Page 118 of Unapologetic Love Story

Seb stared at him in disgust and shock.

‘And for the past few years, I’ve disgraced them all. If they could see me now . . . They’re all better than each one of us. And I never talked about them. And for what? But not any more. Get a new drinking buddy, because I’m done.’

Without waiting for a reply, he got into Dexter’s Volvo and buried his head in his hands, trying to ease the massive tension headache that was coming on. Instinctively, Dexter reached into the glove box and drew out some painkillers, offering them with a small smile.

‘I thought it was all very upsetting,’ he said quietly. ‘But I can see you really love her.’

He jiggled the box of pills and Tom accepted gratefully. ‘Thank you . . .?’

‘Dexter.’

‘Thank you, Dexter.’

‘I’m just sorry for Pepper, that her birthday was derailed,’ he added, looking back at the house as it faded into the distance. ‘She’s an old friend. But I’ve always hated that crowd of hers. They’re a bad bunch. Sorry you and your lady got mixed up in it.’

‘An old friend of Pepper’s is driving a proper car and not some obnoxious convertible?’

Dexter laughed at that. ‘You’re funny. You’re funny in your articles, too.’

‘You’ve read them?’

‘Yeah. Love how you nail the scumbags. My sister got swept up in that awful woman’s pyramid scheme. Took us ages to pull her out. You should be proud.’

Tom suddenly felt empty. ‘Not much to be proud of tonight.’

The other man exhaled. ‘Well, if it makes you feel any better, me neither. Been lying to myself about Pepper, if I’m honest. Lied to the date I brought tonight but she could see it all over my face when Pep came down those stairs. Went home without me. So here we are. Two idiots, one beat-up old car.’

Tom laughed bitterly. ‘Why not tell Pepper?’

Dexter waved away the question, answering absent-mindedly as he checked his mirrors. ‘She’ll have moved on from me long ago.’

A writer’s curse is the same as the gift. Seeing things before they happen. ‘I’m sure that’s not true.’

Dexter put the radio on, wordlessly ending the conversation. They rode in silence for a while, but the emptiness was still clawing at Tom.

He found himself fumbling for his phone and he almost called her three times. The only thing stopping him was knowing that it wouldn’t be fair to her. She would hear the pain in his voice and she’d feel compelled to be gentle with him. He didn’t deserve it.

He dialled another number.

After three rings, ‘Hello?’

Tom sniffed and pressed hard against his throbbing temple. ‘Hey, Da.’

‘Tom, you’re calling late.’ Jem Branimir could instantly sense something wasn’t right and it made Tom want to beat his head against the window.

‘I . . .’ Tom spoke quietly and rubbed at his stinging eyes. ‘I did something really stupid.’

There was a frightened pause. ‘Are you safe?’

‘Yes. It’s not health.’

‘Money?’

‘No, nothing to do with money.’

A sigh of relief. Tom pinched the bridge of his nose.

‘Then what is it, son?’