Read Online Three's a Crowd by Sophie McKenzie - Free Book Online

buzzing with excitement.
    Except at our table.
    Jonno and Lola were nowhere to be seen. I almost wished they would come back. Maybe it would shut Ryan up.
    “Well?” he said. “What’s the matter with you?”
    I shook my head. I didn’t know what the matter was. All I knew was that I couldn’t bear the idea of Eve doing anything with anyone I didn’t know about.
    “You have to stop it, man.” Ryan’s voice was suddenly serious. “You’re going to drive her away.”
    I looked up at him, shocked. “D’you really think so?”
    Ryan rolled his eyes. “Frankly, I’m surprised she hasn’t already dumped you. You’re worse than her dad.”
    I stared at him, stung. “I’m not anything like him. He’s . . . he’s—”
    “Possessive and overbearing,” Ryan snapped. “Just like you.”
    “I’m not,” I protested. “I just don’t like it when other guys make it obvious . . . you know. . .”
    Ryan shook his head contemptuously at me.
    “You don’t either,” I said, feeling irritated. “I saw you telling that drummer Chloe fancied that she was your girlfriend.”
    Ryan’s face creased with exasperation. “I was telling him how we hang out at the Garito, you idiot,” he said. “I was asking if he ever went there.”
    I stared at him. “Why? Why would you do that when you can see Chloe liked him?”
    Ryan stared back at me. “Why get so heavy about it? Why’s it such a big deal?”
    A hand clipped the top of my head. “Ow.” I spun round. Chloe was standing behind my chair, glaring down at me.
    “You are such an idiot.”
    I grabbed her arm. “Where’s Eve?”
    “She’s been crying in the loo for the past thirty minutes.”
    I sank back in my seat.
    Chloe slid into the one next to me and folded her arms. “I told her she could do miles better than you.”
    “Thanks, Chlo,” I said bitterly. “I really app—”
    “Anyway, she’s gone out to the beach now, says she needs—”
    But I didn’t wait to hear what Eve had said she needed. I was already halfway across the nightclub floor, pushing past tables, rushing for the door. I ran across the main lobby and out past the pool, down to the beach.
    My heart thudded against my chest. I had to find Eve. Apologise. Make her see how much I cared about her. Wanted her. Needed her.
    I looked up and down the beach. It was another beautiful evening, a warm breeze rolling in off the sea, distant waves lapping at the sand.
    There. I saw Eve about a hundred yards ahead of me, her shoes dangling from her hand.
    I raced after her. I didn’t call out. I was scared if I did she would run away, into the trees at the side. The beach was almost empty. Most people were still at the Open Mike Night, though a few couples were strolling along, hand in hand.
    I ran up beside her. “Eve?” I said. “Eve?”
    She didn’t look at me, just kept walking.
    I fell into step beside her. My heart was pumping so fast now I thought it might burst. “Please, Eve.” My voice cracked. “I’m sorry I upset you. I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I just hate being here and not being able to be with you. It’s . . . it’s driving me crazy.”
    She looked up at me at last. Her face was pale in the moonlight. I could make out the tracks of her tears down her cheeks.
    “You’re so beautiful,” I said. “And you sang so beautifully too. And I’m such an idiot.”
    I stopped, not knowing what else to say.
    We walked along silently for a few minutes. What should I do now? I wanted just to grab her and hug her and make everything all right. But I didn’t know if that’s what she wanted. I reached out and felt for her hand.
    I curled my fingers round hers, half expecting her to pull her hand away. She didn’t. She stopped walking and looked up at me.
    “Luke.” Her eyes filled with tears.
    Jesus. She’s going to dump me.
    My stomach twisted into a huge, agonising knot. I pulled her towards me and kissed her. At first I just wanted to stop her saying anything