lies

six

Justin

Brooke leaves on a high, like she's not just fucked me over. It's bad enough that I have to see Savannah every day this week, but now, I have to spend the evening with her, too. I can't keep my cool with her, and it's doing my head in.

Max and Toby would love this.

I'm back in the storeroom, unpacking yet another box of fucking flat-pack crap. In the studio, I can hear Heidi and Savannah talking. I can't quite make out what they're saying, but I think Heidi is telling Savannah that it's fine she comes tonight.

Why she doesn't think it's fine after being invited, I'll never fucking know.

Something isn't right with her. After Freya, who I didn't see through until it was too late, I'm always on high alert.

"Justin, do you want a coffee?" Savannah asks.

I look up from the pile of cardboard. She's holding on to the doorframe, peering around the corner. Her dark blonde hair is around her face, falling halfway down past her breasts.

Gulping, I reply, "Please."

She disappears, and I sit back on the floor.

Why does she wind me up so much?

She's nothing to me; I barely know the woman, but every time I see her, I want to punch something. And I want to tangle my hands up in all that hair.

Gripping the corner of a box, I rip it open and grind my teeth. I need a drink. Tonight, I will definitely need to drink. A lot.

Savannah comes back in a few minutes later as I'm laying out the wood planks on the floor. She puts my coffee down on one of the shelves I've already put up.

"Ha, it's holding," she teases.

Her comment, giving me a glimpse of a personality again, makes me smile. "Of course it's holding. I'm basically a carpenter now."

"I'm not sure flat pack qualifies as carpentry."

"I think you're wrong."

She tilts her head, and her hair falls to the side. "Don't add carpentry to your CV, Justin."

When she's like this, I can totally get on board.

"I don't need a CV."

"You work for yourself?" Her voice is higher than usual, portraying her surprise. I'm not sure how to take that.

"I don't like people telling me what to do."

The soft sound of her laughter fills the room.

Wow she laughs.

"Neither do I. Thankfully, Heidi isn't super bossy."

She takes a breath, and her eyes meet mine. For a second, my heart stops.

Savannah shakes her head. "Anyway, I need to get on."

"Okay ..."

Did something just happen there?

It was almost like she realised we were having a civilised conversation, so she bailed. Or maybe I'm reading the situation wrong, and she just has work to do. Either way, I suppose I don't really care.

I arrive at the restaurant after receiving a text from my mum. She and Dad are waiting at Brooke and Freddy's because Brooke is still getting ready, so they're going to be late. The only person sitting at the table we reserved is Freddy's brother, Bobby. I don't like him.