Just Friends (20 page)

Our investigation is underway basically, Leonard.

I was unsure whether to inform Max of my recent arrangements with Leonard. He’s probably never heard of him. He can’t hold his own water, too. Ethan would find out within five minutes of Max finding out. Moving off subject here, but, I think Max is in love with Eleanor. He was before even meeting her, but now he has, he really is. I know this because he’s acting the same way I was, did or do with Ethan. She’s been away for an audition the past day and a half and I can see that he misses her, even though she’s only known of his existence for a week. I saw them out on the balcony before she left. He can’t take his eyes off of her. There was one moment I saw and I immediately knew. Eleanor was gazing over the city and chatting. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, it was a distant and unclear noise. Max turned and looked at her, and he smiled, not a grin, just a slight unmissable and unmistakable smirk. And I knew right then he was in love with her. Eleanor turned and blushed. There may have even been a slight spark between them there, but one cannot be sure. I’ve arranged to have dinner with Max later to talk about being my assistant person. Though I’m really planning to speak about Eleanor.

NEW MESSAGE FROM ELEANOR WALDEN

Do you think I should go to LA and surprise Ethan? xoxo

NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP

It’s hard to say. Do you know exactly where he is? I don’t want to encourage you to go and then you can’t find him! xoxo

NEW MESSAGE FROM ELEANOR WALDEN

Maybe you’re right. He’ll be back next week, won’t he? Max and I were supposed to be grabbing lunch at my friend’s restaurant tomorrow as well. I don’t want to let him down! xoxo

NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP

Yeah… maybe if he were gone for longer it would have been a nice surprise! Hey, thanks for inviting me! You and Max seem to have gotten close over the last week! You’re inseparable! xoxo

NEW MESSAGE FROM ELEANOR WALDEN

That’s true. Sorry I discussed it with Max and forgot about you, sorry! I guess we’re… lol. I’m beginning to think I chose the wrong friend to date! xoxo

NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP

Oh it’s fine don’t worry about it! & You don’t say… xoxo

“How are you finding life in New York, Max?” I asked as we found our seats at our table in the new Italian restaurant we had discovered.

“I love it. I’m so glad you asked me to come out here, August.” I took a sip from my glass of water.

“On a scale of one to ten. How in love with Eleanor are you?” I smugly asked. My intentions of sneaking it into the conversation lasted approximately seventeen seconds. Now I understand how Stanley felt when he asked how I was coping with Ethan.

Max looked down at his glass of water. “That obvious, huh?”

You could see it was playing on his mind. I felt like someone was showing me a reflection of myself a month or two ago. In male form of course.

“Max, I know how you feel, and you know I know how you feel. If you want to talk about it we can, and yes it is obvious.”

I wanted to tell him that Eleanor might feel something for him too. But I didn’t want to mislead him in case it wasn’t true, or she was joking.

“Thanks. Its just I’ve never had a relationship before and this is all new to me… I just want her to be mine, you know. You must’ve felt horrible when you found out.”

“It honestly felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. Just give yourself false hope and pray they don’t get engaged. Maybe talk to her tomorrow when you go for food and see how she feels?”

He frowned at me immediately. “We’ve only known each other for a week, are you mad? You’ve had twelve years to tell Ethan. I think you’re unable to provide advice on telling or asking them how you, or they feel. But this is Ethan’s girlfriend. I couldn’t do that to him.”

His comment hurt slightly, but it was true, so I couldn’t argue otherwise.

“All I’m saying is don’t leave it until it’s too late, like I did. In my case until it’s a bloody long time too late.”

October 1
st

NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS

Dear August,

I’ve tracked down the case file for your accident. (I told you it wouldn’t take long.) I’m going to peruse over it now. The camera footage is going to take a while longer to be sent over to me, but that shouldn’t be too long. I will update you once I have received the footage or if anything of significance comes to my attention, Leonard.

O
nly one week until Ethan’s return, give or take half a day. He hasn’t text me since he’s been away. I don’t know if he’s busy or isn’t interested in talking to me. I hope it isn’t the second one. I’ve been thinking about what Mum presented with the photos. I wish it was easy to ask Ethan about the photos and if it was true. Life would be so much easier if we had the courage to ask the questions we fear the most.

As I sat and ate my morning bowl of cereal alone on the sofa, I noticed Max and Eleanor weren’t around. They went out for dinner last night didn’t they? I wonder if anything happened between them. I headed upstairs and checked Ethan’s bedroom, empty. Then I checked Max’s room, knocked, no answer. I slowly opened the door. The room was empty. Where on Earth were they? I headed back downstairs and called Max.

“Hello.”

“Max? Where are you? Did you go out this morning?”

“I’m at Eleanor’s. I can’t remember a thing from last night we drank so much.”

“Do you want me to pick you up?”

“Please August, I’m freaking out right now. I don’t know what happened…”

“Are you in bed with her?”

“No, we’re on the sofa.”

“I’ll leave now. Give me five minutes.”

The apartment stank of booze as Max opened the door. “Morning,” I said.

He scowled at me. “Let’s go. She’s still asleep.”

He walked over to her and kissed her head before quietly closing the door behind us. He hid himself under his shirt as I drove back home.

“Do you remember anything?”

“I remember being in the restaurant and we fancied a drink, so Eleanor said let’s go back to hers. We had these really strong shots, they burnt your throat they were so strong. Then we kissed and that’s it.” He remained hidden under his shirt. It was surprising to hear how casual he sounded about the kissing part.

“You kissed?” I shouted, punching his arm.

“Ow! Yeah she kissed me…”

I couldn’t believe it! The cheating bitch! Saying that, Max was hardly going to avoid kissing her.

“Do you think it meant anything? Or was it just a drunken kiss?”

He sighed. “I dunno. God, what have I done?”

Ethan isn’t going to like this. Eleanor is going to be in big trouble, which was perfect. I would be the one to swoop in and be his shoulder to cry on.

Max stumbled upstairs to the bathroom as we got back to my apartment. As I closed the door and locked it, I heard a familiar voice.

“Where were you guys? I’ve been waiting for you!” It was Ethan.

I stared at the door
. He doesn
’
t know anything. Let Max or Eleanor tell him. Keep your mouth shut.
My conscience told me. I prepared my smile and twisted.

“Hey!” I ran over and hugged him. He was wearing the tie I bought him for his sixteenth birthday. It’s a dark navy tie covered in a pattern of small yellow suns. It’s not my favourite if I’m honest.

Ethan must’ve appeared from the balcony when he heard the door open.

“How come you’re back so soon?” I asked in a surprised, delighted high-pitched voice.

“We worked longer during the day so we could finish early.” He said, hugging me again and swinging me around.

“Patrick Miller want’s me to be on his show on Christmas Eve! Can you believe that? I’ve been dying to tell you!” He stopped and I regained my balance.

“That’s so cool! I’m so jealous! I can’t believe you beat me to it, I always thought I’d be the first on the show!”

“Well I’m cooler than you so it’s a clear choice.”

I opened my mouth in disbelief. “Impossible!”

He grinned and tilted his head. “That is true. Is Max here? I think I saw him on the staircase?”

Max appeared at the stairs. “Hey dude.”

I took a few steps back in case he decided to tell him straight away.

“Maximus,” Ethan formally replied. “I’m going over to Eleanor’s now. Have you guys seen her recently?”

My eyes felt like they were going to pop out. I shook my head furiously.

“Nope.” I glanced up to Max who was staring at the floor.

“Can we speak when you get back?” He said to Ethan.

Ethan’s eyebrows dropped. “Sure bud. We can go for lunch when I get back.”

I had no idea what Eleanor would tell Ethan. I had no idea what Max and her did. Max doesn’t remember much. Is Max lying? I couldn’t help but feel guilty. My stomach was churning and I felt sick. What was I supposed to say?
Max kissed your girlfriend last night. Good to have you back!

Max or Eleanor need to own up to their actions. I hate them for placing me into this uncomfortable situation.

Ethan had been gone an hour and fifteen minutes. I knew he’d be back any moment. Ethan isn’t one to argue. His arguments are fairly short and snappy.

Max slumped alongside me on the sofa with his head in his hands.

“Can you remember anything else?”

He sat silently for a moment. “Nothing I can be sure of.”

Then the door opened. Max’s head shot out of his hands. I was too scared to turn around and look at Ethan entering. I tried to see his reflection in the TV, but I couldn’t catch a proper glimpse.

“She’s all yours bud. I was heading over to break up with her anyway.” Ethan said as he opened the door to the fridge.

I was debating over in my mind,
How long do I leave it before I rush over and snog him? Five minutes? Five hours? Five days? Five weeks?
Knowing me I’d leave it five months or five years.

Ethan took a few gulps of something before placing it back into the fridge.

“I think it would be best you go stay with her. I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed Max. I expected better from you.”

Max wiped his eyes as he rose from the sofa, heading straight upstairs. I assumed he was going to pack up his things. Ethan sat beside me on the sofa and patted my knee. I grabbed his arm and put it over my head and onto my shoulder. I tucked my legs up and laid my head on his chest. “I’m so sorry, Ethan.”

October 5
th

I
was awoken to Ethan shouting my name again at 3:00am. It was even more terrifying than the first time. I shot up and burst into his room. I sat beside him and put my arms around him. Ethan has had a rollercoaster of a journey over the past few months. He needs a holiday or something to take his mind off of things. It must be driving him crazy. I’m not sure if breaking up with Eleanor was part of his plan, but more and more bad things keep popping up for Ethan and he definitely doesn’t deserve them to.

NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS

Dear August,

I have received the camera footage from your crash. Hopefully I’ll be able to piece what I have together and take a proper look at them. From what I’ve heard and read, it sounds like your friend is extremely lucky to be alive, Leonard.

Ethan’s new show is scheduled to start broadcasting on the twentieth of October. It’ll be so exciting and weird seeing Ethan have his own show. It only seems like yesterday we were kids sat watching Leonard Phillips. Now kids would grow up watching Ethan.