Chapter 6 #3
“If you want your shit, it's on the front lawn. You want it, come get it!” She screamed further, unwilling to listen to anything he had to say, which was half the problem of their entire relationship. And the louder she shouted, the more it tested his limited patience.
“Of course, I left it behind! I don’t need it anymore!
” he fumed. Already slipping into the baited trap of another argument.
Finally cracking underneath the pressure that she demanded.
He dipped around the side of the house to avoid his conversation being heard by those within.
Heated words were about to be exchanged, and the last impression he desired to leave was that of someone whose world was falling apart; better that he slipped away and remain undisturbed.
It had been some time since Breht had answered his phone.
The screaming from the other end had been heard over the silence that fell in the wake of his ringtone.
Brierley couldn’t help but worry that something had happened to the orc, so long had he been gone.
Forlorn looks were given towards the door he’d vanished out of.
His voice had risen vehemently before skittering away out of earshot.
In time, she got to her feet under the pretence of filling her empty wine glass and made her way into the kitchen. She placed the glass on the worktop and was followed closely behind by the other orc at the party.
“If you’re looking for Breht..” Gorim started.
“I’m just a bit concerned,” Brierley replied, not even trying to cover her tracks.
“That would be Rosani on the phone,” Gorim explained.
Her face fell; she should have known that someone as wonderful as Breht would be in a long-term relationship.
She felt instantly cheated of the small, simple gestures of affection that had happened between them.
Hopes for luring him away at the end of the evening dashed in an instant.
What her plan had been, she didn’t know.
Now that she knew he was committed to someone else, she stood no chance; orcs didn’t tend to stray.
“His ex.”
With two simple words, her hope was restored. She poured herself another small measure of wine to celebrate.
"Look, they've been together for a while, but it's been toxic.
Lots of conflict, no real love there. He wants it over.
" Gorim paused, taking a sip of his beer.
"Before he got here, they split. He's trying to move on to something else.
Someone who understands him." He was looking pointedly at her.
"I can see in your eyes when you look at him, you're after that bit more.
But if you do pursue him, just know that my boy comes with baggage. "
Gorim’s words cascaded over her like an onslaught.
She wasn’t sure if she was being encouraged or warned off.
The chance for elaboration was stolen from her when the sliding doors to the kitchen swiped open, and the object of their conversation walked in looking roughed up.
His hand had been trailing through his hair over and over during his phone conversation.
At his throat, a silver-threaded tie had been pulled so much that the knot was nothing but a peanut, loosened and toyed with throughout his heated conversation.
When Breht looked up and saw the two of them talking, he instinctively knew that he was the subject of their conversation. Rather than be phased by the revelation and the look of guilt on their faces, he looked pointedly at Gorim and said, “I’ll have that drink now.”
Gorim turned his back and rifled through the remaining drinks.
There were slim pickings left, despite Alluin’s promise that there was plenty to go around.
The double-tusked orc poured his friend a glass of coveted alcoholic beverage, and when he turned back, Breht managed to say, “It’s over.
” Those two words set his soul free, and he felt lighter for having spoken them.
“It’s been over for a long time, mate. Congratulations.” Gorim raised the glass of drink he’d poured and offered it to him. Giving Brierley a secretive wink.
Breht looked mortified at the drink as it passed beneath his nose and informed him, “I’m not drinking that!”
“Why not? You’re celebrating.”
“Red wine gets me pissed far too quickly and makes me horny,” he stated.
“Two perfectly good reasons to drink it!” Gorim said without relenting, “Besides, it’s that or alcopops.”
“Fine!” Breht scoffed. What was he fourteen?
Without second-guessing himself, he took the dainty glass from his friend.
It’s not like he had anything to lose, and the wine would give him the courage he needed to pursue that little slice of happiness that had made his business trip worth every minute so far.
There was a red-cheeked glow on Brierley’s face; he couldn’t tell if that was due to their conversation or the alcohol she’d consumed.
There was no hint of protest when he tucked his arm over her shoulder.
Leading her back into the conservatory to rejoin the revelries, with Gorim in tow.