“Why not?” My hands braced against the wall as I spoke into the speaker.
“Because she’s devastated. She needs to sleep.” Silence fell between us, “What are you even doing here anyway? Come to break her heart some more?” I had nothing to say to that. Instead, I shifted off to the side and pressed my back to the wall. “Gav?” I ignored Holly. I didn't need to be told that I was a wanker. I’d done this, I had no one else to blame but me. Theback of my head hit the wall with a dull thud and my eyes closed. I stayed like that for what felt like minutes until I pushed off the wall and started back across the car park for my car.
Once I was back behind the wheel, I drove to my place in complete silence; no music, just me and my thoughts. I should’ve expected Holly to give me what for. What the fuck was I thinking?
My feet dragged as I let myself into my apartment and through to the kitchen. I grabbed a beer from the fridge, twisted the cap off and threw it across the counter. I watched it skim the surface as I lifted the bottle to my lips and gulped down a good amount. As I took it away, I sighed with frustration. I needed to speak to her. I had to get her when she was on her own, without Holly around.
I took my phone from my pocket and opened my messages. Her name stood out; I knew I had to try.
Hey. Are you ok? I know, stupid question. I did drop by but Holly wouldn’t let me in. Shit, this is fucked up, K.
I hit send. I probably could’ve worded that better I thought to myself as I left my phone on the couch next to me. I glugged down more beer. As I drank, I wondered if she’d even forgive me for this. I’d finally found someone, and being the wanker that I am, it looked like I’d done what I did best and already thrown it down the drain.Fucking idiot!
With the last of the beer in my mouth, I got up for another. As I passed through the lounge, and into the hallway to the kitchen, I nearly jumped from my skin when the front door knocked. “Who’s is it?” I called out grumpily as I double backed to the front door. I grasped the handle and the smallest flicker of hope that it could be Karen, sparked in my chest. Maybe Karencame to me? I thought as I turned the lock and pressed on the handle, when I opened it though, my shoulders dropped with disappointment when I saw Nikki. “Oh, it’s you.’
“Jesus.” she stepped through the door, “I’m not overjoyed to be here either you know, and by the looks of your miserable face, I won’t keep you for long.”
“Whatever.” I said, already walking away and back to where I was going before she knocked the door. “I thought you were someone else.”
“Let me guess…you thought I was Emma Stone maybe?”
Once I’d grabbed my second bottle of beer, I skimmed the bottle cap across the counter to join the other one and frowned at Nik. “Or maybe you thought it was a little blonde piece, about this high…” her hand moved out to her side to estimate Karen’s height, “am I warm?”
“She doesn’t want to talk to me.” I swigged a mouthful of beer and swallowed.
“Roman told me what happened.” A sad smile tightened her lips as she took a seat.
“Of course he did. He's a little bitch.” I grumbled.
“A little bitch that loves you like a brother.” My eyes met Nikki’s.
“I know.” I agreed. After our little heart to heart, I knew she was right. He wouldn’t put up my shit otherwise.
“Why are you here?” I asked sincerely, because I had no idea what to make of it.
“I came to make sure you’re okay?”
“Me? Why? I thought you’d be loving seeing me so miserable?”
“Gav, did we not say we were going to be friends?” I nodded, “Well, friends check on their friends. What happened when you went to see her?”
“She was asleep, I saw her friend, Holly. She reminded me a little bit of you, to be honest. She wouldn’t let me in, said she was sleeping and that I’d upset her enough.”
“Sounds like my kind of girl. I like her.” her lips tightened into a smirk, but I didn’t have it in me to smile or even summon up a comeback. Instead, I glugged down more beer until there was only a gulp left at the bottom. “Do you love her?” I took the bottle slowly away, my mouth gaped open as I my gaze settled on Nikki’s. “Come on, Gav, don’t get shy on me now. Do you love her? Is she worth the chase?” My brows came together at her question.
“What the fuck do you think I’ve been doing this for?” I said as I lifted the bottle to my lips and drained it, then slammed it down on the table. then left the empty on the table.
“And you could do without that, too.” She rose from the chair and came to stand in front of me.
“Are you fucking serious? You’re gonna lecture me?”
“Yes. Look, if you want to be with her; her and your baby, you need to man the fuck up. Pull up your big boy pants and go prove it to her. Show her you’ve changed.”
“Why are you doing this?” My chin lifted as I shrugged.
“Because as much as you’re a cock most of the time, I can’t stand to see you like this. And I believe you have changed. She did that. She’s managed to bring that human part out of you, and if someone can change your thinking then I’m all for it. You deserve that at least.”
“I thought you’d be the last person to be helping me.”
