Trace of Innocence | Sweet and Sour (Book 4)

Chapter 46

(No Control | Holding Me Ransom - 46 - The Proof Is In This Song)

Aside from being kicked out of Jess's flat in favour of the Wicked Witch of the West, I take the events of the last hour as progress in our relationship, and think of nothing else all the way home. I am slightly bothered that she only wants me again after she thought I belonged to somebody else (the classic want-what-you-can't-have scenario) but I vow to ask her about this at the earliest opportunity.

I am also quietly mortified about my, er, 'overexcitement' on the sofa. Never in my life have I let myself get so carried away whilst still fully dressed, and every time I think about it I feel a prickle of uncomfortable heat throughout my whole body. When it happened, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Luckily Jess saw the funny side and seemed to be laughing at the whole situation rather than at me, but the humiliation still stings, and probably will for days, months, years to come. I pray silently that this never ever gets mentioned again.

I arrive home and jog straight upstairs to shower and change. Once I am warm and snuggly in a clean pair of joggers I settle in front of the TV and pick up my phone. I have a message from Jess that makes me smile and cringe at the same time:

Did you get home OK? Change your boxers? ;) x

Oh God. Please let this not become a standing joke between us. I don't think my ego could handle it.

Yeah, I type back. Let's never mention that again. Ever. xx

Her reply is immediate.

Haha! Sorry we couldn't talk tonight, and thanks for all the stuff you brought round for me. That was incredibly sweet. Even Callie is warming to you x

Oh God - what has that demon been saying about me? I type so fast I can barely see my fingers move.

What did she say?

In my haste, I forget to add kisses on the end but Jess doesn't seem to notice.

She said you weren't that bad. Believe me, that's progress. Got to go now x

I send three kisses back in response, as I don't want to seem like I'm needy, or disturbing her evening, and turn my gaze back to the TV while my mind whirrs at a thousand miles per hour.

Callie doesn't trust me - that much is clear. Callie is also the closest person to Jess, which means she could potentially have a lot of sway. If I am going to win Jess back, I need her best friend on side, or her approval at the very least. It's not only Jess I have to convince that I am trustworthy, it's Callie too.

My previous conversations with Callie haven't gone particularly well. She told me to fuck off, if I remember rightly, and also said she would have ripped my Green Bay hoodie to shreds if it were up to her. I haven't tried to contact her since, but now I have seen her in the flesh I can't help wondering if this is a good opportunity to try and make a connection with her again, and see if she will give me Jess's stuff back. Not right this minute, obviously, as she is with Jess. But after saying I will text her, I want to stay true to my word.

As I am pondering all this, my phone lights up with a call. It's Louis.

"Lewis," I greet him.

"Harold," he answers. "Got your dick wet yet?"

Sore point. There is not enough money in the world that could convince me to share this evening's little mishap with Louis.

"Don't be crude," I reply.

"She's got you so whipped," he laughs.

If only he knew.

"Change the record," I sigh. "What do you want?"