Page 99 of Ace My Heart

“We did. Mel wants to go home though,” Brad explained, his voice tight.

“I have a headache,” I lied, although there was a tightness at the base of my skull that could easily turn into one.

“Oh, that’s a shame. Are you sure you couldn’t just stay for even half an hour? I have some paracetamol here somewhere.” Amanda rummaged through her purse.

Thomas stilled her hand. “If Mel’s feeling unwell, we really should let her go home, babe. She’s got a huge tournament coming up, she needs to look after her health.”

I smiled gratefully at him, and he gave me a little nod.

“You guys could always go and hang out with Joel and his date,” I suggested, failing utterly to keep bitterness from my tone. Brad’s arm around my shoulders tightened.

Amanda grabbed me into an awkward one-armed hug, and Thomas patted me on the shoulder as they headed towards the bar.

Back in Brad’s car, he turned to me, a serious look on his face. “You were kind of rude to Amanda and Thomas.”

I shrugged, sinking further into the seat.

“I also don’t appreciate being used as a pawn in your little game with Joel.”

I glared at him. “Uh,excuseme, but I’m not the one playing games here! What was the go with you making sure he saw my hand on your leg?”

Brad shook his head. “Well, what’s the go with you making up excuses for us to leave? And then winding yourself around me to walk out?”

“I, well, I uh … I hate walking in heels.”

Brad smiled humourlessly. “Listen, I’ll take you home, but I’m not coming in tonight. Whatever is going on between you and Joel, I hope you get over it soon.”

The fury bubbled over. “Nothingis going on between Joel and me!” I shrieked.

Brad started the engine, lips pursed. “So, you can tell me without a word of a lie that seeing him there tonight with that redhead didn’t make you feel anything?”

“Nothing,” I lied. Brad snorted disbelievingly.

I sat in stony silence for the short trip back from Bondi to Vaucluse. Brad pulled up out the front of my apartment building and cut the engine.

“Listen, Mel, I don’t want to fight with you.”

“Goodnight, Brad,” I said tersely.

I moved to open the door, but he grabbed my arm, turning me back towards him, pulling me close, covering my lips with his. I gasped in shock, his tongue slipping through the gap, stroking gently against mine.

Suddenly, all the frustrated, confused, swirly feelings in my stomach overtook me and I gripped his neck, my tongue caressing his. A sound from deep in Brad’s throat vibrated through our joined mouths.

Nope. This is a bad idea.

I broke away. Brad and I stared at each other in shock.

I turned and practically leapt out of the car. Even once I’d made it safely into my apartment, I could see his car idling outside through my bedroom window for long moments before he finally drove away.

I kicked off my shoes and stalked into the kitchen in search of more alcohol.

My phone rang after I’d downed three more glasses of wine. I fumbled for it.

“Why are you calling me, Joel? To gloat about how much fun you’re having at Princes of Lion?” I slurred.

There was a pause. It was too quiet. It couldn’t be later than ten-thirty – the concert would still be in full swing, but I couldn’t hear any noise on the other end of the phone.

“Joel? Are you there?” I asked.