Holding On (Memories #1.5)(14)
Author: Emma Hart

“Well give Polly a cracker,” I spit out. Lexy smiles slightly. “Your friends are ass**les.”

“Yep,” she agrees. “This is gonna be a disaster, isn’t it? Adrian is gonna do everything he can to get under Alec’s skin.”

“Then we have to keep him calm.” I shrug. “Number one, keep him away from Twat One and Twat Two. Number two, make sure Bing is around because he can calm Alec down – failing that, smack Adrian himself. And number three, keep me around.”

“Why?”

“Because…” I grin. “…If Jayna tries anything I will go country bumpkin ninja bitch on her ass.”

Lexy laughs. “Country bumpkin against a city… A city what?”

I tilt my head to the side. “Do we need to put a “city” in there? Can’t we just call her Crayola in honour of her make-up?”

Lexy snorts, covering her face with her hands. She bends forward, her whole body shaking. I grin again, fighting my own laughter.

Honestly, I’m so bloody brilliant I think people would pay to have my sense of humour.

I’m just saying.

Lexy sits back up, wiping under her eyes. “Yep. Yep, we could go for that.” She nods.

Alec strolls into the kitchen towards Lexy, and wraps his arms around her shoulders from behind. He rests his chin on her shoulder, and her face automatically turns into his. I feel a stab of jealousy as I watch them together. I’m starting to really miss Carl – and as irritated as I am with him right now, I’d give anything for a cuddle.

“All right, Princess?” he says to her.

She smiles. “Yep. Just talking about tomorrow.”

Alec grunts, sitting next to her.

“Don’t be grumpy,” I playfully scold him. “It’s a party.”

“Yeah, well I can’t say I’m looking forward to seeing Adrian.” His jaw visibly clenches. Lexy leans into him, resting her head on his shoulder. He kisses the top of her head.

“It’ll be fine,” she soothes. “He’s not a bad person, he’s just… Used to getting what he wants.”

“Why does that sound like almost everyone I’ve met in this city so far?” Alec says dryly. I smile in agreement, amused.

Lexy sits up straight. “Excuse me?”

Both Alec and I raise our eyebrows, and she backs down, smiling sheepishly.

“Okay, okay,” she acquiesces. “But I’m not that bad. Anymore.”

“Unlike your brother.” Alec glances at me and smirks. My expression hardens.

“That is because Bing is an arrogant pillock,” I reply, mentally patting myself on the back for using one of my prepared words for him.

“She has a point.” Lexy shrugs.

“Off subject. Back to Adrian – remember that night at the Bonfire Party?” Alec reminds me, and Lexy looks down. I narrow my eyes at him. “I’m just saying I was ready to break his neck, okay? So forgive me if Adrian’s presence at the party tomorrow night stops me from looking forward to it that much.”

I sigh. “Like I told Lexy, if anyone tries anything, I will go country bumpkin ninja bitch on them. Sorted?”

Alec stares at me blankly for a second, and turns to Lexy. “Did you give her sugar today?”

Lexy shakes her head. “No. She’s just being normal.”

“I don’t think Jen knows how to do normal.”

I get up, grab my coat, and make to leave. I smack the back of Alec’s head as I leave.

“Ow! You-”

“Bye see you tomorrow!” I yell, grinning. I step out of the house, shutting the door behind me, and make my way to the bus stop down the street. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I reach for it.

Carl: I have to work late tonight. Talk tomorrow instead?

Me: Can’t. Si’s party.

Carl: Right. Have fun.

Me: With Bing? Not likely.

Carl: What?

I smile slyly, tucking my phone back into my pocket. I know it was a petty thing to do, but I don’t care. Maybe that’ll get his ass up here.

A horn beeps, and I looked up to find a red Ford driving towards me. I purse my lips, recognising the car as Bing’s, and he pulls up next to me.

“Get in.” He pushes the door open.

“Why?”

“Because I’m heading your way, that’s why. But hey, if you want to wait for the smelly public transport and get two buses to your flat, be my guest.”

Ten minutes in a car with Bing, or two smelly buses. That’s actually a tough decision.

“Tick tock, Jennifer,” he says in a bored voice. “I have a place to be.”

I huff and climb in. “Is that a single, double, or kingsize?” I ask him dryly.

“What?” He frowns as he pulls away.

“The place you have to be. Is it a single bed, a double or a kingsize?”

“Oh, ha, ha,” he deadpans. “You’re f**king hilarious. Do you have your spot at the theatre booked yet?”

I pretend to examine my nails. “No, but I’m working on it. Rest assured, Samuel, you’ll have front row seats. After all, you’ll be my inspiration.” I smile sweetly.

“Are you doing a comedy show, or a pole dancing one? ‘Cause I gotta say, Jen, I don’t think much of your sense of humour, but the pole dancing could be a win.”

“The only pole I’m likely to dance around is the one I’ll swing into your head.”

“Feisty.” Bing grins. “Just how I like my women.”

“Oh, Bing, honey.” I shake my head. “You could be the last man on Earth, and I still wouldn’t be your woman. Trust me on that.”

He stops outside my block of flats, and I unbuckle the seatbelt. I’m about to open the door when I feel his hand touching my back lightly.

BING

“That’s what you say now, Jen,” I say in a slightly husky voice. “One day, when you’re done with your little boy, I’ll be there waiting to show you how a real man works.”

She freezes for a second, and I feel her back heave as she takes in a big breath.

“Asshole,” she breathes out, shoving the car door open, and jumping out. She swings the door shut and it slams loudly. My lips curl up in amusement as she stalks towards the main doors. She turns briefly, her blue eyes meeting mine.

I raise an eyebrow. She gives me a look and turns, her blonde hair flying with the movement of her head. I hear the shut of the door, and turn the car around, driving back the way we just came.