Page 24 of Matched Up

‘I’ve never had sex on the beach, have you?’

I shook my head and put the glass down on a table.‘Nope.’

I heard a laugh.Loud.Exaggerated.Zoe.

‘Zoe totally wants sex on the beach with him.’Amina pointed towards the corner of the room.

I followed her drunken finger towards a cream-velvet sofa in a low-lit corner of the kitchen.There he was.Same top from earlier, different track bottoms, different trainers.Smiling at whatever Zoe had said.Her leg was touching his.Then she waswhisperingsomething to him.That bitch.

I almost forgot Amina was hanging on to me as I moved towards them.She stumbled and I had to catch her, but her other arm knocked a pint of beer all over the kitchen floor.

‘Shit,’ I said, seizing my moment.‘Zoe,’ I called loudly, ‘is there something we can use to clean this up?’

Zoe got up and a flash ofpissed offclouded her face, but it had disappeared by the time she reached me, and the trademark smile was back.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Amina said.

‘Don’t worry.I’ll get the mop.Go, enjoy yourself.’She smiled at me.‘Such a shame you couldn’t come earlier Lexie.Shane ended up coming an hour early, so me and Amina got to know him a bit, which was cool.’

I couldn’t tell if she was trying to rub it in my face or if she was genuinely disappointed I couldn’t make it.But by the time Zoe and Amina had disappeared for a mop and I looked backat Shane, Niall, Hunter and Megan were standing in front of him.Shit.

I walked over, dreading to think what Niall was saying.

‘Why don’t you just fuck off back to Ferndale?’Niall said, his tone harsh and cold.I cringed.

‘Your coach asked me to come to Westing,’ Shane said, sipping from a can of Coke, seemingly unfazed.

‘Harrison?Big fucking deal.Remember the last kid he recruited?’Niall laughed and elbowed Hunter.

‘Lasted a week,’ replied Hunter.‘What do you reckon, Niall?Bet on it?That he doesn’t last the season.’

‘He won’t last the month,’ Niall scoffed, and I couldn’t make any excuses for him this time.I hated what he was doing.I watched him empty half a bottle of beer down his throat.

Megan was standing by his side looking awkward.She didn’t even tell him to stop.

‘What’s happening?’Zoe was back, looking at Niall and Hunter.

I couldn’t speak.Humiliated that my own brother could act like that.

‘I’ll take that bet.’Shane held out his hand and stared at Niall.

Niall took his hand, no doubt squeezing as hard as he could.

I saw Megan tugging at Niall’s arm.Hunter had been distracted by Amina walking past in her mini-skirt, and as he moved he put Shane in my eyeline.I hadn’t noticed that about Hunter, the way it was like he couldn’t help himself staring.At Megan, at me, at Amina, and it made my stomach lurch.And as if he could sense me thinking about him, he looked up and winked.I glared back, hating myself for not saying anything.

‘Oh my God, Shane, are you OK?’Zoe was all over him now.

He laughed.‘It’s fine.I didn’t expect it to be a walk in the park.’

‘I can make them leave if you want?’Zoe said.She was hanging on to his arm now and I needed her to stop.

‘Nah, it’s fine.I reckon that would make things worse.And I’ll have to head soon anyway.’

‘You’re so right.Clever too.Amazing.Let me get you a drink.’

Then she disappeared.So I took my chance.

‘Hey, I’m really sorry about that,’ I said, moving close enough that I didn’t have to shout over the music.

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