Page 97 of Broken Bonds

“We could have gone for breakfast together again,” I told her, not voicing my thoughts aloud.

She turned around, bringing the steaming cup to her dry lips with another glare. “So, I can watch you make out with Julian the whole time and throw him ‘screw me’ eyes while I’m sitting there bored and lonely? No, thank you.”

I scowled at her. Did she not remember all the times she and my brother were all lovey-dovey with each other while I was struggling to cope with losing Ace?

“No need to be a total bitch about it,” I snapped at her. “Sounds like you woke up with your period this morning.”

She sighed, settling into the chair next to me. “How do you always know?”

“Because I’m your best friend,” I told her, though I didn’t think her being this much of a bitch could be excused with hormones. “Take some Tylenol and get ready. We are going out for lunch. Just you and me.”

She smiled and ran a hand through her red mane of hair as she nodded. “I love you tons.” She quickly finished her coffee and headed for the stairs. My phone vibrated beside my elbow, and I picked it up, sighing at the sight of Julian’s name.

Julian: Hey babe. What are we doing today?

Me: Can we grab lunch tomorrow? I’m taking Amber out today.

Julian: Where? I’ll meet you guys.

Me: No, honey, a girl’s day. She’s struggling to see us together.

Julian: You’re kidding right?

I blinked at his message in surprise. It was the first time he’d been rude over me deciding to go out with Amber, and it threw me for a loop. Maybe he was more upset all those other times than he let on?

Me: Yeah, she just woke up extremely upset.

Julian: This is getting out of hand, babe.

I frowned at his message, my brows furrowing.

Me: I thought you understood?

Julian: I’m sick of you fucking choosing her over me every weekend, babe.

Where was all this coming from? Julian had never complained or even swore at me before. The man texting me now was not the man I’d come to know. What the hell had changed?

Me: What would you like me to do about it?

Julian: Tell her to stop moping like a baby and meet me for lunch. I miss MY girlfriend.

I scowled at his message.

Me: She’s my best friend. I’m not doing that.

Julian: Maybe you should date her then since she’s more important than me.

Me: Don’t be an ass. I’ll see you tomorrow. Go out with the guys tonight.

Julian: Whatever. Maybe I’ll find a girl who actually wants to be my girlfriend and give me some attention for once.

I gaped at his message in disbelief. Had he really… wow. Just fucking… wow.

“I’m starving; let’s go!” Amber was standing in front of me, black sunglasses shading her eyes, purse on her arm, phone in hand. I quickly locked mine, choosing to leave Julian on read and not engage in whatever mess he was trying to create between us.

“Where do you want to go?” I stood up, pushing my phone into my back pocket.

“Anywhere with a decent cheeseburger.”

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