Amazing Love Story (NG1)

24- Regret?

Matthew smiled when he received the text from Victoria asking about a walk on Monday afternoon. He wanted to see her, but he also wanted to talk about their mutual friends. He felt guilty for encouraging Brady to drink.

The poor guy looked like death on Sunday morning. When he saw his phone, he cried. Matthew didn't know how to handle crying women, never mind a crying man.

Brady sobbed, "She's going to think I'm a jerk and an idiot."

"No, she knows you're not either of those things. You need a greasy breakfast and to drink lots of water. I hope you don't have anything you need to do today, because if I were you I'd go back to bed once you get home."

"She's here on the Point. If this was before, she would come over to climb into my bed. I'd open my eyes to see her face." He shut his eyes as if experiencing the memory. His face went from content to contorted in seconds. "How can I live without her?"

"I felt the same way, mate. Penelope wasn't perfect. She was a horrible slob and would cross the street to avoid a person in need, but I loved her and she was mine. At least, I thought she was. Now she appears to be my former best mate."

"If you go near Lily, I'll..."

Matthew laughed. "I promise. I will only be kind to her. She's a cute gal, but I'm through with blondes."

His taste had changed to redheads, but he wasn't about to share. Was he so pissed he was hearing things, or did Brady say Victoria was no longer with her boyfriend?

Matthew bought egg sandwiches with extra bacon from Ricky. Brady slumped on the settee, looking at his phone.

"Tell me you didn't text her again."

He nodded. "Just sorry, because I am sorry for everything I did wrong."

"Lily's the one who should feel sorry."

Brady was halfway through his sandwich but hadn't touched his coffee. "This is so good, but don't say anything about Lily. She doesn't deserve it."

Matthew shook his head. "I didn't mean anything by it."

Unlike Brady, Matthew had a list of bad things to say about Penny. The difference was Lily didn't kiss someone else. She made a choice she was free to make. Brady would have trouble getting over her if he didn't eventually get angry. Mourning a relationship was like mourning a death.

Matthew hadn't been able to clear his mind of Brady and Lily. He hated to capitalize on someone else's pain, but part of his romance was forgiveness after hurting each other. He thought he would use the hurt he felt for Penny, but Brady's was rawer. Matthew's hurt had been smoothed off around the edges with time, a new venue, and a new muse. Even the realisation that Penny was still with the wanker didn't bother him. In his mind, he had already assumed as much.

As he waited for Victoria in the afternoon sun, he felt his heart skipping a beat. He hadn't seen her since she told him about their friends' break up. He had a list of things he wanted to share. Top of the list was her single status, but that thought caused his gut to churn.

Once again he heard her, but instead of Journey, it was REO Speedwagon blaring. His theory was she used the music to block out the noises her old vehicle made, including the ones coming from the muffler. That part was not doing its job because the sound wasn't muffled.

He watched as she stopped on the street. From his vantage point, it was hard to see, but she talked to someone. When she drove away to pull into the car park, she left a puff of smoke behind her. When the smoke cleared, Matthew watched a man return to cutting the grass. A truck and trailer were parked on the street. His heart pounded. Hadn't she said her guy, the one Brady didn't like, was a landscaper. Maybe Brady was wrong about her. Lily had confirmed it, he reminded himself. Regardless, she walked towards him with a strained look on her face. She dropped the leash a few metres away and Bear ran right to him. At least her dog was familiar with him.