Chapter 34
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CALLA
I’m stunned. Gobsmacked, even.
“You did what?”
“I’m sorry, Calla, but yeah, we slept together.”
I shake my head, slightly bewildered. “When?”
“The Saturday night of Brae Fest—after the band played and you left with Ash. We both had too much to drink and—”
“And you took advantage of her?”
“Oh, thanks for thinking so highly of me, Calla.”
I’ve annoyed him. “Shit, that came out wrong.”
“Good, because we were both up for it.”
“Then how—actually, I don’t need the intimate details, just the run-up.” I rub at my sore eyes.
“It just happened. Angie was upset about the way Tommy had treated her and my ear was there to bend. At first, I’m sure she just wanted a comforting arm, then one thing led to another—”
“I get the picture.” I rub my forehead. “What I don’t get is why you? And before you start, I mean, you always hated each other, at least, it seemed that way.”
“Angie is so much more… approachable when she’s drunk,” Scott says with a lopsided grin.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re disappointed.” He seems so nervous; I don’t want to make this worse for him.
“No, no, not disappointed, but I could kick Angie’s arse. Remember how guilty she made me feel when I didn’t tell her we were related? Well, it’s payback time.”
“Well, if that’s all your worried about.” Scott looks at me, almost relieved.
“Well, come of it. Angie’s a big girl. She knew what she was doing, as I’m sure you did. I just want to enjoy making her squirm for a bit.”
“You can keep me out of it. I don’t need her mouthing off at me.”
“What are you talking about?” I laugh. “You’re very much in it, considering you were the one who spilt the beans.”
“Angie will go mad at me. I’m sure she thinks I’ll keep quiet.”
“Oh, so you’re talking. That’s good. At least it’s not awkward between you two. The last time I saw you both together, you seemed okay. I didn’t have a clue anything had happened.”
“You were too upset about Ash going away to notice.”
I feel awful. I’ve been so wrapped in self-pity I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me. “I’m sorry, Scott. I should have realised something was going on.”
He half-smiles. “No, I didn’t mean that how it sounded. We obviously did a good job of covering it up.”
“But you’ve seen each other since, right? You know you two have to get along somehow. My brother and my best friend are my rocks.” I say light heartedly, but he seems uncomfortable.
“Thing is, it happened again.”
Just as my mouth drops open and a sharp-edged, “What!” blurts from my lips, my phone vibrates. I continue to stare into Scott’s worried eyes until he lifts his chin towards my phone. “Aren’t you going to get that?”
I glance at the screen, not recognising the number, so I send it to messages. “It’s probably one of those cold calls telling me I’ve been in an accident. This is far more important.”
I stare back towards Scott, just as the waitress comes over with our cokes. I smile up at her politely as she settles our glasses down.
“Sorry the drinks were so long. Problem with the pumps.” She glances shyly at Scott again.
“No problem.” Scott smiles, not realising he’s making her blush again.
As soon as she leaves, I lean over the table, making my demand. “Spill.”
He moves his hand from under mine and clasps both on the table in front of him. “It’s kind of your fault.”
“My fault! How?” I whisper shout.
“You left for uni a few days earlier than you planned, leaving Angie in the lurch. She was feeling down and—”
“Don’t tell me, you used your comforting arm again. Nice move.” I sit back in my chair. “At least tell me you’ve seen her since, and everything is okay.”
“No. Angie travelled back to her own uni without saying goodbye.” Now he sits back in his chair, looking to the ceiling while rubbing his hands through his dark brown hair.
“Why didn’t she tell me?” I say more to myself. “You don’t think she was getting me back, do you?”
“No, of course not. It was probably for the same reason I kept quiet. We didn’t want to upset you.”
“Me? Why would it upset me? You two are adults, it’s not up to me what you do as long as no one gets hurt.
It was just a shock, that’s all. I thought she liked Tommy.
In fact, she never did tell me what happened between the two of them.
I thought she was so obsessed; she wouldn’t look at another man.
” I stop myself, realising how stupid I am.
“Sorry that came out wrong. I’m not doing so well with words today. ”
“It’s okay. I thought the same, which is half the problem, Calla.”
His words shake me up a little. “There’s a problem?”
“Only for me.” He doesn’t meet my eyes when he says, “When she left without saying goodbye, it hurt. I really like her.”
“Oh,”
“And I want to be more than her friend or a casual shag.”
“Right.” He’s taken me by surprise.
“But I’m not sure if she sees me the same way. Me and Tommy, we’re chalk and cheese. How do I compete with a guy like him?”
A sense of protecting Scott washes over me. He has to know he’s worth more than he gives himself credit for. Granted, once upon a time, I could have kicked him where it hurts, but he isn’t that little shit anymore. He’s trustworthy, strong, a good man, and any woman would be lucky to have him.
“You know it’s probably a good thing, Scott, don’t you see? Why would she want a carbon copy replacement of Tommy? She might just like you because you are the complete opposite of him. Have you thought about that?”
“Okay, Calla. Are you the only girl on the planet who doesn’t fancy that bloke?”
“Looks aren’t everything, and even if they were, you’d give him a run for his money.”
Scott laughs out the words, “Oh, get lost.”
“I mean it. Haven’t you noticed our waitress giving you the eye?”
He screws his face up. “Don’t make things up to make me feel better.”
“I’m not. You made her blush when you looked at her. Poor girl.”
“Really?” Scott turns around in his seat, scanning the place for the girl he’s unwittingly charmed. I get his attention back when I ask, “How will you play this going forward? Are you going to ask Angie to give things a go?”
Scott faces me again and plays aimlessly with his paper napkin. “I’m not sure she even likes me in that way. We haven’t confronted the situation.”
“Then maybe you should.”
“And you wouldn’t mind?”
“Not in the slightest.”
Scott leans over the table. “Thank you.”
“Nothing to thank me for.”
“You know what I mean. You could have shot me down but, you’ve been great.” He smiles. “Now I’ve just got to convince Angie we’re a good thing.”
“I’m afraid I can’t help you there because I’m not meant to know, remember?” I raise my brows, causing him to laugh. “But” I continue, “if it works out with you two, look after her, okay? Don’t break her heart.”
“I won’t,” Scott says, leaning back so the waitress can place our mains in front of us and he can get a good look at her.
“One Margherita for you.” Did she just wink at Scott?
“And a Hawaiian for you,” she chirps. I expect her to leave us, but instead, she says, “I hope you don’t mind me asking but, are you two together?”
“Oh no, this is my sister.” Scott smiles.
“Ahh.” She grins back. “Then I wondered if I could have your number?”
“Me?” Scott is so shocked, his cheeks turn red. Our waitress was a little mouse when she first appeared at our table—way to go on asking my brother out.
“You know, if you fancied a drink or something,” she continues.
His eyes widen and he gives me a sideways glance. “I’m sorry…” he pauses a second and looks at her name badge, “…Mindy, but I’m kind of seeing someone.”
The poor girl blushes all over again. “Oh, that’s a no then. Never mind. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Hey, you know if I was single, there’s no doubt I would have taken you out.”
“Well, if you ever are, single I mean, you know where to find me.” She forces a smile then says, “Enjoy your meal,” before hurrying away.
I look at Scott. “That was sweet of you.”
“Was it? I was telling the truth. She was gorgeous.”
“But you want Angie.”
He stops messing with the condiments in his hand. “Yeah, I do.”
It’s a wonderful thing; watching my brother fall for my best friend. It seems such a long time since I felt excitement in my stomach instead of constant nerves. I just pray Angie wants him too.
My phone vibrates, knocking me out of my haze. She must be a witch. “It’s Angie,” I say, looking down at my screen. “Should I get it?”
“Shit, no.” Scott seems on edge. It’s cute.
“You don’t have to speak to her, she just wants to know our results.” I pick up the phone, but she rings off before I answer. “Oh, well, that solves that. I’ll call her soon.”
Scott is about to tuck into his first slice of pizza, and I’m faffing with the olive oil when my phone buzzes again.
“What is it with you today, Miss Popular?”
“It’s my mum.” I look up at him. “I haven’t told her we’ve taken a DNA test yet unless Nanna and Gramps told her.
I can’t speak to her now; I need some energy for that task and I’m starving.
I’ll call her later. In fact.” I pick up my phone, turning it off altogether this time.
“There. Now we can enjoy our lunch in peace.”
“Alright, little sis, let’s talk about how I’m going to handle my love life.”
His words make me smile. Right now, having a big brother to focus on is just what I need. Somehow, he’s made me see, I have to pull myself together. It’s a pity I have no idea at all how I’m going to do it.