‘So, now we’re officially public, what do you want to do?’ Dylan asked as he lay back against the bedhead.
Tam looked perplexed. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, for a start, I reckon we could actually be seen together,’ Dylan said. ‘Now everyone knows, we don’t need to sneak around anymore.’
‘I guess,’ Tam replied. ‘But what do you mean everyone knows?’
‘The whole town by now,’ Dylan said with a shrug. ‘I checked out a job for Ms Winter and she knew about us. So I figured if she knew, everyone else would too.’
‘How is that even possible?’ Tam rolled on her side and looked up at Dylan.
‘You know how fast gossip runs through this place,’ Dylan reminded her. ‘I don’t know why you’re so surprised—it’s been a week.’
‘I don’t like that people are talking about us,’ Tam said. ‘It’s got nothing to do with them.’
‘Ah, don’t let it get to you.’ He bent down and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. ‘They’ll get bored and move on to someone else.’
‘I suppose,’ Tam grumbled.
‘Anyway, you didn’t answer my question,’ Dylan reminded her.
‘Which was what?’
‘Honestly, do you even listen to what I say?’ Dylan replied and added an over-dramatic sigh. ‘You wanna go out somewhere, you know, on a date … together?’
Tam grabbed the sheet and sat up. ‘I suppose we could. Although, work is about to crank up so I’ll have to look at the schedule.’
A frown flickered across Dylan’s brows. ‘I was only thinking dinner and a movie in Bendigo.’
Tam paused before nodding. ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’ she replied. ‘But I still better check the schedule.’
Dylan relaxed a little. ‘Okay. You check what night you’re free and then I’ll make a booking.’
Tam gave him a smile. ‘I’ll let you know tomorrow, once I’m back in the office.’
Dylan kissed her.
‘Have you heard from Seb at all?’ Tam asked.
‘He rang earlier today. He didn’t say much but I’m catching up with him tomorrow after work.’
‘Let me know how it goes.’
Dylan hauled her up to his side and gave her a hug. ‘You worry too much, all this will blow over. He’s just being his over-cautious self—you know how he is.’
‘Maybe,’ Tam replied.
‘Look, he loves both of us and when he realises that we make each other happy, he’ll back off. You know Seb, he doesn’t function unless he feels like he’s in control of every situation.’
Tam paused. ‘I suppose you’re right,’ she said.
‘Of course I am.’
‘It really annoyed me how he was talking though, like he knew better.’
Dylan laughed. ‘Well, he can certainly be annoying and bullheaded but never doubt that he loves you and wants you to be safe.’
‘I do doubt that though. We’ve really drifted apart lately. Nothing I do ever seems to please him. And yes, I know I did some dumb things in the past but I feel as if he still holds that against me. The thing that gets under my skin probably more than anything is how he acts like he’s years older than me when we’re the same age,’ Tam said with another sigh.
‘I never said he was perfect,’ Dylan said with a laugh and then added, ‘but you’re right, he does act that way with you and I’m not sure why. Have you tried talking to him about it?’
‘Of course but he chooses not to listen or takes exception to what I’m saying and we end up having another argument. Both of us saying things we shouldn’t and most probably don’t mean.’
‘Maybe you could ask Maddie to be a mediator?’
‘Perhaps,’ Tam said in a quiet voice. ‘It’s always so much hard work and I never seem to get anywhere.’
‘All you can do is keep trying,’ Dylan replied before changing the subject. ‘So, what sort of movie are you up for?’
‘I don’t mind.’
‘You might regret saying that.’
Tam laughed. ‘Probably.’ She pulled away from him and sat on the edge of the bed.
‘What are you doing?’
‘I’d better go home. I have an early start and a bride is coming to inspect the summer house.’
‘Oh, I thought you were staying the night,’ Dylan said quietly.
‘Yeah … but I think I’d better head back.’
Dylan reached out for her. ‘Tam, is anything wrong?’
She shook her head. ‘No, why would it be?’ She gave him a slight smile before standing up then scooping up her clothes and heading to the bathroom.
The mood had changed, Dylan swore he could feel it in the atmosphere. It was the same sort of vibe he’d felt in the past whenever he’d suggested that they make their relationship public. It was unsettling, like she didn’t want to be with him. He had given her ample opportunities in the past to end things but she didn’t and always said that she loved him. But maybe she didn’t love him enough, or at least not in the way he loved her. She’d always used the excuse of not telling Seb but that didn’t fly now. Was she ashamed of him or their relationship? Or was she terrified of commitment?
He got out of bed and dragged on his jeans.
‘You sure you want to go?’ he called out.
‘No, but I should,’ Tam replied through the bathroom door.
‘And nothing is wrong?’ He asked again, knowing all too well that something was.
Tam opened the door and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘Why do you keep harping on about it? I’ll give you a ring tomorrow so we can organise a movie.’ She put her arms around him and gave him a hug. ‘I’d better go. See you later.’
‘Yeah, of course,’ Dylan said as he watched her go yet again. But this time an ache in his belly told him something wasn’t right, and maybe it never had been.
* * *
Tam took off on her bike and headed towards home. Every time Dylan talked about future plans she felt a rising wave of panic. She didn’t understand it. She loved Dylan, she really did, so why could something as innocent as dinner and a movie send her into a tailspin?
She wanted to be happy, to be normal. Dylan wanted to build a life with her, he talked about it all the time. She wanted to give that to him but something deep inside kept stopping her. Every time she thought about it, it was like she was underwater, unable to breathe. She wanted to swim to the surface but she couldn’t. It was the same feeling she’d had after her parents’ accident. Why did she feel it now with Dylan?
The red motorbike sped down the old dirt road, kicking up dust in its wake. The night sky was studded with so many shiny stars but Tam didn’t notice them. Instead she kept her eyes straight ahead and tried not to think about Dylan alone in an otherwise empty bed. She needed to figure out what the hell was going on with her. Like Maddie always told her—she deserved to be happy … didn’t she?