Page 127 of Stanton Unconditional

CHAPTER 20

Natasha

I sit back on the lounge at Mum’s and look at my watch for what must be the hundredth time today. 11.15 pm. Joshua didn’t call me back like he said he would. He’s probably just been busy. That’s the logic talking, but my stupid mind is back in overdrive, and I can’t help but wonder if he knew I was having lunch with Jes and was just texting me to distract me and now he is not ringing me to punish me. He told me he only wanted sex and I said I wouldn’t be his booty call and yet I have been nearly just that. What the fuck am I doing? Am I imagining the chemistry between us, is it still even there? Is it wishful thinking? Why do I do this to myself? The new improved non-drama-queenish version of myself is not supposed to think like this. I rub my eyes in frustration and fatigue. I’m tired from all my prick-teasing antics last night.

“Do you want another cuppa, love?” Mum asks as she stands and stretches.

I nod and smile. “Yes, and then I’m off to bed.” I look at my watch. 11.25 pm, hmm.

“Are you waiting for something?” she frowns. “You keep looking at your watch.”

I roll my eyes shamefully and blow out a breath. “Hmm, yeah, Josh said he was going to call me, and he hasn’t so…I don’t know.” I shrug my shoulders. “Who knows what’s going on, Mum, it’s like frigging Dynasty around here.”

She smiles warmly. “He called me this morning.” “Huh? Who? Josh?” I frown.

She nods and looks wide eyed at me and walks into the kitchen.

“Why did he call you and not me?” I ask as I put my hands on my hips in annoyance and follow her.

“He wanted to make sure you could stay here.” She starts to make the tea and pours the water into the cups.

I screw up my face. “Oh, what next? He’s a control freak,” I snap.

“Why in the hell does he think it is ok to call my mother and ask if she can babysit me? I’m not a child?”

She takes her tea and walks back into the lounge room. I reluctantly follow her.

“What did he say anyway?” I ask as I frown. This is bullshit, mindfuck Stanton at his best.

“He told me that he has stayed at your house for the last couple of nights with you.”

My eyes widen. “He did?” I whisper.

“And he told me that he couldn’t stay with you for the next few nights because he had to work so would it be ok if you stayed with me.”

I screw up my face again. “He’s lost the plot,” I snap.

“I am safe at home. Why does he think someone is going to get me? He’s becoming paranoid,” I huff.

She smiles again. “He’s not worried about someone getting you, love. He didn’t want you home alone in case you had a nightmare. He couldn’t stand the thought of you being home alone and scared.”

My mouth drops open as I am rendered speechless. “What?” I whisper.

I bite my lip to stifle the huge grin that is threatening to split my face open. “He said that?” I ask.

She nods and sips her tea.

I put my hand up to my mouth and think. “He still loves me, he wouldn’t even think of that if he didn’t love me.”

“That’s what I was thinking, love.” She raises her eyebrows. “I didn’t know that,” I whisper through my smile.

“Why don’t you call him now? I’m sure he has just been tied up at work and time has gotten away from him. Ask him to come over when he finishes if you want.”

I smile and stand. “Thanks Mum.” I give her a kiss on the cheek. “I will.”

Joshua

I sit back in my seat, affronted, and run my pointer over my lips as I think. “No one will ever know, you say.”