Page 52 of The Deviation

“I never should have come here.” His voice is raspy as he reaches behind him to open the door. “I swear, seeing you wasn’t part of the plan, but even so…” His gaze sneaks up to mine and the regret there threatens to bring me to my knees. “It won’t happen again.”

And then he’s gone.

TWENTY-ONE

______

JOHNNY

If there is one thing Gavin and Charmaine love to do, it’s throw a kick-arse party. The gravelled parking area outside The Jam Shed is full when I arrive, with extra cars lined up beside the driveway.

The path from the shed to the back of the house is illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights strung up in the trees on either side. Guests crowd the covered entertainment area, with more spilling out onto the surrounding grass. Low key rock music pumps from the sound system, almost drowned out by laughter and conversation.

I head straight for the kitchen, where I know Gavin will be busy refilling platters with cheese, crackers, and freshly baked sausage rolls, while also prepping a barbecue feast. “Mate,” he drawls, wrapping one arm around my shoulders for a quick squeeze. “Glad you could make it.” His lazy smile and the faint aroma of beer tell me he’s well into enjoying the evening.

I clap him on the back. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” We chat for a few minutes before I hold up the large cooler bag I’m carrying, the assorted six packs of beer inside clink together. “Where should I stash these?”

He cackles with delight. “Mate, you’re a bloody legend.” Waving a hand, he directs me back outside. “Take these too, will you?” he adds, shoving two bowls of potato chips in my direction.

Making my way outside, I find an empty table to put the bowls onto before running into Charmaine. She looks stunningin a slinky red dress with matching kitten heels. “Johnny,” she squeals, throwing her arms around me. Lifting up on her toes, she whispers in my ear, “A bunch of my single girlfriends are here. Sexy and successful.” Pulling back, she waggles her eyebrows at me. “I could introduce you. New year, new you, and all that.”

I give an awkward laugh, appreciating her attempt at match making, despite my total lack of interest. “I’ll let you know if I need any help there. In the meantime,” I hold my bag up again, “help with these?”

Her eyes light up, and she rubs her hands together. “Oh, I knew there was a reason I like you.” She leads me to the side of the paved area where a drinks table has been set up. The surface is covered in assorted wine and liquor bottles, along with soft drinks and juice. Underneath are a couple of ice-filled esky coolers. With some effort, we manage to wedge a half dozen bottles at least partway into the already crowded ice. It will have to do.

Charmaine is called away as I’m standing to twist the top off a bottle of beer. I have yet to take a sip when a flash of ginger closes in on me from the side.

“You’re late,” hisses a feminine voice.

I turn my head. Hannah glares up at me, her arms crossed and shoulders hunched.

“Hello to you, too,” I reply, smirking at her.

She makes a grumpy sound. “Hello.”

My gaze searches the crowd, but I don’t see any sign of Calum.

“He’s over there somewhere talking to people,” she says with a wave of her hand. “Mingling or whatever.”

I clear my throat, kicking myself for being so freaking obvious. “Why aren’t you mingling or whatever?”

Indignant eyes lift to mine. “Do I look like a people person?”

My gaze sweeps over her. She’s wearing black skinny jeans and combat boots, despite the heat of the summer night. At least her shirt is cooler. A dark plum, the clingy material drapes artfully off one shoulder, leaving her arms bare. The riot of ginger curls hangs loose around her shoulders. She’s as beautiful as her brother is gorgeous. Not to mention, brimming with talent and sharp like a dagger. But here, surrounded by strangers, she’s skittish in a way she wasn’t when it was just the two of us. “You can stick with me if you’d like,” I suggest. “Then neither of us are alone.”

Her lips twist as she appears to contemplate my offer before giving a curt nod. “Okay.”

“Great.” I tilt my head in invitation. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the rest of our little band family.”

“I met some of them already,” she says in a rush. “Cal introduced me.” I wait for more and she rolls her eyes before snapping, “I don’t like it when people try to hug me.”

My mouth rounds into an “oh” of understanding. That would be Charmaine. And Toni. Possibly Ned. “Let’s try again,” I say, crooking a finger at her. “If you give them a chance, I promise they’ll adore you from a distance.”

Huffing an exasperated sigh, she falls into step behind me.

I spend the next few hours hanging out with my favourite people in the world and sliding Hannah into each conversation. Anyone who ventures too close to her finds me in their way. A subtle shake of my head has them backing up again. They quickly find other ways to welcome her. Charmaine brings her prime morsels of Gavin’s cooking. Toni regales her with over-the-top tales about his life with Ned, while randomly throwing in questions about her, which she answers with short sentences.

Eventually, Oz sneaks in to stand on her other side. Her gaze darts to and away from him repeatedly. His glances are slower, with some crooked smiles thrown in. This dance goes on for awhile, until he leans down to introduce himself in a quiet voice and offers his hand. To my surprise, Hannah accepts, her cheeks turning pink as they shake. Her other hand lifts to tuck her hair behind her ear and what the hell is happening here?