Her teeth grind together before she says, “Okay, I get that, but we share secrets between us all the time. Why not this major event in your life? You know I would keep it to myself, or do you not trust me anymore?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then why not talk it over with me, more than anyone else?”
“Angie—”
“No Calla, you don’t understand. I’ve always regarded you as more of a sister than a friend. It hurts, you know?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to say.” The hurt in her eyes is clear, so I take a step forward and put my arms around her. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, that’s the last thing I want.”
She gives me a side-way glance. “You know what’s really bothering me?” I shake my head in response. “I want to know how my gorgeous, warm, best friend, has such a tosser for a brother.”
“Angie,” I warn.
“Oh, come off it, Cal. He was such a prick to you at school.”
“Under the circumstances, I understand why he was like that. It’s a pity you can’t—” and then I notice Scott making signals. He’s telling me to stop.
“What circumstances? There shouldn’t be any excuse for what he did,” Angie says, not noticing the horrified look on my face.
“You haven't told her everything,” I ask Scott.
“Just the bare minimum. I knew she’d go off her rocker.” He signals towards Angie who is now throwing her toys out of the pram. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell her in the first place.”
“Will you two stop talking about me as if I’m not here?”
I look to Scott who concedes. “Do me a favour, Angie. Can we at least try to get along just for the weekend? I’ll explain everything after the festival, but for now, please do this if only for Cal’s sake.”
Angie huffs and scowls at Scott before backing down. “Okay. But I’ll do it for Cal, not you.”
Scott is smiling as she turns to me. “And don’t think you’re off the hook either. I’m still offended I’m the last to know.”
“You’re not, I can promise you,” I reassure.
“Does Ash know?” she asks.
Shit. I take in a deep breath. “Yes, but?—”
“Then I’m the last to know.” She breaks from my hug and storms off like a petulant child.
Scott and I walk behind her as we head towards the campsite to drop off their extra camping stuff and I whisper in his ear, “You could have warned me. I thought you didn’t want to tell her yet?”
“It all kind of came out—long story. Sorry.”
After our slight detour, we finally make it to the backstage entrance, flash our badges and head straight for the VIP tent where I left Ash a while ago. When we get in there, the band are nowhere to be seen. Instead, we note a few famous faces at the bar.
“Holy shit! Chris Heinz is here!” Angie says far too loudly.
Scott and I nearly die on the spot, everyone is looking. I grit my teeth, put on a false smile and say to Angie under my breath, “Keep cool.”
“And isn’t that the guy from Extreme Voltage?”
“Jesus, Ange keep it down,” Scott says, but it’s a step too familiar for her.
“You don’t get to call me AngeorAngie. It’s Angela to you until I’m convinced you’ve changed your ways. Just because Cal’s accepted you into her life, doesn't mean I will, and until I know everything, I’ll be keeping you at arm's length. Got it?”
“Loud and clear.” He raises a brow at me; his lips form a tight line.
