I look out the window again. There’s no sign of either Josh or Will. I could stay but would prefer to avoid the risk of interrogation by Dad or my brothers, so I sneak out the front door and walk up to the main road to hail a taxi. The exercise will help me think. Even though my phone is blowing up in my handbag, I don’t look till I’m in the back of the taxi. A dozen missed calls and messages from Dad, Ben and Ethan. Interestingly, nothing from Will or—thank God—Josh.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Josh
I’mfrozentothespot as I watch Greer retreat, Jessie scurrying after her. I feel completely eviscerated. Like every organ is now on the outside of my body, and all that’s left inside is empty, aching space.
I’m vaguely aware of Harry telling Ethan to restart the music, which someone must have stopped during the fracas, and encouraging everyone to get back onto the dance floor. Will takes my arm and leads me away.
I know I have to apologise. I have to explain. I have to tell Greer how truly sorry I am. There are so many people I’ve let down tonight I don’t even know where to start.
I wish I could say I don’t know what came over me. But I do. It was jealousy, pure and simple. Seeing that sleaze Guy pressing up against her, watching Greer laugh at whatever inane chat-up lines he was using, imagining what might come next. It made my blood boil.
I can’t believe I’ve gone and repeated the mistake I made at the night-club not so long ago. Only worse. Because this time, all the people I was trying to hide my feelings from were there to see it all unfold in glorious technicolour.
Without realising where Will is leading me, I find myself on the bench at the end of the garden, overlooking the harbour. Where we used to come to drink in secret because it was half hidden by a low hedge. I seem to remember we occasionally brought girls down here too.
Will hands me a bottle of Grey Goose after taking a swig himself, and we sit, passing the bottle back and forth for what seems like hours. I can hear the party carrying on further up the garden. Down here it’s silent and dark.
I start to speak a couple of times, but honestly, I have no idea what to say or where to start. Will doesn’t rush me. Just waits it out.
Finally, I manage to get out the only thing I can think of. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Will asks. I expect him to be angry with me, but his voice is gentle, and when I risk a glance at his face, it’s full of compassion. “For causing a scene at a party? For shit-talking an old friend? Or for falling in love with my sister?”
That last one pulls me up sharp. I can no longer deny it, even to Will. Even though this might mean the end of the most important friendship in my life.
“The first two. And for hurting your sister. I could never be sorry for falling in love with her. That would be the same as being sorry for breathing.”
“Good answer.” Will holds his hand up for a high five, which I manage to connect with, despite the vodka.
“I’m sorry you found out like this.”
“Oh, I didn’t find out like this. I’ve known for weeks. Months maybe.”
“What? How did you know?”
“That you’re in love with her? Duh. Have you looked in a mirror lately? It’s written all over your face. And hers. I might appear clueless, but you don’t go to law school for a million years without learning a thing or two about reading people.”
“You knew? Since when?” I’m shocked by Will’s admission.
“I’ve had my suspicions for a while. There was the kiss at the auction. Then I thought maybe something had gone on the day Greer showed you the plans for the house. And the day at the sailing club, you looked so guilty. But I think when we played Marco Polo, the way you leapt out of the pool when you touched her, confirmed it.” He takes another slug of vodka.
All those clues I thought he’d missed. Because I sure did. He picked up on every one of them.
“Well, that can’t be right. I wasn’t in love with her then.”
“Sure. You tell yourself that.” He hands the bottle back to me for another hit. My mind is starting to get a bit soupy with all this alcohol.
“I mean, I was attracted to her. Yeah. Who wouldn’t be? But love.” And then it dawns on me. He’s not angry. “Wait. You knew? You knew how I felt and you didn’t tell me to back off? Do Harry and Stella know? I mean, did they know before tonight?”
He barks out a loud laugh. “Of course, they knew. We all knew. We’ve had a book going on how long it would take for you to fess up. I lost a pineapple tonight. Dad will be pissed. He’s down a couple of peppermints.”
“If you knew, what was all that stuff at the sailing club about Greer hooking up with someone?”
“I was trying to flush you out, you dope. As I said, I lost money on this.”
“Why are you not angry? I broke your trust. I violated the bro code. Iliedto you.”
