Page 42 of Cut up
“What did he say?” I look at Camille.
“Nothing worth repeating. And it doesn’t matter. I blocked him.”
“Show me,” Danielle holds out her hand. “I want to check if he’s said anything else.”
Camille sighs. “Fine. But I don’t want to know.”
Danielle should probably leave it alone but I’m curious too, so I don’t say anything.
I lean over and watch Danielle unblock Sean’s number, I can see thetexts he sent her today.
My fists tighten.
One new text pings through from a few hours ago.
Sean: Fuck you. I’d rather die than think about you anymore.
Danielle quickly closes the message and hands the phone back to Camille.
I put my hands under the table, holding my fists tightly. Fuck this guy.
“Fuck him, Camille,” Danielle is seething, so am I. “He never deserved you.”
“I know. I just didn’t see it before. I’m learning… the only one who decides my worth is me. My worth didn’t disappear just because someone else couldn’t see it.” Goddamn, this woman. Brave doesn’t even cover it. She has no idea how incredible she is.
I’d give her the world if she asked.
“Anyway,” Tyler breaks the silence, “on to lighter topics. How about that weather today, hey? The swell is gonna be perfect by Friday, I’m hoping for a surf every arvo this week.”
Camille mouths “thank you” to him as the conversation changes away from Sean.
“I’m keen for Friday after work?” I suggest.
“Yeah man, let’s do it.” Tyler smiles widely at me.
“I might come down and watch you guys too.” Camille says casually, then looks to Danielle who hasn’t said anything. “You wanna come?”
“I’m working.” She shrugs nonchalantly.
Camille stands up and starts picking up the now empty bowls. “Damn, well we will have to catch up another day soon.”
I stand up to help Camille.
“You can watch me surf any day you want Sunshine, just let me know.” Tyler winks at Danielle, I avert my gaze from them and bring it back toCamille.
We walk away from the dining table and bring the dishes to the sink.
“You cooked, so I got this.”
She doesn’t leave though, she hangs around me while I get busy doing the washing up. I start packing the dishwasher first, before I move to the hand washing. Danielle and Tyler are still at the dining table, talking about who knows what. I’m too distracted by Camille to pay much attention to them.
“So, you liking living here?”
She leans against the counter, looking at me as she twirls her hair around her finger.
“Yeah, I do. So far, so good. Thank you so much again for letting me stay Luc.”
I nod and look back down at the dishes.
