Page 96 of Mine

“I don’twantto be ‘let loose’, my love. He is fuckingperfect, I want to be with him forever,” I said dreamily, gazing into the distance as I remembered the first time he kissed me in the rain, because he knew it was something I had always wanted to do.

“Ugh, pass me the vomit bag,” her heavy New York accent still tickled me.

“So, what are we doing for your birthday? The big two-oh. We should get a little apartment in Times Square for the night, invite some hot guys and girls—”

I held my hand up to interrupt her.

“If I do anything, it will involve Cal, so get the idea out of your head of me spreading my legs like the Lincoln tunnel for every Tom, Dick and Harry.”

She stuck her tongue out at me.

“Ooh, I need to order dessert,” she waved frantically as the waiter held back a sigh, taking her order. I gave him my plate and passed on dessert.

Nicole hugged me close as we parted.

“Text me when you get home. I hate these streets after dark when you are on your own.”

I promised her I would and walked towards the subway station, wrapping my coat around me for warmth. I skipped down the stairs, tapping my card against the machine as it let me through, the stench of urine welcoming me to the underbelly of the city.

There were a few people milling about as I boarded the train, preferring to stand considering I wasn’t too far away from home. The journey was relatively uneventful, and I hurried up the steps back into the cold air, already dreaming of my warm bed.

I heard footsteps behind me, and I froze, certain no one else got off at my stop. I walked close to the streetlights, my eyes peeled for any sign of life. I wasn’t that great at protecting myself, but I had pepper spray at home—not much use there.

“Hey, Gretchen, wait up!” called a familiar voice as relief coursed through my veins. I turned to see Josh jogging towards me, pulling his earphones out as he approached me.

“For fuck’ssakeJosh, you scared me to death. Why are you out running at this hour?” I frowned as he laughed apologetically.

“Sorry, babe. Couldn’t sleep. Nancy still isn’t home,” his voice was small as he caught his breath.

Nancy and Josh had been having a “secret” relationship that we all knew about, but that none of them would admit. Nancy refused to commit to anyone, despite harbouring feelings for Josh.

Josh only had eyes for her and had stopped seeing anyone else, which I think was his downfall. Nancy liked to be kept on her toes and getting it handed to her on a plate was not her style.

We reached our street as he slung his arm around my shoulder.

“What the fuck am I going to do, Red? I know she wants to be with me. She just won’t shake off these other guys.”

I slipped my arm around his waist and sighed.

We’d all been friends for long enough to feel like family, and I hated seeing him hurting like this.

“Ah, I feel for you, I really do. I don’t even know what to suggest. Have you tried calling her bluff? Like saying you’ll end it if she doesn’t stop seeing other people?”

He looked down at me with a sad smile on his face. “Yeah, I started to, once. She just shot me down, said if I didn’t like it, I knew what to do.”

I frowned as we reached my house to see someone sitting on the front porch, drinking a bottle of beer. I stopped and stared as Josh stiffened beside me.

“Who thefuckis that?” he muttered as we walked closer.

The figure was male, well-built and handsome in a rugged way.

I peered at him and I shrugged at Josh.

“I don’t know who that is at all. Was he there when you left?” I hissed, and he shrugged, wide-eyed.

“Of course, he wasn’t. The door was locked though, and now it’s open.”

Nancy.