Kylie & Jack 1: Humble Beginnings

68. Closing the Door on the Past

Sunday 15th Sep, 10:48 AM

Term ended the Friday just gone and it was the most glorious feeling to know that they could relax, even for just half of the holidays. They were halfway to the Murruma pub for Kylie's grandmother's eighty–fifth birthday lunch. Kylie hadn't been feeling especially enthusiastic about it, as she explained to Jack on the drive, that her father's two sisters, Maureen and Rhonda had never really liked Janelle. This, in turn, meant that they didn't like Mike, Amy and Kylie either.

"... Rhonda's worse than Maureen by a mile, though. Rhonda just refuses to acknowledge our existence, never mind our presence." Kylie was snarling while glaring out of the window. She found her aunt to be insufferably childish.

"Probably doesn't help either that it was her daughter who was fucking my so – called boyfriend at the time." Kylie added, feeling the sting of Luke's memory filling her already tight chest.

"Hold up, that Sharon – Susan – that cousin, she'll be here at this thing?" Jack asked in surprise. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel a knot start forming in his stomach while watching Kylie nod slowly.

"Oh yes, darling Shelley. ... I don't know why, but Nan seems to think the sun shines outta her arse – I mean, she's just a princess! A self–centred brat who never cared about anything or anyone but herself. You know she cut her sister's hair off while she slept the night before her birthday because Cressida got the doll she wanted? Yeah – and apparently L – he isn't the first time she's slept with a bloke knowing he was in a relationship. Mind you, there's nothing wonderful about that bastard ..." Kylie fell silent with an angry huff and returned her gaze to the window.

Jack pulled into the pub carpark, put on the handbrake before killing the engine and reaching across to scoop up Kylie's hand.

"Babe," Jack said quietly trying to make Kylie face him. She stubbornly glared out of the window, trying to ball her fist, but Jack's large, warm hand was in the way.

"Wombat," Jack pressed her again quietly. Kylie gritted her teeth before reluctantly exhaling and turning to face Jack.

"Wombat don't be upset. Like you said, your ex is a bastard and clearly your cousin is nothing special either. You, however –"

"– Jack, I love you but there's no need –"

"– there's always a need –" Jack interjected, determined to have her hear what he has to say, because the last thing Jack wanted was for Kylie to spend the day with family and feel incapable of enjoying herself or smiling.

He could see a dark, reprimanding look in her eyes and chanced grinning at her. Kylie huffed, leaning deeper into the seat and feeling her shoulders relax significantly.

"Good girl," Jack smiled, seeing that Kylie was letting him praise her at last. She smirked ruefully at his remark and watched Jack lift her hand to his lips.

"Wombat, you are so much better off without both that bastard and your cousin. He never deserved you, not on your worst day and definitely not on your best either. Your cousin sounds like a lunatic and frankly, we've both dealt with enough of them to last us a lifetime. Sure, I get it can't have been easy for you, she's your family but Kylz, babe, what you lost in her, you gained in the three craziest women in town for best mates. Believe me when I say that you are, hands down, the most beautiful, funniest, cleverest, sexiest, even most dangerous woman I've ever known –" Kylie tittered gently. Jack, however, was not to be put off his task of cheering Kylie up.

"– you've been put through hell and come out the other side stronger, babe. If anyone deserves to walk into that pub with her head held high to prove to this mob that you're not the least bit affected by their bullshit, Wombat, it's you. Now come here." Jack cupped her chin, pulling her close and claiming her lips in a fiercely passionate kiss.