Page 93 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘Cal,’ I say loudly, and a hush descends.

Cal blinks. ‘Me?’ he asks from the bed. ‘Fuck did I do?’

The boys stare at me in silence, waiting. I swallow hard, still terrified I’m doing the wrong thing.

‘I need to say something. Sometimes, in a job like mine, you do things because you can’t leave something alone… You have to get to the bottom of something. Leave no stone unturned, so to speak.’

I pause. They’re looking at me as though they’re worried for my sanity.

‘I interviewed Bianca Lawson today,’ I state.

For a split second, no one utters a word. Then Miller starts laughing. Ravi sucks his breath.

‘Youwhat?’ Cal explodes. ‘What did you go and do that for?!’

‘I… I needed to hear her side of the story. Or, rather, to give her the opportunity to give me her side of the story.’

He throws his arms up in the air. ‘I already know her side of the story. The bitch put it out on Twitter!’

Ravi looks confused. Aidan crosses his arms over his chest, as though reserving judgement.

‘I thought you’d perhaps like to watch it,’ I continue.

‘No, I don’t wanna bloody watch it!’ Cal fumes.

‘I think you’ll be surprised.’

Ravi comes to my aid. ‘Come on, Cal, at least see what she’s got to say. It’s not like you actually have to talk to her.’

‘Why would we want her in the documentary?’ J.B. questions in his French accent. ‘Why do we care what she even has to say?’

‘Exactly what he said,’ Cal says. ‘I already told ya, Lexi, I don’t wanna know. Back me up here, Aid.’

Aidan is yet to speak. I swallow, because I’m not sure exactly where the two of us stand. He gives a shrug. ‘If Cal doesn’t wanna watch it, he doesn’t wanna watch it.’

Cal salutes him. ‘Thanks, mate. Too bloody right.’

I look to the floor. I’m starting to regret them gathering together. Maybe I should never have approached Bianca Lawson in the first place.

‘You wanna know what I think?’ Miller announces, his gaze settling on Cal. ‘I think you’re fucking chicken. I’ve said it from the start, youlikeher. If you didn’t, the fact that she made some bullshit comment on Twitter wouldn’t have meant jack to you. But you’ve literally not stopped talking about it for two years straight. You wrote a whole goddamn song about her. Who does that, about a girl they claim not to like?’

Aidan’s lips have twisted into a smile. ‘He’s got a point, mate,’ he murmurs to Cal.

‘Raise your hand if you wanna see what Bianca Lawson has to say,’ Miller says, putting his arm in the air.

Ravi’s hand shoots up. After a second or two, Aidan’s follows suit. J.B. gives a shrug, before raising his hand.

‘You blokes are all bloody charlatans… fucking traitors the lot of you,’ Cal blurts.

‘I think you should all see it,’ I say.

‘Nah, mate, I’m gettin’ out of here,’ Cal complains, and goes to get up off the bed. Aidan clamps a hand down on his shoulder.

‘Mate, it’s just one interview. Doesn’t mean you have to do anything about it.’

‘Fine,’ Cal groans, falling back. ‘I’ll watch it. Under duress. Anyone asks me, I’ll tell them you all forced me into it.’

‘Put it on, Lexi,’ Ravi encourages me.

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