I stare at myself for the last time making sure my puffy eyes are covered and I’ve practiced my fake smile enough times even I believe it.

Its morbid, and one hundred percent inappropriate, but I’ve spent the week mourning my relationship with Drix, but last night, through all the hurt, his words sparked hope.

Today will be my fresh start. For Drix, I will put my big girl panties on and face the woman that holds my future in her hands, and I will take it back.

Because she can’t have him. And if she tries. I’m not going down without a fight.

My phone dings with a text, and sure that it’s Drix telling me he’s close, I give myself a quick once over in the full length mirror. Perfect

Grabbing my clutch, I slip my shoes on, and walk down my front steps. Leaning on the passenger side door is the man I’ve fallen in love with. His feet are crossed and arms are folded, he looks light and casual.

Standing in front of him, I wear my shyest smile. “Hi.”

“Fuck saying hi.” Grabbing me by the waist, he lifts me up high enough to wrap my legs around him.  Turning, he pushes me into the door, and obliterates every kiss before this one. “Don’t ever keep these from me again,” he murmurs in my mouth. “Got it?” He grips my arse through my dress and presses me into his solid length. A loud moan is my answer.

“I promise to finish this later.”

Flushed and turned on, I nod, as my body slides down his. Opening the door, he helps me get into the car; groping me any chance he gets.

Waiting for him to jump in, I pull my phone out and find a song. As if the last seven days didn’t happen we fall into sync. “You going to sing for me, Crazy?”

I hit play on Your Mess is Mine by Vance Joy, and wink at him. “Always.”

He finds my hand and weaves his fingers through mine, as the words of the song settle between us. The song ends only to start up again, and he glances over at me with a raised brow.

“I know how much you love them on repeat.” He lifts my hand to his lips.

I love you too.

Remembering to tell Drix something, I lower the volume and pull a slim length envelope out of my bag. “I forgot to tell you I bought Dakota a gift from us.”

“Yeah? What did you get her?”

“Well the Museum of Contemporary Art is holding a photography exhibition, in a month. They’re all up and coming photographers, and I figured the three of us could go.”

My heart beats frantically, wondering if I’ve overstepped, but the heart-stopping smile on his face is the reassurance I need. “She’s going to love that.”

“I think so.”

He pulls into the driveway, and a wave of nausea hits me. I countdown from twenty and pray an overactive imagination has me exaggerating the whole thing. “We’re going to be okay,” he says, noticing my mood change.

“I know.” Releasing a loud breath, I open the door and wait for Drix to help me from the car.

And who said chivalry is dead

With the usual arm around my shoulder, and my hand in his back pocket we walk in the front door. Top forty music plays on the stereo as Dakota and a hand full of boys and girls are scattered throughout different areas of the house. The kitchen bench is lined with different types of party food. It’s probably my favourite thing about kid parties. Bite sized goodness.

With no other adults in sight, Drix leads us to a dressed up Dakota. Swapping out her everyday jeans and tank for a beautiful spring dress, she looks every bit the sixteen year old girl she is.

Her friends notice us first, a few of them blatantly crushing on the cool uncle. One by one they stop talking, waiting for their friend to realise she’s got company.

Eventually picking up on the clues, she turns around, her eyes shining with happiness as they land on Drix.

“Uncle Drix,” she squeals. “You’re here.”

We let go of one another and he lowers half his body to kiss her on the head. “Where else would I be?”

She looks from between him and I. “Tttttttttt. I didn’t know you were coming.”

Knowing she doesn’t mean it any which way, I shrug it off and stick my hand up for our traditional high five greeting. “It’s not every day someone turns sixteen.”

Drix clears his throat, all our attention back to him. “Kid. I actually invited Taylah here, as my girlfriend.”

He drops the bomb, and I wait for her response, except she isn’t the one who speaks.

“Did you just say your girlfriend?” The voice is familiar, and the shock is evident.

“This is so great,” Dakota cries. “Mum, can you believe Uncle Drix has a girlfriend? I was sure he was going to be single forever.”

The temperature in the room drops significantly, as we all come face to face with one another. I realise Dakota doesn’t know about her mum and Drix, and this just got one hundred times more awkward. She’s so happy for him. Sasha is about to lose her mind, and everybody else is a spectator.

“We’ve moved the party under the marquee, to please Jagger,” Emerson shouts out. “How about you all come outside and leave the adults inside.”

Without a second glance the kids file in a line outside and Emerson closes the thick glass sliding door.

Expecting more drama, I’m shocked to see Sasha walk straight outside with the kids.

I turn to Drix, but he’s watching Sasha, and my heart breaks.

I try not to take it too personally, or to expect too much from him. I have an empathetic heart, and for him I can understand the difficulty of seeing someone you care about in any capacity hurt.

But I’m here, and he hasn’t once asked if I’m okay.

Emerson’s eyes lock with mine, the sympathy written on her face has me wanting to run into her arms and cry.

“Do you need help with anything?” I ask, begging her to take to the bait.

“Uh, yes. Actually, can you just man the oven for a while.” She points at random boxes behind her, “Just take the food out and put the new stuff in.”

“Got it.” Unable to bring myself to look anywhere else but Emerson, I bolt straight to the kitchen.”

Losing track of time, I don’t know how long I’ve been in front of this oven. All I know is Drix hasn’t come to find me once. Last night I felt every single one of his words in the marrow of my bones. Today, he’s a stranger.

I see him outside with the kids, keeping a close eye on them, pretending they need him more than I do. Sasha continues to be the perfect host for her daughter’s party, acting like she wasn’t the one who lit the fuse on my relationship.

“Are you okay?” Emerson asks, interrupting my seething. “I’m so sorry I keep leaving you alone in the kitchen.”

“Don’t be silly. Do your thing, I’m fine here.” Truth is I couldn’t muster a conversation, without falling apart anyway. I’ll wait till Dakota blows the candles out on her cake and then I’m out.

Setting up another few trays full of frozen party food, I slide on the oven mitts, and make the swap. From the corner of my eye I see Sasha corner Drix. It takes everything I  have not to walk out of this kitchen and find out what she has to say. Her hands are flailing and his mouth is moving.

They’re mad, and if they’re not careful, the rest of the guests are going to notice, and they’re going to ruin Dakota’s birthday. She looks over to them. Once. Twice. Three times. My feet move like they have a mind of their own, and I’m heading straight towards them like an arrow to it’s mark.

“Be with me.” Those are the only words I hear her say, and like a ticking time bomb I’m ready to explode.

Coming into their vision, their guilty faces are like stab wounds to my already broken heart.

“Taylah.” He says my name with shock, like he may have just remembered he came with someone.

Sasha looks at me square in the eyes, and I give her my very best smile. “While, I’m not a fan of either of you right now, Dakota is about three seconds from coming here and making your problems hers. It’s her birthday. So get the fuck inside like the adults you’re supposed to be and sort your shit out, out of her sight.”

Their heads immediately turn to her, and just like I said Dakota’s worried eyes stare right back at them.

Leaving them behind, I walk up to Dakota and her friends in hope of lightening up the mood. She glances past me one more time, but they’ve already disappeared inside.

“Are they okay?” she whispers.

“Yep. They were just arguing because we accidentally bought you the same gift as your mum, and they both really want to take you.”

“Really?” She’s skeptical but I keep going.

“Tickets to that amateur photo exhibition at MCA. Have you heard of it?”

“Oh my god,” she gasps. “Are you serious? Please tell me you’re not joking.”

“I am definitely not joking.”

She looks back around the backyard, her untainted heart worrying till the last second.

Standing up I give her shoulder a soft squeeze. “They’re okay, D. I promise.”

Dreading the walk back inside, I decide it’s time for me to leave. I’m Emerson’s friend. Nothing more, nothing less. I don’t need to be here.

Stepping back inside, Jagger’s wide eyes greet me. “What?”

He looks at Dakota’s bedroom door and I take it as my cue. “Thanks for having my back, J.”

Holding the door handle, I give myself five seconds to back out. Five seconds to save myself from seeing something I’m never going to forget. Five seconds to walk out of this house with enough pieces of my heart to maybe, one day be able to put it back together.