Stone Walls by A.M. Madden Read Free Book Online Page B

understand that.”
    He gauges me before saying, “We’re not asking you to marry her, dude. Just hang out, get to know her.”
    “Why? Why do you need me to entertain her? What’s wrong with her?”
    The internal debate is obvious as he processes his thoughts. “She’s had a rough go. She deserves to be happy.”
    “And I’m the key to her happiness?” I ask incredulously. “Why me?”
    “Andrea is right. You two are perfect for each other.”
    “If we are so perfect for each other, why didn’t you try to fix us up sooner?”
    “Because.”
    I cross my arms, waiting for him to enlighten me with an answer.
    He lets out a huge puff of air. “She’s only been in New York for a year. She’s had a boyfriend for most of the time. He recently moved to London. She could use some cheering up.”
    “She’s pining away for a guy, so the obvious solution is to dump her in my life as a substitute?” I stand before adding, “Rob, I’m not the solution to Ella’s happiness. Are you forgetting about Nat? I’m not made for a committed relationship. I’ve fucked Nat for over a year and yet I feel nothing for her.”
    His eyes widen, but not at my comment. He’s looking over my shoulder, and before even turning around I know I just stuck my fucking foot in my mouth. I wait for him to look back at me. The confirmation I need is all over his face.
    “Fuck.”
    “Shit, Ben,” he says, shaking his head.
    By the time I turn, whoever was there is now gone. “Fuck! Why didn’t you clue me in?”
    “I didn’t see them walk in.”
    Rob pulls out his phone and starts frantically texting. The way his thumbs fly over his screen cannot be good. “Well, there goes that,” he says after a few minutes. He puts his phone down and scrubs a hand over his face.
    “Wasn’t meant to be,” I try to make light and sit heavily in the chair across from Rob.
    When someone smacks the back of my head, I turn to see Andrea seething over me. “What the hell, Ben?”
    “Who the fuck knew you were both standing behind me? And besides, I didn’t say anything bad. It’s the truth. I’m not the right guy. If you two would finally get that through your thick skulls, none of this would’ve happened.”
    “Is she upset?” Rob asks as Andrea sits beside him.
    “No…or so she says. She said she’d see me tomorrow before she hopped in a cab and took off.”
    They both glare at me from across the table. “Did you two honestly think we would take one look at each other, fall madly in love, and live happily ever after?”
    “Yes,” Andrea has the nerve to respond. “Let me tell you a little story. Sit back and be quiet.” My groan doesn’t deter her in the least. “Once upon a time…”
    “If this is going to take more than sixty seconds, I need coffee first,” I interrupt, earning me another scathing look.
    She ignores my sigh and begins again. “Once upon a time, there was this sweet, gorgeous, sexy girl named Ella. Ella was very shy, barely interacting with those around her. It was the first day of college in a big scary city. Ella lived a very sheltered life with her mother. They were best friends. Ella’s mother was very protective of her only daughter. She gave up everything to have her and knew it was the best decision she had ever made. Ella’s mom provided a very loving, safe, idealistic life for her daughter. They moved a lot, always in search of that perfect place. It made Ella crave stability in her life. Ella voiced her desire to attend a big college in that big scary city.”
    I open my mouth to speak, and Andrea holds up a hand and says, “Uh…quiet. Naturally, Ella’s mother was very concerned. The idea of letting her daughter grow up and be independent scared her on a good day, but the thought of it happening away from her was far worse. She knew she couldn’t hold her beautiful daughter back from shining. She did give Ella her blessing, but Ella still felt guilty over her decision.”
    “Why are you