Stanton Box Set

He gives me a sad smile. “Past tense?”

I shrug as I drop my eyes.

I look back over at Joshua who looks relaxed and gentle. Beautiful. Bridget does that to everybody she talks to, especially me. I’m jealous that the boys still want to spend time with her and yet neither Cameron nor Joshua have hardly said a word to me. It’s blatantly obvious that Cam is harbouring a grudge. I’m waiting to get him alone so I can have it out with him. I hear the electric lift doors in the background.

“Have you been to LA since we broke up?”

Wilson nods and smiles.

“Is Josh with Amelie?” I ask. I know I sound desperate but I need to know. Wilson will tell me the truth; he’s probably the only non-player in the Stanton family.

He shakes his head and slings his arm around my shoulder. “No.”

“Is he seeing anyone?” I ask. I silently cringe at the loser coming out in me.

He shrugs. “Josh has just been being Josh, no one special, in love with Natasha Marx from afar.”

I blow out a breath and raise my eyebrows. “So in love, he won’t even speak to her?” I stammer.

“So in love, he can’t speak to her,” he whispers.

“Where’s my girl?” Adrian’s voice echoes through the room and my eyes snap up.

“There she is.” He laughs as he spots me in the corner. Oh thank god, Adrian is glad to see me.

He marches over and scoops me up into his arms. “My beautiful chick, I’ve missed you.” He smiles.

My eyes fill with tears as I cuddle him. We stand still in an embrace for a moment. When I pull back my eyes flick to Joshua, who’s silently watching. Wilson is right, he is hurt. I can see it in his eyes. Adrian flops onto the lounge over in the corner and pulls me with him, holding my hand on his lap. Joshua’s eyes flick to our entwined hands across the room.

“How have you been?” he smiles.

I nod. “Ok, I guess. I could be better.” I smile.

“This is a terrible thing, huh?” Adrian sighs.

“It is,” I sigh. “Not to mention Joshua and Cameron have decided not to speak to me so it’s just shitty all round actually,” I whisper as I smile sadly.

Adrian’s eyes fly to the boys and he raises an eyebrow. “Are you that ridiculous you are not talking to her?” he snaps loudly. Oh shit, how embarrassing, please be quiet.

“I am talking to you—you haven’t talked to me,” Cameron gasps.

I drop my eyes in embarrassment.

Joshua raises his eyebrows. “The time for talking was six months ago, now I have nothing to say,” he sneers.

I don’t believe this, my blood starts to boil. “Actually if we are keeping score the time for talking was in the hospital,” I snap.

“Let’s get some coffee,” Bridget frowns at me, desperately trying to make a distraction. She stands, and Cameron and Joshua follow.

I stay seated and Adrian pulls me up by the hand. “Let’s go, Cinderella, coffee time. Enough,” he snaps.

We get down to the cafeteria and the stupid idiots behind the counter nearly wet their pants at the sight of the three boys.

“I’ve got it,” purrs fishface. “Two double-shot lattes. One with sugar. See, I remembered your order.” She points at Cameron and giggles. Joshua smirks. Bridget, Adrian and I all look at each other deadpan. Get off it stupids. Bridget does cross-eyes and I giggle.

“I’ll have what I have twice a day, too,” Bridget replies as she fakes a smile at the waitress. She rolls her fingers in a tap on the counter.

The waitress appears uncomfortable and looks at the other girls working who are all giggling. “I can’t actually remember your order, love,” she smiles.