Page 113 of Unapologetic Love Story

‘This is really mean,’ Solana said, looking ten years younger as she stared at her sister in dismay.

‘Ottie, that’s bullshit. I don’t think those things,’ barked Tom. He turned to Raina, his face softening and his eyes imploring her. ‘I don’t. I never have. You know that. They’re . . . I never . . . She’s distorting everything.’

Raina finally felt her body move, though her mind was still lost somewhere else. ‘Distorting what? So, it’s true?’

‘No, Raina. I mean, the board exists. But she’s taking it out of context.’

Raina staggered backwards, staring at him in distress and revulsion. ‘Taking what out of context? You wrote those things?’

‘No, they’re quotes. And they’re private. Let me explain; let’s go somewhere. Please, sweetheart.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Pepper said, suddenly blocking Raina’s view of Tom as she stared him down in a fury. ‘I think you’ve said quite enough.’

‘I feel ill,’ Raina whispered, no longer able to see people’s faces. She was finding it difficult to take a breath and her vision was blurring. Her hands were shaking, and sound was becoming a warbled pain in both ears. ‘I-I need help.’

The three words she hated more than anything. The three words you were always told to say, but no one ever really wanted to hear.

‘Raina.’ Tom dodged by Pepper and tried to hold her, his voice vibrating with worry. ‘I’m here, I’ve got you.’

‘No, I have got her,’ snarled Pepper, pulling Raina from him. ‘You and your disgusting friends can leave. Quickly. Before I set that dog on you.’

The Great Dane in question looked too soft to chase away a butterfly, but Pepper was quivering with rage and clearly not to be trifled with, so a few people shifted their positions, obviously concerned that some kind of skirmish might happen.

‘I just thought you should know, babe,’ bellowed Ottie, leaning around Seb to speak directly to Raina. ‘I’m a girl’s girl. I would hate for you to think he’s following you around because he actually likes you.’

‘You’re twisted,’ Tom shouted back at her. Then to Raina, with agonizing softness, ‘I know it sounds awful, but she’s being dishonest. She broke into my room to find it; I didn’t know she had pictures. I don’t just like you, Raina. I love you. More than anything. I’m in love with you, Raina.’

‘Don’t,’ Raina said, pushing away from him. ‘Don’t say that to me.’

‘But it’s true! It’s been true for months!’

‘You let her come to your flat,’ Raina said stiffly. ‘When you’ve never let me.’

‘She and Seb showed up! To give me the invite for tonight. Everything on that board is private. It’s work. It’s research. None of it’s what I think or feel – they’re observations and quotes.’

‘Tom, stop,’ Raina said, pressing a hand into her stomach as it twisted and ached. She was so aware of everyone watching them. ‘Please. This is all so—’

‘It was private. I might write something someday, yes, but it’s nothing like she’s making it sound. It’s not about you, I swear, sweetheart. It’s—’

‘Pepper, I need air,’ Raina said, clamouring for her friend, who was there in an instant.

‘I know, sweets, let me get you into the garden,’ Pepper said soothingly, her gentle voice at odds with the way she smacked Tom’s arm away from Raina’s body.

‘Raina, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. This has all been twisted and misrepresented.’

‘Hey, Raina?’ Ottie called, one final blow ready and waiting before the match was over. She snatched up a small plastic case of toothpicks from the makeshift bar and threw them all across the floor. Raina stared at the little wooden strips and her breath deserted her.

‘Count them!’ Ottie drawled. ‘How many are there? Aren’t people like you meant to be good for that?’

Raina looked into the other woman’s face. She saw the pain beneath the hatred. But she’d been seeing that expression since birth. The frightened, intimidated neurotypical. Afraid of what they couldn’t understand.

She always forgave them. She always compromised. She always humoured them.

Everything was always for them. The whole world belonged to them.

Not this time.

‘Count them yourself, you boring posh prick. You spoiled, vapid, selfish, jealous pig.’