Chris walks in just as she exits the room, nearly getting shoulder-checked into the wall by my angry ex-wife. He watches her disappear down the hall, then turns to me with a smirk. “Things went well then?”
I flash him a wicked grin. “Better than I expected.”
He lets out a low chuckle and produces a bottle of whisky from behind his back.
“Bar’s dead tonight, so I’m closing up early. Figured you might need something to take the edge off before heading home.”
“See, that’s why you and I are best mates.”
“Because I complete you?”
“Because you always seem to know exactly what I need, right when I need it.”
“Aw, baby, I’m so touched.”
“Just bring me the fucking bottle, idiot!” I say with a smirk.
Chris hands me the whisky, and for the next hour we share a few glasses between us.
We talk footy, his new flavour of the week, and yes, Mila, though I try not to dwell on that too much. But even as we joke and laugh, I can’t shake the nagging feeling in my gut that tonight’s conversation with Elena has only made things worse. It’s like I’ve poked the grizzly bear, and now she’s getting warmed up. I can only hope that whatever she’s plotting, she doesn’t do something drastic, like turn on my girl, or worse, try to tear down everything we’ve just begun to build.
CHAPTER 31
Mila
I slap a hand over my mouth to keep me from bursting out laughing as Jason, dressed in a giant spider suit, flips burgers on the barbecue like this is a perfectly normal Saturday afternoon. The four limp legs strapped to his back jiggle with every move, and the beanie on his head covered in googly eyes makes him look even more ridiculous. There’s nothing that screams ‘alpha male’ like a full-grown man wearing a fuzzy arachnid costume.
It’s the day of Jake’s birthday party, and this year’s theme is ‘Bugs and Bread’—an oddly specific combo that only makes sense in the mind of a very enthusiastic six-year-old. But hey, who are we to argue? He insisted everyone show up dressed as a bug while we chow down on an assortment of bread. Even his cake is shaped like a giant bagel, because it wouldn’t be a party without creepy crawlies and a truckload of carbs, right? The birthday boy went all in as a praying mantis, and honestly, I’ve never seen a more adorable little predator in my life. I can’t help but chuckle as he fully commits to the role, his movements slow and deliberate, head swivelling side to side like he’s scanning for his next unsuspecting prey. If there were ever an Oscar for the best insect impersonation, he’d win it by a landslide.
As for me, I decided to show up as a monarch butterfly—of course, complete with wings that attach from my spine to my wrists, so every time I lift my arms, it gives the illusion that I’m in mid-flight. Very majestic. Very extra. Very on brand.
Jason’s house has transformed into one giant, comical bug sanctuary. Everywhere you look, adults and kids buzz about in antennae and wings, munching their way through mountains of sugary, high-carb, high-calorie goodness. Even Jason’s dad has joined the chaos, waddling around in a human-sized cockroach costume, beer bottle firmly in hand.
But the real showstopper, because who else would it possibly be—is Elena, Jake’s mum and Jason’s obnoxious ex-wife. She swept in as some kind of high-fashion ladybug, wings shimmering like they’ve been blessed by the gods themselves, legs for days, and that infuriating smirk, the one that says she knows she looks flawless and needs no introduction. I want to roll my eyes every time she struts by, but even I have to admit it, she looks bloody amazing. Disgustingly amazing, in fact. And I absolutely hate how much I admire it.
She’s been prancing around, offering guests refreshments like the perfect little hostess she pretends to be, even though she didn’t lift a single, manicured finger to help with the decorations or catering. That was all Sofia and me. While Elena was off at the salon, getting dolled up for her grand entrance at her son’s birthday party, it was us making sure everything looked spectacular forherlittle boy. And not once, not even in passing, did we get so much as a thank you for all the effort we put in.
Not that we needed any kind of recognition from her. We did it all for Jake, because he deserves the party of his dreams, regardless.
“Why do you look like you’re about to march over there and rip Elena’s extensions out?” Sofia asks, snapping me out of my thoughts with a raised brow.
I turn to my best friend, currently dressed in a bumblebee costume, and shrug, all innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on. You’ve been glaring at her all afternoon. I’m honestly scared to look away in case you suddenly launch yourself at her.”
I let out a sharp exhale. “As much as I want to, I’d never do that. At least, not at a kid’s birthday party.” I pause, trying to keep my voice level. “She’s just... irritating. Strutting around like she singlehandedly organised the whole thing, clinging to Jason’s arm and greeting guests like she’s the matriarch of the whole family.”
Everywhere I turn, there she is—Elena, draped over Jason like she’s still his loving, devoted wife. I know it’s all for show, a carefully curated act for their family and friends, but the fact that Jason hasn’t pushed her away, not even once? That stings. He’s thrown me a couple of apologetic glances, sure, but it’s hard not to feel that familiar pang of jealousy watching the two of them playing happy family.
“Hey.” Sofia gently nudges my shoulder, pulling my attention back to her. “That’s not real. Everyone can see it’s just an act. If anything, Jason looks genuinely uncomfortable every time Elena so much as touches him. He’s probably going along with it for Jake’s sake.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Don’t mind me. I’m just being a drama queen. It’s not his fault that his ex-wife is a total whack job. God, I really can’t stand her,” I say bitterly, taking a long, generous sip of my cola.
Sofia chuckles. “I don’t think many people can either.”
And just when I think things couldn’t possibly get any worse, in walks the last person I ever hoped to see—my ex–brother-in-law. Kaden strolls into the yard dressed as a tick, and I nearly choke on my goddamn drink. A tick. How fitting. Honestly, I couldn’t have picked a more accurate costume myself. Because to me, that’s exactly what he is—a toxic, unpleasant, life-sucking parasite in human form.
He’s got a giant boxed gift tucked under one arm as he shakes Jason’s hand, then turns to Elena and plants a kiss on her cheek.It’s almost laughable how civil they are with each other now that they’ve got something in common. Two lying, deceiving arseholes, smiling like they never tore their marriages apart. Despicable, the both of them. I’m just glad he didn’t bring his pregnant girlfriend along. I’m already two seconds away from ripping someone’s teeth out.
