Page 75 of Crush

“I can explain,” I began.

“Can you,Max, if that’s yourrealname? Do you also want to explain why one of the skeletons in your closet just called your phone?” She was suddenly bone white, and I hated that I had caused that.

“So, she called me. It doesn’t mean anything.”

She barked out a laugh, “Really? A girl you’ve been shagging whom you let down recently is calling your phone again. And you tried to hide the screen from me.”

I shook my head, feeling exasperated, “You have trust issues, Amber,” I replied with ahuff.

“Clearly. And with good reason. So do you, if you’ve taken my phone to go through it. Checking for Rory Hopton’s number by any chance? I should have known you’d stoop to stalking being the control freak you are.”

“Don’t talk to me like you don’t know me at all,” I snapped, feeling that original unbridgeable gulf stretch between us.

Amber shot me a scornful look, “But I don’t, not really. You said you’re being nice to me because I’m letting you and I now think that’s all bullshit.”

“So, what’s your theory then?”

“I don’t know. You’re being extra nice out of guilt. Maybe you still have your fuck buddy arrangement. And if you do, that’s fine. But be honest about it. It’s not like we’re exclusive or anything,” Amber said in a tight voice but I could hear the sadness.

I glanced around as another couple walked past, “It’s not about that damn it.”

She pointed a finger at me, “Well, actions speak louder than words. How dare you take my phone? What’s next, stalking in person and warning everyone to stay away from me?”

“I haven’t warnedanyoneoff you,” I snapped. Well, not recently.

She lifted her chin. “I know you fired Rory because of me. You’ll be trying to get rid of my friends next. Is that what Luca is doing with Mia? I should have seen you as someone who would eventually try and gaslight me.”

Fuck, she’d got it entirely wrong. Yes, I could be a control freak but manipulating and stalker-like intentions, hell no. I knew she was giving me a shopping list of Harker’s personality and it pissed me the hell off. How dare she compare me to that piece of shit.

How that vein in my temple didn’t explode was a miracle. I’d had enough of this girl yanking my dick. “Don’t tar me with the same brush as that fucker.”

“With the same brush as who?”

“That significant other who was in your life, who pretty much fucked you up,” I snarled. Just talking about him made me see red.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she lied. I could see from the panic on her face that I had unearthed something.

“Enough with the cat and mouse shit. IknowAmber,” I growled beneath my breath, glancing around at the other guests on the dance floor. It probably wasn’t the best place to call her out but I’d lost my patience and let’s face it, I was the least enduring out of everyone I knew.

I felt Amber stiffen, “You knowwhat?” Her pretty eyes were doused with curiosity and that usual caginess.

Well, guess what sweetheart, those bars are coming down.

I took a minute to calm myself. Yelling at her in public wasn’t the best way forward. Clearing my throat I replied, “I know about him. The man who took you when you were fifteen.” My tone sharpened at the end of that sentence. Whenever I thought about what that cocksucker had done, I felt like smashing something.

Amber tugged herself out of my arms and took another step back. “Excuse me?” Luckily, we were out of earshot of the other guests and a large plant pot obscured us slightly. Everyone was oblivious to thepossible fallout from the bomb I had just released in their vicinity.

I rolled my shoulders, and took her gently by the arm, leading her away and towards an alcove beside the dance floor. Her body was stiff but she came with me.

It was quieter there and I could hear myself think. When I turned her to face me, she drew back. I rolled my eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t fall out of the back of my head. “You don’t have to hide it from me, I’m here for you. Iknow about Harker and about what he did to you,” I reassured her, attempting to stroke her cheek with my knuckles but she flinched.

“I doubt that very much,” she said under her breath.

I remained silent, giving her time to digest my words.

Amber’s eyes flashed and her lips tightened into a thin line. She wasn’t happy. “Who told you?” She crossed her arms over her chest; her entire frame now screamed defensive and I hated the fact that I had shit on our night. Breakfast with her so wasn’t going to happen now.

She wasn’t happy that I had outed her biggest skeleton but I was done pretending. Amber would have to deal with it.

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