Page 13 of Elijah

“Fucking hell, I try and be a good mate, letting you know your ex-wife is back in town and all I get is abuse.”

“That’s not abuse, mate, that’s me being a friend and telling you the truth.”

“Whatever, I just wondered if you knew but as you obviously do, that’s fine.”

I let out a chuckle and walked into my bathroom, turning on the shower. “I do appreciate you calling, mate. I know you were only trying to help.”

“I didn’t want you bumping into her and being surprised by it. So, are you going to tell me how it was?”

I sat down on the toilet and started unlacing my trainers. “It wasn’t too bad.” I blew out a breath. “But she looks fucking good Lucas, I’ve got to be honest.”

“You wanted her to look like shit, didn’t you?” he jeered.

“Yeah,” I said on a breathy laugh. “I did, but she doesn’t.”

“She still sweet and cute?”

“Hah, you’re fucking joking, aren’t you? She’s much feistier than I remember. She always knew how to stand up for herself but shit, she’s frostier than a snowman’s bollocks these days.”

“I suppose finding your fairly new husband in bed with another woman can do that to you.”

The fucker, he was smiling and thinking he was funny, I just knew it.

“It wasn’t what she thought, I told you that.” I felt my chest tighten as I thought back to that night and Lauren fucking Proctor. “I was so pissed I could barely walk and she took advantage.”

“I hate to say this Eli, but only a few minutes ago you told me being pissed was no excuse for being a twat.”

“Difference is I didn’t do anything, and you are a twat.”

I didn’t want to be a dick to him or sound defensive but I couldn’t help it, because if truth be told, I had no fucking clue what had happened that night. All I knew was that I adored my wife and never in a million years would have done anything to spoil what we had, least of all with Lauren fucking Proctor.

“Alright,” Lucas cried. “Calm down, I’m pulling your leg. I know you wouldn’t have done anything like that. I’m only laughing about it because I find it totally ridiculous.”

I let out a long breath and kicked my trainers out of the bathroom door and onto the landing.

“I’m just done with trying to defend myself to everyone, especially since the one person I wanted to listen just fucked off and left me and didn’t return for five years.”

Neither of us spoke for a few seconds, and I wondered whether Lucas had ended the call.

“Luc, you still there?”

“Yeah, yeah, just trying to think of something to say that doesn’t make me sound like a bigger twat than I already do.”

I let out a deep laugh and ran a hand over my sweaty face. “Don’t worry about it mate, I’m being stupid. What’s done is done. We’re divorced and I have Mia; time to move on.”

“If that’s what you want,” Lucas replied. “But you could always use working with her as an opportunity to get back into her good books and ultimately her knickers.”

“Lucas,” I groaned. “Now you do sound more of a twat that you did before.”

“Sorry. But it is something to consider.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m going, I need to shower and get some dinner.”

“You seeing Mia tonight, or do you fancy nipping down to the pub?”

“Neither mate. I’m knackered. I’m going to grab some dinner, watch a bit of TV, and then bed. Maybe catch up at the weekend?”

“Yeah, no problem. See you then.”