RICKY'S POV:
The next morning, Brax, Casey and I made our way into the kitchen, finding Cheryl busy making breakfast…
"Morning" she greeted us "take a seat. It's almost ready. What shall I do about Heath and Bianca?"
"Leave them" Brax informed her "you didn't have to go to all this trouble, Mum"
"Yeah I did" she replied, setting our plates down in front of us "and for my little guy…"
Brax and I exchanged a glance and I rubbed my forehead nervously…
"What?" Cheryl inquired
"Casey doesn't like eggs" I informed her
"I can make him something else?" she suggested "what does he like?"
"His favourite cereal's in that cupboard" I replied "but I'll sort it. He only likes it a certain way"
"I'm sure I can make my son a bowl of cereal" she admitted
"Cheryl, please" I begged, smiling at her warmly
"Fine" she sighed "do you mind if I get in the shower?"
Brax shook his head, signalling no… "Third door on the left"
Moving over to the worktop, I pulled Casey's bowl from the cupboard and poured his cereal into it, grabbing the milk from the fridge, setting it down in front of him a minute later, removing the plate of beans and scrambled egg on toast in the process, sharing it between Brax and I…
BRAX'S POV:
"Mum, we need to talk" I informed her as I walked back into the living room after getting dressed
"I know what you're gonna say" she admitted "which is why I've arranged to stay at a mate's"
"You understand why you have to go, don't you?" I questioned
"Not really but it's okay" she replied
"Mum, sit down" I sighed, moving to the chair
She did as I asked and sat down on the sofa…
"For over a year it's just been me, Ricky, Heath and Casey. When we were in Mangrove River you did some pretty unforgivable things, and Heath's having a hard time processing it all" I explained "we need to think of what's best for him. He's my brother"
"And what about me? I'm your Mum?" she inquired
"Don't, Mum" I begged
"Darryl, I'm in real trouble and I don't know what I'm going to do" she admitted
"You're going to have to find a way to sort it out yourself" I informed her
"Fine" she scoffed, standing up and grabbing her handbag "thanks for the sofa"
"Mum…" I sighed as she moved to the door
"What? Gonna ask me to stay?" she questioned
I bowed my head and jumped as the door slammed shut behind her a couple of minutes later…
RICKY'S POV:
After getting Casey dressed I left him playing in his bedroom and made my way out to the living room as I heard the front door slam shut, finding Brax sat in the chair, his head buried into his hands…
"What happened?" I asked, perching myself on the edge of the chair, rubbing my hand up and down his back soothingly
"I told her she couldn't stay, that we had to put Heath first, and she stormed out" he informed me
I exhaled a breath I didn't know I'd been holding and wrapped my arms around him tightly, moving myself so I was perched on his lap… "She'll come around once she's had time to cool off"
"You think?" he asked
"No, but we can hope, right?" I inquired
"I don't know" he admitted "all she seems to do is cause trouble even when she's trying to get herself on the straight and narrow. I don't want that kind of influence around Heath and Casey"
"What're you saying then?" I questioned
"It means that if she shows up again, I won't be helping her. I'm cutting her off" he informed me
"Are you sure? This is a big thing, Brax" I asked
He pursed his lips together and nodded his head, signalling yes… "I have to put us, our family first"
I smiled at him warmly as he looked up at me and pressed his lips against mine…
So Brax has made the huge decision to cut Cheryl off – has he made the right choice? And will he be able to continue through with his promise if she shows up again?