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

“Ellis, I couldn’t even pretend to like you. You’re repellent. But what I’m not going to do is engage. Or stand in your way.”

“See, you can say that all you want.” He stood too close, invading Amber’s personal space. She was surprised how evocative Ellis’ scent was, even after all these years. In times gone by, such close contact would have been exhilarating. Then terrifying. Now it was irritating.

“You’re obsessed with me. You’ve always been obsessed with me. Not your fault. You can’t help it.”

He ran a finger down her cheek, tracing her facial scar. What was his endgame here? To make her snap? She was tempted to break his finger off. Was that what he wanted? So he could go crying to Megan and Joan?

“Please don’t touch me,” she said, taking a step back. “Pretty tricky with the phones the other day. I was impressed. You sent yourself those messages, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His smirk suggested something entirely different.

“You knew I would check your phone. That I couldn’t help it and would follow you to the motel and make a complete fool of myself. It was clever. But I told you, I’m done with all that nonsense.”

“See, I don’t think you are. You can pretend you’re not going to play all you like, Amber, but we both know that’s not true. That you can’t help yourself, even if you want to.”

“Is that what all this is to you, Ellis? One big game?”

“That’s all it ever been between you and me. Don’t pretend otherwise.”

“Goodbye, Ellis.” Amber moved back inside cabin six.

Goodness, how had she let this jerk get under her skin for so long?

60

“Tell me why we’re doing this again?”

“It will be fun.”

They both knew this was a lie.

“We just should. This is me making an effort, okay?”

Vaughan shrugged and continued to get dressed. This was after Amber had gone to see Grubby and paid him for the heroin, but made it quite clear this wasn’t over. The two of them were going to have a serious conversation about it. The conversation could wait. For now. It was a longer-term issue. Not one Amber could fix tonight.

And after she had called Mother back, who had agreed the heroin could wait.

And this was after Amber felt way too much relief to discover Vaughan’s boat back in at usual berth, just like always.

“Are you actually going to make it this time?”

“How do you mean?”

“I’ve been to the Half with you twice. Both times you were long gone before the food even arrived.”

She put her hands in the pocket of his pants and pulled him close before he could get his shirt on.

“I promise I’ll make it until all the food is gone.”

He had a lovely body, one she felt she was becoming more and more acquainted with.

“You’ve got the best forearms, you know that?”

“Why do I feel like everything is a game with you three?”

“That’s the point. I’m done. I’m not playing with Ellis anymore. That’s why dinner.”

Vaughan gave her a nod which meant nothing.

Amber found herself surprisingly nervous walking into the Half, no idea if she could actually manage to be nice to Ellis for an entire evening. She need not have worried. Megan and Ellis were bickering when they arrived and things went downhill from there. Amber remained polite and friendly, asking Ellis about the past twenty years, what he had been up to and anything else she could think of. The more she questioned him, the more disgruntled Megan became.

“Why don’t you leave him alone?” Megan said eventually.

“Sorry?”

“Why keep badgering him?”

“I’m interested in what he’s been up to.”

“Yeah, right.”

Ellis didn’t have a lot to tell. Either he hadn’t done a whole lot in the last twenty years or he didn’t want to say.

“And you’re enjoying Paradise Cove?”

“God,” Megan butted in. “All these questions. You’re worse than Joan.”

“She’s just being friendly,” Vaughan said.

“Oh, what a surprise. Who’d have guessed you’d stick up for her.” Megan downed her drink in one mouthful.

They dissolved into silence. Eventually it was Vaughan who filled it.

“What are your plans, Ellis? Think you’ll hang about?”

“Yeah, planning to.”

He put an arm around Megan. She flinched like his touch burned.

“What sort of work will you look for?”

“Dunno. Maybe I could just do odd jobs at Paradise by the Bay and stuff.”

“What? We never discussed that.”

“I dunno. Just thinking. It’s not a bad idea though.”

“Whatever.” Megan pushed his arm away. She sat for about another ten seconds before storming out.

“Meegs… Meegs…” Ellis called after her. “Where’s she going?”

The door swung shut. Ellis looked from Amber and back, lost. Finally he got up and followed her.

“One day everyone is going to stay until the end of the meal.”

“You think she’s leaving?”

“The toilets are that way.” Vaughan pointed the other direction. “She doesn’t smoke, does she? No other reason to go outside.”

“Was it something we said?”

Vaughan shrugged.

“Oh well. You might get three meals instead of just one.”

“Plus, you’re having dinner with me. Just like a date.”

“I would happily go to dinner with you if you want.”

“Sure.”

“Hey. You haven’t asked.”

“No point. I know what you’d say.”

Later, when Amber was at the bar, she felt someone standing that bit too close. Instinct told her to pop them in the throat. Quick, decisive action.

“You still stink of sweat and stale beer, you know that, Ellis?”

“Very clever, Amber.”

“Just an observation. Although I guess it was better than my usual comebacks.”

“You think you’ve won, don’t you?”

“Ellis, I told you. I’m not playing anymore.”

“This is not over.” He moved closer, digging his fingers into her forearm. His warm breath tickled her ear. “I hear Ben is getting back tomorrow.”

“So?”

“I’m sure he would be interested to hear all about his precious godmother.”

“Hey,” came Vaughan’s voice from behind. “Let go of her.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s gonna make me?”

“No one’s gonna make you. You’re just gonna do it. You don’t grab women like that.”

Amber enjoyed the sternness in Vaughan’s tone.

Ellis let go and took a step towards Vaughan.

“Go on then. Hit me, tough guy.”

Vaughan