Page 97 of Loving Wild
The song comes to an end, only to be replaced by ‘The Horses’ and there are now people standing on chairs, tables, and even the bar as they sing along to yet another Aussie anthem.
“You okay if I slip off?” Jo says into my ear.
“Of course. I’m gonna get a cab to Gabe’s, so you’ll have the place to yourself,” I tell her.
“Thanks, but I don’t bring them home. I only ever go to theirs. That way I can leave when I’m ready,” she tells me with a wink.
“Okay, well, I know I know Nate, but message me in an hour, just so I . . .”
I’m cut off when an arm is thrown over Nate’s shoulder with so much force that he steps into Jo, who, in turn, steps into me.
“Nate, who are the MILFS? Surely, you’re not taking them all home. Got one for me?”
Nate unhooks the arm from his shoulder and steps away. Jarrod Summers is standing there—another boy Sonny went to school with. This one, not so nice—swaying on the spot, looking wide-eyed and sweaty.
I’d had to throw Jarrod out of our house when he brought weed to Sonny’s thirteenth birthday party. When I’d heard he’d spiked the non-alcoholic punch at a girl’s party a few weeks later, I’d banned him for good.
I’m not a prude, nor was I an overly strict Mum, but Jarrod was an arsehole of a kid, that alone was reason enough not to want him in my house. The weed and alcohol just made it sound more legit when I explained my reasons to Sonny.
Jarrod’s family owned a number of estate agents on the peninsula. He’s grown up wealthy, and privileged, and totally without manners, which were more important to me than smoking weed.
“Mrs East, well look at you.” Jarrod attempts to put his arm back over Nates shoulder. He sidesteps away from him, and Jarrod stumbles right into me, spilling his drink down my top.
“Can I haveher? She’s fucking hot.” I’m not sure who he’s asking, but before I can respond Nate does.
“Mate, seriously? You need to fuck off. Ryder or Sonny find out you chatted that kind of shit to their mum, they’d knock your fucking head off your shoulders.”
Jarrod straightens and narrows his eyes on Nate. I pull Jo out from where she’s somehow ended up between them, and closer to my side.
“Who the fuck . . .” Jarrod starts.
“Go home, Jarrod,” I cut him off. “Stop being a fucking pest and either go away or just go home.”
He turns, lip curled up in a sneer and looks me up and down.
“Think you’re too good for me? You always were a stuck-up cunt.”
“Right, that’s enough. Fuck off,” Nate says, at the same time yanking Jarrod by the back of his T-shirt and shoving him away from us. Surprisingly, he doesn’t put up a fight and just wanders off into the crowd.
“Sorry,” Nate says. “He’s not out with me, I don’t know where he came from.”
“That’s fine,” I tell him. “He was a prick as a kid, looks like he’s an even bigger prick as an adult.”
“He’s geared up. Too much Charlie makes him think he’s invincible,” Nate explains. I just shake my head.
“You ready to go?” I hear him ask Jo quietly.
“Not gonna make a show of it, just gonna disappear,” she leans into my ear and says.
“Okay,” I reply, “be safe, and message me in an hour.” Fixing my eyes on Nate, I add, “Look after her, else I’m telling your mother.”
“Really?” Jo groans.
All I get from Nate is a cheeky smile.
I turn to find the rest of the girls chatting to a group of older blokes. Jess steps aside and towards me.
“One of them is making a play for Dani, she’s drunk and flirting right back. He’s at least fifty-five. Her brothers will never forgive me if I let her go home with him.”
