Page 31 of Vying Girls (Girls of Hazelhurst #2)

Taking my mind off the burn on my chest, I flick my eyes around the designs on the walls.

Doesn’t Haz know she’s as permanent as these tattoos, that I couldn’t slough her off even if I wanted?

She fills up my soul along with Elly, as integral to me as the air I breathe, the air that catches in my lungs as an idea strikes.

‘Wait.’

Skylar pauses, eyes a little glazed as they meet mine. She was clearly in the zone.

‘I’ve changed my mind.’

She looks down at the already-started tattoo, a flicker of annoyance in her face.

‘No, I still want that. I just want to add something.’

She waits for me to go on. I release a breath, body thrumming with a new conviction.

It’s a crazy idea. Impulsive. Irreversible. Undeniably right. It’s Haz.

I voice my vision to Skylar, trusting she’ll go with it. She runs her tongue over her front teeth, a silver ball winking there. ‘Trust me to freestyle it?’

‘I dunno. Should I?’

She grins, a diabolical thing under the harsh lights. ‘Hell yeah. We’re gonna get you laid, babes.’

Nic

I watch Tommy dodge a fallen tree, his slight stumble telling me he’s as inebriated as me. At least it’s just booze this time. I’ve slowed down on the powdered shit. My heart’s not liking it, and it’s reminding me of a time I’d rather leave so fucking far behind.

The forest is pitch black, the air still cold enough that I’ve got my hood pulled up, hands deep in my pockets.

I’m walking quietly enough but I don’t know how he can’t hear me.

I shake my head at his obliviousness. Only a guy could get away with bumbling through the woods at three in the morning the way he is.

I don’t particularly want to talk to him, but rather him than his brother.

It still messes me up inside, the fact I’m doing this all for Tilda, after swearing to avenge myself on her mere weeks ago.

Pisses me off she’s got me tied like this, but I know it’s not her fault.

Not this anyway. It’s his . And I’m on any side that’s not.

Getting tired of the hunt, I finally call out Tommy’s name.

He whips round, a startled expression on his face. He holds up his hands. ‘I’ve stayed away, I swear.’

I know for a fact that’s bullshit but I’m not here to rough him up. I want to, him spouting my shit to Tilda like that. I draw in a steadying breath, reminding myself who the real enemy is here.

‘You’re fine. I just want to talk.’

He scoffs, hands sliding into his pockets. ‘Heard that line before.’

I regard his stubbly face, the distrust swimming in his amber eyes. ‘I saw Damien.’

‘What?’

‘He says your family’s having issues. Something he needs my help with. Any idea what he’s going on about?’

Tommy shakes his head. ‘I don’t know.’

‘What do you mean you don’t know?’

‘I don’t. I’m no-contact with him these days. Mum, too.’

I frown. ‘Since when?’

‘Since not that long. When I came here.’ He looks around the silent pines, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. ‘I needed to get out first.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I needed a place to stay, and the scholarship money—’

‘No, why are you no-contact?’

Tommy looks at me, his gaze for once unwavering. ‘You really need to ask that?’

‘Guess it didn’t get better then?’

‘Understatement.’

‘And Josephina?’ I hold my breath, dreading the answer.

Tommy shrugs. ‘She’s still with Mum. She’s only thirteen. Anyway, she’s never been a problem. Her and Damien…well, I think she just likes getting on with everyone. That’s kind of her thing.’

‘But she’s fine?’

‘Yeah.’ Tommy nods. ‘Yeah. She’s fine.’

Relief unspools in me, some of the guilt chipping off. He hadn’t hurt her then, hadn’t used her when he couldn’t get to me.

‘Is that why you’re living in halls?’

‘How’d you know I’m in halls?’

He shakes his head when I don’t answer. ‘Yeah. That’s why. Mum cut me off. Damien made her, I reckon. I’m not allowed back at the house.’ He laughs sadly. ‘Joey said they even took all my pictures down, like they did yours.’

‘Shit, man.’

‘No. It’s cool.’ He kicks at the ground. ‘The right thing.’

I wonder if he feels it too, this guilt.

He threw me under the bus so many fucking times.

That timid little kid, terrified of his big, bad brother.

I hated his weakness. Looking back, I probably treated him as badly as Damien did, just with fewer fists.

The fact he did this for me, at least in part, makes me feel weird. Good or bad weird, I can’t tell.

‘So, are you going to help him? Whatever it is.’

‘Fuck am I.’

‘I can’t think what it’d be.’ He frowns, staring off. ‘A ruse maybe? Wouldn’t put it past him.’ He looks at me, the sudden concern in his eyes startling. ‘Are you okay? I mean, with seeing him and all. That was probably shit for you.’

‘Wasn’t the best day I’ve ever had,’ I allow. ‘But I’m not here about me, couldn’t give a shit. It’s Tilda. Damien’s got it in his head that she and I are a thing, and he’s blackmailing me with it. Help him or she gets hurt.’

Tommy’s eyes widen. ‘What? That fucking twat!’

‘Yeah. So I really need to find out what’s going on. Preferably without involving him.’

Tommy rubs his shoe over a log as he thinks. ‘I can maybe ask Joey. Want me to give her your number?’

I nod. Because if he gives me hers, I’ll never have the guts to do it.

I get my phone out as he does the same. It’s a weird moment standing there as he punches in my number. Never thought I’d see the kid again, let alone the man, and to be seemingly on the same side too. My insides writhe with discomfort. I kick the log to dissipate it.

Tommy looks up when he’s done. ‘Just…be careful with her. Don’t want her mixed up in stuff. More than she already is.’

I nod again. ‘I’ll leave it up to her. I won’t push anything.’

‘Cool.’ He smiles, eyes suddenly lighting up. ‘She grew up good, you know.’

I take my phone back and repocket it. ‘She was always good.’