Jealous Storm by Jack Stroke (book recommendations .txt) 📕

quiet. No surprise for Paradise Cove.

The Scout Hall door was ajar. No sign of Grubby though. Could this be a trap? Except who would want to trap her and why?

“Hello? Grubby?”

No answer. Amber made her way in. Moonlight shone through the high windows, partly illuminating the space. If Grubby was after somewhere atmospheric, mission accomplished.

“Grubby?”

The door slammed behind Amber making her jump.

“Guess again.”

“Vaughan? What are you doing here?”

“Ha. Funny. What am I doing here? What the heck are you doing?”

“I’m meant to be meeting Grubby.” She sounded pretty pathetic.

“This a one-off, or are you planning to buy drugs off him regularly?”

Grubby…

“He wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

“It’s Grubby. You’re lucky that he did say something now, because he sure as hell would later as well.”

“He’s not coming?”

“No. I told him you were having some sort of mental breakdown, and I apologised on your behalf. Told him you made a mistake. That you didn’t actually want any drugs.”

“Fine. I’ll just have to set it up again.”

“And I’ll just shut it down again.”

“No problem. I’ll just go through somebody else.”

Vaughan rubbed his eyes with his palms. “I don’t get you, Amber. I want to, but I don’t. It’s like you’ve turned into someone else.”

“It’s… no… It’s fine. I… I just have to do this.”

“To do what? You’ve got a death wish at the moment. You want to get caught with drugs and go to jail?”

“I want someone to.”

“That’s the grand plan? You want to frame Ellis? Using the world’s worst accomplice?”

“At least Grubby is helping me...”

Vaughan stared at her in the semi-dark. “Amber, I always want to help you. Let me start right now. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s Ellis.”

“I figured that.”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“I won’t if you don’t tell me.

“He gets inside. He digs his claws in and ruins everything. That’s what he does. He’s been doing it ever since I’ve known him. And he’s having no trouble doing it again.”

“Amber, just tell me what happened.”

Amber gulped. She was standing on the edge of a void, about to tumble in.

48

Eighteen years earlier

The concrete cooked the soles of Amber’s shoes. A stinking hot day. She wandered up the driveway clutching two presents. Two presents she was extremely pleased with.

First, she had purchased a little wooden train. The choice took an awful lot of deliberation. Then on the way out of the shop she realised getting a toy for a two-week-old was probably pointless. Were all baby’s presents really for the parents? So she went and bought Ben a super cool outfit. It was the kind of thing a skater would wear, except in baby size. Megan and Amber had always said they would never dress any potential kid they had in baby clothes, they would always make them cool.

She’d spent far too much money. Much more than she could afford. So what? She was going to spoil the heck out of this kid. That’s what a godmother is supposed to do, isn’t it?

A bright glow lit up her insides. She could do this. Ben was the most gorgeous little creature in the whole world, and if that meant putting up with Ellis, so be it. She could handle Ellis.

That said, she was pleased to see his car wasn’t there when she arrived. She knocked, holding up the two presents.

Except Ellis was there. He answered the door.

“Amber…”

She tried not to appear too disappointed. “Hey, Ellis. Megan here?”

The stale smell of sweat and beer wafted towards her.

“Nah. Gone for a drive with Ben. Trying to get him to sleep.”

Great. Should she leave the presents and go?

“Come and wait,” Ellis said. “Should be back soon.”

Waiting was about the last thing Amber wanted. She plastered on a plastic smile.

“Sure thing. Sounds good.”

A short time later they were sitting on the couch, watching mindless TV. Maybe this was good. An opportunity. A chance to clear the air.

“Listen, Ellis. I know things have been funny between us. Not great. I’ve done some things.”

“You sure have.”

“You’ve done plenty yourself,” she spat back.

“You’re the one talking.”

Be the bigger person, Amber reminded herself. He’s just trying to get a rise out of you. “Anyway, you’ve got Ben now. How about we put all that behind this?”

“Sure. Water under a bridge.”

“Great. Friends?”

She held out her hand.

“Sure. Friends.”

They shook and lapsed back into silence.

“So, how is being a father?”

Ellis shrugged. “Don’t have to do much yet. Could do with more sex though.”

Amber did a double take. “She’s just had a child, Ellis.”

“Didn’t want to have sex much before she was pregnant either. Or when she was pregnant. Doesn’t want to have sex now.”

“I’m sure you’ll cope.”

“What about you, Amber? Do you want to have sex?”

“Ellis…”

“I’m kidding. Just mucking around. Friends, remember?”

The TV droned on. Being stuck in here with this awful pig was about the last thing Amber wanted. Still, she had made a promise to Megan to at least try. She couldn’t think of a single thing to say though.

God, hurry home, Megan. Please.

49

Eighteen years earlier

Amber’s clothes clung to her, the room ridiculously hot. She was sweating far more than she’d like. The couch was fine, but it left her too close to Ellis. He smelt. Not awful but not pleasant either. Like a smelly boy.

He flicked through the channels, not settling on anything.

“Nothing on.” Ellis chucked the remote away. “Wanna play a game?”

“Sure. Okay. What game?”

“How about… the tickling game?”

Like lightning, his hands were all over her. She squirmed, which she took as encouragement.

“Hey, you’re ticklish.”

Amber did her best to get away. He was too big. Too strong. Too close.

“Ellis…” she squealed. She was laughing too, completely against her will. She managed to push herself off and jumped to her feet, straightening her clothes. If she wasn’t sweating before, she sure was now.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, lounging all over the couch. “Come on. I’m just mucking around.”

“I don’t feel comfortable with this.”

“I was just tickling. Don’t be a prude.” He made a face. “Fine. No more tickling. Come on. Sit back down.”

She didn’t.

“Come on, don’t be stupid.”

“Keep your hands