Impact (The Fight for Life #2) (19 page)

“Harder, Jules.”

I lifted myself up using my knees to support my weight then slammed back down. The impact of my body hitting his sent another wave of water over the side. At this rate, we weren’t going to have any left. His warm mouth sucking my breasts sent a different kind of wave through my body. I was set to explode any second, and Leo’s magic touch hovered over the detonator button.

He gripped my waist as I fought to keep my mind lucid enough to focus on the beautiful man beneath me. The hard planes of his incredible body were an intoxicating contrast to his kind heart, and the combination was breathtaking. I hugged him to me, fearful I might just float away as the explosions went off behind my eyes. Sex with Leo was never just going through the motions. It was never dull or boring. Every single time was a unique and mind-blowing experience. Perhaps that’s what it’s like for everyone who’s found their perfect other half.

“Water’s getting cold,” Leo whispered in my ear some time later.

We both dried off threw on some loose clothes then grabbed a quick dinner at a Mexican restaurant on Southbank. Leo told me he’d set up a tent for us at the farmhouse and was going to be far better prepared than the last time we’d been there together. I couldn’t wait.

The next morning, we drove directly to Bea’s café for the best coffee in the world and for Jules to see Bea. It had been ages since they’d seen each other in person, but they had kept in touch over the phone.

“Well look what the cat dragged in,” she said as the bell above the door signalled our arrival.

“Are you going to say that every time I come here?” I asked, shaking my head.

“Sure am. Got a problem with that, tough guy?”

Jules laughed at the two of us and I just rolled my eyes. I was being ganged up on by my two favourite girls and didn’t mind one bit.

When she brought our coffees over to the table by the window, she sat down with us. There was only a few customers and they were all happy.

“So, camping, huh?” Bea scrunched up her nose. “Crazy.”

“I love sleeping outside,” Jules declared.

“Give me a warm bed and a hot shower any day of the week.”

Jules took a sip of her coffee. “Not me. I’ll take the great outdoors, thanks.”

“You really weren’t cut out to be a society princess, were you?” Bea’s rhetorical question made the two girls laugh and it was music to my ears.

“Before my grandparents moved to Queensland,” Juliette said, “I used to go and stay at their farm for a few nights every school holidays. I spent the whole time digging in the garden, riding horses and helping Gran with her epic vegetable patch.” She stared into space for a moment before coming back to us. “I miss that. I miss them.”

“When was the last time you saw them?” I asked.

“Too long. Their relationship with my mother was unbearable and she had a meltdown whenever I visited them. They moved to Queensland and travel a lot so it became even harder. They call me on my birthday each year and I send them a Christmas card.” She patted the table with her palm. “I’m going to visit them soon. It is ridiculous I haven’t in so long.”

“Jules quit her job in the city,” I told Bea.

“Really? That’s great.” She appeared uncertain. “I think it’s great at least.”

I smiled. “It is great, but I haven’t worked out what I’m going to do yet,” Jules said.

“Would you consider moving out here?” she asked casually. My jaw dropped.

“Oh. Um…” She looked at me but quickly returned her gaze to Bea. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

“Well you know Angus works for a financial planning firm in Lilydale, so I can let him know you’re job hunting if you like?” Bea said, standing up and moving back to the counter where a customer was ready to order.

“Seriously?” I asked, reaching for her hand. “You’d move out here?”

She met my eyes and her expression was warm. “I’ve never hidden the fact I love it out here. I love the countryside, the fresh air, the space.” She inhaled as if she were smelling something she couldn’t get enough of. “When I first stumbled across this area on my way to that god-awful charity event, I felt drawn to it. I feel at home here, which is weird, I know, but it’s true.”

“Babe.” I didn’t know what to say.

“It’s worth thinking about, right? I mean, I’ve resigned from my city job and you’re going to be at the fight club a lot. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Let’s talk about it some more out at the farm. Okay?”

“I just think things are going to work out for us one way or another,” she said, sincerely. “Everything feels like it’s falling into place.”

“I think you’re right.” I focused on the coffee swirling in my cup rather than meeting her gaze. I still had to tell her about what had happened five years ago and how that was probably going to negatively impact the rest of my life. The time was right and I was going to trust her. Perhaps then she would know why I left it in the past.

“You’re about to find out every last thing about your messed up boyfriend. Do you think you’re ready for that?”

She nodded and smiled then accepted the hand I offered her. “Let’s go.”

“Hello, Leo.” I snapped my head around to my best mate Angus’s mum standing behind me. Growing up, she’d been my mother’s best friend and like a second mother to me. I hadn’t seen her for years. Her skin appeared grey and pasty and the lines around her mouth made her look like a chain smoker. Similar to my mother, time hadn’t been kind.

“Hello, Sandra.”

It was awkward how uncomfortable she seemed around me. She turned her attention to Jules. “I’m Beatrix’s mother-in-law, Sandra. You must be Juliette.” She held out her hand and Jules shook it warmly.

“It’s really nice to meet you,” Jules said. She had no idea about the connection to my mother or the problem she had with me.

Sandra returned her gaze to me, rubbing both sides of her head with two fingers as if she were itching to say something. We stared at each other in silence for what felt like an awkwardly long time.

“I saw your mother yesterday,” she said with bitterness dripping from every syllable.

“We were just leaving. It was lovely to see you again, Sandra,” I lied, ushering Juliette towards the door ahead of me.

“Bye, Bea,” Jules called out over her shoulder.

Sandra grabbed my arm. “You’re a bastard, you know that, Leo.” She narrowed her eyes. “It’s bad enough you cut her out of your life, but she’s finally come home and you’re forcing her to move away again.”

Juliette stopped in her tracks then turned around, wide eyed.

“Sandra!” Bea exclaimed. She’d obviously heard the bastard comment. “You can’t say that to him.”

“It’s true.” She addressed Bea. “You know as well as I do that it’s true. His sweet mother doesn’t deserve the way he treats her.”

She crossed her arms. “Leo is my best friend and I won’t have you talking to him like that in here.”

Huffing, Sandra strode to the counter.

“Sorry about that,” Bea said. “She rarely stops by, so it’s an unfortunate coincidence you were here.” She turned to Juliette. “Ignore my mother-in-law. She’s not usually like that.”

“Okay,” Juliette said, drawing out the first syllable.

I shrugged. “I don’t give a shit what Sandra thinks.” I took the basket and cooler Bea had packed for us. It was no doubt filled with enough food to feed an army. She also handed me a bunch of flowers. “Thanks, Bea,” I whispered.

When we were outside, Juliette scrunched up her nose. “Sandra was… intense.”

“She and my mother were best friends. Still are I guess.”

She reached across and touched my arm. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” Sandra’s outburst had had very little impact on me, I was happy to acknowledge. “Do you mind if we take another quick detour on the way?” I asked when we were back in my Jeep.

“Of course not.” Jules smiled and my heart clenched. She was so incredibly beautiful. Ever since she’d quit her job and I’d suggested coming out here, she seemed happier. Her navy eyes appeared bright and full of life.

The Anglican church I grew up near had stood the test of time. Despite it being built back in the early 1900s, it was extremely well maintained by the community. My mother was a fierce atheist, but my father had had a quiet faith. Whilst my father had regularly attended the Sunday church service, my mother had flat out refused.

When I pulled up in front of the church, Jules peered out the window then back at me. “You brought me to church?”

“Come on.” I reached over to the back seat and grabbed the flowers then placed my hand on the door handle. “I want to share something with you.”

We walked down the narrow dirt pathway that ran along the church boundary and turned into the cemetery behind. It was approaching midday and the sun felt warm on my back when I knelt down in front of my father’s grave. Juliette knelt down beside me and I felt her comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Five fucking years today, Dad.” I paused, shaking my head as I carefully placed the flowers on the ground in front of me. “Five fucking years.”

“Today?” Jules asked in a whispered voice.

I nodded.

“Wow,” she whispered. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

I looked at her angelic face and knew she was meant to be there with me. I sat back on my heels and stared at the inscription.

Jules leaned forward and traced her finger over his name.
William James Ashlar
.

“I should’ve personalised it more, but at the time, I didn’t know which way was up.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Perhaps I’ll make him a new headstone one day.”

“I think that would be an amazing thing to do.”

“How did he die, Leo?” Jules asked after a few minutes silence.

“Stab wounds to the chest.” He took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. “He bled out.”

“Oh my God.” She gasped. “That is horrible.”

I nodded. “I can’t enjoy the sunrise because that’s
when
I found him. Until you, I couldn’t be in that house because that’s
where
he died.” I paused to take a breath and compose myself before continuing. “Most of all, I hate being so full of rage because I have no closure.” I looked her in the eye and saw nothing but compassion. “It’s exhausting, Jules.”

“You don’t know who did it?”

I shook my head. “Unsolved murder.”

“So the caged Muay Thai and Buddhism helped you channel your grief and your rage.”

She understood. “The cage fighting was such an incredible outlet, but I want more now.” I gave her my hand and helped her to her feet. “I want more for us.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly. “I just want us.” She whispered against my lips then rested her forehead on mine.

I was irrevocably in love with this girl.

Both our gazes returned to the headstone and we stood in silence for a few minutes before Jules asked the question that had most likely been running through her mind.

“What does your mother have to do with it?” I’d been wondering how to answer this question since she found out. “I mean. You lost your father, but she lost her husband. Why is she dead to you?”

“I’d like to explain it to you when we’re at the house if that’s okay?”

“Of course.” She looked at me and smiled. “I’m just so happy you’re finally telling me.” She squeezed my hand. “It means a lot.”

She leaned into my side as we walked back to the car hand in hand. I had never taken anyone to his grave despite Bea’s annual request. She gave up asking a few years ago. It’s always just been something I wanted to do alone.

A red Honda pulled out from next to the Jeep when we rounded the corner of the Church. I only took note because the driver spun the tyres on the loose gravel and then fishtailed.
Ease off the throttle
, I thought to myself then mentally chastised myself for thinking about it at all after what Leo had just shared with me.

I sat sideways on the seat with my back to the door so I could give my full attention to Leo. “Thank you.” I just felt compelled to let him know again how grateful I was that he had shared such a big thing with me on today of all days. I’d had no idea it was the anniversary of his father’s death.

He glanced sideways at me and smiled before watching the road again. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you were there.” He reached his hand over and took hold of mine. “It was easier with you there.”

“I’m glad.” I picked up his hand and kissed it before letting our joined hands rest in my lap.

I was so happy to see the farmhouse come into sight a short time later. It had been winter the last time I was there, and it looked so different in the spring. Ivy covered most of the house in green and wildflowers bloomed everywhere.

“Wow. It’s even more beautiful than I remembered,” I gushed as we rumbled down the cobbled driveway. I was eager to get out of the car. “It was freezing last time we were here.”

“I’d rather not think too hard about the last time we were here, to be honest.” I glanced back at him and could see his jaw clenching.

When he pulled up, I jumped out and headed straight for the back garden. The gazebo was no longer visible. Thick wisteria covered it in a purple blanket, and the smell of jasmine filled my nostrils. It was glorious and I just stood there taking deep breaths.

“I have a surprise for you,” Leo said, appearing at my side.

“What?”

“Come on.” He took my hand and led me through the back gate and across the field towards the neighbour’s fence. We climbed over the style and dropped down onto their side.

“What’s going on, Leo?” I asked, intrigued.

“This is why I suggested you wear jeans this morning.”

I glanced down at my jeans and white Converse sneakers. I’d just thought he was going to put me to work around the farm.

“Can you give me a clue?”

“I know you’ll love it.” His cheeky grin made me smile. “That’s your clue.”

I looked around. All I could see was the back of his neighbour’s house and a stable block. Then it hit me. I’d told him I loved horses.

“We’re going riding?” I could barely contain my excitement waiting for his confirmation, which came in the form of a nod and a smile.