Tuesday 13th November
Tom
I’m ready to find and kill that cunt that shared those naked pictures of Alice. Now that I’ve seen her naked myself, I don’t want anyone else to see what’s mine. Those pictures were private, and this dickwad thinks he can share it with the world? Well, he’s got another think coming.
Her idiot of a brother should have been tracking him down too rather than just trying to belittle her. If I ever meet that tool again he’ll definitely get a smack on his jaw.
I knew as soon as it happened that I’d get no information from Alice. And we’ve been kind of busy anyway. That woman is insatiable. So, I’ve decided I’m getting the info from Jack.
As soon as he enters the gym I sprint on over to him.
‘Jack, I need to know which fucker shared those photos.’
Jack’s eyes widen, and he scratches his head. ‘And hello to you too.’
Now that I look closer I see he still has sleep in his eyes. I suppose it is six am.
‘Look, I know you’re tired, but wake up, man. I need the name and address of Alice’s ex and I need it now.’
He yawns, completely unimpressed by my urgency. ‘Speak to Nic. He says he couldn’t work it out. Nothing to do with me. I’m just here to work out.’
‘Ugh, I’m too stressed for the gym. I’m going to call Nicholas.’
I’m already dialling his number. I don’t care if its six am. I’ve waited long enough. I need to find out what’s going on.
‘Hello?’ he croaks after letting it ring eight times. The lazy bastard.
‘Hey, Nic, wake up,’ I say loudly. ‘I need to know where Alice’s fucker ex lives so I can beat the shit out of him.’
He snorts. ‘Very mature, Tom. All that will do is get you arrested.’
‘I don’t give a fuck right now. I need to find him and if you don’t help me someone else will.’
He sighs. ‘Fine, but I’m coming with you. I’ll drive down today, and we can go around there tonight.’
‘Fine,’ I relent begrudgingly. ‘But drive fast.’
* * *
Eight torturous hours later we’re driving to the address Nicholas gave me.
‘Why haven’t you and Jack been round here already? Don’t you care about Alice?’ I still can’t believe they both knew and didn’t tell me. I get that Alice was embarrassed, but I wouldn’t have ribbed her over something as serious as this.
‘Of course I do!’ he says, as if hurt by the accusation. ‘I told Jack and the girls I couldn’t trace the IP address, so they’d drop it. I just knew it would cause more trouble.’
‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ I screech, pulling into a parking space by the block of flats he apparently lives in.
‘I crashed the site instead. I checked today, and it’s not up anymore.’
‘Ugh, how many times have you seen Alice’s tits?’
He bursts out laughing. ‘Dude, is that the only thing you’re concerned about right now?’
‘No,’ I grunt. Even to my own ears I sound like a brat. ‘But I don’t like you looking at my bird’s tits.’
‘Sorry?’ he smiles, his eyebrows bunching together ‘but did you just say your bird?’
Oh shit. We haven’t discussed whether we’ll tell the others yet.
‘Well... look, let’s just get this out of the way, shall we?’ I’m getting out of the car before he has a chance to reply.
Someone’s leaving the block, so I do a weird kind of run/skip thing and thank the woman. She gives me a flirtatious smile. Of course she does, they all want this.
We take the stairs up to number twelve in silence.
‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ Nic asks me, chewing on his lip.
I snort and knock at the door, unsure what I’m even going to say. Just that I’m furious. This guy had Alice, and he chose to piss all over that and humiliate her all over the internet.
The door opens and there stands a tall slim guy with a tattoo on his neck, those weird hole things in his ears, and a big quiff. He looks like a fucked-up version of Danny Zuko from Grease. Alice’s taste is horrendous. Thank God she finally saw sense when she found me.
‘Hi?’ he says, looking between us.
‘Hi,’ I smile, pushing past him and into the flat. The whole place is grotty at best. It makes me appreciate how nice and clean Alice keeps ours. I should thank her for that really.
‘Sorry, do I know you?’ he asks, eyeing me up and down. He gulps, clearly taking in my size.
My shoulders square. ‘No, you know my friend Alice.’
His face falls, and he suddenly doesn’t look so confident. He folds his arms across his chest.
‘So, what is it you want from me?’
‘What I want is a fucking explanation as to how you think that kind of shit is okay?’ I bark out, my nostrils flaring.
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘Look, man, you don’t know. The girl threw up on my junk and then dumped me.’
She threw up on him? Good girl. At least she got that in the last time she saw him.
‘Look, I don’t care how disgusting your dick is, mate. What you did was fucking vile and you need to apologise to her.’
He rolls his eyes. ‘Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.’
I look to Nicholas and give him the nod. Nic looks back blinking rapidly.
‘I was hoping you were going to be more reasonable, but you’ve left us no choice.’
I punch him in the face, knocking him off his feet and onto his back. Nicholas springs into action and holds him down.
‘Nic, pull his jogging bottoms down!’ I yell while he struggles to escape.
‘What?’ he shrieks. ‘Why the fuck do you want me to do that?’
‘Just do it, Nic!’ I shout, getting my phone out.
‘I can’t!’ he shouts back. ‘He’s wiggling too much.’
Oh, for fuck’s sake. I grab his jogging bottoms and pull them down, along with his boxer shorts, exposing his small limp dick.
‘Oh my god, Tom,’ Nicholas says, looking away. ‘What the fuck are you going to do to him?’
‘Don’t rape me!’ the dickhead ex screams. ‘I’ll do anything.’
‘I’m not going to rape you, you twat.’
I put my phone to camera and snap a picture of his pathetic penis.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ he shouts, bucking Nicholas off and going to grab the phone.
‘Uh, uh, uh,’ I pout unable to hide my grin. ‘It’s only fair that everyone gets to see your dick too.’
‘Come on, bro,’ he tries to reason with me, his eyes desperate. ‘You know what chicks are like. She fucked me over.’
I grit my teeth. ‘I don’t care if she fucked your father, you don’t do this to a girl. And as for emailing it round to all of her clients, well that’s even more fucked up.’
He wrinkles his forehead. ‘What are you talking about? I never sent any emails.’
I snort a laugh. ‘Quit the bullshit. We know exactly what you’ve done.’
‘Listen, I never sent any emails, I swear! I just uploaded it to that site when I was pissed off.’
I look at his features, trying to work out if he’s lying, which he’d be a dick to do at this point. Could he really be telling the truth? I glance to Nicholas. He nods, as if to confirm that he believes him.
‘Okay, so if it wasn’t you, who did it?’
‘I’ve no idea.’ He puts his palms up in surrender. ‘I swear to God.’
Dammit. Then who the fuck sent it around?
‘Okay, fine. I believe you.’ I nod to Nicholas and we turn to leave.
‘Wait! Are you still going to post the photo?’ he asks, his arms wrapped around himself.
I smile smugly. ‘You didn’t think you were gonna get away with it that easily, did you?’
* * *
Wednesday 14th November
Alice
We’ve spent the last couple of days having sex around the flat. Poor Pickles keeps looking at us with her head turned to the side. My God, the sex is hot, just as Brooke promised. But one glaringly obvious thing hanging over us is that we’ve not discussed if this is a proper relationship or just a friends-with-benefits situation.
It’s Nicholas’ thirtieth birthday tonight so we’re all going out for dinner. He insisted he didn’t want a party. A mid-week meal was the craziest he’d allow Brooke to organise. She’s booked us into a Chinese restaurant that has a private back room you can hire. I’m sure he’ll still groan over that.
It’s the first time I’m seeing Molly since I lost it and told her I knew she was into Charlie. I haven’t spoken to her since. She hasn’t even sent me her occasional happy quotes to make me smile. She must be really upset.
Tom and I are nearly at the restaurant and still neither of us have brought up how we’re going to act in front of everyone. I’m sweating at the thought of it. I know they’re going to grill me about it.
Another thing I can’t stop worrying about is if Tom was telling the truth about being clean. I mean, he’d have no reason to lie, right?
We’re the first at the table. I sigh a massive sigh of relief. If we’d have walked in hand in hand, they would have pounced on us.
Brooke has decorated the wood panelled room with a huge thirty balloon, streamers, and I don’t doubt she has a personalised cake out back for him.
I order a large wine and fiddle with the rings on my fingers.
‘Why do you look so nervous?’ Tom asks with a bemused look on his face.
‘No reason!’ I shrill loudly. Way to play it cool Alice.
He opens his mouth to say something when Molly comes rushing in looking flustered.
‘Sorry! Sorry I’m late,’ she says, taking her coat off to sit down. ‘I am just absolutely manic organising this charity night at the zoo. You’d be surprised how much work it is. You’re still coming, right?’
‘Of course,’ I smile. I’ve taken the animal pictures for their website thanks to Molly, so I like to keep my foot in the door. ‘I can even take a few shots if you like?’ I offer, as way of an apology for being a bitch the last time she saw me.
‘Really?’ she asks, eyes wide with excitement. ‘That would be amazing!’
No, Molly is amazing. She never holds a grudge after an argument. The girl is pure sunshine.
‘Of course.’
Evelyn, Erica, and Jack are the next ones in. Brooke’s always late. We exchange kisses and talk about what we plan to wear to Molly’s charity do at the zoo. Charlie comes in still wearing his suit from work. He’s got the next two days off, so he can relax tonight without worrying about driving back to Peterborough.
Brooke and Nicholas are next in. He’s wearing a giant lit up badge saying, ‘Hug me, I’m thirty.’ The poor guy.
‘Sorry, bitches, but my hair just wouldn’t co-operate,’ she says as she breezes in. ‘But I finally have the birthday boy.’ The minute she spots me she freezes. ‘Oh my god, you had sex,’ she blurts out.
I spit out some of my wine.
‘What?’ I shriek, feeling my cheeks heating up. Do not go red. Do not go red.
‘You totally have!’ she insists, taking off her red trench coat.
Do not look at Tom. Whatever the hell you do, do not look at him.
‘How on earth can you tell that?’ Erica asks, looking between us.
‘It’s obvious,’ she chuckles. ‘She might as well have it tattooed on her forehead.’ She pulls out the chair. ‘Now come on, I want deets!’
‘No way!’ Molly says clapping excitedly. She turns to Tom. ‘Were you the lucky man?’
Evelyn rolls her eyes. ‘Please tell me you bunked up with a total stranger and didn’t shag that manwhore?’
Tom glares back at Evelyn but doesn’t say anything.
‘What, you’d rather I sleep with a stranger than Tom?’ I look to Tom and give him a shy but encouraging smile.
‘Yeah, that’s crazy logic,’ Erica laughs, ‘even for you.’
‘Whatever,’ she snorts. ‘Just don’t come crying to me when it all goes tits up.’
‘Evelyn!’ Brooke snaps. ‘Stop being such a Debbie Downer and just listen, will you?’
‘Yeah, tell us everything,’ Molly coos, leaning in.
‘There is nothing to tell!’ I insist feeling my cheeks heat. ‘Now, can we please go back to enjoying Nic’s birthday?’
‘Yeah,’ Nicholas says. ‘I’m feeling very birthday diva right now,’ he says sarcastically. I smile back at him, grateful for the help.
I look back at four intrigued faces, eagerly waiting for me to spill. The moment the guys are out of earshot, they’re going to be grilling me.
We go about ordering our food and chatting random shit. I excuse myself to go to the toilet. As soon as I’m walking, I hear the girls make the same excuse. Damn it, they’re after me.
I walk into the toilets and lean against the sink, ready for the onslaught. A poster for a vintage fair catches my eye. Sometimes I wish I had friends that were into the same things, but I’ve dragged these girls to one too many vintage fairs over the years.
The door bangs closed behind me and all of them stare expectantly, their eyes wide in excitement. Well, Evelyn’s is in disgust.
‘Guys, it’s private.’
I’m not like Brooke. I don’t openly discuss my sex life. Another reason why I was so mortified when those pictures came out.
‘No fun!’ Brooke protests.
‘Well, at least tell us how it happened?’ Erica pleads, her eyes wide and desperate.
I feel my cheeks flush.
‘Oh my god,’ Molly coos, ‘you are so in love.’
I push her on the shoulder. ‘Shut up. I’m not in love with Tom ‘Manwhore’ Maddens.’
Evelyn snorts. ‘Well, at least you still have some of your brain still intact.’
‘Purlease,’ Brooke laughs, ‘I’m sure he fucked all the sense out of you!’
I cringe. ‘Brooke!’ we all shriek, before collapsing into hysterical laughter.
They all keep looking at me expectantly.
‘Ugh, okay, fine. So, I took him to my parents for dinner.’
‘Whoa!’ Erica stops me. ‘He’s already met the parents? Is this serious?’
I shake my head. ‘It wasn’t like that. Anyway, it’s a long story, but we left my parents after they were arseholes and Tom found out about the photos. He was demanding to know his address and then it just kind of... happened.’
‘Oh em gee!’ Molly shrieks. ‘He went all burly caveman on you. That is SO sweet!’
I roll my eyes but can’t stop from laughing.
‘You didn’t tell him, did you?’ Erica asks with concern.
‘Of course not.’
‘Good,’ Evelyn nods. ‘God knows he’d only go and get himself arrested. Not that I can blame him for wanting to carve his dick off. I’ve had similar thoughts myself.’
We all crack up laughing.
‘I take it I can count on you both for Friday’s zoo charity event then?’ Molly asks, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
‘Babe, stop worrying. I keep telling you we’re coming.’
‘Sorry.’ She chews on her lip. ‘I’m just bricking it. Worried something is going to go wrong.’
I’m pleased at the change of subject.
‘You’ll be fine, Molls,’ Erica says with a supportive hand on her shoulder.
‘So, have you had the awkward chat yet?’ Erica asks, squirming at the thought.
‘Awkward chat?’ I repeat, confused. Ugh, she’s talking about me and Tom again.
‘Yeah,’ she nods, ‘about whether you’re exclusive. Whether you’re boyfriend and girlfriend.’
I cringe. ‘God, the whole thing is just so mortifying. I’m not having any such stupid chat with Tom. I’m just taking it day by day.’
‘Okay,’ Brooke nods, ‘but this is Tom we’re talking about. Maybe specify the only having sex with you part.’
I know she’s right, but it doesn’t stop me being a wimp. The others go for a wee, but Molly applies some lip gloss in the mirror.
‘Molly, I’m so sorry about what I said at the school fair,’ I whisper so the others can’t hear.
She shrugs. ‘It’s fine. If I’m honest, you might be right. I just… I’ve got a lot on at the moment. I don’t have time to be having a sexual identity crisis like this at the minute.’
‘Okay, well, what I meant to say is that I’m here for you, whenever you want to talk about it.’
She smiles. ‘Thanks, Alice.’
I go to have a wee myself. I wait until I can only hear Brooke’s heels by the sink before escaping the cubicle.
‘So, go on,’ she leans in. ‘What’s up?’
She knew I wanted to talk to her about something. I swear, sometimes she’s telepathic.
‘I did a stupid thing,’ I admit with a grimace.
She snorts a laugh. ‘Well, yeah, you slept with Tom, but don’t worry, it happens to the best of us.’ She winks.
‘No, not just that. The first time we did it... well,’ I swallow, ‘we kind of got caught up in the moment.’
She raises her eyebrows. ‘You mean you didn’t use a johnny with Tommy?’
I cover my face with my hands. ‘Uh, don’t joke about it. This is serious.’ My chest feels so tight whenever I think about it.
‘Jesus, what is it with you and Erica? I used to sleep around, but I always made sure I used a condom.’
‘Okay, enough of the lecture from queen slag herself.’
‘Hey!’ she shouts, throwing her paper towel at me. ‘I’m reformed!’
I smile. ‘Sorry. But, regardless. Look, I’ve got the implant, but I’m worried Tom wasn’t telling me the truth and might have caught something along the line.’
‘Well, yeah, he’s a manwhore,’ she agrees with a nod.
‘I know.’ I start chewing my nails. ‘So, will you... come to the clinic with me?’
‘Of course, babe. Have you not been before?’ she asks, as if every girl dreams of going there.
‘Of course not! I don’t make a habit of this.’
She chuckles. ‘Okay, chill your boots. We’ll go tomorrow. We need to talk business anyway.’