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Missie gives him a mischievous look. “Because he’s really, really good in the sack.”
There’s a moment of stunned silence, and then everyone bursts out laughing.
“That’s the first time I think I’ve ever seen you speechless,” Saxon says. “I like her already.”
“Thank you for that,” Alex says to Missie, looking amused.
“See, why can’t you say nice things like that about me?” Huxley, one of my friends from Auckland, says to his wife.
“I would, if you didn’t fall asleep during sex,” she retorts. Huxley winces and proceeds to try and explain that he’d been up half the night looking after their baby.
“You’re lucky,” Aroha says. “Not everyone has an excuse as good as that.”
Everyone looks puzzled. I wince, because I know what’s coming.
“James!” Juliette declares. “Please tell me she’s not talking about you!”
Henry and Alex see me wincing and laugh, and Tyson says, “Jesus, bro. Seriously?”
“Thank you,” I say to Aroha. “Go on then. Clearly the world needs to know what an idiot I am.” I glare at her, annoyed that she’s mentioned it in front of everyone.
Her cheeks redden, though, and as our eyes meet, she drops her gaze. I think she spoke without thinking, and she obviously realizes she’s embarrassed me.
Ah, it was my fault. I’m not going to blame her. She’s right to mock me for it.
“I’d had a lot to drink,” I say, “and it was very late. I took her home, promised her the best sex of her life, then fell asleep before I could get her knickers off. It wasn’t my greatest moment.”
Everyone laughs, including Aroha. Missie grins, then changes the subject, and the conversation moves on.
I wait for a moment, listening to everyone talking, but I’m standing in the sun, and it’s searingly hot, so I wander away and move into the shade. I lean on the barrier, looking out at the view.
After a while, I glance across at Aroha, surprised to see her watching me. Our gazes lock the same way they did that night at the bar. She doesn’t smile, though, and neither do I. I can’t tell if it’s guilt that she’s feeling, or resentment. Maybe both. I guess I deserve the latter, but it does disappoint me. I really like her, and I had the chance to get to know her better, and I fucked it up. I’m angry at myself, and embarrassed at my idiocy.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I take it out and check the screen. It’s a text from Maddie, replying to one I sent earlier, asking her how she was feeling today. Four out of ten, the text says. Not one of my better days.
I sigh and text back, You know where I am if you need to talk. Give Leia a hug from me.
What’s the temperature like? she asks. She means with Aroha. When we were young, Maddie and I used to argue all the time, but after Mum died and we found ourselves adrift on an emotional raft together, we grew closer and more supportive of each other. Over Christmas, I admitted what happened on the night of the twenty-first, and I told her that Aroha was on the plane while we were in the minivan.
Sub-zero, I reply, somewhat dramatically. She hates me.
Aw, I’m sure she doesn’t.
She does, and that’s fair enough.
James, even though you like to cast yourself in the role, you’re not the devil.
I give a short laugh. I’m sure she would contest that.
Sweetie, give yourself a break. Try to put it behind you and move on. Maybe there’ll be another single girl there who’ll be able to distract you.
Yeah, I reply, thinking that’s the last thing I need. Speak to you later. I send it and pocket my phone.
The truth is that I don’t want anyone else. Even though I’m glad it’s done, I’m still heartsore over Cassie, and I feel wretched over what happened with Aroha. Both of them are better off without me.
Chapter Six
Aroha
