Page 14 of Only Ever Yours
A wide grin spread across my face just watching her.
Hollis held out her hand. “Come and dance with me.”
With a shake of my head and an eye roll, I took her hand and twirled her around under my arm before pulling her in tight against me. We moved together to the song, our bodies almost as one. I wrestled with my conscience, trying to keep my hands off her arse and enjoying how she fitted perfectly into me.
This is not how tonight should go. Remember what Finn said.
I wouldn’t do anything to mess up our friendship. We’d been close for years, closer than brothers at times, but Icouldn’t deny my attraction to Hollis. And if she kept grinding against me, the attraction would be all too obvious. Reluctantly, I spun her away from me. She stumbled as I did so, clamping a hand to her mouth. Instantly, I knew what was about to happen. Grabbing her, I took her away from the dance floor and towards the bathrooms. Pushing in front of two girls who were about to go in, I justified myself. “My girlfriend’s about to be sick. Please let me through.”
Instantly, they moved out of the way; no one wants to be covered in someone else’s vomit. Thankfully, one of the cubicles was free, and I queue-jumped again to get Hollis inside just in time. Pulling her hair out of the way, I massaged the back of her neck while she retched. After a couple of minutes, it subsided, and she sniffled through tears as she straightened up.
“Thanks, Jase. You shouldn’t have had to see that.” Tearing off some toilet roll, she wiped her mouth before flushing it away. “I’m so sorry.” Hollis dropped her head. “And totally embarrassed. You haven’t seen me in ages, and I end up throwing up right in front of you.”
“Hey, don’t be sorry. Finn tells me you’ve had a rough time, and if this”—I gestured to the cubicle—“is your way of dealing with it, who am I to judge?” Brushing her hair away from her face, I smiled. “Do you want a drink?”
She wrinkled her nose, managing to look cute even in her current state. “Ugh, seriously?”
“Water, Hollis. I meant water.”
“I think water would be a very good idea.”
Unlike the thoughts I harboured about her, which ranked as being a verybadidea.
Chapter Five
Hollis
It had been a long time since I’d been out on quite such a wild evening. Nights out in London certainly hadn’t ended with me throwing up in the toilets, and the following days hadn’t heralded the hangover from hell I was suffering either. Thank God for Jase looking after me. If he hadn’t been there, I didn’t know what would have happened. Gil would certainly never have held my hair while I vomited the contents of my stomach. Jase always looked out for me even when we were younger.
I was currently the only one up and out of bed, sitting on the sofa, a blanket wrapped around my legs, with a black-and-white film on in the background as I scrolled through my socials. There were pictures of work colleagues on a night out, an inspirational quote posted by Ella, then something that made me stop in my tracks. A picture of Gil with his arm around the shoulders of a black-haired woman, who looked a few years younger than me. The caption was “Lovely evening with a lovely lady,” accompanied by a heart-eyed emoji and a couple of hashtags, #newlove #firstdate. If I hadn’t already been feeling ropey afterlast night’s drinking, the whole thing would have still brought bile to my throat. I lifted a hand to my mouth, taking several deep breaths to quell the nausea. Scanning the post again, I wondered if he’d tagged her. Maybe I could DM her and warn her off.
Ugh. Not my circus any longer.
A new message popped up on screen.
Ella
You have to come as my plus one to Barney and Lenora’s wedding! I was meant to have a new man by then to show Finn what he’s missing, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen. And PLEASE come on the hen night…
I almost laughed out loud. When we’d been out the previous evening, Barney and Lenora had both apologised to me because they couldn’t invite me to the wedding because of numbers. Apparently, Finn and Jase had both turned down the opportunity of inviting a guest as they were both single and a part of the wedding party. I had to admit, the thought of Jase in full morning suit was a turn-on.
You’ll have to let me know the dates so I can come back x
As I sent the message, a pang of something hit me. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what. It wouldn’t be long before I’d be heading back to London, back to work, and back to trying to avoid Gil. Being around old friends last night had been everything I didn’t know I needed. The familiarity, the easy banter, not having to look over my shoulder.
Ella
Absolutely! What are you up to today? Want to go out tonight? x
I’m still suffering from last night. Not sure I can do two nights in a row anymore, lol! How about lunch tomorrow if you’re not working? X
Ella
Sounds good, I’ll message you in the morning. Have a good day x
Smiling, I tossed the phone to one side and tried to focus on the film instead.
Footsteps on the stairs diverted my attention to the living room door. Jase wandered into the living room, dressed in grey sweatpants which hung off his hips and a dark blue hoodie. His hair appeared wet, like he’d freshly showered. “Hey, Hollis. Are you okay after last night? You look a bit pale.”
