The Break Up by Charlotte Barnes

Author:Charlotte Barnes [Barnes, Charlotte]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2022-03-16T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Three days and twenty-one missed calls later, I strolled out of work to find Rowan leaning against the wall opposite my office building. There was a heavy flow of traffic between us, and I felt a stab of gratitude as car after car went by, which gave me time enough to think of a reason for not answering his calls. Because he’s behaved like an arsehole, I decided, as I finally padded from my side of the street to his. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it. I flashed a tight smile and gave him a shrug.

‘Player Two has entered the game,’ I said as I came to a stop opposite him.

‘Did you think I’d just stop calling in the end?’ he asked, leaving my comment unremarked on. I wondered whether the boys had told him the extent of our talk. I still didn’t know whether he was player one or two; only that he was definitely becoming a player. And I didn’t like that on him. ‘Or were you just too busy with Fred to answer my calls?’

I physically recoiled at his use of her name. A stab of guilt moved through me as I thought of Rowan worrying about me with another man – who was actually another woman. But I corrected myself. Does he look like he’s feeling guilty to you? I shook my head by way of answering my own thought, but Rowan took it to mean I was answering him. When he spoke again his tone was flat, annoyed almost.

‘Edi, you can’t ghost the person you’re engaged to.’

‘No, but I can remove myself from a situation until I’m ready to deal with it.’

He laughed. ‘You sound like Lily.’

‘Please.’ I matched his spiteful huff with one of my own. ‘Lily would have slept with Ian or, maybe even and, Monty, if she’d arrived for a date with you to find you were on a date with someone else already. You’re on shaky ground to throw accusations my way, Rowan.’ He looked genuinely taken aback and my kneejerk reaction was to fact-check what I’d said. But yes, Lily would have reacted much worse. Yes, he had behaved poorly. ‘I needed time.’

‘You could have told me that.’

‘I thought you’d infer it, on account of me ignoring you and all.’ I made to walk off. ‘It’s been a long day and I’m going home. Are you walking with me?’

He pushed himself away from the wall. ‘Sure.’ His tone was still flat and, even though it brought with it a stab of something like guilt, I thought back to Fred walking me home days before; the offer of walking her home next— ‘Can we talk, then?’ Rowan cut my thought off. ‘About what happened, I mean.’

It was easier doing this mid-walk, I decided. I didn’t have to look at his face. From experience, I knew it would break any resolve I thought I had. I pulled in a big breath. ‘Is there anything you want to say, about what happened the other night?’

‘I’m obviously sorry.

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