Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(71)

“Oakley, a few words?” A deep voice shouted. Ignoring the questions being shouted at me, I shoved the key in the lock, keeping my head down. “Oakley, how do you feel about—”

I slammed the door shut, cutting out the noise. Australia became more appealing whenever I had to run into a house to escape the cameras and questions. I flopped down on the sofa.

“Hi, honey,” Mum said, carrying two mugs in her hands. She sat down on the sofa, and from the look on her face she was trying to figure out how to tell me something.

“You okay, Mum?”

“Yeah, fine. I booked the tickets. We leave in two days.”

“Okay. Good.” I sat up and wrapped my hands around the mug. “How’s Miles?” He had to go back to Australia for work, and I knew Mum was missing him. It wouldn’t be long before they were together again though.

“I spoke to him last night. He’s fine.”

“You’ll see him soon.” She smiled and nodded. “I’m glad you’re happy, Mum.”

A ghost of a smile touched her lips “So am I.”

“But?” I prompted.

She sighed. “I don’t know really. Miles is an incredible man and a good person. I just find myself doubting things. Doubting him. I guess I’m afraid.”

“Mum, that’s understandable, but Miles is nothing like Max. After… everything, I found it hard to trust men too. I wasn’t sure what they wanted from me or were going to do.”

Mum scrunched her eyes shut; her jaw clenched in what almost looked like pain. I swallowed the lump in my throat and continued because I needed to say it, and she needed to hear it.

“It took time, but I realised that Max and Frank are the minority. You can trust Miles, Mum. I do. He really loves you, and hard though it is to believe it, he’s willing to take you on when you have Jasper. Marry him!”

“Oakley, I’m so s—”

I held my hand up. “Don’t apologise. We didn’t do anything wrong.” I sounded like a therapist, but it was true.

“I really wish you would take your own advice, Honey.”

I should do, but it was hard sometimes. There was still a lot of guilt weighing on my shoulders, though it lessened every day. “I’m trying to. It’s getting easier.”

“Good,” she said, wiping her nose on a tissue. “Okay. I’m okay.” She wiped a stray tear from under her eye and smiled. “No more dwelling on the bad things. We look forward from now on. Deal?”

“Deal.” That was all I wanted her to say. It wouldn’t be as simple as she made it seem, we both knew that, but as long as we were willing to work on our issues we would be fine.

“Good. Now, what time is Cole coming over? I assume it will be the second he gets off work,” she teased.

I smiled. “Yes, from work. He’ll be having dinner with us tonight. Do you think that would be okay?” He’d been over most nights, and Ali said it was fine, but I worried she was just being polite.

“Of course. Ali loves having a full house. Lizzie will be moved out in a few years I imagine. I’m a little worried that she’ll be lonely here by herself.”

I bit my lip. “We should set her up.”

“She’d kill us, and we don’t really know anyone here any more!”

“Well, we don’t but…”

“Cole,” she said, grinning like a naughty school girl. He had mentioned that he worked with a load of men in their forties and fifties – he was the youngest there. “Someone around her age, single and trustworthy.”

“You had to specify single?”

“Less of the sarcasm. Oh, I’m actually excited now. I can’t wait to see her reaction.” I laughed at her. She really did seem like a fifteen-year-old girl, but I loved seeing her so carefree.

“We can demand a list of eligible bachelors when Cole gets here.” I’d been so wrapped up in myself, Mum and Jasper that I hadn’t really thought about Ali. So I hoped I could do something for her. Loneliness was awful and Ali had said she hoped to find someone special. She deserved to.



“Hey,” Cole greeted me, flashing the smile that still gave me butterflies.

“Hi.” I closed the distance between us as quickly as I could and kissed him.

“I’m glad you’re here. We need your help.”

“What with?”

“Finding Ali a man.”

Cole grinned. “Sorry, I’m taken.”

“You sure about that?” I goaded him.

“Uh huh. So you want me to set Ali up with randoms from work?”

“They’re not randoms, you know them. Just do as you’re told and find a nice guy that will treat my auntie right.”

Cole saluted. “Yes, sir.”

I patted his cheek. “There’s a good boy.” I led him to Lizzie’s room. At least I would be out of her room soon. “Sit,” I instructed, pointing to the futon.

“I hope you’re going to do a striptease, bossy,” Cole teased. He looked ridiculously hopeful. Did he know me at all?

Rolling my eyes, I sat down next to him. “So, Mum booked our tickets back to Australia today.” His face fell, as I expected. “We leave in two days.”