Page 16 of Unrequited Sloth

“Then unpack your shit. You’ve got your little boys’ trip to the Canyon tomorrow, remember?”

“How do you know about that?”

“How do you think? I plan a surprise for my best friend to visit the Grand Canyon, no expense spared, and he refuses to go because he’s got something already planned with you.”

Gabriel was shocked, but also not surprised. That was pure Bobby. He had made a promise to Gabriel, and he wouldn’t go back on it. What was wrong with his sister? Why had she chosen this prick over someone like Bobby?

“You can go now,” said Gabriel, pointing at the door.

“Just keep your mouth shut. This is none of your business.”

“None of my business that you’ve been fucking my sister since Halloween behind your best friend’s back?”

“Like I said. Keep out of my business, or you’ll regret it.”

Gabriel almost wanted to laugh. Who did this guy think he was, and what did his sister see in him? Dillon stormed over to the hotel door and yanked it open, before freezing in shock: it was Bobby.

CHAPTER 6

BOBBY

Bobby knew when he processed what he’d just heard his heart would shatter into a million pieces, but all he could feel right now was pathological rage. He grabbed Dillon by the scruff and slammed him against the door.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t beat the shit out of you?”

“How much did you hear?” asked Dillon, looking fearful.

It was a look he’d never seen on his supposed best friend’s face before. Dillon always exuded macho bravado. It then registered what Dillon had said. “How much did you hear?” Not an apology for shagging his fiancé or betraying over a decade of friendship. He wanted to know what he’d heard, probably so he could try to bullshit his way out of things.

Anger coursed through his body. He wasn’t a violent man, but right now, in this moment, he wanted Dillon on the floor bleeding. Before he could do anything, he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

“Bobby, let him go.”

He turned and met eyes with Gabriel. They were full of kindness and compassion, like his mother’s eyes. They differed from Alex’s eyes, which was a weird thing to be thinking about right now. What had he said? That was it. He narrowed his eyes.

“You’re not taking his side, are you?”

“Of course not. I just don’t want you getting arrested in a foreign country and potentially fucking up your career. He’s not worth it.”

Gabriel was right. He let go of Dillon. “Fuck off out of my sight.”

“We need to talk about this, mate.”

“Mate? Are you for real? Right now, I never want to speak to you again. Get the fuck away from me before I decide prison wouldn’t be so bad.”

Dillon’s eyes widened. His friend was only five feet nine, and at six feet five, Bobby towered over him. Realising he shouldn’t push it any more, he left. Bobby stood watching him go, unsure what to do next. It took him a few seconds to remind himself Gabriel was standing next to him.

“Sorry, I’ll leave,” he said, feeling awkward.

“No you won’t,” said Gabriel, pulling him inside and closing the door.

He walked Bobby over to a sofa by the window and pushed him down onto it. Bobby’s whole body felt numb. A bottle of water was placed in his hand.

“Drink this. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m just going to make myself decent.”