Unconditional Read Free Page A

and he’s actually a pretty good guy. Big heart, you know?’
    Me and Dannii look at Dean in complete shock that he’s actually tried to say something intelligent, and he goes red and resumes puffing on his joint.
    ‘Bless, I think they might have a bit of a ‘bromance’ on the go,’ Dannii quips and I laugh, but I’m thinking over Dean’s comment and wondering what Joe’s story is. I can’t help it; there’s something intriguing about him, something that has grabbed my attention even more than the unfathomable amber eyes and the mouth that was just made for kissing. I bet he would be a good kisser. Better than Bradley, at any rate.
    The next hour or so drags completely, and I end up on the sofa by myself watching music videos while Dannii and Dean giggle and probably grope each other on the bed. I let enough time pass that it doesn’t look like I’m being rude, and then announce I’m tired. Dannii insists they walk me home.
    ‘It’s dark out there, babe, your mum will go mad.’
    So we walk back, the three of us, with Dannii in the middle holding both our arms and giggling from too much beer, while Dean slopes along with a serene, stoned smile.
    ‘What are you two up to now?’ I ask, wondering if I should invite them in. Dannii snuggles up closer to her boyfriend.
    ‘He’s staying at mine. Aren’t you, babe?’ she says and Dean grins lasciviously. I hope she’s not sleeping with him already, but now is hardly the time to ask. It amazes me that her mum never seems to care. For as much as I know my mother worries I’m not rebelling as much as I should, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t let me have a boy stay overthat I had only known a few months. One thing she has drummed into me is not to get pregnant as young as she did. Almost as if she regrets having me, though I’d never say that to her.
    We reach the outside of my house and Mum appears on the porch as I’m hugging Dannii goodbye.
    ‘Hi, love. Hello, Dannii, and Dylan, is it?’
    ‘It’s Dean,’ Dannii corrects her, while Dean stands there staring at Mum with his tongue hanging out. I usher her in while Dannii elbows him again, looking genuinely pissed off this time.
    ‘Bye, guys,’ I call as she drags him back off down the street.
    Mum looks tired, no doubt from painting all day, but before I can ask her if she’s okay she kisses me on the forehead and announces she’s off to bed. I go up myself, hanging black jeans and a sweater on the door for school tomorrow and then falling into bed. I pick up my novel, then discard it.
    My last thought before I drift off to sleep is that there must surely be more to life than this, and the last face I see in my mind before all goes blank is Joe’s, curling his mouth and raising an eyebrow at me almost as if in challenge.

Chapter Two
    ‘You look great,’ Dad enthuses, and I smile. I have my skinnies on again and my leather jacket, though with a less revealing top. I’m about to say thank you when I realise he isn’t looking at me at all, but straight past me at Mum who if there was any justice shouldn’t look great as she’s covered in paint and her hair’s all crazy, but the look suits her. Me, I’d just look a mess.
    ‘You don’t,’ Mum says to him, but she’s smiling. They stand in the hall giving each other goofy grins until I clear my throat loudly. This is not good.
    Dad turns to me as if he’s only just remembered I’m the reason he’s actually here.
    ‘You ready, Princess? I thought we could go for a McDonalds?’
    He really does still think I’m about twelve.
    ‘Sure. Bye, Mum.’ She kisses me on the cheek, but her eyes are on Dad.
    As I get in the car, I notice in the sunlight that Dad looks older. Okay, I’ve not seen him for months but he looks years older; his face more lined and drawn and he’s lost weight. He’s only thirty-seven, but he looks older than that now, I think. He notices me looking at him and smiles sadly.
    ‘Belt up. Sorry it’s been a while since