Page 123 of When We Were Young

Emily sat up on the bed. ‘You know, because I heard you shouting at him.’

‘He’s hammered––’

‘He said you spent the night with Christie Blackmore.’

Will tensed, his gaze darting around.

Emily’s stomach dropped. ‘So, it’s true.’

He paced around the side of the bed, running a hand through his hair. ‘I can explain.’

Emily’s laugh was hollow.

‘It was nothing. We didn’t even kiss.’

‘What does that mean? Whatdidyou do then?’

‘I was drunk. She came on to me. I tried to stop her…’

White heat shot through her. ‘But what? She overpowered you? All eight stone of her?’

‘I didn’t touch her.’

‘Butshetouchedyou?’

Will blinked and swallowed.

‘I see.’ Emily felt sick.

‘I didn’t know what was happening until it was happening.’

‘Oh, come on! Don’t be so naïve.’

‘I didn’t even enjoy––’ He stopped himself too late.

‘So it doesn’t count?’

‘Ah, I’m not explaining this properly…’ He dropped to his knees, elbows on the bed. ‘I made a mistake. I’m so, so, so sorry. It meant absolutely nothing, and I promise it will never happen again.’

Her eyes burned. ‘This isn’t… this isn’t what I want… this isn’t the kind of relationship I want to be in.’

‘Emily, please…’ He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. ‘It was nothing. It was a mistake. A misunderstanding. I mean, it was Christie Blackmore…’

‘What the fuck does that mean?’

‘Up till then, I’d been one hundred percent faithful to you while Reu and Matty have been…’

‘What? What have they been doing?’

His voice was small. ‘You know what.’

‘I knew you’d end up resenting me.’

‘I don’t resent you. This situation, this lifestyle – it’s not like real life, that’s all I’m saying. If I wanted to play around, I could have. But I didn’t. That’s the difference between Matty and Reu, and me. I didn’t want to because I have you.’

She leapt from the bed. ‘You don’t get brownie points for only being unfaithful once, Will.’

‘That’s not what––’