For the Love of Tennis | ✅

Chapter 26

“What the actual fuck?”

“Yes?”

“You were locked in his office!” Mum cries out, throwing up her arms in desperation. Then she throws herself into me and squeezes me like toothpaste for about the fifth time today. “I’m so sorry, Chands. I should have seen the text. I should have been there! Crap.” She pulls away. “I feel like a shit mother. Hell, I am a shit mother. But when I get my hands on that Andre bastard I’ll let him know—” Then she stops herself and collapses into me again. “I’m just so glad you’re home.”

“Me too,” I rumble.

We’re sprawled on the sofa; me covered in a dozen blankets even though it’s twenty-five degrees outside, her clutching the blankets with a fearful glint in her eye.

“You should have called me,” she moans.

“I know, and I’m sorry I didn’t.”

She shakes her head and sniffles. “And don’t you dare go out without telling me first. And certainly not with that Megan.”

“Yes, Mum.”

She huddles me. I try to hug her back but the sheer number of blankets and throws prevents me.

“Maria called,” she says quietly. “She said Andre had a real beating because he dyed some guy’s hair purple.” She turns to me. “So Megan did actually put dye in. You weren’t joking?”

I nod.

And then the strangest thing happens. My mother grins.

She actually grins.

It’s an odd sight since I’ve never seen her quite so happy since before Dad died. But her lips almost reach her ears in her contentment.

“You little shitheads,” she mumbles fondly. “And you both removed a million from his account?”

Again, I nod. I didn’t tell her about who the money would go to. I doubt Megan will give it to her since she locked me in the office.

The grin grows wider.

“I fucking love you, Chandy.”

“So do I.”

“No, I love you more. You might be difficult and do rash things at times but I love you to the extreme depth of my heart.”

That makes me smile.

And then my phone starts ringing. Kylie’s face pops up on the screen.

Good, I think. I’ve been meaning to call you.

“And that Amias boy,” Mum continues. “He’s a blessing. He brought you back in one piece! And he stayed the night!”

“He’s an angel,” I agree. “Listen, Mum. I have to take this. It’s Kylie.”

I move out of the living room and into the kitchen. Then I pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Chandy,” comes Kylie’s voice full of relief. “Well I was wondering if you’d pick up.”

I place myself on a dining chair. “I’m here now. What is it?”

“Are you in private?”

I glance around. “Yeah, it’s just me and my mum here if that’s what you mean.”

“Okay, good. Well, last night I—”

“I know what you did,” I reply coldly. “Amias told me all about it.”

“Last night made me realise something.” She pauses. “That gang is dangerous.”

I almost roll my eyes. “You don’t say?!”

“No, listen. It’s dangerous, yes. But I mean it’s actually bloody dangerous. They murder each other for fun.”

“What?” That takes me by surprise.

“And they take all sorts of requests. Hitmen, burglaries – they can mug people to return possessions.”

“So what if they’re dangerous?” I croak. “It’s not going to make you leave, is it?”

“That’s exactly what it’s going to do,” she replies. “I shouldn’t have gone last night. I saw Gabe’s true colours. He looked feral.”

“And what happened?”

“Amias told him not to rob the shop. He said no. Then Gabe wanted to get physical.”

“And did they?”

“A couple of punches. Both got scathed. But Amias backed off and said for everyone’s sake that they should leave it. Like leave it. Leave the whole thing. I think he wants to split.”

“That makes sense,” I muse. “He was saying how shitty it all was in the car today.”

“What car?” she asks sounding suspicious. “You been banging in a car? Can I join?”

“No!” I splutter. “Just no!”

She cackles and it raises my spirits.

“I missed you, Chands,” she says. “And that’s partly the reason why I’ve been hanging out with Gabe recently. I feel like you and I haven’t spoken.”

“We haven’t,” I agree.

“It feels like we’re drifting apart and I don’t want that.”

“Me neither,” I say softly.

“So I’ve called to say I’ve come to a decision.”

“Hm?”

“I can’t cope with Gabe. Last night showed me a completely different side to him. That wasn’t Gabe. It just wasn’t. That’s some monster who wants money and wouldn’t mind blowing people’s heads for it. He scared me, Chandy. I couldn’t look at him in the same way as before.” She sighs. “And I’ve been thinking about it all night.”

“So what’s the decision?” I prompt.

“I’m breaking up with him.”

I don’t react. I’d always known something like this was going to happen, but I can’t call on it now.

“Kylie, are you sure?”

“Yes!” she snaps frantically. “Y to the fucking S!”

“Well, if you’re sure...”

“I’m telling him tomorrow,” she says. “And I’m blocking him on everything.”

I sit on the kitchen chair unsure of what to say.

“That’s mainly what I wanted to call you about,” she says, voice softer. “Oh, and Chandy?”

“Yes?”

“Amias is a good lad. I’m sorry about what I said before.”

“That’s okay,” I reply with a smile. “I just want everything to go perfectly. I don’t want this stupid gang to ruin it.”

“It’ll all turn out fine,” she promises. “Now, I have to go.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

My mobile clicks off. At the silence, Mum walks into the kitchen.

“What was that about?”

“Kylie’s cutting it off with Gabe.” I slip the phone into my pocket.

Mum grunts. “Good. Never liked the fucker.”

“Mum!”

She grins again. “Sorry. You look tired. Minimal sleep last night?”

I nod and realise she’s right. Sleeping in that office chair all night did me no good.

So, still smiling at her comment, I trudge off to bed.