Page 63 of Untroubled Heart

“I’ll try.” Maevyn smirks. “I spent twelve years running from my past, leaning on a very small circle of people. I got very comfortable with relying on myself and holding people at arm’s length because letting them too close meant they started to ask questions, and I didn’t want to lie to anyone. I became an expert at avoiding.” Her face softens as she takes a breath. “Westley wouldn’t let me avoid him. He was patient but determined, never making things about what he needed, but his words and his actions let me know I was safe to explore what I needed.” Maevyn looks up at me, eyes emboldened with experience. “People weren’t made to be perfect. Beauty is in the flaws. But no matter what you do in life, don’t half-arse anything. I’m gonna tell you something his mum told me: ‘You never know what you’re looking for until you open your eyes to all the possibilities.’”

My lungs fill easily, comforted by her words. “Thanks, Mae.”

I’m still not sure what the right thing to do is, but one thing’s for sure: these ladies make it hard to feel like a fuck-up. I love the way they both continue to pick themselves up over every hurdle they face, and whether they stumble or get knocked all the way down, they never fail to keep going.

I take a decent gulp of my drink, then tug Maevyn off the table towards me.

“Liv!” I call, pulling her from the daisy she’s doodling in the corner of the canvas. “Get in here.”

She laughs, diving on the couch as I pull up my phone and fit us all into the frame, taking a blurry photo of the three of us and posting it to my stories with the caption: Booze, boys and best friends.

Before I have a chance to put my phone away, a notification drops down.

@i.heart.mason liked your story.

My heart pounds in my chest. Butterflies swirl in my stomach. Liv wobbles as she stands from the couch.

“Is anyone else starving? I could totally do a pizza!”

My attention flicks from my phone to where Liv and Maevyn are now hovering in the kitchen, debating pizza options. Another notification pops up at the top of my phone screen, a direct message from Mason.

@i.heart.mason: you look like you’re having fun

“Callie?” Maevyn calls. “Pizza?”

I chew on the side of my lip. “Mason messaged me.”

Both my friends gasp as they come running back to the lounge room.

“What did he say?!”

I turn the phone around, showing them his message.

“Say something back,” Maevyn urges.

I’ve had just enough vodka to make me do something reckless, or at least something I wouldn’t have been brave enough to do without a bit of liquid courage and advice from trusted friends.

@itscallie: I am

@i.heart.mason: who are these boys you’re with?

My lips roll together, fighting a giddy smile.

@itscallie: there’s no boys. Just boy talk

@i.heart.mason: boy talk?? I’m a boy, anything I can help with?

@itscallie: maybe…

@itscallie: I’m in a bit of a situation. I hooked up with someone and I’m not sure if I should have and what it meant to them. Now I don’t know what to do. Got any advice?

Bubbles dance on the screen as Mason types out a response. My foot bounces as I wait for his answer.

“Well?” Liv asks, trying to peer over the top of my phone. I hand it to her, and she presses her head against Maevyn’s as they both eagerly read our exchange.

Maevyn gasps, her eyes flicking up to mine.

“What?” My eyes jump between them as their faces light up with excitement, and Liv hands the phone back to me.