Page 36 of Prove You Wrong

‘What's eating you?’ He says after a few minutes. ‘You've been quieter than normal ever since you got in.’

‘It's nothing.’ I smack the pad a little harder.

‘Work or a woman?’

Eyes down, I keep my focus on the targets in front of me. ‘Everything's fine.’

‘And work seems okay,’ he continues, ignoring my attempt to shut down his enquiry. ‘Seeing as you work for me and for your brother, so, option number two?’

I pummel and jab until Chunk fakes me to the left. I miss and he catches me on the head with the pad. He cocks an eyebrow. He’s never tolerated me brushing things off, likes to keep things real.

Looking at him finally, I sigh, ‘What the fuck is wrong with me?’

‘What? Nothing?’ His brow furrows.

‘Then why the hell am I so … preoccupied … with some girl?’

‘What girl?’ He tips his chin with interest.

‘I mean woman.’

Chunk doesn’t speak. The awkward silence forces me to continue.

‘I met her at the pub.’ I glance out of the window, unsure how to verbalise it. ‘A couple of times actually.’ I hesitate. ‘And she's unbelievable.’

‘Hot?’ A smile tweaks his lips as if he’s trying to suppress it.

‘Yes, but not just that.’ A smile crosses my face as I think of her and I’m sure I look a little dopey.‘Clever. Feisty.’

‘This is your brunette from the other week, isn’t it?’

‘Astute as ever, my friend. Her name’s Ella.’ I can hear the pitch of my voice melt when I say her name. Thankfully, Chunk doesn’t call me on it.

‘So what’s the problem?’

‘I don’t do women. I mean Idowomen, but … ’

He chuckles, ‘I know what you mean, man.’

‘I don’t moon after them for days like a fucking puppy.’

‘Maybe try something new and ask her out.’ He shoots me a smug raised eyebrow, like he’s some sort of revolutionary thinker.

‘I did,’ I shoot back. Now who’s smug?

I watch him light up, grin splitting his features. ‘Woohoo!’ He waves the pads like cheerleader’s pom-poms.

It’s not the response I was anticipating and I frown at his uncharacteristically overt display.

‘Glad you’re finally getting back into the dating pool, dude. Welcome to the other side.’ There’s genuine fucking joy on his face.

Maybe the six years since my ex dumped me took a toll on my buddy.

‘Don’t get excited,’ I grind out. ‘She turned me down.’

‘Oh … ’ He waits for me to continue but I say nothing. ‘Why?’

‘Don’t know why I’m bothered … ’

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