“I’m made of tougher stuff than that,” he answered. “You should know that.”
She shook her head. “Charlie thought that,” she shouted. “I can’t lose anyone else I love.”
Matt stared at her. “I’m not Charlie.”
Well, duh. All at once it was too much, the pretending she didn’t love him, the hope one day he would realise he would love her. It was time to lay her cards on the table. “I love you, Matt.”
He shifted, glancing away. “Yeah, I love you too, Freckles. You’re family.”
Hurt pierced her. He didn’t understand. “No,” she said. “I don’t love you like a brother or a friend.”
He frowned, confusion on his face. God, he was dense. She would spell it out for him, so it was clear, so there could be no misunderstanding. This was her last-ditch effort. She could move on afterwards. She put the boat in neutral. The fear was gone, as were the nerves, all that was left was exhaustion. “Ilovelove you — the same way Amy loves Brandon, Faith loves Darcy, and Tess loves Ed.”
His eyes widened as his mouth dropped open. She might as well have slapped him in the face with a fish. He said nothing, just staring at her, before shaking his head. “You don’t mean it.”
Anger returned with a flood. “Don’t tell me what I mean.”
Devastated, though she’d expected his response, she turned, tears welling in her eyes and her chest too tight for air. She accelerated fast and Matt stumbled back a couple of steps, but not off the boat.
He said nothing, not moving closer to sit next to her, not touching her to comfort her. Instead, he sat in the back corner as far away from her as he could. She increased her speed, letting the boat skim across the top of the water and checked her phone. Three bars. Thank God. She sent Tony a text to say they were on their way back. At least Matt had his own car and would leave as soon as they reached the shore.
She wiped the tears from her face with her hand and got her breathing under control. She could get through this. It wasn’t as if his reaction was a surprise.
As they neared the boat ramp, Tony backed his trailer down to the water’s edge. Georgie slowed and drove the boat straight on and cut the engine. Matt was already climbing off, esky in hand.
Coward.
Georgie gathered her bag and slung it over her shoulder, forcing a smile.
“Thanks for the loan, Tony,” she said.
“Did you get some good information?” He clipped the boat in.
“Yeah.” She glanced at Matt. And she’d got closure too. She stood knee deep in water while Tony finished attaching the boat to the trailer.
“I’ve got to go.” Matt’s smile was sympathetic, as if she was to be pitied. “I’ll see you at the Ridge.”
“Yeah, bye.”
She watched him go.
“You two have a fight?” Tony asked.
Georgie shook her head. “Nah, he just has to get back.” She smiled and walked Tony to his car door. “See you later.”
Matt was already driving out of the carpark, but he didn’t wave like he normally would.
Her heart broke.
She might know for sure that he didn’t love her the same way, but their relationship would never be the same. It was a high price to pay for closure.
Chapter 6
What the hell was Georgie thinking? Matt slammed his car door, punctuating his thoughts.
She couldn’t possibly love him like that. She was Darcy’s sister. She had to be confused. Maybe her parents’ deaths had her feelings all out of whack.
He threw his hat on the seat next to him and drove away from the boat ramp, too freaked out to wave at Georgie in case she misunderstood the friendly goodbye.
