“We read up on false negatives and faulty pee.”
“Faulty pee? That’s not a thing.” I laugh out loud awkwardly, and they both turn to look at me.
“Well, no, I’m sure it’s not, but time of day and shit,” Megan says with a shrug. “It’s something to do with your hormones.”
“Right. Give it here.” I hold my hand out.
“You’re going to do it now?” Lucy asks.
“Yeah, pass it over. I want to get this over with, then sink a bottle of wine.”
I take the test Megan holds out to me and walk into the lounge and towards the stairs. I pause when I spot Scarlet sitting on the sofa.
“Scar? You okay?”
She spins, her phone clutched tight in her hand. “Uh, yeah. Sorry, just on the phone.”
I cringe. “Sorry!”
Spinning on my heel, I leave her to it and head for the bedroom with all four of my tests, hoping that I don’t have ‘faulty pee’.
Mase
The night has gone as expected. It’s trashy. Top shelf trashy, but still trashy. The music is blaring, the club alive with the thrumming atmosphere.
Greg has his arm thrown around a blonde as he sips his scotch, a cigar in his hand. He’s a great bloke—as a friend. But I can’t help but feel sorry for his soon-to-be wife.
Pulling out my phone, I check my screen for the one hundredth time, noticing that Nina still hasn’t replied to my message. I know she’s with the girls, so I don’t worry, but I hope she isn’t ignoring me because she’s pissed I’m not home yet. She doesn’t seem like that kind of girl, but I did say I wouldn’t be late.
“Hey, my man,” I greet Charlie as he approaches me.
“You good?” he asks, not waiting for an answer before he says. “Greg’s a piece of shit.”
I take a swig of my drink, smiling at him over my glass. “I have some things I need clearing up with Dad’s properties. Can you carve out some time?” I turn and rest my arm on the bar.
“Course. Send me the dates, and Kelsey will sort it.”
“Thanks mate. You all good now?” I ask, referring to everything that unfolded before the holiday.
“Yeah,” he answers quickly, dropping his head. “I think it needed to come to a head. I’ve been…”
“Fucking hard work.” I knock his shoulder with my own.
“Prick.” He laughs.
Charlie hasn’t been hard work at all, but his inability to sleep with a woman unless he’s in an established relationship? That’s new. He changed his ways after Phoebe died, and I think it has a lot to do with the reasons behind that. Specifically, consent. It made him softer, more aware, and sensitive. It’s a tough pill for him to swallow, being the notorious hard-faced lawyer he is.
“Honestly, though, thank you. I can never repay you for what you did for me, for Phoebe.”
“You don’t need to. Prick got what he deserved.”
He nods his head, smiling. “You think El will ever change?” I follow his line of sight to Elliot, who has a curvy brunette writhing on his lap.
It’s been a while for him, and I know he will go hard tonight.
“Nope.” I laugh, turning back to the bar.
“You have, though. You and Nina seem pretty serious.”
