Stanton Box Set

“Tash, I will walk you out,” Cameron calls as he runs after me. Huh, what now? Just leave me alone.

“I am talking to you anyway,” he snaps. I find I speed up as my anger starts to return. “That’s great, how big of you,” I mutter.

I keep walking at a quick pace and he follows. “I just don’t understand you, that’s all. So it pisses me off.”

I stop as I frown at him. “So you are pissed off with me?” I point at my chest.

He nods angrily.

“Why in the hell are you pissed off with me?” I snap.

“I don’t like the way you treat Joshua.”

Oh, the gall. “My past relationship with your brother has nothing to do with your and my relationship. I thought we were close.”

He puts his lips together. “Yes, we were. Are,” he corrects.

I screw up my face as tears threaten. “You know what. Forget it. I don’t need your fake friendship, Cameron. When I texted you on New Year’s and you sent me that nice reply I thought we were ok. I guess I didn’t realise you are so shoved up Joshua’s ass that you can’t even think for yourself.”

“Don’t start your crap with me. You didn’t even text me on New Year’s, so how would you know I wasn’t angry with you?” he spits.

I screw up my face again and shake my head. “You must have been drunk. You called me baby and told me you loved me. I was sober Cameron, I remember.”

He steps back and narrows his eyes. “I never wrote you a text, Natasha. I have had no contact with you since we left that coffee shop that night.”

I put my hand on my hip. “Then who wrote it?” I snap.

He narrows his eyes and shakes his head. “A fucking idiot that I know too damn well.”

He storms off in anger. I stand and watch him walk back up the corridor and around the corner. My mind is in overdrive. If he didn’t write the text, who bloody did? Please tell me it was Joshua.

Chapter 13

Today was my first day back at work since we found out about Gran. I worked from eight until four and have just arrived at the hospital to see her. I have purposely worn my black high-waist skirt and my cream silk blouse, sheer stockings, patent pumps. Hair up, glasses on. Going for the secretary thing I know he likes so much. If he’s going to hate me anyway, I may as well look good and rub his damn face in it.

Last night I wracked my brain all night about that text on New Year’s. Did he send it from Cameron’s phone? Is that true, does he still love me? Maybe Adrian sent it playing match-maker. Only one way to find out. Test him and, boy, is he going to be tested. I undo my top button. I’m feeling more myself today, more confident. I think I had an epiphany in the shower this morning. Finally—it’s only taken six painful months. I have had enough of trying to hold us together. If he really doesn’t care, why should I? Next time Jesten asks me out, I’m going. Stuff it, stuff him.

I walk down the corridor and see everyone sitting in a group, their backs to me. Bridget turns and sees me first, her eyes widen and she smirks a knowing smile. You got it sister, I’m back.

I walk up gracefully and take out my phone. “Hi,” I smile at the group.

Cameron smiles. “Hi Tash.”

“Hi,” the others collectively say.

Joshua looks up the length of my body and snaps his eyes away angrily. Robert walks over and puts his arm around me. “How is my beautiful Natasha today?” he smiles broadly.

I smile. “Good thanks, back at my new job today. Glad to return to some normalcy.”

“New job?” He frowns. “Where are you working now?”

I smile and from the corner of my eye see Joshua’s head snap back to me. “I have left the Sexual Psychology Clinic. I now work in the hospital system, just regular psychology.”

He smiles. “Really.”

Cameron butts in. “Wow Tash, big move. What made you move from what you were doing?”

I shrug. “Sick to death of dealing with infidelity and broken relationships.”