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My thighs burn as I take the steps up to our building, my hand aching from the tight grip I’ve had on my umbrella. I couldn’t let the wind win by taking away my only shelter from the rain. Not that it’s done much good. My leggings are soaked through.
I don’t even want to see the state of my boots. My black, biker ankle boots. I’d managed to save them from the mud puddles over at the field, but there was no saving them on the way home. I thought I’d be clever by taking a shortcut, but it turned out to be flooded, thanks to a blocked drain. I inwardly gag at the thought of what I walked through to get home. The smell was bad enough.
So lost in my thoughts, I don’t see anyone coming down the stairs until my umbrella smacks them in the face, knocking me back a step. “I’m so sorry,” I stress, moving the umbrella to reveal my victim. “Alex!” I call, surprised.
He rubs his head, wincing. “Hey. I came by to see if you wanted to hang out. They said you weren’t in.”
I pause for a moment, certain I told him we were watching the boys play today, and instantly feel bad if I didn’t. He’s not really social, and I do try to get him out more. But Alex likes to keep to himself, I’ve noticed.
“I’m so sorry. We were watching the lads play rugby. It’s the charity game today. I thought I told you about it.”
He removes his glasses, wiping them on the sleeve of his jacket before putting them back on. “I must have forgotten. My nan hasn’t been well.”
I gasp, feeling like a terrible friend. “Alex, why didn’t you say something? I could have come around to help you out. Is she okay?”
I’ve yet to meet his nan, but he has offered for me to go meet her a few times. It’s just always been when I’m busy, so it’s been hard to find a time that suits both of us. But still, if she’s sick, I would have dropped everything to help him. It’s what friends do.
He waves me off. “It’s only the flu. I’ve got it handled. She’s doing loads better now, just a sore throat.”
“I’m glad. You should have said something though. I would have made her some soup.”
His eyes twinkle. “I’ve eaten your soup. It tastes like water.”
I narrow my eyes because I’m a damn good cook. I had to be; my mother wasn’t really the kind of person to lay food on the table. If you wanted to be fed, you fed yourself. She ate out at fancy restaurants, but I got sick of the food pretty quickly.
“I’m a good cook,” I defend, placing one hand on my hip.
He laughs. “Yeah, but everyone has their kryptonite. Yours is soup.”
I giggle, shaking my head. “At least I know what to make CJ later.”
He frowns, taking a step forward and placing his hand on my shoulder. “Hey, are you okay? What’s happened? Did he eat your sweets again?”
I scoff. “I wish. It’s nothing. I’m probably just being stupid.”
“Tell me,” he urges, removing his hand to tuck it in his pocket.
“Some girl was flirting with him at the field and he seemed like he was enjoying it. He didn’t even excuse himself to come see me before the game started. It hurt a lot more than I thought it would.”
Anger flashes in his eyes. “Want me to have a word with him?”
I’d laugh, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings. He wouldn’t stand a chance against CJ and we both know it, but the fact he’s willing to… it’s admirable and kind of cute.
“It’s fine. I’m being dramatic.”
“Just be careful. He has a reputation around here, you know. I heard stories about him before you showed up. Most girls would jump at the chance to be with him. Do you think he can keep turning them down? He’s a male after all.”
I glance at him, hurt, my heart full of sorrow and anguish at his harsh words.
Why would he say that?
“I’m going to go. I don’t feel all that well,” I snap, my voice full of hurt.
His face softens, but guilt lingers in his eyes. “Sorry! That came out wrong, Allie,” he says, grabbing my arm to stop me when I walk past him.
I spin around, careful not to hit him with my umbrella again. “It’s fine. I know how you feel about CJ; I do. But he’s not like that, not with me. I’m not some stupid girl who is willing to put up with shit just to be with someone. If I truly thought he would cheat on me, or had cheated on me, I’d be gone in a flash. I might be hurt he flirted back with some girl, but I know, in my heart, that is all it will ever be. But I’m still allowed to have a snit about it. I’m still a girl after all.”
It wasn’t until hearing him accuse CJ that I realised he would never do anything intentionally to hurt me. I may be hurt and angry right now, but that much I do know.
