Breaking All Their Rules

‘Pleased to meet you, Zachary. Call me Cindy.’ A wave of alcohol fumes wafted between them all.

Her mother stepped back and held the door wide, as though it was her place to do so. ‘Do come in.’

‘Thank you, Cindy.’ Zac picked up the cases and nodded Olivia through in front of him. ‘I’ll leave mine just inside the door while we have that coffee.’

‘You still want it?’ When she locked her eyes with his, he nodded.

‘Yes.’ Like there was nothing out of the ordinary, being greeted by a scantily clad woman who was obviously plastered.

Heavy black smudges of mascara covered Cindy’s cheeks, and bright red lipstick had run into the lines around her mouth. Her low-cut top revealed way too much cleavage, and her skirt…

Olivia gulped as anger and disappointment again boiled over. ‘Mum, that was a new suit. I haven’t even worn it.’ And never would now that three-quarters of the skirt had been hacked off. She’d been thrilled when she’d found the emerald-coloured outfit at her favourite shop.

‘It’s far sexier now. You can be so old-fashioned with your clothes, darling.’

‘I wonder why.’ From the day she’d turned thirteen her mother had spent a fortune on buying her clothes that had made her feel uncomfortable even around the cat, let alone the kids she’d hung out with. Humiliating didn’t begin to describe it.

Now Zac was seeing things she never wanted him to know about. ‘Zac, about that coffee…’

‘I’ll make it, shall I?’ He hid his disgust very well. ‘Would you like a coffee, Cindy?’

‘Coffee? I don’t think so. Why don’t you two join me with a gin? Zac, I know you’d like one. You’re a real man. Not like—’

‘Mum, stop it. Now. We are not having gin.’ She stepped into the kitchen and crumpled. Welcome home, Olivia. Welcome back to life as you really know it. Empty bottles lay everywhere. Half-full takeout food containers covered the bench, dirty cutlery and glasses filled the spaces. ‘How long have you been here?’

‘I don’t know. Days?’ Mum sounded confused all of a sudden.

Strong arms wound around Olivia, held her from dropping in a heap. ‘Hey, we’ll get it sorted.’ Zac’s low voice was full of compassion and wove around her like the comfort blanket she’d taken everywhere with her as a toddler. ‘You’re not alone, okay?’

Yes, she was. Her mother was her problem. This had nothing to do with Zac, and never would. Despite the warmth that stole through her at his words. She stayed in the circle of his arms—just for one more minute. Her chin rested on his chest. One minute, then she’d toughen up and face the consequences of having gone away without telling her mother where she was.

Finally she stepped away, put space between her and Zac. ‘You have to go.’

Frustration deepened his voice. ‘No, Olivia, I don’t. I’m with you, at your side, looking out for you.’

On her phone she found the taxi company number and stabbed the button. Forcing a toughness she didn’t feel on her face, she snapped, ‘I’m not asking, I’m telling you to go.’ Someone from the taxi company answered and she rattled off directions, ended the call. ‘They’ll be five minutes.’

He gave no further argument, just kissed her softly. ‘Good night, sweetheart. Talk to you in the morning.’

‘No, Zac. Don’t. It’s over. We’re done. Permanently.’ It was the only way forward for her.

But when the front door had closed behind him Olivia leaned against the hall wall and felt her heart crack into pieces. It had taken this for her to realise her hope for the future with Zac was actually love for Zac. She wanted to be with him, to give him so much, to share a life. To openly show him her love. To try to be the woman she hadn’t thought she could be. But that mess in her kitchen told her otherwise. Dreams were fairytales.

Sliding down the wall, she wrapped her arms around her legs, dropped her head on her knees, and let the tears come. She hadn’t cried over her mother for so long but there was no stopping the torrent. For a brief time she’d let hope into her heart, had wanted more with Zac. How dumb could she get? This had always been going to happen. Therefore, the sooner the better. Now she could move on, without Zac, and do what she’d always done—survive and look out for her mother.

*

Zac stared at Olivia’s house until the taxi turned the corner at the end of the street. His throat was dry, his heartbeat slow and his gut knotted tight. What a difference twenty-four hours made. From sexy and fun in that red dress to heartbroken at home, it was like Olivia had flipped from one person to another.

Now he understood so much. The control she constantly maintained over herself and everything around her was a coping mechanism.

There’d be no controlling her mother.

Olivia didn’t want to be like her mother.

The glimpse of worry when he’d said that dress was so different from what he was used to seeing her in now made sense.

‘Well, hello, you’re nothing like your mum.’ Despite having spent only a few minutes with Cindy and not knowing anything about her, he knew Olivia was the polar opposite from her mother.

But you didn’t have to kick me out like I mean nothing to you.

When Olivia had mentioned her mother was an alcoholic he’d had no idea what that meant in real terms. Drunk and disorderly didn’t cover it. Cindy whined like a spoilt brat, created chaos. She’d helped herself to her daughter’s clothes, ruining them in the process. Helped herself to the house, the contents of the kitchen, and trashed it as only belligerent teenagers did. What had that woman done to Olivia’s life? Her sense of belonging, her future?

The resignation in CC’s eyes had hit him hard. She was responsible for that woman, and he knew all about responsibility. He’d learned it the hard way. Hopefully Olivia hadn’t, but deep down he knew this situation went a long way to explaining why she ran solo.

You don’t have to be alone any more.

Olivia wasn’t made for that. She was loving, caring, sharing, and a whole load more.

The taxi pulled up in Quay Street. His apartment building loomed above, dark and unwelcoming. He’d rather be back at Olivia’s house, no matter the mess inside. He wasn’t thinking about the state of the kitchen.

But you sent me away, Olivia. Again.

As Zac rode the elevator to his floor a slow burn began in his belly. He’d been shoved out of Olivia’s life for a second time. She hadn’t given him a chance to stay, to talk about it, to do any damned thing except get out of her life. What had their holiday been about if not learning more about each other and getting closer?

Learning that I love you, Olivia. Do you know that? Do you know I’ve broken all my rules for you? That for the first time ever I’m seeing a future that’s got people in it—you and our children.

The doors slid apart but Zac didn’t move. The itch had gone.

The doors began closing. Sticking his foot in the gap so they opened again, Zac hois

ted his bag and dragged his feet towards his apartment. He’d pour a whisky and try to fathom where to go from here.

How damned typical that when he’d finally fallen in love he wasn’t wanted.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

‘DON’T HANG UP, OLIVIA.’ Zac didn’t give her time to say hello. ‘This is about Josaia.’

‘I’m listening.’ Olivia could listen to him all day, but of course she’d spent the last ten days doing her damnedest to push him away, out of her head, her heart. She missed him so much it was unbelievable. It was like her heart and mind were stuck in Fiji mode with Zac, talking and laughing, while her real life was grinding along without any joy.

‘Theatre’s booked at the private hospital for Saturday morning. I’ve managed to inveigle a free bed for four nights so we’re set to go.’ Zac sounded upbeat and pleased with himself. As he should be. He’d been hassling everyone he knew to get Josaia’s surgery organised. All the staff assisting were doing it gratis. No surprise there. When Zac wanted to he could charm the grumpiest of old men into putting his hand in his pocket and handing over his life savings.

‘You should start a charity organisation for kids like Josaia,’ Olivia acknowledged.

‘I should? You’re the one who knows how to pull at people’s heartstrings. Look at how successful Andy’s gala night turned out to be.’

Had she pulled Zac’s heartstrings? Ever? Even a teeny-weeny bit? Why was she wondering when a yes only added to her grief? Staying away from him was hard enough already. She only talked to him about Josaia’s upcoming surgery, cutting him off the moment he started on about anything personal. ‘I’ll see you at the motel at five.’ They’d decided between themselves to pay for a motel unit for the family close to the hospital. Zac was picking up Josaia and his family from the airport later in the day. Tomorrow they had a free day, and then it would be D-day.

‘You could come with me.’

‘I’ve got a clinic starting at two.’

Zac sighed, his upbeat mood gone. ‘Promise me you’ll be at the motel. It’s important for Josaia.’

She didn’t make promises. Her word was usually enough. ‘I promise.’ I do?