She looks absolutely shocked. “But we’re friends,” she protests. “We used to be so close!”
“Did we?” I ask doubtfully.
“We used to sit together in Art, remember?”
I nod. “Yes. I remember us sitting together in Art for a whole ten minutes. Until I reached over you to pick up a paintbrush, and you started screaming about how I’d touched you and probably given you an STI. After which, I sat at my own table for the rest of the year, while you got to sit with your friends, just like you wanted.”
Luke startles behind me. “Emma? Is that true?”
Emma looks up at him with big eyes. “I… of course not, Mr Martins. I don’t know why she’d say that.”
“So you’re saying Layla is lying?” He pushes.
“No, I…”
I feel Luke’s grip on my hand tightening, and cut her off before she says something that will really upset him. “No, I can’t get you tickets, Emma.” I tell her, nodding at her circle of friends. “You can go now.”
Without waiting for a response, I turn back to the snack table. Luke leans in as Zack immediately hones in on the crisps. “She’s one of them, isn’t she?” He says quietly. I hear the strain in his voice.
“It’s okay, Luke. It’s over.”
“Did she hassle you in my class?” He demands. “Did I not notice?”
Luckily, before I have to come up with a reply, a familiar voice pops up behind me.
“Well, if it isn’t Layla Thompson,” Donny Pritchard drawls. All of the men stiffen simultaneously.
I sigh. “You know, you don’t have to talk like a movie villain,” I say, turning to face him.
He looks awful. His hair is greasy, his suit is too big for him, and he’s still sporting a fading black eye.
“Wow,” I say. “You look like crap.” I glance up at Zack. “Nice job.”
Zack puffs out his chest with pride. Josh rolls his eyes.
Donny scowls at Zack. “I’m surprised you’re not on house arrest,” he spits. “They shouldn’t let you out in public.”
“Oh, aye,” Zack agrees. “I should be in a cage, I reckon.”
Donny sneers. “Well, enjoy it while you can. I’ve already found a lawyer.”
Zack shrugs, picking up a plastic cup. “Okay, mate. Baby, do you want a lukewarm sauvignon blanc or a two-pound rosé?”
“Surprise me.”
“Aight.” He leans over to pick up the bottle, and then diverts his direction and kisses me hard on the mouth. I gasp against his lips.
“Zack!”
“I was surprising you! Sorry, wasn’t that what you meant?”
I reach up and tug at his man-bun, making him growl.
Donny looks between us with disgust on his face, taking in Josh’s hand on my back and Luke’s fingers clasped with mine. “Seriously?”
I pick up a custard cream and bite into it. “Seriously, what?”
“You’re sleeping with all three of them? I thought that was a bit for the podcast!” He turns to Josh. “You just let her screw other men in front of you? That’s the most beta shit I ever heard. Good lord, she must be loose.”
I choke on my biscuit.
Zack abruptly steps away from the table, squaring up to Donny, who looks startled, staggering a few steps back.
“Zack,” Luke says warningly. “Not again, please.”
Zack puts his hands up. “I’m just looking. I ain’t gonna do anything to him.”
Donny looks between us, sneering. “I guess I understand now how Layla got a spot on your show.” He turns to me. “Sooner or later you need to start working for yourself, you know. You can’t just sleep around to get what you want.”
“Maybe I am gonna do something to him,” Zack says thoughtfully. “Look. Mate, do you want me to punch you again? ‘Cause I gotta admit, I wasn’t in my best form the last time around. You kept all your teeth and everything. Pretty embarrassing. I’ll happily have another go.”
Donny’s mouth falls open. “Did you hear that?!” He raises his voice. People around the hall turn to look at us. “He just threatened to assault me! Again!”
“Donald,” Luke starts. “Please calm down. Zack—”
Before he can finish the sentence, I hear the familiar click of high heels against linoleum.
“Luke? Layla? What is going on here?” Amy asks behind us.
EIGHTY-ONE