Page 25 of Almost Ours

"I panicked!"

"We had ONE JOB."

I bite down hard on a laugh but it comes out anyway, and Abi rounds on me next, except she's laughing too, poncho crinkling, all three of us dissolving into it right there in the middle of the crowd, completely useless as an intimidation squad.

This isn’t like me at all. None of it is. It’s a bit overwhelming, to tell the complete truth. But on the plus side I could report back to Dr. H that in my first week of Uni I have been a willing participant.

I am going to things. I am making friends. I’ve just got to be sure they never meet my dad. Which shouldn’t be hard given I don’t speak to him anymore.

We finally make it back towards the bar, only for a familiar face to appear through the crowd.

"Ewan!" Brooke crows.

His head snaps around before a grin spreads across his face, his eyes glued to his girlfriend. "There she is! How’s my girl?”

Brooke smiles widely. "Good.”

“Good,” He nods. “I’ve been looking for you for bloody ages.”

Brooke waves a dismissive hand. “I got kidnapped.”

He frowns. “What?”

Abi points to herself. “It was me. I stole her.”

Ewan glances between us. “I don’t think I even want to know.”

Brooke lets out a tinkly laugh, lighter now he’s here. “Probably for the best.”

My eyes drift over his shoulder almost automatically, searching the faces behind him but there is no one there. "How did the football trials go?"

"They were good." He nods enthusiastically. "Really good, actually."

"And..."

"And what?"

I shrug, trying to sound far more casual than I feel. "Who made it?"

A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. "You asking about Josh?"

Embarrassment works its way through me. Am I really that transparent? "No. I was asking…” I wiggle my fingers. “Generally."

"Mm." He coughs a laugh. "He smashed it." His grin grows. "Made the firsts."

I get this stupid little rush of pride for him. “I’m really pleased for him.”

"I'll tell him you said that."

"You don't have to do that."

"I probably will anyway."

I roll my eyes. "Is he here?"

"He was." Ewan cranes his neck, scanning the room. "Think he went to get another drink. He's about somewhere."

I find myself looking again but there are too many people. I catch sight of three dark-haired boys who aren't him, someone wearing Josh's build but not Josh's face, somebody in a football hoodie that makes my heart jump before they turn around and become a complete stranger.