Page 18 of Silver Tears

I follow her directions without question, studying the building that we pull up in front of. It’s a block of council-owned flats. “Ruby lives here?”

She grins at me and taps the side of her nose. “Such a nosey boy. No more questions. Remember, that was the deal. I’d say I’ll see you soon, but I’m actually hoping I don’t. Farewell, Collings.”

Chuckling, I lick my bottom lip when she climbs out of the car, and I almost get a glance of her underwear. “Oh, you’ll be seeing me soon, Mills. We go to the same school. Maybe I’ll come sit with you at lunch today.”

She leans back down into the window, frowning. “I don’t think so. Not today, not ever.”

I wink at her in reply, loving that she’s now going to be wondering all morning if I’ll turn up at her table at lunchtime. Winding Milly Silver up is my new favourite pastime.

The burning question in my mind as I pull away from the house is where was she last night when she was supposed to be sleeping over at Ruby’s?

* * *

I drive home and head straight to my room to shower and change. Knocking on Vee’s door, I remind her we’re leaving at eight-fifteen. I pause as I enter my room. Someone has been in here. Don’t ask me how I know. Call it a sixth sense or whatever. I scan my room, looking for anything out of place or missing, but I spot nothing.

My eyes fall on the black lace thong hanging off the bedpost. I walk over and lift the panties with one finger, holding them in the air. I’m debating whether to sniff if they’re clean or used, but I think better of it. Striding into the bathroom, I drop them straight into the bin. I don’t need to guess who’s they are. Tam has been in my fucking room! That girl just won’t take no for an answer and she’s driving me crazy.

I’m in a grouchy mood all morning and everywhere I go, Tam is close by, watching me. When I enter the cafeteria at lunchtime, my mood lifts, spotting Milly sitting at a table with another new kid.

“Hugo!” I beckon him over with my hand. “I want the chilli and rice today and a diet coke. Not Pepsi, okay?”

Hugo bobs his head. “Sure thing.”

“You can take it over to my table. I’ll be over shortly.” Whistling, I saunter toward Milly’s table. The boy she’s chatting with notices me before she does. I lean down behind her. “Boo!” I say quietly but firmly into her ear. She yelps, jumping out of her skin and spilling her orange juice down her school blouse. “Oops, my bad.” I swing my leg over the bench and offer her a napkin. “Want me to wipe it for you?” I offer, waggling my eyebrows.

“You!” she seethes, snatching the tissue off me and dabbing at her wet shirt.

“Miss me?” I ask her, leaning my elbow on the table and smirking.

“Like a hole in the fucking head. If you think you’re sitting here. Think again.” She growls as she continues to salvage her shirt. I wink at the boy, who’s been rendered speechless by my presence. “She loves me, truly.”

Tam, entering the café with two of her group, snags my attention. “I’ve got to go. Don’t miss me too much, Mills.” I pucker my lips and blow her a kiss then get up from the bench and stalk after my very own stalker. “We need to talk.” I grab her by her tie and lead her like a dog out of the cafeteria and into the quiet corridor. Pushing her up against the lockers, I crowd into her space, and her eyes widen in excitement.

“I knew you’d come around.” She runs her hands up my chest, licking her lips. Her confident smile drops when I grab her by the throat.

“We have a problem here, Tam. We fucked. I’m good at sex so I understand why you want more. But it was just sex, just one time thing. After that, we were done. We are done. You get me? Done. No more texts, no more surprise gifts in my room.”

She grabs at my hand, trying to get some air. I let her panic for a few more seconds before I let go. “You can do that to me if you want when we’re in bed.”

Jesus. What part of over does this girl not get?

“Everything okay here?” Vee comes up beside me and swings her arm over my shoulder.

“Everything is dandy. I was telling Tam here that I’m not interested. That I wasn’t that interested when I fucked her, and I sure as hell am not interested now.”

“Ouch.” Vee winces. “Looks like he’s not interested, Tamara. Maybe it’s time you moved on to someone more in your league.”

“You can deny it all you want, but I can tell you want me,” she insists. I’m thinking the girl is certifiable.

“I’m done!” I say, holding my hands up and backing away. Vee follows me, linking her arm through mine as we head back into the lunchroom. “What the fuck do I have to do, sis?”

“Get engaged,” she says, wagging her ring finger at me. “It worked for Archer.”

I snort. Yeah, not happening. “I’m not that desperate. Ouch.” I yelp when she elbows me in my side. “I didn’t mean Archer was desperate. You know I believe he and Eliza are meant to be. But I am not into doing anything that drastic.”

“Date someone. Get yourself a steady girlfriend and maybe she’ll back off.”

I chew on my lip. “Archer suggested something similar.” Maybe they are on to something.

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