Page 19 of Real Rocks
Seriously, was the picture of Saff and Scott everywhere if even Louis had seen it? I gave a noncommittal grunt in response.
“Wondered if you’re not busy tomorrow whether you’d like to catch up? Strike while the iron’s hot.”
It wasn’t as if I had anything to do. By then, I might also have an idea of what was going on with Saff. If I answered her calls. “Sure, sounds good.”
“Great, I’ll come by the house about seven? We can grab a bite to eat.”
The way he suggested it sounded as if we did it every weekend, like there was nothing wrong between us. Seemed he had quite a short memory.
Once I got back to the client’s house, I put my phone on silent. The last thing I wanted was for it to be ringing constantly all afternoon. If Aunt Annie needed anything, she’d ring Uncle Col. And as for Saff, well, there were already six missed calls from her although she had neglected to leave a message.
The two of us worked through the afternoon, occasionally singing along to the radio, although I came to a stop when the DJ played Trash Gun’s latest. I didn’t need reminding of what had effectively ended my relationship.
“I want you to know I’m not quite as ecstatic as Annie is about you and your father reconnecting.” Uncle Col kept his eyes on the road as he dropped his bombshell on the drive home.
“I thought you’d be happy for me?”
Uncle Col drew in a breath. “I know what he’s like, Tris. He wanted money from you when he found out you were in with Saff and Jonas. And he’s sniffing around again now. Don’t fall for any of his bullshit like your mother did time and time again.”
This was the first time I’d heard him speak about my parents’ relationship. I knew things hadn’t been the greatest between them—I was young, not stupid—but to hear Uncle Col intimate Mum had been duped by Dad on more than one occasion caught me off-guard. They weren’t the happiest of couples and I remember raised voices and arguments, even on the night of my mum’s accident.
“I don’t intend to,” I said cautiously. “With Aunt Annie nagging me to make a go of resurrecting our relationship, I thought I might as well do it.”
“You’re a grown up, Tris, and I trust you to do the right thing. I’m only warning you to be careful.”
His words began to sow seeds of doubt in my mind. Was there something he knew I didn’t? Was I making a huge mistake in agreeing to meet up with him?
Only time would tell.
13
Saff
There was a loud, insistent knock on my hotel room door which brought me semi-awake. Insistent, it didn’t seem to want to stop. Given the way my dreams had been lately, it wouldn’t have come as a total surprise if I’d imagined it.
I hadn’t been able to make contact with Tris. I was cursing myself for not calling him in the early hours of the morning to explain Scott kissed me, not the other way around and I hadn’t wanted him to do it.
The banging became even louder, and I groaned. Whoever was there wasn’t giving up in a hurry. I dragged my sorry arse off the bed and pulled the door open an inch.
“Oh, you are alive!” Rosie barged past me into the room. “Christ it smells like a brewery in here.” She stalked over to the window and pulled the curtains open, light flooding into the room.
I squinted. “What are you doing here?”
“Surprise!” She turned and gathered me into her arms. I could tell she was trying not to breathe in my alcoholic stench. “I thought you could use a friend.”
Hearing her words, I sagged into her arms. “How did you know?”
“Saff, I stalk every one of my exes on social media.”
I was pretty sure she was joking, but if it was the truth, I was glad she did.
Rosie released me and stood, hands on hips, facing me. “And why did you let that lech paw you? And have pictures of it?”
I dropped onto the edge of the bed. “Do you seriously think I wouldletScott put his hands all over me?”
Rosie sank down beside me, taking my hands in hers. “No. I don’t think you would at all. I know how persuasive he can be, and what he uses to persuade you.”
“We were drunk, nothing more, I swear.” I hadn’t had anything stronger than a joint in weeks. “He didn’t offer me any drugs.”
