Chapters (47)
‘You’ve thrown me a hundred parties. And they’ve all been wonderful. But I wanted to do something for myself. I should have talked to you about it first. I’m sorry.’
‘It’s okay. I’m sorry I lost my temper.’
‘It’s going to be great, though, I promise.’
Zadie made a non-committal noise.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Come on, tell me.’
‘It’s the guest list. It’s so …’
‘Full of people I actually know and like?’
‘Those girls are so dull. And the boys are so – rugby.’
‘I like rugby.’
‘And you invited Rav.’
‘What’s wrong with Rav?’
‘I can’t stand him. The way he’s always hanging around here, desperate to be near you. It’s pathetic. And he completely fucked Chloe over.’
‘What did he do to Chloe?’
‘He’s been messing her around for weeks. He slept with her. Took her virginity, actually.’
‘Chloe lost her virginity to Rav?’
‘Oh, what? Jealous you didn’t get to do the deed yourself?’
‘No. I’m just surprised. You wait that long, you’d think she would want to do it with someone special.’
‘Maybe she thinks Rav is special.’ Zadie paused. ‘I don’t know why she would. But she really liked him. And I’m pretty sure he’s lost interest now they’ve slept together.’
‘Really? I thought he seemed serious about her.’
Zadie tried to keep her voice calm. ‘Why would you think that? When have you ever seen them together?’
‘We talked about her the other day. Seemed like he had it bad. That’s mostly why I invited him along, so Chloe would have someone. I feel bad for her being third wheel with us all the time, thought it might be nice if she got a boyfriend of her own.’
‘Max, what the fuck? I’ve been trying to talk her out of seeing Rav for weeks, because he treats her like shit, and you’ve just undone all my work. This is why we’re supposed to plan this stuff together. Please, please, uninvite him. Tell him he can’t come.’
The blood was thumping in Zadie’s temples. She tried to calm herself, to stop herself from saying something she would regret.
Max shook his head. ‘I’ve already asked him. It’s fine. Don’t interfere between them. Leave it alone.’
Zadie got up. ‘I’ve got work to do, I’m going to the library,’ she huffed.
Max snorted. ‘Do you need me to draw you a map? It’s the big building near the park.’
Zadie slammed the front door, feeling the force shake the glass. She stood on the step, feeling the cool spring breeze move her hair, trying to make herself breathe slowly.