Life & Love of the Tormented

Sixty Three

"What the fuck!?", I raise my voice in complete disbelief.

Jarrod's face drops. I think he was expecting to see me again as much as I was to see him.

  "You two know each other?", Ria asks confused.

I look at Jarrod who looks a mixture of scared and embarrassed. He shifts his weight onto his other foot. Maybe he doesn't want his father to know that he hits on random women at truck stops like a creep.

I watch his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he swallows hard. He really is nervous about what I'm about to say.

"No", I say as I gather my composure, "Not really..."

Jarrods eyes widened and then squint shut as if he's waiting for the blow of me outing him for being a total douche to his Dad and the likes of my mother and sister.

I have no idea why I'm about to cover his arse but I am. It's not like I owe him anything. It is one hundred percent in favour of William and my mother.

Fuck, I have changed.

I clear my throat, "We just met", I say trying to sound causal, "Jarrod was parked next to me at Matildas... I was just surprised to see him".

Jarrod conspicuously mouths 'Thank you' to me before chiming in on my little white lie.

"Yeah, she bumped me with her car door", Jarrod says with an awkward laugh.

I point my harshest glare at him, stopping his laugh abruptly.

"I shouldn't have been in her way", he continues while reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck.

  "Bloody idiot, always getting people's way", William says before whacking his son up the back side of his head playfully.

I cover my mouth to stifle my laugh.

He deserved that.

"Yes, thanks Dad. I'm sorry..."

"Amelia", I say offering my name.

"Amelia... I really am sorry", Jarrod says making a face as if to say he was apologising for our earlier encounter as well.

As much as I'm not jumping to befriend him, Jarrod does seem like he could be a decent person under his stupid male bravado.

"It's fine", I say accepting the apology.

Jarrod takes a step toward me and offers his hand to shake, "It's nice to meet you... Properly".

I take his hand to shake, "I wish I could say the same", I say smugly hoping no one else heard me.

"Amelia Black!", Mum shouts, "Don't be so rude! He is trying to apologise".

I roll my eyes, breaking eye contact with Jarrod and then I look toward my Mum.

"Sorry", I say sarcastically. "It's nice to meet you too Jarrod", I continue, using my best believable voice.

  Jarrod steps backwards and joins his father again.

  "It was lovely to meet you also William and I'd love to get to know you more, however I am absolutely exhausted and could use a decent night sleep.", I offer a genuine smile.

  Mum looks toward me.

  "I'm sorry Mum", I apologise glancing her way again before turning back to the two english men in front of me, "My apologies for being rude but I need to sleep, it was a long drive".

  "It's fine love", William assures me.

  I walk toward Ria and hug her and place a light kiss on her cheek, "Goodnight sis".