I shrug.
Cameron shakes his head at me in disgust.
“People who live with domestic violence and mental health conditions who have money are just better at hiding it from the world. It happens in all walks of life, Joshua. You don’t have to have a depressing life to be depressed and it makes me sick that you would stand here and defend him when you know he was definitely taking her money… your money.” She sits up again angrily and grabs the blankets again as they nearly slip and the protective instincts kick in.
My eyes flick to Cameron. “Do you mind?” I snap.
He frowns in question.
“I don’t like you in my bedroom talking to my girl while she’s naked.”
He rolls his eyes. “Well let me fucking finish what I was saying,” he snaps.
“I’m right here, Joshua,” Natasha snaps.
“Yeah and the only man you talk to naked is me. Get out Cameron, Natasha will be with you when she’s dressed.”
“God,” Natasha gasps, exasperated.
Cameron shakes his head and walks out. “Call me when you’re dressed,” he mutters.
Natasha jumps out of bed angrily and snatches her pyjamas from my hands. “Are you serious? I can’t talk to Cameron with you in the room?” she snaps. “I had a fucking blanket on,” she adds.
“Same shit,” I snap.
She quickly dresses and walks into the bathroom to pull her long hair back. I stand still and watch her until she returns. “Are you going to speak to your mother before you leave?” she asks.
I roll my lips as I think. “I don’t know what to say to her.”
“Joshua,” she whispers sympathetically as she puts her arms around my neck gently and kisses me. “Just listen to her baby. She needs you to listen.”
My eyes drop to the floor. “I don’t know if I can hear it,” I murmur. My hand goes under her pyjamas pants and I cup her behind.
She smirks. “Really? You’re jealous of Cameron now?” she asks with raised eyebrows.
I smirk. “No, but he won’t be looking at you naked, soft and flushed from the sex we have just had. I know what’s under those blankets.” I kiss her gently on the lips.
She smiles softly. “I love you.”
“You smell like sex,” I whisper.
“I smell like my future husband,” she whispers darkly.
I feel my heart skip a beat. “I love you too. Please wear clothes around my brothers. I can’t stand them looking at you,” I murmur.
She kisses me again and smiles broadly. “Maybe I should get you some anxiety medication today while I’m at it?”
“Mmm, maybe you should,” I reply in a monotone.
I make my way down to the kitchen as Natasha and Cameron discuss my mother’s diagnosis. I see my father and mother sitting at the table and chairs out by the pool, deep in discussion. My eyes flick to Wilson who is sitting at the kitchen bench.
“What’s going on out there?” I point to them with my chin.
He shrugs. “I don’t know man, but Mum’s crying and Dad’s furious.”
I watch them out of the window for a minute and she is shaking her head as he speaks. I wonder what he is asking her.
“Where did Dad sleep last night?” I ask as I make a protein shake.