Page 63 of Promise Me Ever After
“How about you? You work with Fraser?” Given the way Gus had huffed and puffed during the paint balling session, I didn’t exactly see him as a rugby player.
“That’s right. I’m one of the Bristol contingent. There aren’t too many of us here tonight though, other commitments.” He copied my poppadum eating. “Russ, Mike and Brian are joining tomorrow.”
At the sound of the name Russ, my hand froze in mid-air on the way to the lime pickle again.
Georgie’s ex.
Even though I didn’t know the guy, there was a part of me that wanted to punch his lights out for what he’d done to Georgie. Swallowing down the poppadum lodged in my throat, I took a swig of beer.
“How do you know Fraser?” Gus went on, oblivious to my discomfort. “I know you’re not one of the Lane and Parks guys. You play rugby?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know Fraser all that well, to be honest.” I paused. “I’m dating Darcy’s sister.”
Gus’s jaw dropped. “You’re Georgie’s new boyfriend?” He nudged the guy sitting on his other side and leaned close to him to mutter something in his ear.
The guy glanced at me and gave me the once over. “He’s a bit different to Russ.”
“I am here, you know.” Pissed off that they were judging without even having spoken to me, I downed more beer.
“Yeah,” said Gus. “It’s just you’re different to what I would have expected. Fraser mentioned something about Georgie seeing someone new.”
Christ, I hadn’t predicted this lot to gossip more than my sister and her friends. “And what would you have expected?”
The guy the other side of Gus leaned over. “You’re younger for a start.”
“There’s only four years between us, hardly anything to get worked up about.” I snorted, not knowing quite why I was defending myself.
“Not exactly full of professional aspirations either.”
What the fuck did that matter? “Perhaps one day I’ll open my own restaurant.” I shrugged, not really caring what they thought anyway.
The other guy let out a hearty chuckle. “Quite the Gordon Ramsay, aren’t you?” He nudged Gus in the ribs. “Wait until Russ hears about this.”
I always knew I wasn’t going to be going on to the club with them, but I didn’t think I’d walk out on dinner. There was no way I was going to sit around listening to them cutting me down, insinuating I wasn’t good enough for Georgie. She was worth a hell of a lot more to me. Pushing my chair back, I stood up and went over to Fraser, leaning down to hiss into his ear.
“Gotta go, buddy. Something’s come up. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
He looked up at me, then held out his hand. “Sorry to hear that, mate. You sure you can’t stay? I know we haven’t talked much today, but we can catch up at the club later?”
Firmly, I shook my head. “I think it’s best if I go now, Fraser. I’ll see you at the wedding.”
Without taking a look back over my shoulder, I walked out. My stomach growled and a part of me wished I’d have at least stayed for the main course. Blinking signs a little further along the road signalled a burger joint. Pushing the door to go in, the place was filled with a mixture of families enjoying a late tea and tables of teenagers; either groups of lads messing about or mixed groups pretending they weren’t interested in each other. It reminded me so much of my teenage years with Curtis and Justin, when we got the bus into town to see if we could score with the girls from the school in the next town over. I felt much more at home here.
“What can I get you?” asked the server.
I glanced up at the menu. “Burger with the works, fries and a large Coke.” No beers. I’d have to stop at the supermarket on the way back to the B&B to stock up instead.
“You got it.”
I paid and waited for my order. Less than five minutes later, it arrived, and I took my tray to a quiet table in one corner. It took me less time to polish off the burger. Damn, it was good. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out.
Georgie: What trouble are you getting into? Please tell me I don’t have to come and bail you out… xxx
Thankfully, I’d left the restaurant before I ended up punching someone. She would definitely have had to come and bail me out if I’d have stayed.
Alex: Actually, I left…
Georgie: What? Why? What did Fraser say?
