Page 49 of Perfect

She said she was feeling really good about herself and that she was actually enjoying having some space.

I wasn’t sure how to take that at first, if I went home and she’d turned my room into a gym the shit would hit it. She also explained that Phil from the supermarket was due to come over and that they would share a pizza and then watch the British Bake Off together. I held back my grim reply, Phil had a bit of a body odour issue but he was pleasant enough for an old person. I batted the spiteful thought aside and we said our goodbyes. When had I become such a bitch?

My phone pinged and I swiped the screen to see I had a message from Tom. He was apologising again for the party and asked how I was. I ignored his question and decided to use this as an opportunity to raise a few questions of my own.

Everything is fine. By the way, do you know if Connor is on any medication?

I dropped onto the bed as I awaited his reply.

Why do you ask?

It appeared he was still a ‘typical guy’ answering a question with a question. I batted down my annoyance.

Someone at the party said something about him ‘not taking his meds’, I’m just being nosey. It would explain a lot is all.

I popped a LOL emoji at the end, so I didn’t appear overly concerned.

I didn’t hear that, good job Connor didn’t either.

I frowned before keying in.Why? My curiosity was bubbling towards the boil.

It seemed like forever before he responded and I moodily eyed the ‘Tom is Typing’ icon. Of course, he was answering me in boy time.

He’s really private about stuff like that.

I went in for the kill and repeated my question.

So, he is on medication?

I pulled my phone guiltily into my chest and eyed the door as footsteps passed my room. Connor’s door banged shut and his usual shit music started up.

I glanced back at my iPhone.Yeah, for three years now, I think?Tom had responded.

‘Tom is Typing’ appeared again and I held off my reply.

I shouldn’t really say any more to be honest. I don’t want him to go crazy on my ass. You haven’t seen him when he loses his shit.

The next conversation was a bit back and forth and I found it incredibly frustrating.

What are they for?I texted without shame, I needed to know.

You can’t say anything if I tell you.

I chewed the inside of my cheek as I typed in my reply.I won’t say a word. We don’t have a close type of relationship so why would I? Spill it Wade.

Eventually,he caved.

They’re to chill him out, calm him down. Surely, you’ve noticed he has serious anger management issues.

The penny still didn’t drop.I thought about the harsh conversations I’d had with him and yes, he’d been a mean bastard but apart from the party, I hadn’t actually seen him lose his shit to an extreme degree. Even at the anniversary do, when he had been downright rude, he’d been calm and controlled the whole time.

I thumbed in my reply.

Nope. Not really. Nathan’s was the first time I’d seen him kick-off and it wasn’t THAT bad. He’s a shit to me most of the time, but he doesn’t seem overly aggressive.

I shuffled across the bed and plugged my charger in as the phone beeped to notify me that the battery was low.

Tom messaged again.

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