Page 24 of Retrograde
She practically burst with pride when she nodded in response. ‘That side of me hasn’t gone anywhere, I still like to have fun with the girls. But I have the day job of my dreams! I’ve finally taken the plunge and started my own fashion brand. Got a store in Darlinghurst.’
‘Sienna, are you serious? That’s what you always wanted, right?’
‘Yeah. I used my money from influencing to do it. So, you know, it wasn’t all a waste.’
‘Hey, I never said it was a waste.’
‘No, but you didn’t exactly approve.’
‘Just sometimes it felt like you were using me. But if it worked out… I’m happy for you.’
She sighed and leaned back in her chair, looking defeated. ‘I never used you, Brett. It was a confusing time for us both, but I realised my mistakes after you and I broke up. I pined for you for months, praying that you’d call and come back to me. I wished I could undo it all. I’ll always have a soft spot for you.’
‘You really fucked me up, Sienna.’ He let out a shaky laugh.
If only he could tell her just how much. Tell her she’d ripped his heart to shreds, put his walls up, driven him to drink his feelings away behind closed doorsand eventually, in the open, too. Not a whisky bottle was devoured without his mind going back to her. Remembering the good and the bad. His sunshine girl took up one half of his brain, and Sienna the other.
‘I fucked myself up too, Brett. If only you knew how much.’
‘Fuck, I’m going to regret asking this, I’m sure of it, but do you wanna go out tonight?’ The words hadn’t even left his mouth before he knew he was making a mistake, but he couldn’t help it. His poison was right in front of him, and he was confused and tired and just wanted to feel like his old self again. Maybe rekindlingsomethingwith Sienna would help him.
‘I’m going to regret saying yes, but I don’t want to say no.’ She tucked her hair behind her ear, and he smiled softly. He used to love lying on the sofa and playing with her hair while a television show of her choosing played in the background. He’d never watch it, he always watched her. He knew he loved her more than she loved him, but he’d been willing to accept it in order to keep her in his life. Now he was in the same boat with Lucie.
‘You still living in the same apartment?’
‘Uh-huh.’ She nodded.
‘I’ll meet you at your place at six thirty.’ He stood up abruptly.
‘Oh, are we done here?’ She gathered up her things in a hurry.
‘Sen, it’s gone three o’clock. You haven’t even fake-tanned.’
‘Shit!’ She immediately went into panic mode.
‘I still know you, Sienna.’ He laughed, and after a few seconds of hesitation, kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’ll see you tonight.’
‘Brett, I don’t like this.’ Maggie frowned and he regretted coming over.
‘You don’t have to like it, Mum. I love you, but this is my life.’
‘I just don’t want you getting tangled up in that woman’s bullshit again, honey. She’s a right little witch.’ Maggie stood in the hallway with him, trying to pull his shoe out of his hand while he was putting it on.
‘A witch.’ Brett laughed. ‘Mum, chill. People change, you know?’
‘This is bizarre, Brett. Even for you. You hated her guts the past few years, and now you’re home unannounced, getting ready to go hang out with her. Why isn’t Lucie with you? Have you had a falling-out? Do I need to set Piper on her?’ She cast a look back towards the living room where his twin was watching a crime documentary.
‘We talked about this yesterday, Maggs. Sunny and I are all groovy, I just need a break from cameras and journalists and all that crap. I need to relax, hang out with my faves.’
‘And Sienna is suddenly your “fave”?’ She pulled a face, her frown lines prominent. It was all the stress of worrying about her beloved only son that had aged her, according to her.
‘No, you are.’ He squeezed his mum tight.
‘Don’t be sweet. I expect I’m supposed to keep this part of your visit a secret from Lucie, aren’t I? She’d be straight on a plane if she knew!’
‘I have skeletons in my closet. Luce knows that better than most, so I’m sure she would understand my need to do this, but yeah, keep it hush hush. She’s got too much to think about right now. I’ll tell her eventually.’ He did partially mean that. Lucie was incredibly busy at the minute, but he also knew she would chew him out far harsher than his own mum.
‘How is our Lucie?’ Maggie passed him his other shoe, giving in to the fact he was about to make a potential mistake.
