Broken Hill Havoc (Broken Hill High Series 5)

Nate has completely taken him under his wing and watching them together makes me so damn proud. Ryan went into a bit of a depression after the accident and Nate was able to draw him out of it. It’s incredible really. They’ve become great friends and it means there are more parties going down at my place than ever before, but as usual, they’re fun and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As I’m watching Nate with his employees, a familiar couple cut through my vision and I dart off. I throw my arms around my mom and pull her in tight. “Oh, honey,” she sobs. “You look stunning.”

“Look who’s talking,” I laugh, squeezing her a little tighter. She pulls back and I can’t help but smile. I knew they were planning on coming down to support Nate, but they only flew in this afternoon. I’ve been waiting to see them since the day they left.

Dad barges mom out of the way and wraps his arms around me. “How are you, love?” he murmurs into my hair. “Are you keeping out of trouble? How are your studies?”

“It’s fine,” I laugh before rolling my eyes. “I’m keeping on top of it and have done heaps of extra credit,” I remind him for the hundredth time.

“That’s my girl,” he says, standing tall and proud.

Nate comes over and mom instantly wraps him in her arms while dad holds out a hand. “Congratulations, son,” he says, giving Nate’s hand a firm shake. “You’ve made quite the achievement.”

“Thanks,” Nate smiles, looking down at me with love in his eyes. “Couldn’t have done it without Tora.”

“Whatever,” I laugh. “I didn’t do a damn thing. It was all you.”

Nate and dad fall into easy conversation about the Jaguar and his other projects and I can’t help but watch them with dreamy eyes. They’ve come so far since the ‘break up’ days and I absolutely love watching them interact with respect for one another.

Mom’s gasp steals my attention. “What happened to your bottom?” she whisper-yells.

Oh, geez.

Half an hour later, we’re all being requested to take our seats. We find the two massive tables reserved for us and I smile as Nate holds out my chair like a gentleman. I have to laugh. Nate is anything but a gentleman, especially if you consider what he did to me last night, but either way, I’m going to soak it up.

All our friends have arrived and I smile as they take their seats around us. Brylee looks incredible in a light pink dress with Tyson on her arm. It took forever for these two to admit there was something going on, but the second they did, they were all over each other like a rash. I don’t know how this didn’t happen during high school, but now that it has, it’s incredible. They’re even taking on the long-distance thing like a boss.

Brooke takes a seat beside me and Maxen sits down beside her. It’s been a few months and honestly, they took up right where they left off and every day, they keep getting stronger. Maybe that time apart was what they truly needed to make it work, or maybe Maxen just needed someone to kick him up the ass. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him and I’m proud to say that he is one hundred percent dedicated to making Brooke the happiest woman on this planet.

My trust for Maxen has slowly returned and I’m so proud of him for turning his life around. He was an asshole in high school, but now, he’s quickly becoming one of my closest friends, just like he used to be. I’m so damn proud of him for being able to redeem himself. I won’t have to buy a little Maxen voodoo doll to keep in my freezer now. Win/win.

His ‘business’ at the races is taking off like a rocket. He’s been raking in the cash and keeping it classy. It’s well respected and he runs it like a professional. I wouldn’t be surprised if he somehow gets the place legally approved in the future. An actual Broken Hill racing track. It would be awesome.

Jackson and Elle are still going strong, and I swear, I caught him at the mall talking to a jeweler last weekend. He’s been head over heels for her since the beginning and if he feels they’re ready for that next step, then I couldn’t be happier.

Puck drops down on Nate’s other side, pulling Courtney down on his lap and I find myself wondering how the hell we all managed to couple up over the last year and a half. It’s kind of creepy, but also kind of cool.

I’ve got the best group of friends and the fact that they are all so full of love just makes it so much better.