Page 15 of Just a Number

I close my eyes for a second. If it was any of Zack’s other friends, the ones I’ve known for years, and had absolutely no sexual feelings for, it would be an instant yes. But this would be a bad idea. Not only am I attracted to Alex, I’ve not missed his glances at me either. Okay, maybe he doesn’t fancy me. I’m a forty-year-old divorcee, for god’s sake. But he’s a young guy andwith that spark between us, I can’t help but think he’d be easy to seduce. And what the hell do I know about seducing someone?Fuck.It has to be a no. Thank goodness Zack hasn’t thought of it. I’ll just have to hope that Alex finds something soon and I don’t have to feel guilty about not offering him the space.

I get the fright of my life when there’s movement in the kitchen. I’ve sunk down on a middle stair, lost in my thoughts, and if one of the guys comes through that door I’ll be in full sight.Shit!

I stand quickly and start walking down the stairs as if I’m only just heading that way now. The kitchen door opens and Alex steps into the hallway, looking back at Zack as says, “I’ve got to get this. It’s my mum.” He closes the door behind him and is now so focused on the phone in his hand that he doesn’t seem to notice me.

“Hey, Mum, are you okay?” Snippets of speech drift out from the other end of the line, but I can’t make any words out. “He said what? No, I fucking didn’t.” He gets cut off by a response on the other end.

I’m torn. I know I shouldn’t be listening, but if I move, he’ll see me and know I’ve been loitering. Before I can decide to brazen it out and walk past him to the kitchen, he talks again, his tone agitated as he runs his fingers through his already tousled hair.

“He dropped his bottle of beer and it smashed because he was already drunk when he got home. I laughed, and he swung for me.” Another pause from him and furious chatter sounds out from the other end of the phone.

“I pushed him. Not hard. Just enough to stop him from hitting me. And then I left.”

I raise my hand to my mouth, trying to contain myself. Frustration drips from him as he clenches the fist not holding his phone. I want to reach out and soothe him, but I can’t. It’s not my place.

“I’m at Zack’s.” More talking from his mum.

“What do you mean? Why are you taking his side? I’m trying to find somewhere to live, but I haven’t found anywhere yet.” His hand drags down his face and I must make a movement that catches his eye because instantly I’m caught in his gaze. His eyes are dark and stormy as he lets out a deep sigh.

“Fine, I'll stay somewhere else tonight. I’ll let you know when I’ll be back to collect my stuff.” His long finger prods at the ‘end call’ button once he’s lifted the phone away from his ear.

He closes his eyes for a second, his head falling forward as he heaves in a deep breath.

“I’m so sorry. I was coming downstairs. I didn’t mean to listen, but I couldn’t get past without disturbing you.” I’m babbling. “I’ll get out of your way.” I try to squeeze past, but his hand reaches for my shoulder. Despite his clear agitation, his touch is gentle.

“It’s your house. I’m sorry I was in the way.” He looks like he wants to say something, but hesitates, his gaze boring into mine.

“Do you need somewhere to stay tonight?” I ask quietly.

“Err, yeah, it’s okay. I’ll call Laura.”

Ah, he must have a girlfriend. How can I be so stupid to assume he’s single and maybe slightly interested in me?

There’s the sound of Zack moving around in the kitchen.

“I’ll get out of your way so you can call your girlfriend.” I give him a small smile and start to walk away.

“What?” He sounds baffled. “Girlfriend? Laura is my sister.”

I can’t even begin to explain the level of relief that floods me at that statement, which is ridiculous because this guy has nothing to do with me.

“Well, if you can’t stay with her, you can stay here tonight. You can even have the guest room. No need to slum it on the couch.”

Zack opens the kitchen door wide, suddenly frowning. “What’s going on? Everything okay?”

I slip past him into the kitchen, but I can hear Alex’s response.

“My mum’s chucked me out.”

“Fuck, what for?”

“Had a disagreement with Doug before I left tonight. He told her I hit him.”

“Shit. Did you?”

He lets out a deep sigh. “No. He tried to hit me. I gave him a push to stop him. Fuck! I need to call my sister and see if I can crash on her floor.” The frustration is clear in his tone.

My heart is breaking for him. His voice is gravelly and I can sense the emotion he’s bottling up, even from the next room. I want to soothe him. I try to busy myself, pulling some Coke from the fridge. I open one for myself and then grab two more for the guys.

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