Page 62

‘So, you thought you’d get in the shower with him?’ Si replies, raising an eyebrow. There’s a touch of sarcastic amusement in his voice, but mostly, he looks unimpressed.

‘No, no, no,’ I say quickly. ‘I was just going to use the bathroom, that’s all.’

Si’s expression softens, though there’s still something guarded in his eyes.

‘I think he had to pop into work,’ Si says. ‘Don’t be surprised if he’s late back though. He’s got a crush on someone there, so he’ll probably linger.’

His words sting more than I want to admit. Adam has a crush on someone? Why does that bother me so much? And it bothers me how much it bothers me.

Si steps closer, his gaze locked on mine. He’s flirtatious, that same old charm surfacing.

‘You know, I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages,’ he says, his voice low. ‘I’d love to spend some time with you.’

I swallow hard as he reaches out, taking my face gently in his hands. He leans in slowly, his breath warm against my lips, and all I can think about, for some stupid reason, is what my mum said about him expecting extras.

But then a voice interrupts us, and I pull back, startled.

‘Oh, sorry,’ Adam says, appearing at the top of the stairs.

‘No, it’s okay,’ I insist, quickly stepping away from Si. ‘I was just looking for you.’

Adam looks between us.

‘I think I might have to bail today,’ he tells me. ‘Something came up at work.’

Ah, his mystery crush.

‘I was just going to say we should all go out for dinner,’ Si adds, his voice easy, but I can sense the tension underneath.

‘Sounds good,’ I say, hoping it will smooth things over, and make everything less awkward.

‘Sorry, I have plans,’ Adam replies, glancing briefly at me before turning to leave. ‘You two have a good time though.’

I watch him go, a sinking feeling in my stomach. The last thing I want is to go for dinner, just me and Si, because this is all so messy.

When I got locked in the loo with Adam, there was instant chemistry between us. I wanted to see him again, but had no idea how to track him down. Then, when Si came along – my childhood crush – it was like something out of a fairy tale. Thing is, after what happened in London, dating should be the last thing on my mind. I’ve tried to usher them both into a place that is platonic. Well, I can’t date one or the other now, can I? Not without coming between them. I don’t need a messy love life, I need a home, stability, independence. I thought I could have that here, but now I’m not so sure.

‘Oh, actually, I’m supposed to be doing something with my parents tonight,’ I lie, because the two of us going to dinner alone feels far too much like a date.

‘That’s a shame,’ he replies. ‘Maybe some other time?’

‘Maybe,’ I say plainly, but there’s no way.

Oh, this is all just so messy now. Too messy, perhaps. And I have no idea how I’m going to clear it all up.

34

Heading back up to bed with a glass of water, I hear a car pull up outside and then the front door open and close – Adam must be home. Deciding that there is no time like the present, I hover on the landing, waiting to speak to him. I think he and I need to have an honest chat.

I shift my weight nervously as I hear Adam coming upstairs, but only when it’s too late to bolt to my room do I hear a girl giggling.

Suddenly I am face to face with a drunk Adam and a very drunk young woman. If I had to guess I’d say this girl was in her late twenties. Her shoulder-length hair is dyed a trendy shade of burgundy, her make-up is smeared all over her face and despite the fact I am standing here in nothing but my underwear and a shirt, I am wearing at least double the amount of clothing she is.

When the girl sees me she squeaks and falls into Adam’s arms.

‘We’ve been rumbled,’ she whispers to Adam. Well, I’m sure she intended to whisper it; she actually kind of shouted it.

‘That’s just my housemate,’ Adam assures her as he ushers her into his bedroom and closes the door behind them without saying a word to me.