Page 168 of Stanton Unconditional

The cab pulls up out the front of my apartment ten minutes later and Max is waiting out on the footpath. He opens the door for me and ushers me out.

“You know better than to run off like that,” he sighs.

“Get lost, Max, don’t lecture me unless you want a black eye,” I snap as I storm toward my apartment.

He smirks as he pulls out his phone. “Hi Josh, I have her… no, she’s fine.” His eyes flick to me. “Do you want to speak to her?” He turns his back to me, and I frown. “Okay.” He answers and he hangs up.

“Why didn’t you put me on the phone?” I ask.

“Um, he didn’t want to speak to you,” he answers nervously.

“What?” I snap as I narrow my eyes. Oh, that’s it, I storm toward my apartment with renewed vigor. He didn’t want to speak to me…well, I didn’t want to speak to him, asshole. I get into my apartment and ring Bridget straight away.

“Hi,” she answers.

“Joshua just didn’t want to speak to me, when he’s the asshole,” I snap.

“Hmm,” she answers.

“He is the one keeping secrets and now I’m the one not being spoken to. He can kiss my ass!” I scream.

“Okay,” she murmurs.

“What does okay mean?” I scream.

“Okay, I think you are acting crazy. It was before he even was with you. You just lost your grandmother so of course he wanted to protect you.”

“But do you see my point?” I scream.

“Stop yelling. Yes, I see your point,” she snaps. “Just don’t worry about it till tomorrow, I don’t think Joshua is.”

I frown. “Why do you say that?” I ask.

“He has just come back from the bar with a tray of tequilas,” she whispers.

“Oh really,” I fume.

“Yes, really, and since I have been on the phone, he has drunk three of them.”

“Oh really,” I fume again.

“I will stay with him and the boys and call you tomorrow,” she replies flatly.

My stomach drops. “Okay, don’t let him out of your sight,” I snap.

“Alright,” she snaps. “Calm down.” She hangs up.

I strip off and head straight to my therapy of choice, a steaming hot shower where I sink to the floor and wallow in self-pity.

“Shhh, shhh.” I wake as I hear laughter echoing through my apartment.

I look at my bedside clock. 4.45 am, frigging idiot. Then I hear Bridget’s laugh and then Cameron’s voice. Oh great, they have all come back here. I feel a wave of relief hit me. I have been over-analyzing my drama queen behavior all night and Bridget is right, I should have stayed and talked to him. With the relief that he is here I snuggle back into my pillow to try to go back to sleep. My door opens and I hear them all laughing. I smile to myself while I pretend to be asleep. What are the idiots doing? I look in the mirror doors and Joshua is hanging by one arm from the door frame holding something out and Bridget and Cameron are hysterical with laughter behind him, pushing each other into the room as if I am a monster.

“It’s not working,” Joshua laughs.

“Hold it out to her,” Bridget giggles.

“I’m just going to throw it at her head,” Joshua whispers loudly. Bridget burst out laughing. “I’m telling you, once she gets that McDonald’s she will forget she ever had the shits.”