Page 102 of Strut

“Yes,” I said with a frustrated huff. “And I still didn’t get it.”

“But you can’t be sure that was because of Darcy or the lake thing.”

I simply looked at him with wide eyes and said nothing.

He deflated. “Yeah, okay. Maybe.”

“Besides.” I fought the emotion building in my chest. “I don’t know if I can keep doing this. He’s still there, you know? Burrowed into my brain like a festering boil. The feel of his hands, his breath, the heat of his body pressing me against that wall, like I’m somehow a disposable glory hole. Every time I look at those fucking photos it’s like I just walked out of that studio. And walking into those castings yesterday almost sent me into a panic attack.”

Hunter drew me into his arms and pressed soft kisses to my face and lips until I relaxed. Then patted my thigh and walked to the front door. “Come on.” He handed me my coat and boots. “Let’s get some fresh air that doesn’t involve you and me street fighting.” He shot me a pointed look.

“Where’s the fun in that?” But I sighed and got dressed anyway.

The East River Promenade had a different feel on a weekday—more suits and fewer prams and runners and all manner of wheeled threats. Instead, it was crowded with office workers enjoying their lunch under a cloudless fall day with just enough breeze to keep the sharp briny tang of the river at bay.

We grabbed hotdogs and soda from a vendor parked on the wide walkway, found an empty bench overlooking the river, and to hell with watching my diet. When we were done, Hunter disposed of the wrappers and his hand landed on my thigh. “You okay?”

“No,” I answered honestly. “I should ring the bar and see if I can grab an extra shift. I’m not sure how long until my visa is pulled. That’s something I should check. Put immigration on the list,” I told him.

He made a note on his phone and then faced me. “I’m not sure bartending is the best idea for tonight. Your next shift is tomorrow, right? Why not wait? It’s been a helluva day.”

“I need the money.” My gaze slid off Hunter and onto two men skateboarding past, holding hands. My smile felt good.

Hunter handed me my soda but then reached for my hand. “That bruising isn’t going anywhere fast.” He studied the rainbow patchwork on my knuckles.

I looked at my hand and smiled. “Badge of honour.”

“Truth.” He let go and watched me crack open my Fanta. “You don’t have to make any quick decisions, you know.”

“But I do,” I contradicted. “I’ve got enough money to cover my debt with Cage and survive for a bit, but I have to be realistic. And before you offer, I’m not sponging off you.” I drilled him with a glare. “I might be able to scrounge a little extra time here, Hunter, but I can’t stay forever. I need to get myself home and into another job.”

Hunter sighed and scratched his head. “I hear you. Jesus, what a fucking mess.”

My phone chimed with my mother’s ringtone and I groaned. “And the hits keep coming.” I answered the call and put it on speakerphone, mostly because I didn’t have the energy to repeat the conversation to Hunter after.

“Hey, Mum.”

The first minute was pretty well nothing except my mother alternating between crying and raging and my father trying to settle her. Tui’s voice of reason floated in the background. He was using his cowshed tone, the one he used to talk to the girls when they got the wind up them in the milking stalls or while he was trying to fit the suction cups. It wasn’t working on my mother.

I’d always found the best strategy was to wait things out, and sure enough, my mother eventually took a breath.

“Oh my god, Alec, please tell me you’re okay? How are you holding up?”

“Alec, what the fuck, man? Whoisthis arsehole?” Lachlan’s voice rose above my mother’s and my eyes popped wide.

My brother was there? Before I could ask, Mum continued on a roll.

“What is wrong with that man and all those disgusting people and their comments? And those photos! Alec, how can he get away with that? Have you told the police? Anyone who knows you knows you’d never do anything like that. Is Hunter there?”

“Hi, Mrs—”

“Elise. I hope you’re looking after him.”

“I’m trying to.” Hunter gave me the hairy eyeball. “When he lets me.”

I replied with my best eye-roll.

“That sounds like my boy. Thank you.” My mother sounded genuinely relieved. “But you need us, Alec. You need your family around you, people who know you.”

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