Page 40 of Christmas Romance Galore!
Ten minutes later, I heard the front door slam, which shook me from my stasis. I heaved my body upwards, peeled the clothes from my body, applied more soothing, comforting homeware of tracksuit bottoms and my favourite yellow T-shirt, and then headed into the lounge. The invite was no longer on the shelf as I passed.
When Holly heard me shuffle into the lounge, she turned and walked over, stopping just before she got to me.
“You okay?” she asked.
I nodded, but bit my lip. “I’m fine.”
“I saw the invite.”
I gave her a weak smile. “Really, I’m fine.”
But she gave me a hug anyway, because that’s what friends do, and I let her. Sure, we were still fighting, but some things trumped fights.
After a few moments, I untangled myself from Holly, walked over to the fridge and pulled out one of her beers. “Want one?”
She nodded.
I uncapped two and handed her one.
“You’re drinking beer?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I’ve decided to be a different version of me from today, one who puts myself and my friends first. And maybe Tori 2.0 drinks beer, who knows?” I took a swig and tasted the familiar bitter taste. I couldn’t quite keep the wince from my face. “I might get used to it.”
We both sat on either end of the sofa, a train rattling by as we did so.
“Have you heard from Nicola?” Holly held up the invite.
I shook my head. “She’s been very silent this week. Now I know why — other things to do.” I puffed out my cheeks and blew out a long breath. “I don’t know why I feel a teensy bit betrayed, but I do.” I drank some more beer. “I’m more relieved than anything else, but my teenage self is a bit sad. It’s always nice to be the chosen one, even if it was never going to work in the end.”
Holly looked away before answering. “Very true.” She paused. “But you’re always the chosen one with me. Even though sometimes you really don’t deserve it.”
I grimaced. “I know. I’m sorry about everything, I really am. I’ve told Nicola she’s not going now, and I hope we can go to the concert as planned. It’s what I always wanted. They were always your tickets.”
Holly spluttered. “Not what you said on Tuesday.” Her tone was disbelieving, then her face sagged. “Giving those tickets away like you did really hurt.”
Holly’s words cut me to the core. Never in a million years had I meant to hurt Holly. But I had. She’d ripped down my defences and exposed me for the terrible friend I was. I wanted to make it better, make Holly see it was one mistake and that our friendship was way stronger. It had to be, I couldn’t cope without it.
I took her hand in mine before speaking. “I don’t know what else to say apart from sorry again — you’ve no idea how sorry I am. Hurting you was the last thing I wanted to do.” I hoped Holly believed me, but I had a feeling it might take more than mere words.
“I know you are,” she said, shaking her head and dropping my hand.
A cool breeze of my own making washed over me.
“But you’re so infuriating. You just do things and don’t think about the consequences. I know spontaneity is all the rage these days, but sometimes, so is a calm, measured approach to life.”
I sighed. “I know. But you do that much better than me. It’s not my strong point.”
“I’m not sure how long that excuse is going to wash, Tori.”
I frowned. I didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean?” My voice was quiet.
“I mean you have to grow up and get real. Saying you’re no good at something is not an excuse to then make the same mistake again and again. If you’re no good at something, work at getting better at it. Especially if the consequence of not doing so is hurting the people closest to you.”
I let the words settle on my skin and seep into my bloodstream before replying. “I promise I’ll try. I know giving the tickets to Nicola was a mistake. I knew it as soon as it came out of my mouth. But once it was out there, it was done.” I shrugged.
“And then what happened?”
“Sorry?”
