Page 38 of Kiss Me Ever After
Although I doubted Ted looked anywhere near as bad as I did, he would have a lot of explaining to do as well. If he even went home last night.
I shuddered at the thought of going back to the flat. I knew if I spent more time in Ted’s company, I’d end up doing something I regretted. Mum didn’t need a son in prison.
After my shower, I padded into Alex’s room where he’d very thoughtfully laid out clothes for me to wear, boxers included. Hunger pangs gnawed at my stomach. The last thing I’d eaten was the pizza at Lennon’s last night. Maybe I could persuade Alex to make me one of his legendary fry-ups?
The house appeared empty by the time I got downstairs, Sonya and Amber must have left for work leaving Alex alone.
He sat in the kitchen, engrossed in his phone. I slouched in the chair opposite him.
“Can I charge this?” I waved my phone at him.
“Yeah, there’s a charger by the fridge.” He didn’t look up from the screen.
“Any chance of some breakfast?” I pleaded as I plugged my phone in.
“You turn up at my house, you steal my underwear, what next?” Alex laughed, tossing his phone aside. He pushed his chair back and moved towards the cooker. “At least you won’t sleep with my sister. Her best friend, maybe…”
Shit, Amber worked quickly. I guessed Curtis knew now as well.
“She’s different this summer,” I explained. “And it just sort of happened. I didn’t plan it.”
“Candace will go fucking ballistic.” Alex busied himself finding a frying pan before rooting in the fridge for supplies.
“None of her business. She and I aren’t anything to each other now.”
“Aww, but you and Lennon are?”
I didn’t know how to answer his question. We’d been together one night. We hadn’t discussed what we were or what we were going to be. Maybe she regretted it. My phone chirruped into life with a barrage of messages.
Mum: Where are you? I thought you were coming home tonight.
Mum: Have you seen Ted? I can’t get hold of him…
Mum: I guess you’re staying at Alex’s. Let me know you’re okay? I still worry, lol.
Mum: Ted didn’t come home last night. His phone is going to voicemail. Do you think I should call the police?
Mum: I’m going to work. Call me as soon as you see this. Please, Justin, I’m worried.
She didn’t say who she was worried about, me or Ted. The throbbing in my eye socket made me want to call the police there and then.
I let out a hard breath and typed a reply.
Me: Sorry, yeah, I crashed at Alex’s. Not seen Ted though.
Almost immediately after I pressed send, she called me. I stared at the screen, unable to pick up.
Alex put a plate of food on the table. “There you go. Eat. Then you can tell me the truth about what went down last night.”
I sent the call to voicemail and seconds later the notification pinged to say she had left me a message.
Alex’s full English was a triumph, as always. Sometimes there were benefits to having a chef for a best friend. I wolfed down my breakfast and sipped the tea Alex had made.
After I’d finished, I pushed the plate away and leaned back in my chair. I cradled the mug between my hands, relishing the comfort it provided.
“Alex, do you think I could stay here for a while?” I asked, staring down at the kitchen table.
He laughed. “So you can be closer to Lennon?”
