Page 78 of The Absence of You
“Actually mum, you and Dee would have had a pretty hard time keeping Joseph a secret much longer anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“He got parole.” Her jaw slackens, disbelief evident on her face.
“Did you say Joseph got parole?”
“Yes mum, you heard me right.” I can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face.
“Oh my god. He got parole. He’s coming home. I can’t believe it!” She gets up and starts pacing the room. “I didn’t think he’d ever get released.” She shakes her head. “When? Have you spoken to him? Has Dee? Sorry, I just…I need a minute-”
“Mum, sit down, I’ll tell you everything.”
She sits again and takes a deep breath. “So, have you met him yet?” Curiosity is etched on her face. I’m about to answer her when I see her eyes widen and her face completely light up. I spin to see what’s got her attention.
Joseph is standing at my bedroom door, clearly hesitant about whether to come in or not. I turn back to her.
“Well that answers that question.” I laugh, “I’ll give you two some time to catch up.” I stand and gesture to Joseph to take my place on the bed so he can talk to my mum. He gets himself comfortable, and I watch with my heart in my mouth as they greet each other.
“Hey Rosie.”
“Hey Joey.”
Feeling like I’m intruding, I slowly walk to my door and close it over quietly. I stare at my closed door for a few seconds as tears prick my eyes at the thought of everything they’ve been through. They should have this moment alone because their history is exactly that. Theirs. It’s Joseph and Rosie’s love story. It’s their tragedy. It was never mine.
The realisation suddenly makes me feel lighter. I’m not responsible for their happiness. I never was. I am filled with a sense of contentment as I hear them laughing together.
Everything finally feels right. Scratch that. Not everything. Because there is something else I can’t wait any longer to do.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
DAHLIA
Since last week I’d been avoiding Grayson. As much as I’d insisted on having space, it was pointless. I could continue to physically push him away but he’s so much a part of me, I’d never truly find space from him. And I didn’t want to. All I was doing was stopping myself from feeling truly happy. I was punishing both of us for no reason.
I love him.
I want to be with him.
I head downstairs and call to Dee to let her know I’m going out. Opening the front door, I shiver as the cool air causes goosebumps to pepper my skin. Maybe I should have put on a jacket, but I don’t want to waste another minute without seeing Grayson. The sky is ominously grey and threatening rain, but I’m not going far. I stride across the driveway and climb over the small fence onto his driveway.
My heart is thumping as I ring the doorbell. After a minute it swings open, but it’s not Grayson, it’s Colin Banks. When it registers who is standing in front of him, he scowls.
“What are you doing here?”
This guy seriously needs to work on his manners, but it’s no reason for me to forget mine. I plaster a smile to my face.
“Is Grayson here please?
“No, he’s not.” My eyes flick to his car in the driveway and up to his bedroom window where I can see his lights are on. He’s clearly home, but I can hardly force his father to go and get him. I sigh.
“Okay. I’ll come back later.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t.” Colin shuts the door firmly in my face. This fucking guy. If he thinks I’ll be put off, he’s got another thing coming. As I’m about to pull out my phone and call Grayson, I hear a commotion from inside their house.
I move nearer to his front door and strain to hear. The sound of Grayson’s deep timbre reverberates, and I can hear his father shouting. It’s impossible to make out what they’re saying, but it’s clear they’re arguing. I take another step towards the door just as something slams against it. Fuck. What’s going on in there? There’s another thud, and I flinch, knowing I need to intervene. I grab the handle of the door and turn it just as it’s yanked open.
Grayson stands in front of me. He’s a mess, his collar is skewed, and he looks upset.
