Page 35 of Stanton Unconditional

7

Natasha

“Tash, put up your seat,” I force my bleary eyes open. “We are in Sydney, honey.”

I nod gratefully, unable to speak. Only five days ago I boarded a flight to LA filled with such hope, such joy in my heart. Now I am returning empty and tired. I am emotionally exhausted. I have nothing left.

An hour later, I stare out the window in silence as Max maneuvers his Audi through the city. We are both lost in thought. What am I going to tell work? Where do I start? I fell in love with my cousin who turned out not to be my cousin, murdered my beloved father and left my so-called boyfriend. He then took a drug overdose because he may be a cocaine addict and he nearly died so I went to him and then found out he is sleeping with the other woman he’s in love with. This is like the world’s worst James Bond film…on steroids. I frown as I summarize the events so far. I am so being punked, where are the fucking TV cameras? They are going to think I am the world’s biggest loser…and guess what? They’re right, I am. We park out the front of my building and Max parks the car.

“I’m going to text him now.” He pulls out a phone we have just stopped and purchased. I swallow and nod as he starts to type.

We are out the front of Natasha’s house now.

She’s home safe

He pushes send and blows out a breath. We both sit still, waiting for a response. It beeps a message.

You’re fired

Another guard will take over in three days.

I am giving you one month’s notice

Max closes his eyes in regret and my eyes fill with tears as the lump in my throat burns. “I’m sorry, Max. I had to get home. I couldn’t stay there with him,” I sob.

He nods but doesn’t speak. He gets out of the car and retrieves our things, and we head upstairs. As we get to the front door, we hear a noise inside and Max pushes me behind him. He holds his finger to his mouth signifying silence.

I roll my eyes. “You should take up acting you know, you really are good with the dramatics,” I mutter under my breath.

He bursts open the door like in an episode of NCIS. Mum, Bridget and Abbie are all lying on the lounge and scream in fright. Mum falls off the lounge in fear. “Shit!” she screams.

I laugh out loud. Honestly, what has my life come to… this is just totally fucked up.

“What the hell!” Abbie yells. “Are you trying to frighten us to frigging death Max?”

He relaxes. “Sorry.” He gives a stifled smile.

“How did you guys know I was coming home?” I mutter flatly. “Joshua called me,” Mum says as she pulls me into an embrace.

I pull back to look at her face. “Joshua called you. Did he tell you what happened?”

She smiles sympathetically. “Yes, love, he did. Can you call him? He’s distraught, Natasha.”

I screw up my face. “Did he tell you he slept with Amelie?” She nods again. “Yes.”

My eyes flick to Bridget and Abbie.

“Natasha, you left him. He thought you weren’t coming back,” Bridget sighs.

“What? You’re on his side? You’re taking his side?” I frown as I pull out of her embrace. I need support, not a fucking lecture.

“No, love, there are no sides. But I know Joshua has had just as hard a time as you and I understand. We all understand. He’s suffering too, Natasha,” Mum says as she rubs my arm.

I stand still in shock as my eyes hold hers. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears as my anger hits a crescendo.

“Get out! All three of you. Get the fuck out! You may condone my boyfriend playing up on me, but I don’t. And I never will.” I storm to the bathroom and lock the door.

I run the water as hot as I can stand it, get in and sink to the bottom of the shower as silent acid tears roll down my face and the distinct taste of betrayal burns my stomach and lines my mouth.