They looked so different, Jaz dark with blue eyes and Anna fair with green eyes and her strawberry blonde hair.
‘I love that photo of you two,’ said Taylor, stepping back out of his wardrobe and throwing a bag at Jaz.
She put the photo back and dug into the bag, pulling out the ties. The blue one was the wrong shade for her dress but the silver one was perfect. ‘This one will do,’ she said showing him. ‘Have you got your suit?’
He nodded and rolled his eyes. ‘Yes, I went to get fitted and measured up last week. Dad actually came along to help. This was strange for him. He’s been a bit funny lately.’
‘Really, like how? Your dad is usually very easy, even considering he’s a cop.’
‘I know, right? I can’t put my finger on it but he’s a little more fatherly. If that makes sense? Asking me where I am going and wanting regular text updates.’
Jaz laughed. ‘Tay, he sounds like my mum. Something must be wrong. Your dad’s the normally the cool one.’
‘Exactly,’ he said, waving his arms.
Jaz brushed her finger down the silver tie. ‘God, I’m so glad I got my dress without my mum. She was a little disappointed she wasn’t there with me, but trying on a heap of dresses that she likes is not my idea of fun.’
‘Has Anna got hers yet?’ he asked, sitting down next to her on the bed.
‘Yeah, it’s an emerald green strappy number. She did some major begging to get it but she assures me it was worth it.’
‘Anna would look amazing in anything,’ said Taylor before standing up. ‘Well I suppose I should get you back to The Ring. You probably have someone lined up to beat the living crap out of. Who is it today, Bags or Tick?’ he laughed.
‘One day I’d like to get you back there and teach you a few more moves. I reckon you’ve probably forgotten the ones I’ve already taught you.’
Jaz stood up just as Taylor picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. ‘No I haven’t and I even have a few of my own. You feel like a swim?’
‘Taylor, you wouldn’t dare!’ she squealed, kicking her legs. ‘I’ve got nothing to change into and my shirt’s white!’
‘Jaz, you’re so not helping your cause,’ he laughed.
Jaz didn’t know whether to squirm free or to tickle him, either way she’d probably end up a heap on the floor. Taylor headed towards the kitchen to the glass doors that opened up to the pool area but at the last minute plonked her on the marble benchtop.
‘I’ll let you go this time, next time I won’t be so forgiving,’ he joked. ‘Wanna Coke for the ride home?’ he asked.
‘Sure, thanks, Tay.’ Jaz watched Taylor open the stainless steel fridge. How did she ever end up with such a cool friend, and a hottie at that? Jaz was reminded again just how much more time they had been spending with him. She wasn’t going to complain, as it felt like old times when they always hung out before he got so popular, but she still wondered what was going on inside his head. She wasn’t the only one who had changed a little. Taylor was also changing. Could it be that they were just all growing up?
Taylor cracked her can and passed it over. ‘Come on, let’s get you back to The Ring before my car turns into a pumpkin.’
Chapter 24
The next day at school had been a total bore. Not even Minka had the heart to annoy her. What was the world coming too? Taylor had sat with them again at lunchtime, and Minka hadn’t even thrown daggers their way. Apparently her footballer boyfriend was giving her popularity a boost. Jaz still saw her glance longingly at Taylor though, when she thought no one was looking. Jaz should know: that had been her for most of her life.
Jaz stood outside of school with Anna and Taylor, her earphones in her hands ready to put in.
‘You’re gonna love the surprise, Anna,’ she said. ‘I will see you tomorrow, oh and a word of warning, stay away from the pool.’ Jaz squinted her eyes at Taylor and pointed her finger at him. ‘And you behave.’ Taylor laughed and gave her a scout’s honour.
She watched her friends get into the Mustang and waved, before Taylor floored it down the street causing heads to turn. She was sure she could hear Anna squealing. Taylor was taking Anna home to show her the revolver and to fix something wrong with his laptop. Meanwhile Jaz was going to jog to The Ring so she’d be warmed up and ready in case one of the guys wanted to spar.
Jaz made it to the gym in her best time yet, even with her bag bouncing on her back and running in her commando boots. It probably helped that she’d listened to a selection of dance music with a fast beat.