Page 12 of Kiss Me Ever After
The heat and the sickly flavour of the drink swirled in my stomach. I took a deep breath trying not to throw up.
“I think I’ll head outside for a bit.” I shoved my glass in Amber’s direction. “Come and find me when we’re ready to move on.” Desperately trying not to be sick, I elbowed my way outside to the back patio to find some well-needed fresh air.
It was just as crowded outside, but at least I could breathe, well until I came face to face with Justin.
5
Justin
When Curtis suggestedwe head out for a boys’ night, I already knew it would involve Amber. These days it was difficult to get him on his own. Sometimes, I envied him and his seemingly easy relationship. He’d found a good one.
I, on the other hand, seemed to get involved with the crazies.
Which is how I found myself on the back patio of the Old Dock pub, arguing with Candace Barkley yet again.
“I don’t know how many times I have to say it, Candace. We are never getting back together. It’s. Over.” I deliberately broke the words down to make sure she understood.
She put her hands on her hips, eyes narrowed. “You’ll come crawling back to me, you always do.” Her auburn hair flipped as she turned her head from side to side, surveying the groups of tourists around us. “So which little rich girl’s panties will you try getting into this summer instead of mine?”
I gave her a dazzling smile. “Who knows? So many beautiful girls, so little time. There’s only one of me to go around.”
“Ugh, you are so full of yourself.” She shoved me in the chest, and I laughed in her face.
“Leave me alone, Candace.” I sighed. “Find yourself some well-heeled prick who can’t see beyond yourobviousassets.” My gaze fell to her chest. She had always been gifted with a sweet rack, but recently it looked as if she’d had a boob job.
Curtis appeared by my side. “Is this lady bothering you, Justin?”
“Ha, she’s no lady.”
Candace pursed her lips. “You’re just jealous, Curtis, because your girlfriend is so dreary and uninteresting.” She pretended to yawn, rolling her eyes at the same time. “I thought I saw her inside somewhere with her boring beauty salon friends.”
“Yeah, she’s on a girls’ night. They’re going over to Vaughans later.” He looked at me. “Fancy it?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Unless you’ve spotted someone else who’s taken your fancy.” Candace’s tone changed. “Isn’t Lennon Cole on her usual summer holiday now? I thought I saw her in the new Blue Goose cafe earlier.”
I knew all of those things.
But I had no idea why she was taking on a job as a waitress. It had bothered me ever since I’d seen her the other day. The Cole family were loaded. Lennon had always been more than happy in the past to pick up the bill for us when we’d gone out. Was she getting some kind of work experience before she finished university? A cafe in Ealynn Sands didn’t seem like the place for her to do that. She banged on about New York, internships, PR companies, marketing consultancies, never tea and cake.
Amber had to know what was going on. I needed to pick her brains.
“Gotta take a piss,” I announced. I pushed myself off the bench I’d been sitting on and headed inside.
The heat smacked me in the face as soon as I walked through the door; the unmistakable smell of sweat and alcohol hitting my nostrils. I clocked Amber standing at a table with two of her friends. There was no sign of Lennon. I wasn’t sure whether to be happy or disappointed.
Lennon intrigued me. Although I’d never tell her. It was easier to tease her.
“Hey,” I said, approaching Amber. Her friends immediately sat up a bit straighter. Inwardly, I grinned. Good to know I had such an effect.
“Finally! Does that mean Curtis is around somewhere?” She threw her arms around me in her usual flamboyant greeting.
“He’s outside with Candace.” I made a face, which Amber mimicked.
“What’s she doing here?”
“Trying to get back with me, obviously.” I brushed it off like it was no big deal, but truth was Candace’s neediness was grating.
