“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that… yeah…I love her, I’ve always loved her and I don’t think you’re good enough for her…”
“What and you are?”
“Yeah I think I am. I’d certainly treat her a damn sight better than you ever have.”
I was seething now, snarling at him and pumping my fist. I was minutes away from knocking the smug bastard out.
“You don’t have a clue about her and me.”
“No I don’t, you’re right about that Joe, because it bloody baffles me how you can be such a complete ass hole and she still loves you. Why she’d choose you over me.”
“So you admit you tried it on?” I took a deep breath ready for the blow.
“No, I didn’t try it on as you put it. Yes I’ve told her how I feel about her but it doesn’t mean shit, not to her anyway. I’ll always be Max the reliable shoulder to cry on, the friend.”
“At least you’re being a friend to one of us.” He shook his head at me like I was the one in the fucking wrong here. “So nothing happened, you didn’t kiss her?”
The subtle change in his face told me all I needed to know. I flew at him and pushed him up against the wall.
“You bastard, you kissed her!”
“Fine I kissed her but she didn’t kiss me back she pushed me away so don’t you dare turn this into something it isn’t.”
I pushed him up against the wall again, so ready to pound my fist into his face, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t hit him no matter how violent I felt right now. So I stormed out of the apartment, banging his door shut so hard it must have damaged the hinges. Fucker deserved it.
It made my mind up on one thing though. I needed to get laid and I couldn’t give a fuck who it was with. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and scrolled through to find Charlie’s number. Guy was a fucking loser but he could hook me up better than anyone I knew. Five minutes later and my night was planned, a Charlie special. A few drinks in the clubs then take your pick of the pussy on offer. I was going to fuck Ella Reid out of my head. I was done.
17
“Ella, I can’t believe that a year ago we were trying to get you out to meet new guys and now you’re freaking fighting them off girl.” Robyn laughed.
“It’s not funny Robyn! My life is a total mess. Why can’t I just have a simple life like everyone else?”
“Oh Hun, a man like Joe is never gonna give you a simple life. Maybe you should choose Max, ride off into the sunset with him. He’s cute and funny. Or there’s still Simon! You could hide in the countryside baking cakes and shit!”
“Or run away from all three and join a nunnery. That sounds like my favourite option right now.”
Max had messaged me over the weekend and he’d agreed that us being together would be a disaster in the making. I loved him but only ever as a friend. He took it well and I was relieved. I’d have hated for it to cause a rift between us.
The doorbell rang and I stood from the sofa to answer it, letting Robyn stay sprawled all over the armchair, mug of tea in her hand.
“Hey Ella, can I come in? If you’re still talking to me that is?”
“Of course I’m talking to you Max, come on in. Do you fancy a tea or coffee?”
“No thanks I’m fine. I thought I’d better come round to give you a heads up. Joe is on the war path. He found out that I took you to that party and it kinda slipped out that I told you how I felt about you. Sorry!”
He looked remorseful but it didn’t stop the butterflies invading my tummy with dread for what I had to come my way. The tornado that was an angry Joe was formidable and something anyone would avoid at all costs. It wouldn’t matter that I hadn’t actually done anything wrong, just heard a declaration of affection for me, oh no. He’
d release hell on anyone involved and that included me.
“Great, I’m in for a fun time then. Please say he isn’t on his way over here now.” I pleaded.
“I doubt it, he’s probably put a picture of me on his punch bag and is pounding my face in as we speak. I was lucky I only got thrown against the wall. He was so close to hitting me Ella.”
“He threw you against a wall? He’s crazy Max. I’m so sorry.”