Page 29 of Chasing Storm
“Back up,” I growl, getting pissed off at the accusation. “I haven’t done anything. Who is your source?”
We glare at each other for a few seconds. “I can’t say, but she saw you and Emma inelitelast night with your tongues down each other's throats and your hand up her skirt.”
“Emma?” I spit out and shudder. “Emma Franks?”
She nods warily as my temper has just shot into the red zone.
“Thatch?” JP asks carefully.
“No!” I say, jabbing the table with my finger so hard, I think I might break it. “Whoever told you that is a liar and looking for trouble. Tell me right now who it was.” I wouldn’t touch Emma with a barge pole. Not anymore. Not since she cheated on me seven years ago before I moved in with JP. We were serious, despite being so young. High school sweethearts and all that rubbish. I wanted to marry her, and I thought that is what she wanted as well until she fell into bed with her brother’s best friend.
“Was it Emma?” I ask coldly.
Cassidy blinks. Her face has changed, so I think she knows she’s messed up, and that her ‘source’ has lied.
“Was it?” I ask, my voice getting louder.
She sighs. “Yeah, it was. I literally ran into her on my way here, and when she found out I was coming to meet you, she couldn’t wait to tell me.”
“It’s a lie,” I say quietly. “I said I wouldn’t do that to Storm, and I meant it, regardless of the fact that she doesn’t even know I exist yet.”
“Sorry,” Cassidy murmurs. “You know how the rumour mill is around Notting Hill.”
The table goes quiet. I’m seething. I want to confront Emma about this and ask what the fuck she is playing at. She doesn’t get to fuck with my life anymore. Even if she didn’t know about Storm and how we are serious about her, she knew Cassidy was coming to meet me and deliberately messed with her.
“Let’s forget this and get back to ways we can get Storm to see us for who we really are,” JP says quietly, punching me lightly on the arm. His version of a hug. He knows that Emma destroyed me and that I have trust issues now. It’s why I saw red earlier when I thought about Storm with another guy. Even though she is single and free to do whoever and whatever she likes, in my mind, she is already ours.
“Romance,” Cassidy says. “She is a hopeless romantic. I’m not giving you ammo. Figure it out yourselves. But know that if you woo her like in the Romantic Comedy movies she loves so much, you will get her attention. I guarantee it.”
I nod stiffly, still fuming but trying to get over it to pay attention. “Is she allergic to anything?” I ask.
Silence at the table, but then Cassidy lets out a loud laugh. “No.”
“What are her don’ts?”
“Not telling you that. Figure this shit out for yourselves, boys,” she says, standing up. “I’ve gotta dash. Storm will be back in business the day after tomorrow, she says. I look forward to your efforts and will drop a word now and again in her ear about how well you’re doing…or not.”
She laughs again, and with a waggle of her fingers, she’s gone.
“Well, this sucks. Now what?” Josh asks. “The only thing we know is that she drinks Vodka tonic, likes rom-coms and her response to a kiss will make your knees weak.”
“Not a lot to go on,” I growl again, riled up now and being reminded of Josh’s kiss with her is aggravating me.
“Come on, lads,” JP says enthusiastically. I think he is enjoying this way more than we are. “If we pull our fingers out, we can get it together. Josh, you know her mum. Find out what Storm’s favourite song is next time you speak to her. Can you do that?”
Josh nods slowly. “I suppose…”
“And you,” JP homes in on me. “Get your head out of your arse and book an event atelitefor two weeks’ time. We are going to give Storm Rivers the night of her life and show her we are not some dumb himbos. We’ve got this.”
Buoyed by his well-known pep, I cheer up a bit and start to get excited. “Heart-shaped balloons and rose petals on the floor. That’s romantic, right?”
I receive two blank looks back.
My heart sinks again. “Right?”
19
STORM
