“Wow, Mum, that’s amazing,” Ava gushed. “Oh, can I help you pick out the clothes?”
“I know, I can’t believe I’m finally going to do it! And, yes, you can definitely help. I’ll need you both to help. I want to do something positive with the money your dad left me and I think this is it.”
Dad left us all a lot of money. The guy had insured himself for a shit load to make sure his family would be okay if anything happened to him.
“So, what do you think, Tegan?” Mum asked, watching me nervously. It was then I realised I hadn’t said anything and looked like a terribly unsupportive daughter. I had no desire to be that ever again.
“I think it’s great, Mum.”
I was happy for her, I really was, but I didn’t want to talk about the money Dad left us. I didn’t even know the exact amount I would get when I turned eighteen. I’d refused to go to the reading of his will. All I knew was that it was a lot. No amount of money could make up for not having him here. Mum squeezed my hand over the table. “Have you found a shop yet? What’re you going to call it?”
“Not yet but I’m viewing some potential places next week. I was thinking of calling it Simon.”
I stared at her blankly. “You’re naming a boutique after Dad?”
“You don’t think it’s a good idea?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, I mean, it’s a nice idea but this is Dad we’re talking about. He hated shopping and if you didn’t buy him new clothes he just wouldn’t get any.”
She thought about it for a minute and eventually nodded. “You’re right, he hated shopping. Maybe we can come up with a name together?” She looked between me and Ava.
“Ohh, what about Bliss?” Ava suggested. I rolled my eyes and tried not to laugh. Bliss sounds like a hair salon or spa.
Thankfully, I got a text message and I pretended to be distracted so I wouldn’t have to respond to Ava’s suggestion.
‘Princess, found your earring. I love that you’re a freak in the shower!!! ;)’
That was the third text from him today referring to the shower. In all fairness, it was a very good shower. I re-read the text and smiled.
“Hey, what about Chic Freak?” I said.
They both looked at me. “I love it.” Ava said and looked at Mum.
“Chic Freak. Tegan, that’s perfect. You just came up with that?” I nodded. Yeah, I was so taking credit for that one.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Tegan
After breakfast and many discussions about the shop, we drove to Kai’s. His family were already outside trying to load everything it just two cars. Mum grabbed my bag out of the boot and pulled it along the floor. This summer was going to be great.
“Honey, you’re not going to need all this stuff,” she said as she dropped it to the floor near Kai’s car.
Kai cocked his dark eyebrow up. “Err, princess, we’re camping for two nights. You sure you need it all?”
“Yep,” I replied, kissing his cheek. I was going to argue that everyone else brought a crap load of stuff with them but I knew they had food and stuff for the party, as well as all the tents and camping equipment.
Just before we all got in the car Mum pulled me to the side. “You have a good time and I trust you to be careful.” Hugging her was getting easier so I gave her brief one. Earning her trust back wasn’t easy and I knew that she still worried and had doubts but we’d get there. “I’m proud of you, Tegan,” she said, her eyes welling up.
I didn’t feel proud of myself, not yet. I was still in a place that I didn’t want to be but I could almost see a way forward. I still spent most of my time running away from the things that were hard, and I still had a lot of anger over so many things. “Thanks,” I muttered, not feeling worthy of her pride at all.
“Look after my daughter and make sure she doesn’t get lost!” Mum said to Kai.
He laughed and blocked my arm when I tried to slap him. I would not get lost, well, unless everyone else did, too. “I’ll bring her back in perfect condition.”
Me, Carly and Elle were travelling in Kai’s car with the bags of everyone’s clothes and his parents were taking the rest of the things we needed. The whole way I gossiped with his sisters, much to his annoyance.
I turned in the seat so I could see them in the back as Carly told us about this guy she’d just started seeing. Kai was interested then. I had a feeling he was an incredibly protective brother, especially after Isaac died.
“What’s his full name, Carly?” Kai asked through gritted teeth after Carly first answered with Alex’s first name only.
“Do you need his full name?” I asked. The dark look he shot me answered my question.
Carly signed. “Alex Jackson. Don’t look him up though, please.”
Kai promised nothing and changed the subject. “You coming fishing tomorrow, Tegan?”
“Boring,” Carly and Elle chanted at the same time.