Page 71 of Loving Wild
“Thanks, Dan,” I turn and say, only to find Jackie standing beside her, eyes on Gabe.
“Wasn’t sure how you liked it, so I just added milk,” Dani says.
“That’s perfect, thanks,” I say, my eyes still on Jackie. Her green, cat-like gaze slices to me but I don’t look away.
“You find the painkillers?” Dani asks, oblivious to the stare down going on, her question forcing me to have to look away first.
I rummage through the basket, find what I’m looking for, and knock two tablets back with my coffee.
“Not feeling well, Lauren?”
I snap my head around to face her, pulling my top lip up into what I hope looks like a sneer.
“Sick to my stomach, Jackie,” I tell her. She finally looks away. “Anything I can do to help?” I call out to Jess, who’s cracking eggs into a pan.
“Nope, I think we’re covered. Go and get some fresh air, then bring the boys back in with you in about ten minutes.”
“What about the kids?” I ask.
“They’re all downstairs. Joe did sausages on the barbie for them earlier.”
I give her a nod, then head out to the balcony to find my man child, screwing up my nose and narrowing my eyes, like a woman child, as I pass by Jackie.
* * *
The slidingdoors to the balcony are slightly open, and as I approach, I can hear the boys talking and laughing among themselves. When I pull the door, then the flyscreen back, all heads turn my way.
“Morning,” I say, taking in their smiles.
“Here she is, our karaoke queen,” Zac says. “Hope your interior design skills are decent, Ren. As entertaining as you were last night, you can’t sing for shit.”
The first thing that hits me is as different as they are in height, hair and eye colour, Gabe, his dad, and his brothers all look really alike. The second is how much I love that all his family have started calling me Ren. The third, what did he just say?
My mouth drops open, and, brows raised, I tilt my head towards Gabe and wait for him to defend me. Instead, he shrugs and shakes his head.
“I love you, babe, but I’m with Zac on this one. You’re beautiful, fucking gorgeous, and I love you, but you can’t sing for shit.”
My mouth opens wider.
“I thought your singing was bloody good, Lauren, your dancing even better,” Gabe’s dad states with a wink.
“Thanks, Joe, you’re obviously the only one who’s not tone deaf. As for you three . . .” I narrow my eyes and aim my Jackie scowl at each of them.
“Whoa,” Cooper says, holding his hands up in surrender. “Don’t drag me into this, I didn’t say a word. I thought your singing was . . . interesting and very entertaining.”
“Thanks, you two will stay on my Christmas list.” I point between Joe and Cooper. “Butyou two.” I narrow my eyes at Gabe and Zac who are leaning, shoulder to shoulder, with their backs to the balcony, grinning at me. “Have just been added to my shit list.”
Joe throws his arm over Gabe’s shoulder and laughs. “Definitely met your match with this one.” He grabs hold of Gabe’s jaw and moves his face from side to side. “Must be the first time ever this pretty face hasn’t bowled over a woman. How’s it feel? You sure you still want me to make those calls?”
Gabe frowns, knocks Joe’s hand away before glaring at him.
“Breakfast,” Dani calls out.
“Dad,” Gabe whines at the same time.
Chuckling, Coop and Zac move back inside mumbling about how hungry they are.
Joe gives my arm a squeeze as he passes and leans into my ear. “Love your work, Lauren. I honestly don’t remember when I’ve ever seen my son so happy.” My eyes meet his, and he winks before disappearing inside, leaving me and Gabe on the balcony alone.
