Temptation

Chapter 11 - Savannah

As I pull around the corner and into Lachy’s street I am faced with two large trucks. I instantly think there was some type of accident, but as I drive further and view the words clearly on the sides of the vehicles I’m left in shock, ‘Tony’s Removalists’.

“Wait. What?” I mouth to myself dumbstruck. Anna walks out with a box of their sofa cushions. The cushions belonging to their overly expensive leather coach. Then through their grand door appear two bulky men in sweaty, faded singlets carrying the very coach wrapped in bubble wrap. What the fuck is happening. Are they moving houses? No. They couldn’t be.  Lachy would have told me. They couldn’t possibly be moving that coach to the beach house. They would hardly see it. Anna for sure would be having a fit. I abruptly halt the car, slam the door shut and swiftly walk over to Lachy’s mum.

“Hi Anna,” I say with a worried expression. “What’s this all for?” gesturing to the removalist trucks.

“Hi honey,” She pulls me in for a kiss on the cheek. I wonder if her deep red lipstick had wiped onto my face. “We’re moving,” she laughs, “didn’t Lachy tell you? Or maybe -”

“Where?” I cut her off.

Her lips tighten and her eyes grow larger with a pitiful stare. She grabs my hand. “I don’t think Lachy wanted to tell you that we are leaving. We are moving to the beach house! Bill’s retired and all, and Zack is going to come with us and start a new school.” I could suddenly see the excitement in her eyes soon disintegrate as she reads my own.  She grabs my hand again. “But you know Lachy is going to rent a house down here so he can finish year 12 at Hillside. He’s been working so hard to afford it. We gave him the choice to come with us or stay here. I don’t think he chose to stay here for school, I think it was to stay here with you.” She gave me a wink and squeezed my hand.

I immediately felt like I was going to be sick. I was speechless. No words could escape my mouth. My lips attempted to shape the words, but I couldn’t express what I wanted to say. I struggled to escape Anna’s grasp.  She looked worried for me. Glass crashed behind us, and Anna quickly changed her attention to her prized glass lamp that was now laying in splintering pieces on their sandstone pathway.                 

“Oh! You boys better be more careful!  Do you realise how EXPENSIVE this was?!    This is coming out of YOUR pay checks!” as she waved her hands angrily towards them. They mumbled an apology.

Footsteps crept up behind me. I turned around and am confronted by an equally speechless someone.

Lachy’s eyes were blood shot, his lips were quivering. He brought his hand up to his head. “I can explain.” He muttered.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” he winces from my tone of voice. “Why would you be doing this to yourself? Why would you bother working so hard to stay here when you could live with your family at that freaking house?!” I spit.

Lachy steps forward and begins to stutter his words. “I.. I wanted to stay here… so I could be with you.” He begins to reach for me. I step away. “You’re so important to me and all.” He began to look helpless.

“Why am I that important that you would change your whole life to stay here with me?! I’m just some stupid girl.”

“No, you’re not. You’re so special to me Savannah. I love you too much to be away from you.”

“Well, to me you’re some stupid boy.” Why am I saying this? “You don’t think we will ever end up together do you?!” I want to hit myself, why am I doing this? I didn’t even mean that. Why am I hurting him?

He shatters before me. I’ve never seen him like this. His whole body collapses from my words. He sinks to his knees. He suddenly looked so weak and vulnerable.  He cradled his face in his hands and began to sob. What have I done?

“No, Lachy, No. I didn’t mean that.” I cry as I rush towards him. “You mean so much to me!” As I begin to lift him up and detach his hands. “I love you, I love you.” I mutter as I kiss his tear stained cheeks. “I’m sorry Lachy.” I begin to sob too. He grabs me and holds me tight. He would never fight back at me for what I said. He really does love me. Why did I say that to him? I guess I was just overwhelmed by all that he has done for me. I think I was just shocked from all the commitment he was showing. I guess I was just being afraid of all the faith he had in us as a couple. I didn’t handle the pressure like I should have. I should be thankful for all that he has sacrificed. I was being stupid. I hate myself.

“I love you Savannah.” He whispers in my ear.

“I love you so much Lachy.” I cry. Why doesn’t he hate me?