“Come off it, Ash. Don’t tell me you didn’t hear about it at the time. You were friends with those boys, weren’t you?” Angie is so enjoying this gossip, I can tell.
“Christ no. I knew of them, but I was never friends with those idiots.” I rub my head, suddenly transported back to year 11. The Robinson brothers were a couple of thugs. Plain and simple. Everyone stayed out of their way if they knew what was good for them and they found a kind of pride inthat. They were two years apart; Ed was in our school year, but none of my classes, while Ollie was two years older.
“So, you’re telling me you don’t know what I’m talking about?” Angie questions.
“I might remember them knocking seven bells out of each other over some girl, but not the details. As I said, I don’t want to know?—”
“Turns out, one brother caught the other shagging her, I can’t remember which way round it was, but the shit hit the fan and she left them both anyway.” Angie takes a breath, “I heard on the grapevine you had a thing with her recently.” She squints towards me, accusingly.
“Briefly,” I glance towards Cal, but she’s keeping a firm focus on Angie as if avoiding me.
“Hmm, well keep away from her, both of you. She’s trouble.” Angie’s eyes turn to me. “With a capital T.”
“I get it, Ange,” I reassure. To be honest, I didn’t care about Jade’s past, and although it might seem callous, she was never long term for me. That’s the truth.
“What was she doing here?” Cal asks, staring in Jade’s direction while still avoiding my eyes.
I answer anyway. “Old friend of the band. She just came down to see how rehearsals were going.” It’s possibly the shittiest excuse I’ve ever come up with. I don’t know what she wants, but as Angie said, she is trouble. I’m sure that’s exactly why Dani invited her. I’ll be having words with her later.
“Really?” Cal turns to me. “So, she wasn’t trying to hook up with you again?” Her tone is a little sarcastic.
Angie’s accusing eyes drag to me before she holds her finger up to Cal. “One sec gorgeous,” then she takes me to one side by the arm. “What’s going on with Cal?”
I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing.”
“Don’t give me any bullshit. Cal is the most laid-back person I know, but something’s unsettled her and I have a bloody good idea what or ratherwhoit is. Luckily for you, I know you’ve got a good heart in there somewhere, or I’d march Cal out of here and as far away from you as possible. You get a second chance, so sort this out and don’t you dare let her down.”
“Don’t worry about it, you know she’s my number one.”
“She better be,” Angie snarls then turns around to Cal with a bright smile. “Come here and give me a hug, you. Now, are you going to be okay?” she asks mid-hug.
“Yes, I promise. Something got me spooked, but really, I’m fine. You go have fun with your new friend.”
Angie smiles, then turns to me. “Ash, you all good?” I don’t respond to her question initially. I’m too busy watching Cal’s eyes avoid mine while she chews her nail down even more.
“Ash?”
“Oh, yeah, all good Angie. You have fun with Tommy tonight.”
“I will. Just remember what I said, yes?”
“I got it.”
“All right then,” she winks at Cal, “I’ll call you tomorrow.” Angie waves her hand in the air as she pretty much skips in Tommy’s direction. “Be good guys, but if you can’t be good, be careful.”
Cal scratches her forehead, then her fingers run a worrying line back and forth. “I’m sorry Ash, I’m just not up for this tonight,” her eyes still not daring to meet mine.
I can only guess Jade’s performance earlier upset her more than I realised. Christ, I don’t know what I was thinking of when I took her home. It was too many shots on too manynights, leading to an easy lay, but Christ, I’m paying for it now.
“Cal, if you’re worried about anything?—”
“Look, Ash, I’m okay, really. I know you had a thing with that Jade girl before I came on the scene. I’m not worried about it.”
I place my hands on her shoulders and dip down; trying to catch her eyes. “If it’s not Jade, then what is it, Cal? Talk to me.”
It works. Her glance is brief, but at least I get something. “Can we talk about stuff another time? I’m not in the right headspace right now. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” A faint smile forms over her lips before she turns her back and is about to leave.
“Whoa, hold on, don’t just walk away.”
