I hid my face in my hands. “Several times over the course of a year. He’s a grower and a shower but he knows how to handle it. No, he doesn’tgrrrr, but he likes to be in control.”
When I looked at her, her mouth was open, and she looked stunned.
“Amber, are you okay?”
Her eyes bulged. “Ayear? You were dating for ayear?”
“We didn’t date. He used to come back to mine, usually after matches or in the evenings. We didn’t tell anyone because it was just sex. There wasn’t a relationship.”
She slowly shook her head. “A year. It was a freaking year. Did you sleep over together? Did you text each other about things that weren’t sex related? Did you watch films together or order take out – hang on, this is you, no take out involved - ”
“We had McDonalds a few times. And Thai. I do eat things I haven’t prepared you know.”
Her jaw dropped again.
“That’s a relationship, Neva. That’s not just sex. You had a relationship with Jude Whittingham for a year and didn’t tell me. Do you know how this would’ve helped during those first few weeks of having a new-born attached to my nipple? I’d have loved that gossip!” She finally put the coffee cup down. “Seriously, that’s probably the longest relationship Jude’s ever had – isn’t it the longest you’ve had? Apart from that tool you went out with when you were at uni?”
“It wasn’t a relationship. There was no commitment or promises.” I looked up at the entrance to the canteen, a sixth sense telling me that Jude had entered the room. “He’s just come in. Don’t say anything. Seriously, you’re the only person who knows.”
“Which is a freaking miracle. How the pair of you kept that quiet – especially him. I’m surprised he didn’t shout it from the rooftops. He liked you for ages.” She waved over to him.
“Amber! Stop it!”
She grinned evilly. “He’s a bloke. He won’t have any idea we’re talking about him.”
I paused, looking for where Jude was. He’d actually gone over to sit with Ezra. “What did you mean, he liked me for ages?”
“It was obvious he had a thing for you. Come on, Neva, you’re gorgeous and you have a banging body, plus you have this whole ‘I’m in charge’ vibe going on that makes you a challenge. I think Jude liked that. I need more details though.” She checked her watch, a recent gift from Nate. “Shit, I need to go. My brother and his wife are staying with us this weekend and I said I’d be home to let them in. You’re not off the hook for the info. I’m calling a girls’ night.”
“Go meet your brother. I need to see Dee anyway.” I stood up, trying not to look at Jude, which was hard, because I could feel his eyes on me.
“Okay, but I need more details. I promise not to tell anyone. Even Nate.” She moved her fingers across her mouth in a zipping motion.
I didn’t believe that for a second. Amber had loose lips after wine. However, Nate wouldn’t say anything to anyone. He’d probably forget about it ninety seconds after Amber blurted it out.
“Right. Go. See you later.”
She blew me a kiss and half ran out of the canteen.
I thought I’d managed to avoid Jude. The problem was he was conniving and knew exactly how to find me, particularly when he got me on my own.
This time, I was coming out of a bathroom, cursing the fact that my period was early and I hadn’t been prepared, so I now had underwear stuffed with tissues and the need to find a pad or tampon fairly quickly.
“Neva - ” he followed after me. “What’s the matter?”
I kept walking, almost at a run.
“What’s up? Neva?”
“I’m fine.” I managed to laugh. “I just need to get something urgently.”
“What? Can I help?”
Actually, he probably could.
I stopped walking, that familiar feeling between my legs, a reminder that I wasn’t pregnant and a reminder that Mother Nature chose to refrain from usual warning signs. I knew I was due on – I’d had the symptoms five days ago, which ended suddenly, like usual, and then it was anyone’s guess when the main course would start. In another hour, I’d have cramps. In another day, I’d start to feel like I’d been reborn.
“I need a sanitary pad. Or tampon. My period just started.”
