Page 17 of Fragile

My gaze ran over my friends, all slouched on the sofas in a semicircle, facing the screen, drinking my beers, and eating my shit. Fucking freeloaders. Why we always congregated at my pad for these nights was a question I would raise next time we checked our diaries; especially now I had an added complication living with me.

We watched the rest of the game, discussing sports and I was relieved, but only for a short period. When the match finished, it was question time again.

Max strolled over to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Vodka; it appeared it was shots time. I checked my Rolex, I had to be up early to study; my final exams were approaching fast.

We all sat in a huddle around the large coffee table which was strewn with bottles of beer, a large empty bowl and of course the spilled popcorn.

I could faintly hear music coming down the corridor, it sounded like the usual shit Asher played and I imagined they were in his room together. If I didn’t know Ash was gay, that thought would have no doubt bothered me.

“So, how did you meet her?” Miles questioned, knocking back a shot of neat spirits.

I leaned back in my seat, allowing the liquor to calm my nerves.

“She’s a dance student and a friend of Asher’s and she needed somewhere to stay.”

A whoop of disbelief went around the group like I was bullshitting them.

“And they’re just friends?” Sam said with a grimace. Of course, the guys didn’t know Ash had recently come out to me and I wouldn’t say anything as it wasn’t my news to share.

“Yes, they’re just friends.”

“Whatever, how you could be friends with something that looks like that?” Luca bit out, his lips twisting.

“Yeah, they’re probably fucking right now. Why do you think he’s put the music on?” Adam said with Dale almost mouthing his words. They did weird shit like that from time to time. Spoke for each other and stuff.

My eyes darted around the space. “They're not, take my word for it,” I said flatly. Max’s eyes narrowed at my tone before he cut in.

“Well fuck me. I haven’t even seen her yet and I must say I’m intrigued. Just my fucking luck to be having a smoke—er—taking a piss when the talent arrives.” I rolled my eyes as he attempted to cover the fact that he had lit up in my house.

“She probably has a massive boyfriend,” Miles mused. “One that could probably wipe the floor with us all, even you Max.”

Max snorted and cracked his neck from side to side. “That’s up there with rocking horse shit, mate. The man to take me down doesn’t exist. Isn’t that right G?” My friend snarked.

“Oh, I don’t know. I reckon the guys and I could give you a run for your money,” I said with a sly smile. The only way anyone could take down someone like Max would be in numbers or at gunpoint.

“You could try,” he replied with uber confidence. “Now enough fooling around, how about you invite the girl to join us for shots? Let me see this slice of heaven?”

I exhaled sharply. “Look, first impressions are that Leonie is the type to expect a marriage proposal and so I doubt she’d be interested in any of you faithless twats,” I informed them, lifting the shot glass and saluting them with it.

“Maybe she could reform me,” Max said, leaning back and placing his large hands behind his head. God he was a big fucker, he benched more than me in the gym and it pissed me off. I was competitive at the end of the day; it was part of my nature.

“Is that even possible?”

Max ignored my dig, the expression on his face now thoughtful as he looked down his nose at me.

“You’re not exactly a do-gooder, G. Why are you really letting her stay here?”

I smirked, “I’m a nice guy, what do you want me to say? I help ladies in distress,” I lied. Everyone chuckled and murmured over each other.

Max continued his line of questioning. “I’d bet my left nut there’s an ulterior motive in there somewhere.”

Our gazes clashed and it was game on, the others rolled their eyes as if to say here we go.

“Why don’t you stick to shifting bricks and leave the third degree to the professionals?” I bit back with a cocky smirk. It didn’t usually take Max long to lose his shit.

Max dropped his arms and leaned forward on the sofa, his hands on his knees. “Whatever. You’re still at fucking school sunshine. How does that make you a professional?” he teased.

He was such a wanker but I loved him like a brother.

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