We load up the car and say our goodbyes and thank you's. Charlie gives me an extra big hug and says into my ear,
“Whatever it is you’re doing to my boy, don’t stop, will ya, I’ve never seen him this happy, not since he was a little tacker and his mum was still around, it warms my heart to see him this happy and relaxed Lauren, it really does”
I swallow down the golf ball sized lump that has now formed in my throat and give him a last squeeze “I will do my best Charlie, I love your boy and just want to make him happy”
I struggle to hold back my emotions and my voice catches as I gulp down the sob that’s threatening to escape as I realise Charlie is wiping tears from his eyes. Gabe appears at my side and looks from me to Charlie.
“Dad, you right there?”
“Treat her well Gabriel, she’s a keeper”
They kiss each other on the cheek “She is going nowhere dad, don’t you worry about that”
“Good to hear son, good to hear”
~
We set off in the car, and take the girls back to Nina's, I decline Gabe’s offer to go in and be introduced, I don't think so, I've had quite enough of exes to last me a while, thanks all the same!
We drive off in silence, I sit and think about how much I miss my dad, he’s been dead for fifteen years now but it still hurts as much as the day he died, I think about my boys and how much I am so desperately missing them, I'm so tired, drained, exhausted. I close my eyes and tilt my head back and listen to Maroon Five on the radio as I try to fight off the emotions that seem to have settled on my chest, making breathing hard and my throat feel so tight, luckily I must nod off to sleep as the next thing I'm aware of is Gabe opening the door on my side of the car.
“Are we home already?”
“Not yet, there's something I need to sort out first”
I look around; we've pulled off the highway and onto a slip road in front of a car showroom. Oh no, I had a feeling this was coming. This is not good; this is going to cause such an argument. I sit back in my seat “It’s ok baby, I'm tired, I'll just wait here”
“No Lauren, you won't, I need you for this”
“You’re not buying me a car Gabe”
He's done so much already; I'm living at his house rent free for fucks sake. How much of a bludger does he want to make me feel?
“Get out Lauren, you need a car, I've spoken to my dad, and we will just do it through the business so it’s not going to cost me anything”
“Yes, yes it will Gabe. And your brothers and sister, it’s your company so one way or another you will be paying for it, I spoke to the solicitors on Thursday and they've sent a letter off to Jay, telling him I'm entitled to either keep my car or he has to give me the money for a new one, I will buy myself something once it comes through”
“Well that's fine but you need a car now so let's go and get one sorted, Jen and Sam both have company cars, so the cost is a moot point so please don't argue with me on this”
“No Gabe, I feel like a ponce. I don't want you to buy me a car”
My head is pounding and my belly aches, I really am not in the mood for this, I want to go home, have sex, and sleep the rest of the day away, curled up in his arms.
“I don't want a car and I don't want to row with you, I want to go home and fuck” I smile sweetly up at him.
“Well, I will loan you my car then, so come and help me pick a new one, then we can go home and fuck” he smiles sweetly back at me.
“You don't need another car, you have the Ute”
“Get out the fucking car Lauren and stop behaving like a child, I'm trying to do something nice for you here and you’re throwing it right back in my face”
I let out a big sigh; I'm not going to win here am I? And I'm far too exhausted to argue. If it’s going through the business it will probably be on lease anyway so it can go back at any time. I stomp and huff and puff my way out of the car.
“Fine. Buy me a car”
“I’m going to”
“Thank you”
“You’re welcome”
Was that our first proper argument I wonder? It was hardly an argument. He ordered me to do something and I did it, eventually.
I end up with a BMW X5. In white, it’s a four wheel drive type thing. I try to remember all the specs so that I can relay them to Ava but I feel so crappy, I just don't take it in. I try to appear grateful and I truly am but I just want to get home.