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“She was willing, more than willing.” I ground my teeth, taking several deep breaths. “It wasn’t just a casual shag.”
At least not for me. And Amanda? I’m sure she felt the same way… I think. Not that we’d had a chance to talk. She’d fled after calling the ambulance.
“What difference does that make?” James sighed. “At least ye wore protection. No bonus baby as part of the service from Reedman, Williams and Dennis.”
“Ye hold your tongue and show her some damn respect!” I pushed his shoulder, getting into his face.
“Showing respect? That’s rich from ye after the way ye treated Caroline!” James held his ground. “Do ye even know how she is right now? Maybe she’s fragile, scared, overwhelmed?”
“She’s strong, brilliant. More than you’re giving her credit for.” I shook my head at them both, backing away from James. “And this is what ye think women feel when they sleep with me. Thanks very much for the vote of confidence from each of ye. What I need is to speak with Amanda.”
I limped over to the bedside drawers, a compression bandage around my knee. Thankfully, I’d only pulled a muscle and not ruined the ligament or tendons.
I grabbed my phone and wallet, and then cursed. “I still don’t have her number!”
Everything had been a blur while I lay on my office floor, my knee and tailbone in agony. I remembered yelling to Amanda to call an ambulance, convinced I’d damaged my injured ligament again. She’d gone for help after the call and I’d managed to deal with the condom, pull up my briefs and trousers, and stuff her torn knickers into my pocket before she returned with Robert. But she’d left immediately after that, and I missed my chance to talk and even get her phone number.
My phone rang at that moment. My brothers snickered as a tune our grandmother loved to play from the 1960s blasted at full volume about sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. The twangers had changed my ringtone.
“Ye smart arses,” I muttered, declining the call. “Fuck, I didn’t get her phone number.”
“Ye can talk, ye broken arse,” Robert swiped his phone’s screen. “Luckily, I got it as ye were wheeled away by the paramedics. And I already asked her if she was okay and she reckons she’s fine. I also asked if she wanted to see ye but she said ye’ve tae make amends with Caroline before she will.”
“I want to speak with her.” I held out my hand for Robert to hand over his phone, but he didn’t yield.
“Amanda said she can prove Caroline did nothing wrong and to ask her about gel tips. So, bloody well sort it out with Caroline first, and then I’ll think about giving ye her number.”
I wanted to punch Robert’s smug look right off his face, but that would have only made my bruised coccyx worse.
“Ye knew she was okay and ye didn’t want to tell me?”
“Saying she’s fine, and actually being fine, are two different things, Stuart. Plus, I was testing ye to see if ye were thinking about her.”
I grunted, doing up my pants.
“And, have ye considered Caroline in all of this?” James’s usual smiley face was grim. “Ye talk about respect but have ye considered her feelings right now? She could sue your bruised arse for some sort of mistreatment in the workplace. Ye need to make all of this right and fast.”
I nodded. “I will. I promise both of ye I most definitely will.” My shoulders sagged, the fight leaving me. “Of course I care for Caroline, and for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
Robert grunted. “Ye are saying sorry at lot lately, Stu.”
I said nothing because he was right.
I was discharged an hour later with doctor’s instructions for painkillers, a fact sheet on seating positions and an ice pack pressed against the top of my bum. Robert drove me to Caroline’s house, with James in the back seat.
I got out, grumbling with pain.
“Text when ye need collecting,” Robert looked straight ahead out the windscreen. “Ye don’t leave here until ye sort this shite out and Caroline forgives your black and blue arse.”
* * *
I’d been sitting on Caroline’s doorstep for an hour. My tailbone ached, but I refused to take the painkillers just yet. This was penance; a sore arse for being an arsehole.
Every five minutes or so, I sent Caroline a text with a reason why I sucked being the distillery boss.
Me:#1: I get angry when I should stay calm and give people a chance. And you copped that today and I’m so sorry.
Me:#2 I jump to conclusions before seeking advice
