Page 24 of What Did I Miss?

Makayla resists the urge to wolf down the entire packet. It’s positioned in the middle, and she waits until the rustling stops before dipping her hand into the bag. Must avoid grazing fingers at all costs.

‘Are you okay?’ Beau asks when the credits roll. ‘You look a little uncomfortable.’

That’s one way to put it. Constipated is a better description as she sits there clenching her toes, fists and backside. She even has to remind herself to breathe.

Makayla makes the rookie error of glancing to her right at the exact moment Beau looks to his left.

His adorable grin seizes time. They lock eyes until a dancing doona in the back of the ute parked beside them steals her attention.

The young couple are working up a sweat, and they have the creaking vehicle to prove it.

It’s bold to think they can get away with it in public.

Then again, going by their jackhammer speed, they’re at the point of no return.

‘They’re totally doing it, aren’t they?’ Beau asks.

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘Geez. They’re giving it a real crack.’

‘Like rabbits.’

‘Should we honk?’ He hovers his palm above the steering wheel.

‘Don’t be a narc.’ Makayla laughs, grabbing his hand before he causes a scene. ‘They’ll be done soon.’ Hopefully . It’s hard not to think about sex when it’s staring her in the face.

Beau removes his hand from hers. ‘Sorry,’ he says, even though technically she’s the one who broke Rule Number Twenty-Three: No holding hands.

Out there, together in the middle of nowhere on a starry night, with his thoughtful snack selections, the live show happening on the sidelines and the warmth of his touch lingering on her skin, Makayla’s not sure she’s going to last much longer.

The only thing she’s certain about is that being alone with Beau Shepherd makes her want to break all the rules.

‘This is so good,’ Beau moans. ‘The best I’ve ever had.’ His eyes roll back.

‘I told you it’d be worth it.’ Makayla bites into a steaming double patty burger.

‘I’m glad you convinced me to try it. I wasn’t really hungry after all those snacks.’ He licks a dribble of oil off his fingers.

By the time the credits rolled on the last film, Makayla wasn’t hanging for a feed either.

She was in the mood for something else, however – more time with Beau.

Instead of saying that, she suggested they detour to an infamous food truck hidden behind the freeway.

The type of eatery where hair nets, gloves and council approvals are overlooked, because they make a mean bun with the lot.

Beau and Makayla sit on a blanket in the centre of a vacant property, backlit by his car’s headlights.

Overgrown grass swishes around them. It’s the least romantic spot ever, which is why it’s perfect – except for the chaotic wind lashing at her face.

Beau had said it’d be nice to get outside and stretch their legs.

Makayla knew he was worried about melted cheese slopping onto his seats.

Before they left the drive-in, he vacuumed the chip crumbs with a dust buster he keeps in his boot.

Makayla’s tempted to invite him back to her place; it’s in need of a deep clean.

‘Do you want to play twenty-one questions?’ he asks. ‘Real stuff, I mean, not things like, what’s your stance on anchovies and pizza.’

‘Sure, but for the record, are you one of those “no anchovies” weirdos? I’d answer carefully if I were you or you might find yourself stranded out here.’

‘I like salty things.’ He smirks.

Makayla almost chokes on a pickle. ‘You go first.’

‘Are you in love with your ex-husband?’ Beau comes right off the bat.

Makayla laughs so hard it morphs into a wheeze. She rubs circles onto her chest to calm it. ‘What on earth makes you think that?’

He shrugs. ‘It would explain why you’re—’

‘Why I’m what?’

‘A little closed off,’ he says timidly. ‘Maybe you’re still hung up on him. Are you?’

His jealousy is cuter than she’d like to admit.

‘Let me make it clear. I’d rather swallow razor blades and chase them with chilli sauce than get back with Waz. Getting divorced was the happiest day of my life.’

‘Yikes. That bad? You never told me what happened between you two.’

‘I believe it’s my turn to ask a question.’ There’s a ringing in her ears as she scrambles for a topic that’ll steer him away from that one. ‘Did you cry during Dangerous Minds ?’ She knows the answer.

‘When that student died? Yeah, of course, though not as much as I did the first time I watched it. Don’t tell me you didn’t shed a tear.’

‘Not one. I’m not a crier, though.’ It’s a trait the Andersons pride themselves on.

‘Bullshit,’ Beau scoffs.

‘I’m not.’ She elbows him. Did she sob for a minute after the bathroom incident? Yes. But Beau doesn’t know that, and he never will.

‘The night we met,’ he starts, ‘we were cuddling afterwards, and I fell asleep for a bit. I’ve never had someone tire me out as much as you.

I’m not complaining.’ He beams like someone who loves a challenge.

‘When I woke up, my arm was wet, and you were sniffling. I didn’t know you, so I stayed quiet.

Now that I do, I have to ask, was it about him?

Your ex? It was right after your divorce; you would’ve been grieving. ’

Makayla sighs as the conversation circles back to Warren. Why can’t Beau see the only person fixated on that dickhead is him?

‘I don’t remember.’ The lie settles in the back of Makayla’s throat.

She could have sworn Beau was asleep. Even if he wasn’t, she couldn’t have stopped the avalanche of tears.

After her physical release, she’d sprung a leak.

It had been so long since she’d let herself think about the thing she never wants to.

That day hovers like a shadow, catching her unaware when she least expects it.

She swats it aside, not wanting to bring it up now or ever.

‘Surely I’m not the first woman to cry after sleeping with you,’ she says, returning to her default setting.

They laugh. For a moment, Makayla forgets it’s his turn to ask a question. She squeezes her napkin.

‘Is this the worst date you’ve been on? Be honest. I can take it,’ he says.

Makayla closes her eyes, smiling gratefully. He’s backing off the interrogation.

‘Considering this is the second date I’ve ever been on, it’s hard to say. The Blob cost me one hundred and seventy dollars and my dignity, but you provided a live sex show at the drive-in. That’s a tough act to follow.’

‘The Blob?’

‘Don’t ask.’ She shakes her head; she’s not giving that disastrous dinner another thought. ‘Listen, I know it might not seem like it, but I always enjoy myself when we hang out. Even a bad date with you is still a great one.’

‘That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.’ He breaks into a dopey grin that mirrors how goofy she feels for admitting that out loud.

‘My turn? Multiple choice. Why did you really switch teams yesterday? A. You secretly love yard duty on the oval, or B. You have a death wish.’ That should keep the conversation light.

‘Makayla, you know why.’

His gorgeous eyes swim with affection, and Makayla finds herself drowning in them. He won’t be able to save her this time. She sets her burger aside and inches closer to him. One nibble won’t hurt.

‘Stay put, young lady. It’s not happening.’ He blocks her with a wiggling finger. ‘Rule Number Nine: No kissing.’

‘But … but …’ Her lips tingle with anticipation.

‘Rule Number Twenty-Seven: Don’t break any rules, even if I beg you.’ He winces like he’s in a world of pain. ‘Sorry. I’m a man of my word.’

Makayla whimpers, annoyed at her past self for being a cockblocker.

‘What if I told you I was wearing lacy underwear?’ She’s not, but once her cotton briefs are off, surely he won’t care.

‘Nope. You’re wearing big granny underpants.’ He taps his head like he’s desperate to change the image inside it.

‘They’re red,’ she sings.

‘They’re beige,’ he replies. ‘Makayla, you can’t keep doing this to me. You set boundaries for this date and I’m respecting them. Now you have to accept mine.’ His tone shifts into school-hour Shepherd – firm. She’s pushed him too far with her chopping and changing.

‘You’re right. I apologise.’ Her cheeks sting.

Getting hot and heavy under the stars isn’t the reason she delayed the end of their date.

Why does she always revert to that? The moon spotlights his forgiving face, and her insides flutter in the most clichéd way possible.

She knows why. It’s safer to give him her body than her heart.

‘I have another question, if you want to keep playing.’

Technically, it’s his turn, but with a wave of his hand, he gives her the floor.

‘How did you get that scar?’ She’s wanted to know ever since that night in his back seat.

‘Funny story, actually,’ he says unexpectedly. ‘I was teasing my sister about her braces, as all annoying brothers do, and out of nowhere she stabbed me with her scrapbooking scissors.’ He chuckles like it was a normal sibling squabble.

‘Whoa, I’m suddenly happy about being an only child. Then again, it might’ve been nice to have an ally. No one got knifed in our household, but my dad sure as hell knew how to weaponise his words.’

‘Was it bad?’ Beau sounds like he’s tiptoeing.

‘Yep. He was a real arsehole. Still is.’ Makayla blinks, surprised that she shared that and strangely glad she did. One less secret to carry. ‘Tell me more about your family. Your mum, your sister?’

‘What do you want to know?’ He lies on the blanket and tucks an arm behind his head.

Makayla falls back and gazes up at the dark sky, hoping to stare at it for several hours more. ‘Everything.’