Stanton Box Set

I frown. “How do you know that? That’s bullshit,” I snap.

“Seriously, it’s not that bad.”

I shake my head. “No, it is that bad, you are just desensitized to this shit like her because you’re a doctor, well soon–to–be doctor, whatever.”

“What does she say about it?” he asks.

I shrug. “She wants to come out and move back to America with me.”

He raises his eyebrows and takes another swig of his beer. “Shit. Have you forgiven her?” I frown, unsure what he is talking about. “For playing up on you.”

I smirk a sad smile as I pull my jeans up. “She didn’t. She lied so I would go to America and not throw away the opportunity.”

His eyes widen. “Fuck,” he whispers.

“I know.” I sit on the bed to put my shoes on.

“Are you going out?” He frowns.

I nod. “Yeah I have to see her. I have some serious explaining to do.”

He nods and smiles. “You seem scared, what, is she a ballbuster or something?”

I smile. “You have no fucking idea—we fight nearly every time we see each other.”

“Seriously?”

“She doesn’t put up with my shit which is,” I shrug, “refreshing I suppose. Without sounding conceited I am pretty used to women doing anything I say.”

He listens and I can see him thinking. “Do you think that’s what the attraction is, the defiance thing?”

I shake my head. “I wish it was just that.” I flop back down on the bed as I try to articulate my thoughts.

“I’ve never been with anyone remotely like her. She’s funny, beautiful and smart.” I rub the heels of my palms into my eye sockets. “And the sex.” I shake my head and blow out a breath. “She fucking blows my mind. You have no idea how hot the sex is. It’s… ridiculous. And it’s intimate which is new.”

He frowns. “Intimate, what you mean?”

I shrug and stand back up. “If I knew how to turn it off I would have done it seven years ago.”

“Do you think that maybe it’s just that she was the first girl you loved that you are so stuck on her?”

I smile and nod. “I did think that, but since I have been with her again I’ve fallen harder for her again. It’s totally fucked. I have absolutely no control over her or my feelings when I’m with her and it’s fucking with my head. I’ve lost six fucking kilos since I got back. She makes me so crazy I can’t even eat.”

He winces. “This whole situation sounds shit. Just don’t tell Mum until…”He shrugs. “… you know if it’s going to work out. Don’t put yourself through it,” he smiles. “Actually, don’t put me through it. She will go fucking apeshit when she finds out.”

“Just tell her I’ve gone to bed then, will you? And then tell her I’ve gone to work early in the morning.”

“Are you not coming home at all?”

“Probably in half an hour. She’s going to kick my ass when I get over there but hopefully I will be staying.” I quickly throw my work gear into an overnight bag. He watches me silently as I move around my room.

“Going somewhere Joshua?”

Fuck, it’s Mum. I don’t need this shit. How did she hear us?

“Yes,” I keep my eyes down as I keep packing my gear in my bag.

“Where are you going?” One of her eyebrows rises as she waits for my answer and her arms are crossed in front of her. She knows damn well where I am going so I don’t answer.