Page 39 of Count On Me

I need to let all of this pent up anger and frustration out before I get there, though, and lose my mind and the client. Unfortunately, poor Angie is just the woman for the venting job.

“Calm down. Explain to me what the problem is. You love fairytales,” Angie whispers back. She’s at work, and I know her boss hates her having personal calls during working hours, but I had to call her. This is her fault after all. It’s really not, but I like having someone to blame whose name isn’t me.

“Right, okay. For starters, Red isn’t romantically involved with The Big Bad Wolf. And she’s the epitome of innocence and everything childlike. Thus proving that the man I’m head over heels in love with still sees me as Eddie, the freckle faced, ginger, eight-year-old girl he first met.” I pause to get a breath and notice the little old lady standing next to me. With her tight white curls and little red framed glasses she looks sweet and innocent, and like she’s listening a little too intently to my conversation. Unperturbed, I continue, “He could’ve chosen someone sexy. But why would he? He obviously doesn’t see me like that.”

Angie scoffs loudly, mutters ‘fucking idiot’ and then ‘shit’ as I hear a low, gravelly voice ask what she’s doing. “Erm, just looking for this, er, this, paperclip! Yep, paperclip. It’s my favourite one, you see.”

I bite my lip to stop the laughter from bubbling out in case her boss hears me, and notice Mrs. Red-glasses is smirking too. Thankfully I hear him mutter something that sounds like ‘peculiar woman’ and wait for Angie to speak so I know it’s safe.

“Fuck, that was close. He may think I’m an absolute loon, but at least he didn’t catch me on the phone. One day I’m going to actually be offered a job in PR that isn’t paper pushing. Now, what were you saying?”

“I was saying, he chose a non-sexy character for me to be. He could've chosen a couple who were madly in love, but, no, he chooses a pair from a fairytale, designed for kids. It’s a bloody joke, Angie. I thought I’d gotten through to him. Why doesn’t he fancy me?” I whine a little down the phone and baulk as Mrs. Red-glasses rolls her eyes at me. I try to fix her with my most scary glower, but she smirks again and moves closer to me.

“Sweet Justin Bieber, he does fancy you, Edie. I’ve seen him pop a chub when he’s around you on many occasions. Maybe he doesn’t want his friends ogling you.”

“Angie, men can pop a chub for no reason at all. Just because you’ve spotted one or two on him when he’s been around me doesn’t mean he fancies me,” I retort back and watch as Mrs. Red-glasses giggles at our terminology.

“Listen, Edie. I haven’t got time for this. We both know he fancies you. And if he doesn’t know it yet, we’ll make him realise it at this bloody party. He wants Red Riding Hood, you give him Red Riding Hood. No one mentioned you had to be little. Let’s show him what happened when Little Red grew up, shall we? Tonight, we shop!”

She pauses slightly and I can hear the smirk in her voice as she purrs, “Forget Prince Charming and go for the wolf instead. He can see you better, hear you better, and eat you better too.” I splutter as she giggles softly and before I can respond she’s telling me, “Now, I have to go. Grumpy bollocks is giving me the ‘if you don’t get off that phone your arse is so fired’ look. And you and I both know I can’t afford to be unemployed. I really don’t want to resort to posting pictures of my feet online for subscribers.”

Before I can say bye, she hangs up, and I stare at my phone in disbelief.

“She’s right, you know.” I turn my head slightly to see Mrs. Red-glasses staring at me. “Your friend. She’s right. If he wants Red Riding Hood give him Red Riding Hood. Wear some smoking hot red heels, paint your lips red, and strap those stunning curves of yours into a figure hugging dress, and BOOM! He’ll be eating out the palm of your hand. And hopefully other places too.” Her cackle rings through the bus as I stare at her with my mouth gaping open.

She rings the bell for the driver to stop at the next bus stop and I shake my head and giggle as she winks and blows me a kiss from the pavement as the doors close. I wonder if you can adopt grandparents?

23

JAXSON

I’m sweating my fucking balls off. Why did I think it was a good idea to wear a full-on wolf costume to this thing? Fucking Jordan, that’s why. I couldn’t stand the idea of him ogling Edie in a sexy costume. And even though I know she’ll be the sexiest woman at this party regardless of what she’s wearing, I know Jordan won’t if he doesn’t see tits and ass. Little Red Riding Hood seemed like a safe bet.

Angie suggested it, so I know Edie will approve too. But now, as I’m waiting for her to open her front door in a wolf's body with a checked shirt on and holding my furry head under my arm, I’m questioning my choices.

As the door flies open, I quickly change my frown into a smile, ready to see the lady who’s had my heart in her hand since we were eight years old.

Instead, I see a grinning Angie. “Hi, Wolfy. How are you?” She opens her arms for a hug, but instead of embracing her, I frown and tilt my head in question.

“What’s going on? Why are you being nice to me?” I question and sidestep her outstretched arms. Angie never tries to hug me unless it's to stick gum in my hair or put a sticker on my backor something childish like that. She’s always messing with me. I don’t let it get to me too much. I grew up with Jenson and Penny, the King and Queen of Pranks, so I’ve had a lot of practice brushing it off. Maybe after our little café adventure, she’s warming up to me a little. I tentatively step into her embrace and she pats my back and chuckles at my frown with a shake of her head.

“Is it so wrong to want to hug my bestie’s bestie?”

“It is when you’re the one issuing hugs.”

You’re paranoid, Brady.” She grins maniacally and I step back and try to see if she placed anything on my back. “Edie’s just finishing getting ready.”

“How come you aren't out tonight anyway?” I step into their living room and relish in the fact that it feels like Edie in here. My body relaxes a fraction, and, as her scent hits my nostrils, a sense of happiness like no other consumes me. Giggles bring me back to reality and I commence frowning at Angie.

“Best friends my arse. I’m off out in a bit. I’m meeting a few friends in the pub. We’re having an anti-date night. I’ve told Edie to join us when you piss her off, which you inevitably will do.” She sashays over to the sink and grabs a glass off the side and fills it up with cold water.

“I won’t piss her off tonight. I’ve known her longer than you have. I know how to have a good time with her.”

“Fucking idiot,” she murmurs against the glass again, and I glare at her harder.

“Is Eddie’s friend Tom gonna be out with you tonight?” I ask through gritted teeth, instantly regretting it when she smirks at me, mischief dancing in her eyes.

“Why, Brady, are you jealous our Edie has otherfriends? And yes, Tom will be with me tonight. It’swhyI told Edie to come after. He likes her a lot, you know?”

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