“An old acquaintance. Nobody to worry yourself about.” He glanced over his shoulder as he walked away.
“Meet me outside the front in an hour.”
I nodded and watched as he walked away, and despite the rage I felt, I couldn’t help but notice his build. No longer skinny, he had broad shoulders with a tapered waist and thick thighs straining against the fabric of his trousers.
I pushed the thoughts down. This was the man I hated, and I needed to remember that. I returned to my table and collected my belongings before heading back to my room.
After an hour, I made my way outside and sat on a bench overlooking the gardens. This was such a beautiful place, and I dreaded to think how much this was costing. Well, costing the company. I’d set one up to take care of the sponsorship deals I made from the products I endorsed in the movies.
My heart raced, and I closed my eyes. I breathed deeply, centring myself for the inevitable confrontation.
I’d not got a good look at his face, too enraged at his presence to notice, but it’d be interesting to see how he’d fared in the intervening years.
Working here, he’d no doubt lived a charmed life. Having it all while Robbie suffered.
My pulse quickened at the thought. I stood, unable to sit still, and paced back and forth.
“Fucking bastard. I bet he’s had everything fall in his lap,” I muttered. “I bet he’s never done a hard day’s work in his life.”
“You don’t know my life.” I’d not heard him approach, too lost in my own thoughts.
“How could you leave?” Rage and loathing burnt through me, and a red mist descended. All rational thought left me.
He might be big…but I was bigger.
I threw a punch, satisfied when it connected with his face.
“What the fuck?” He backed away, rubbing his jaw.
I charged and slammed into him with my shoulder, this time knocking him to the ground. I stood over him, my chest heaving. All the hatred I felt bubbled to the surface.
“Get up.” I wiped the saliva from my chin with the back of my hand. I wasn’t done with him.
“What? So you can beat seven bells of shit out of me? I don’t think so.”
He stayed on the ground, checking his lip with his fingers for blood.
I hadn’t hit him that hard, but it hadn’t been for want of trying. He deserved more than I’d given him.
“Get. Up.”
“No. I stood up to you fifteen years ago, and I’ll do it again. I’m not the boy I was.”
He definitely wasn’t.
“You left your best friend for dead. Ran away like the coward you are.”
“You threatened me with the police.” His voice rose, and he scrambled to his feet.
“It was your fault.” I stepped closer, standing toe to toe. Chest to chest.
“Back off,” he hissed. “Your brother made his choice.”
“I’ll not go there again with you. It was your fault. You brought the drink; you dared him to do it, knowing what he was like.”
“Robbie could have said no,” he stood with his arms out to the side.
“Fuck off, Duke. He idolised you.”