Incineration (Heart of Stone) by D H Sidebottom Read Free Book Online Page B

this time she
raised her eyebrows instead of lowering them “He owns the club, he just took me
upstairs to get me a shirt” I told her and she nodded slowly “So why did you do
a runner and then he came demanding to know where you had gone?” she cocked her
head, obviously not believing a word I was telling her.
    I was saved by the arrival of our waitress “Orders?” she
snapped and I raised my eyebrows at her “Please…” I encouraged and she stared
at me, remaining silent. I folded my arms and leaned back in my chair, noticing
the twitch on Courtneys’ lips; I cocked my head at the waitress and gave her my
death glare. She shifted uncomfortably on her heels and softened her expression
“Order please” she rephrased and I grinned snidely at her “I’ll take coffee and
blueberry pancakes please” I pointedly looked at Courtney, raising my eyebrows
in query, she also grinned at the waitress “I’ll have tea and a breakfast
roll…please” she added the please with a smirk. The waitress nodded and made a
hasty retreat.
    Courtney laughed and winked at me “Wonder if we get a different
waitress now?” That glare of yours could kill a rhino” she mocked “By the way,
you are gonna have to stop punching blokes. One day they’re gonna thump you
back” she said seriously and I shook my head “The fucking knob grabbed my breast
and ripped my top, he deserved it” I shrugged, not in the slightest bit worried
that I would one day get myself in trouble.
    Her mouth quirked on one edge “Do you know the bouncer gave
him a right thrashing on your boss’s orders and you’re telling me nothing’s
going on between the two of you?” I shrugged again, nibbling on my finger and Courtneys
eyes zoned in on it “See; now I know you are lying. There’s something going on”
she crossed her arms and glared at me “Okay” I conceded “we kissed and he felt
me up. That’s all” I glanced away; the blush creeping up my neck. “Ah ha” she
jumped excitedly “I knew it” I rolled my eyes at her exhilaration “judging by
his demeanour afterwards, I take it you ran” she probed and I nodded sadly “I
can’t do it Courtney. It’s not just the sex before you start; it’s the whole
relationship thing. I can’t let him in” I lowered my eyes, desperately wishing
I was a different person, one who grabbed life by the horns and lived it. “Oh
Babe” she sighed and covered my hand with hers “Relax and go with the flow. I
presume you escaped your shell last night and gave in to him. If you can do
that then who knows?” she shrugged, giving me an encouraging smile “I don’t
know what came over me, he’s turns me on something bad but he also frightens
me. His mood swings are ferocious; One minute he’s gentle and the next he’s
barking orders at me. It just confuses me” I revealed as a different waitress
brought our order and my phone beeped again
     
    MASON
    What temp do I need the oven on for the pie you made me?
I can’t read what it says
     
    I squinted at his request, sure that I had written it down
legibly.
     
    ME
    Gas mark 4, 30 mins
     
    Courtney had leaned over to sneak a look at the text and I
glowered at her “Nosy”
     
    MASON
    Thank you. What you up to?
     
    I huffed at Courtney who had scoffed at his inquisition and
raised her brows at me
     
    ME
    Having brunch with a friend, be careful she nosing at
your texts
     
    MASON
    Lol, tell her I’m just useless without you
     
    Courtney coughed and gave me a wry grin at this and I shook
my head at her “He is actually useless with the oven. I don’t think it had ever
been used before I started” I told her and she laughed “Ava, Babe, I don’t
think he means the oven” she pursed her lips at my glare “And I think it’s just
an excuse to text you” I shook my head, now agitated “Don’t be stupid Courtney,
he’s only known me for a couple of months. Now can we just drop it please” I
snapped and she took the hint
    “Tracey phoned