“Yes, it is,” I agreed, glancing at Callum. “Are you sure you don’t want someone more experienced?”
“Nope. We want you. It’s a new venture, and the three of us will be learning the ropes together.”
I rubbed my jaw. In any other circumstance, I’d jump at this offer, but guilt and remorse swarmed within me. I didn’t deserve the respect nor the opportunity Callum was offering me.
“Can I think about it?” I asked.
“Of course. Take your time. There’s no rush,” Callum said just as Leanne and Afric returned from the bathroom. In the space of a second, the atmosphere changed. Leanne looked ready to commit murder as she glared at Annabelle. Afric stood behind her, a sheepish expression of drunken guilt and worry on her face, and just like that, I knew.
I knew she’d told Leanne everything, and I was in danger of puking up every last scrap of food I’d eaten today.
“You should leave,” Leanne said, her furious gaze intent on Annabelle.
Annabelle shot her an incredulous look. “Excuse me?”
“Are you hard of hearing, love? I said you should leave,” Leanne practically growled, and Callum reached out to take her hand.
“Leanne, what’s the matter?”
“I’ll tell you what’s the matter,” Leanne snapped. “This bitch has been blackmailing Neil, and I’m putting a stop to it here and now.”
I was frozen in place. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I cast Afric an accusatory look, and her eyes were filled with a thousand sorrys, but it wasn’t good enough. This wasn’t her secret to tell. It was mine, and she’d taken away my chance to do it at a time and place that suited me. I certainly wouldn’t have chosen to tell Callum and Leanne the truth in a flashy, crowded nightclub while Annabelle herself was present.
Finally, I stood. “Listen, I can explain.”
“No, you don’t need to explain anything,” Leanne said, her expression full of sorrow. Oh no, this was worse than anger. She felt sorry for me.
“Can someone enlighten me because I’m completely in the dark here?” Callum asked.
“Yes,” Leanne replied. “I’ll explain everything after this bitch leaves.”
“What did you just call me?”
“You heard me.”
Annabelle’s gaze cut to Afric. “You told her.”
Afric’s attention went from Annabelle to Leanne and then finally to me again. She looked like she regretted what she’d done, and I knew she was drunk, but that was no excuse. She shouldn’t have told Leanne, not like this. This was about to turn into a shitshow; I could already feel it.
Some sort of determination formed in Annabelle’s eyes as she dug into her bag and pulled out the blasted USB drive. “We’re in love. We have been for months. I have all the evidence here,” she said, a wild expression on her face as she wielded the drive at Leanne.
“Eh, who’s in love?” Callum asked, bewildered. He was still the only person present who didn’t understand what was happening and also the one who had been wronged the most. Every organ in my body pulsated with guilt. He was going to be so angry at me for this.
“Do you think I’m an idiot?” Leanne asked. “Afric told me the truth.”
“It’s a lie,” Annabelle said. “They’re trying to cover for Callum. We’ve been seeing each other behind your back for nearly a year.”
Callum stood. “Who in the what now?”
My head started to pound. “She’s lying,” I said. “She’s obsessed with you. I’m sorry for bringing her here.”
“I am not—” the words died on Annabelle’s tongue when Afric leapt toward her and plucked the USB drive from her grasp. She threw it on the floor and stomped on it with the heel of her shoe. It cracked right down the middle.
“You idiot,” Annabelle droned. “Do you think that’s the only place the screenshots are saved?”
“Nope, I certainly don’t, you absolute madwoman,” Afric said before she came to me, hands gripping my shoulders. “I’m so sorry, Neil. I did this because I care about you so, so much. Callum and Leanne love you. They’ll understand.” Then she crashed her mouth to mine and kissed me as though her life depended on it. Despite being furious at her, my body responded, a tidal wave of pleasure going through me at the sensation of her lips on mine. Too soon, she pulled away, looking to Annabelle one more time before returning her attention to me. “Now, I have to go. There’s not a moment to lose. I’ll explain everything later.”
I stared after her in confusion as she turned tail and ran out of the