Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(48)

“Oakley,” Miles said, finally breaking eye contact with my mum. “How are you?”

I stood up and gave him a quick hug. Mum didn’t tense up like she did when other men were too close to me. She trusted Miles, whether she realised it or not. I trusted him too, or I wouldn’t go anywhere near him.

“I’m okay. Thank you for coming.”

“Of course.” His eyes flicked back to Mum, and she smiled, blushing lightly.

“Well, I’m going to go do that thing I have to do.” I turned on my heel and practically sprinted to the stairs. They needed some time to talk and hopefully finally admit how they felt about each other, and I certainly didn’t need to witness it.

Once in Lizzie’s room, I debated leaving the door open a crack and listening but I resisted and dialled Cole’s number instead. He answered after the second ring.

“She’s not killed you then?”

I laughed and laid back on the futon. “Actually she took it really well. She was pleased.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. So how’s work going?”

“It’s going. I’ve got about another five hours, and then I’m all yours.” That sounds good. “I’ve been offered more money for my story again.”

I sighed. “I’m sorry, Cole.” Since the start the trial everyone close to me had been asked constantly for their side of the story. No one had, and I knew they wouldn’t, I just hated the hassle they were receiving.

“Not your fault,” he said, dismissing the issue completely. “What are you doing then?”

“Staying in Lizzie’s room until I know it’s safe to go downstairs. I would read, but all her books are Katie Price’s autobiographies.”

“I’d read them.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”

He laughed and then sighed. That meant he was wrapping up the conversation. “I have to go now, babe, but I’ll see you after work.”

I grinned. “Okay. I love you.”

“Love you too,” he replied before hanging up.

Sighing happily, I pulled a Cosmopolitan magazine down off the end of Lizzie’s bed. I hadn’t even finished reading the ‘Eat Yourself Thin’ article when Mum pushed the door open.

“How’s it going?” I asked.

“We’ve just been talking,” she said, a little too defensively for it to be entirely true. “Lunch is ready. We’ve made chicken Caesar salad.”

“We’ve?”

“Yes, Oakley. Miles helped.”

“Any kissing yet?” Her face turned a deep shade of pink, and I gasped. “You have!”

“I’m an adult!”

I laughed and stood up. “I know that. It’s a good thing, Mum. No one deserves to be happy more than you.”

She smiled; her face softened and she replied, “I can think of one person. Now, lunch. You need to eat.”

Miles was only here for a week before he had to return to work. Thankfully, though, he was coming back again as soon as he could arrange the time off. I sat at the table next to Mum while Miles was opposite her.

“How’s work without me?” Mum asked. I had a feeling this was a topic she’d saved for when I was with them. That was good. I didn’t need to hear all the mushy stuff.

“Dull and busy. We’re all looking forward to your return.”

I frowned as they talked about going back to Australia, realising that as much as I hated being here, I didn’t want to leave Cole. I had to eventually though, especially if they got off.

“Probably another eight weeks. I think we’ll have roughly three to four weeks wait for the sentencing of both. I’ll be working from my laptop once Oakley’s finished in court though,” Mum explained.

Miles’ dark eyebrows knotted. “That long?”

“Unfortunately. When they’re found guilty it should be dealt with then rather than making us all wait weeks for it to be over.” Mum shook her head in anger. I agreed with her completely; it would be better if it wasn’t drawn out even longer, but there was nothing we could do about it.

“Thanks for lunch. I’m going back up to read,” I said, taking my plate to wash it up.

“You don’t have to hide out, Oakley. You can stay downstairs too.”

“Of course you should,” Miles agreed.

I shook my head. Hanging around them and watching them smile at each other like teenagers wasn’t my idea of fun. “Actually, I’m really fine reading.”

“Does Lizzie have a particularly wide variety of books then?” Mum teased.

“Oh yeah, she has the whole series of Vogue and Cosmopolitan,” I replied sarcastically. “There’s a few things on the bookshelf that look pretty interesting though.” I nodded to the bookcase out in the hallway.

“Only if you’re sure, honey. You’re more than welcome to stay with us.”

“No thanks,” I replied, winking at her as I walked out of the kitchen. No doubt she would blush. I grabbed the first book of the shelf and went back up to Lizzie’s room, leaving them to it.





Chapter Sixteen


Oakley




My heart was beating as fast as it was the last time I was standing in the courtroom. I could feel myself losing control, and all the breathing exercises I’d learned went out the window. Don’t look at him, I told myself. I kept my head straight and refused to turn to where he was. I couldn’t handle seeing him again.