Spike by Jennifer Ryder

ruin what Eevie and I have. No way.
    I never should’ve gotten involved with Tara. Like a hypo kid with ADHD, she always wanted my undivided attention, and would bitch and moan to anyone who’d listen when I was travelling. As if I could help having to travel? As if I’d quit my dream to sit around and spend time with her and her dead-shit druggo brother?
    Whether she knew it or not, her bitching always got back to me. In the end I just couldn’t trust her. And I don’t trust her now.
    That’s it. Before I drive myself bat-shit crazy, I’m having it out with her. If Tara’s trying to fuck shit up, then dammit if I’m gonna sit back and wait for it to unravel.
    I dial her number.
    “Aidan. Geez, my phone’s running hot,” she says.
    “What kinda shit are you tryin’ to pull, Tara?”
    “I don’t know what you mean,” she says, and I imagine her fluttering her eyelashes, pulling a face like she’s all innocent. Far from it.
    “What’d ya say to Eevie?” I say, my teeth clenched.
    “I’m sure she told you, babe.” Don’t fucking call me babe.
    “I don’t want you ringin’ again. I’m not a part of your life anymore.” Thank Christ.
    “I just want you to be happy, Aidan.”
    “I am happy, Tara, and I love Eevie, so just let us be.” I disconnect the call before her words aggravate me any further. What I ever saw in her, I don’t know. Let’s call it a weak moment.
    Why is Tara interfering now? When we broke up, she acted like it was a relief, so why is she getting involved now?
     
    ****
     

    “Hey, Mum,” I reply, trying hard not to let my voice give away that I’m not in the mood to chat.
    “Can you talk at the moment?” she asks, her voice wavering. I hope she’s not gonna ask about building that bookcase again. I‘m so strapped for time, but I hate telling her no.
    “Yeah, I just got home.” I lean against the kitchen bench.
    “I just thought you should know I had a call from Tara the other day.”
    What in the name of fuck is Tara’s problem? Can’t she leave me and my family alone?
    “What the fff … what did she want?” I hold back on the swearing, even though I wanna let loose. Mum will only remind me that she didn’t raise a boy with a foul mouth.
    “She wanted to know how to contact Eevie. Why would she want to, Aidan?” she asks, her tone almost accusatory, as if I’ve done something wrong.
    “I dunno.” I don’t wanna tell her about the calls I’ve already had with Tara. “ What did you tell her?”
    “That I didn’t have any details.”
    “Good. Well, I’ve sorted it. I don’t want her anywhere near Eevie. Let me know if she rings again.”
    “You know, I never really liked that Tara girl, Aidan. She’s a snake in the grass.” Ain’t that the truth.
    “I know, Mum. I promise you, I want nothin’ to do with her.”
    “Well, that’s good. So, how’s Eevie? Is she looking after my boy?”
    I can’t help but smile. Is she ever . “She’s perfect. You know I haven’t eaten this well since I lived at home.”
    “So you don’t feel like you’ve rushed into things?”
    “No, Mum. Definitely not.”
    “She’s good for you, sweetheart.”
    “Yeah. She is.”
    “It’s just all happened pretty quickly. That’s all.”
    Mum’s such a worrywart sometimes. “You know when I want somethin’, Mum, I don’t muck around,” I say.
    The front door creaks as it opens and closes, and Eevie walks into the kitchen. Her hair is kinda messy, and dark circles sit beneath her eyes. The poor girl looks exhausted. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and she manages a smile. She mouths “hi” when she sees I’m on the phone.
    Mum laughs softly. “Yes, Aidan. I know. Alright, well, I’ve got to go. Frank’s home, and we’re going for a run before dinner,” Mum says.
    “Okay, I’ll talk to you later then.”
    “Bye, sweetheart. Don’t be a stranger. Please. It’s been a while since you visited.”
    Yeah, yeah . “I know, I’ll see you soon.