Page 74 of Versions Of Us

“So…what do you say?” EJ holds his hands up in mock prayer. “I don’t have a show without you.”

“You sure you want to share the stage with the town pariah?” I’m not just asking EJ but Levi too.

Levi shrugs. EJ persists. “Come on, dude. People will come around.”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I’ll think about it.”

I can’t deny it. I’m tempted. Playing with EJ today has made me feel alive again. Performing on stage would make me feel human again.

“Cool. Like I said, no pressure.” EJ picks his guitar back up and hangs it around his neck. Then he holds up a finger to the air. “Also, a little bit of pressure. It’s for charity.”

“It’s for charity?” I groan.

“All proceeds go to the Cliff Haven Helpline,” he explains. “Now there’s one way to get back into Kristen’s good books.”

I shake my head at this attempt to convince me. I know it’s going to take a lot more than performing at a charity gig to get back into Kristen’s good graces.

With EJ knowing half my secret, it’s only a matter of time before everyone does.

I used to fear irrational things.

Like flying, getting eaten by sharks and being caught in claustrophobic spaces.

Now I fear the day that Kristen discovers the darkest parts of me.

Chapter 32

KRISTEN

“You got plans for today?” Mackenzie asks as she swallows the last mouthful of toast from her plate.

She still sounds mopey, but I can appreciate her attempt at small talk after how sullen and angsty she’s been since she first moved in. It’s been almost a week since she took up residence in my apartment and I haven’t really had much of a chance to talk to her, thanks to my busy schedule at the Haven and the extra shift I pulled at the helpline last night. It’s left me feeling guilty but unfortunately, I don’t have time to work on our bond today either.

“I do,” I answer, regretfully. “Chase is picking me up in about ten minutes.”

“You spend a lot of time with Chase. Is he your boyfriend?” she asks inquisitively.

I laugh. “No. He isn’t.”

“But youwanthim to be your boyfriend.”

I turn my attention to her, my eyes narrow with curiosity.

“No,” I say bluntly. “He’s just a really good friend.”

“Huh,” she muses, a frown overtaking her brow. “You guys just seemed extra friendly when he came to pick you up for uni yesterday.”

“Well, we are friendly. Because we’re friends,” I say matter-of-factly. Her eyes follow me as I wander over to the kitchen sink, my coffee cup in hand. The suspicion in her gaze makes me feel as though I need to offer her some form of an explanation. “Look, you’re right. It isn’t your business. But Chase and I went on a couple of dates a few months ago. He was into me, and I guess I didn’t see the harm in us hanging out. But we realised we were better as friends. And that’s all we’ve been ever since.”

“Cool story,” she says sarcastically, as if she didn’t probe me for the answer I’ve given.

And we’re back to square one.

“What about you?” I ask, taking her plate from the table.

“What about me?”

“Do you have a boyfriend? Did you leave some poor guy lost and heartbroken when you came to Cliff Haven?”

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