they handled their relationships in the past.

Clearly I know nothing.

What the hell am I supposed to do now? I have to get her back. I have to!

If I chase her now, she’ll only run faster and might do something reckless. If I know Tegan, she’ll be driving back to Sydney today as soon as she’s packed her things.

I hate the thought of her driving by herself while she’s upset. That doesn’t sit right at all.

Fuck.

Fuck!

Racing from the storeroom, I yank the door to reception open and look around. “Mom? Dad? Noah?”

Silence.

Where the hell are they? Typical of them to come blow up my life and then disappear.

I forget, of course, that I just told Noah to take them elsewhere.

I snatch my phone from the counter and ring him. He pinks up after only one ring.

“Oh man. Exactly how much trouble are you in?”

“Would you knock it off? Where are you? Where are Mom and Dad?”

“You wanted space. We went up the road to Luke and Mia’s.”

Oh no. The last thing Tegan needs right now is to run right back into my whole family while she’s feeling like this. “Fuck. Is Mia there?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Get her. I need to talk to her.”

There’s a pause and a rustle. I hear muffled voices. Then Mia says, “Jack?”

“Hi. I’ve done something really stupid. No time to explain. Tegan is on her way, and I don’t think she wants to see my family again right now. Can you head her off?”

“Oh! Oh my god. Everyone is here. She’s coming here?”

“Any moment. She just left Inlet Views.”

“OK. Leave it to me.”

“Thanks. And, Mia?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you tell her I’m really sorry?”