in threes
Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Lottie’s POV

“I’ll have to replace a job…” I tell my friend truthfully, as we get back to her home and head straight forthe kitchen.

It was Wednesday, and we had just finished another cheer filled afternoon practicing in thescorching heat…

“I had a job, and quit once you got here!” Anna laughs out, as I gasp at her statement.

“Why the heck did you quit after I came?! Was I being that much of a hassle? You should have toldme!” I hold my chest in fake astonishment, as she laughs and goes to pour us both a drink.

“No! My Father puts money into my account every month so I didn’t actually need a job. I justworked there from boredom to be honest! Remember I didn’t have anybody bar the guys to talk tobefore you got here! Plus, the late nights weren’t worth it either! Especially when I don’t even havemy own car to get home!” Anna complains about her old job and explains the situation as I nod inunderstanding.

“I can’t just live here for free though Anna, I’ll have to replace something to do! Where could I get a jobin town?” I ask, as she deadpans as though I had totally missed the point.

“Girl! You don’t need a job either! We can just chill here and have fun! My father sends more thanenough for the both of us trust me!” Anna confirms with a shrug, as I shake my head instantly.

No Anna I can’t just freeload off of you forever! That’s so not fair! Also I don’t like not having any ofmy own money, it sucks, and I don’t enjoy wasting your money!” I argue my case, as I sit up on oneof the kitchen chairs.

“If you get a job, then that means that I’ll have to get a job again! That would totally suck!” Annastates, as I take an apple from the fruit bowl and bite out a chunk.

“No you don’t have to! I just need a job for myself.” I tell her, as she laughs me off and waves herhand as if I was being totally ridiculous,

“I can’t just sit here every day and wait for you to finish work! I will be bored out of my mind! It’seither you just accept that my Father is stinking rich – more than he probably should be – or that weboth will have to get a job even though I don’t want to!” Anna laughs, replaceing the amusement in theargument as I groan at her words,

“Stop I don’t like being a nuisance here! I can’t live off of you forever and I would hate for you oryour family to think that’s the only reason why I’m here!” I sigh, as Anna just remains silent for amoment in thought.

“But just let me help you! Seriously? You’ve been through hell and you’ve never had it easy! I knowyou’re not only here to use me Lottie don’t be ridiculous! I want you to enjoy life now that you’rehere and you’ve started over – just accept it ok? Give me a year and if you still feel guilty about itthen I’ll personally help you replace a job?” Anna talks, throwing her hands around in an animatedfashion as she does so, causing me to smile and shake my head.

She wouldn’t settle for less here…

“Right fine! But please just be honest if it becomes too much at any point for both you and yourfamily!” I bargain, as she hushes me.

“Girl listen! We are doing my old man a favour! My Mom too! They practically try to throw money atme to make up for their absence so just enjoy it please? For me? I don’t have them here so it’s theleast they can do and they appreciate that I’ve made a genuine friend!” Anna’s voice softens thistime, as I understand more where she is coming from.

“Fine you win!” I laugh, as she grins at me widely.

“Great because on that note, there’s a surprise for you!” Anna adds, as I cock my head at hercuriously.

What can she possibly mean?

‘Not a surprise from me by the way! I can’t take the credit… although I know you’ll love it!” Annaclaps and checks her phone, before standing up to scurry out of the kitchen.

I remain confused, taking another chunk from my Apple, before laughter is heard – followed by thefront door closing down the hallway…

What is she up to?

I turn in my chair to see whose coming, only to be met with Alex stone expression as he holds ablack gift wrapped box in his hand.

“Hi.” He starts, as I wait a moment for Anna and the others to enter in behind him however theydon’t.

“H–Hugh–Ahh–Ough I attempt to say, before I begin to choke on a large piece of apple that hadlaunched itself into my windpipe.

I cough like a freak, my eyes streaming like rivers from the sharpness of the fruit tearing my throatopen from the inside, before I feel a heavy hand land on my back moments later!

I cough and cough, before the chunk flies out and across the kitchen counter – leaving me bothpanting and bright red!

“FUCK!” 1/curse loudly, clutching my throat as my chest heaves up and down dramatically.

“I only walked in and you almost choked to death! Am I that good looking?!” Alex‘ cocky words fillthe silence, followed by a loud laugh which causes me to glare at him.

What an ass!

I watch as he moves to sit in the chair opposite me, as his hard eyes rake over my appearance inamusement…

“Let’s start again shall we?” Alex offers, as I all but nod at the statement and wait for him to explainwhy he was here – now alone with me in the kitchen.

Remind me to kill Anna for pulling this sneaky stunt later!

“Here!” He flops the black box onto the counter in–front of me, as I tilt my head at it curiously.

“What is it?” I ponder, not wanting to rush to open it just yet.

“A peace offering… open it!” He teases, pushing the box closer to me as I reach out for it slowly –curiosity getting the better of me now…

I pick it up slowly, feeling that it surprisingly had a weight to it as I turn it around to inspect the neatwrapping paper.

Black was an odd choice of colour to wrap a present, but I guess it suited since the gift itself wascoming from Alex.

But anyway, why the hell was he even giving me a gift? Maybe it’s some type of joke?

“Just open it already! It won’t bite!” Alex makes his impatience known, as I eye him warily beforebeginning to tear back the dark paper…

I rip it off, only taking a few seconds, before seeing the white box shining through. I flip it over, tolook for an indication of what it could be, before I see the large gold iPhone 14 pro max picture onthe front of the box.

Wait what the heck?!

I stare at the box in my hands, not making any move to open it fully, as my mind races to figure outif this was actually happening… did Alex just waltz in here and hand me one of the newest mostexpensive phones on the market?

Why though?

“I–It’s lovely.” I compliment, before setting the box on the counter and pushing it back acrosstowards him.

His brows furrow at the action, before his eyes dart up to meet mine seeming to hold a fire in them.

“What? So you don’t like it? I can change the colour? What’s the problem?” He speaks firmly, notseeming to understand why I was reacting this way.

“Y–You can’t just… give me this!” I curse myself mentally for continuing to stutter considering I hadseemed to be getting over it as of recently.

“I can do what I want doll! It’s an apology for the shit I pulled the other night at the game! I alsoasked Anna for your number last night and she said you didn’t have a phone yet.” Alex shrugs asthough it were meaningless, however I had only ever dreamt of having a phone never–mind one ofthis standard.

“If you don’t accept it, I’ll smash it up right here and it will just go to waste.” He throws in at the end,causing my mouth to pop open in horror.

He wouldn’t, would he?

“I will.” He bargains, as though he had read my mind, before I slowly reach across to take the boxback.

“Th Thank you.” I whisper lowly, as he nods once – folding his arms across his chest comfortably –seeming amused.

“Now you’ll be easier to contact.” Alex states, as I nod.

This boy has me under some sort of a spell… I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but I think I likehaving him around sometimes…