Page 90 of He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

DAX

In Dax’s Part of the Yard…

‘Dax!’ Penny waves, walking my way. She’s always been happy to see me. Sometimes even more than River. ‘Come get a drink with me.’

‘Let’s do it, Mrs Matthews,’ I say, extending an elbow her way that she gladly takes.

Penny’s been like a second mother my entire life. She’s best friends with my mom and has been around for all my milestones. She and John have come to every important event I have with as much enthusiasm as they had for their own kids. I honestly feel lucky to have so many people on my side.

‘Your mom’s working this evening, but she’ll be here for the results, so you’re free to have a drink if you want,’ Penny informs me.

My mom hasn’t had a sip of drink since my dad was killed. For most of my life, she was the president of the local MADD (moms against drunk drivers) group. She questioned any friends who tried to pick me up, River included. Sometimes going as far as marching herself down to the police station to turn in the ones she’d discovered had drunk and drove. She even bought a breathalyzer test and if I missed a curfew or was with someone questionable, guess who got to check their blood alcohol level? Yep, me. She has settled down over the years, but I learned very young not to drink around her because her heart can’t take it. I never want to be the one to test that. I’m all she has.

‘Let me ask ya something, Daxy.’ Penny’s one of the very few people on earth I allow to call me Daxy, because the nickname came with the territory of growing up next door. It could be worse. I could be known as ‘hot for my daughter’ or ‘too into space’.

‘You doing OK?’ she asks. ‘The pressure getting to you? Shall we take Hollyn off your hands?’

This is where Hollyn gets her curious, over-talking self. It’s rarely one question with either of them. It’s more like the rapid-fire of a gun coming at you too quickly to answer. I’ve learned to listen and respond when they stop voluntarily.

‘I’m good. Choked a little this last challenge, but I feel more focused now.’

‘And Hollyn, how’s she doing?’

‘She’s great, Penny. I’d even say she seems happy.’

Hollyn definitely smiles a lot more than she did when she first got here.

‘You two getting along? Because I know how you boys liked to torment her when you were young. Spying on her, pushing her into the pool, listening in on her phone calls…’

‘Good times,’ I say to her with a laugh.

Penny laughs too. ‘I think secretly, she liked it.’

‘What do you think of the Tristan thing?’

It can’t hurt to hear it from her. Hols has kept his name pretty quiet recently, and I wonder if that’s because she’s getting over him or is just distracted by whatever is going on between us. Or both?

‘He’s a real piece of work,’ Penny says, her voice less than amused. ‘Who steals money from their girlfriend? I knew he was trouble the moment I met him. John turned him in to the college, but somehow, he fooled them, ruining my girl’s life in the process.’

‘You think she’s ruined?’ Seems kind of harsh.

‘I think she’s pulling out of it. Let’s just hope she’s strong enough to not go back to him.’

God. My heart practically jumps from a cliff, free-falling in a way that makes me forget to breathe. I hadn’t even thought of that. Her going back to him? It hurts just thinking about it.

Suddenly Penny stands up straighter, turning to me with a wide smile. ‘Maybe you should take her out? Distract her. Show her how a man’s supposed to treat a woman.’

‘What?’

‘Come on, Daxy. I’ve heard the stories. You’re handsome, charming, and I know your mom raised you right. Show my girl a good time and make her forget all about Professor Buttknuckler.’

I burst into a laugh. Buttknuckler? That’s a new one.

‘Hols and I… we’re just friends, Penny.’

She cocks her head. ‘I didn’t ask you to sleep with her. I said take her on a date.’

‘Right,’ I say, dumbfounded. Nobody has to ask to put that idea in my head. It’s living rent-free without permission.

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