Wild Bastard

6

Matt

I wake up around noon.

Summer gives me the luxury of sleeping in as much as I want.

Come September, I'll have to go back to university and finish my final year—the one I missed because of that asshole Ledger.

The bastard ratted me out to my dad.

Though, I guess I should be partly grateful.

If it weren't for him, who knows where I'd be right now—probably still rotting under Mia's thumb, letting that bitch drag me down.

The clinic at least knocked some sense back into me.

Reminded me that if I didn't quit the drugs, I might've ended up like my sister.

Evelyn's face flashes through my mind.

A familiar ache swells in my chest, but I shove it back down before it can consume me.

I get up, take a quick shower, and head downstairs.

The smell of fried bacon and eggs hits me the second I step into the dining room.

Some people are already having lunch, but Laura knows my schedule.

She always makes sure my breakfast is ready right on time.

"Good morning," I say cheerfully as I step into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Matthew," Laura greets, placing a plate of eggs, bacon, asparagus, and tomatoes right in front of me.

"Morning," Lana mumbles, shoveling granola into her mouth, eyes glued to her phone.

She doesn't even look at me.

I slide into my seat.

Then, without hesitation, I snatch her iPhone from her hands.

"Hey! Give it back!" she snaps, but I'm already scrolling through her messages.

"Who's BFF?" I arch an eyebrow, stopping at a long-ass chat with someone named Mark.

Lana lunges for the phone, but I hold it out of reach.

"None of your business! Give it back!"

Her fists land on my shoulders, but I barely feel them. More amused than anything, I push her back into her chair so she stops flailing in my face.

"I asked who it is."

Laura silently places a glass of fresh juice in front of me—then wisely disappears from the kitchen.

Smart woman.

The only one who ever managed to adapt to our insane family.

That's why, even after five years, she still gets paid.

Lana glares at me, hands on her hips.

"My best friend."

I blink.

"You have a friend?"

The shock is genuine.

She's never had friends.

"Imagine that. A lot has changed in six months while you were gone. And yes, I finally have a friend."

"What exactly has changed?"