Free Holding On (Memories) by Emma Hart Page A

her. So what if I’m imagining what she’d look like if someone accidentally tipped wine all over her head?
    “I can, and I think it’s best if Adrian leaves.” Lexy’s words are quiet but firm, and there’s no doubt in my mind that wasn’t a request. No, she was telling him to go. I feel like I need some pom-poms or something to cheer her on.
    “Lexy,” Jayna implores. “We’ve been friends for years-”
    “Things change, Jay. I’ve changed. Clearly I’m the only one that grew up this summer. The only reason you’re here is because your parents are friends with mine, and the only reason they’re here is because I befriended the lost little girl in year eight when she changed schools,” Lexy says coldly. “When I leave this hall tonight, that part is over. Friendship is a two way thing based on respect, and rubbing yourself against your “best friend’s” boyfriend the first time you meet him is not, by any stretch of the imagination, respectful. You have your life, and I have mine.”
    Jayna sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, glancing at me sourly before looking back at Lexy. “That much is obvious. No need to get your knickers in a twist, Lexy.”
    Adrian’s mouth curls up on one side. “Yeah, your boyfriend might not be able to untwist them for you.” His eyes find Alec’s. “But I’d be more than happy to help you do that.”
    I move at the same time Alec does, jumping in front of him. Once again, I find myself nose to nose with Adrian, and this time I’m more pissed than a mama bear.
    “You have five minutes to make an excuse and get your sorry ass out of this hall before I put you out myself,” I threaten. “Do not underestimate me. I’ve already told you once. No-one fucks with my friends, especially not the ones that are like family. Fuck with them, and you fuck with me.”
    Clearly not done, I prepare myself for the smartass comment that will come with the curve of his lips.
    “I might have to carry on then, because failing Lexy, you wouldn’t be a bad person to fuck with, would you, Jen?” he whispers.
    My hand shoots up. It meets another, larger hand. The fingers of the other hand link inside mine and lower it. I’m tugged to the side, and I find myself pulled through the throngs of people by Bing. He nods to someone stood by the stage where the DJ is set up, and they nod back, moving into the crowd.
    “Who was that?” I ask as he drags me from the main hall.
    “Security.”
    “Security?” I realise he’s holding my hand. “Get off me.” I shake my arm.
    “Nope.” He shakes his head. “I can’t trust you not to go running back after Adrian.”
    I grind my teeth together. “I wouldn’t do such a thing.”
    He looks back at me disbelievingly, and opens a door. He pulls me through it into a small room, and after he shuts the door, he lets me go. He leans back against the door.
    I look around for another door. None.
    “Let me out, Samuel.”
    “No.” He smiles, crossing one ankle over the other, and folds his arms over his chest. It’s a dangerous pose in that suit, and as a bit of my anger at Adrian slips away, the anger at myself for being attracted to this prat grows.
    “You can’t keep me in here.”
    “I can. I have the key.” He grins. “You’re not going out until you calm down.”
    “I’m calm. Who isn’t calm?” I shrug. “My glass is also empty.”
    “You held your glass the whole time?”
    “It’s Vino. Hello?” I wave my glass, sigh, and place it on the table behind me. I perch on the edge of it. “So I’m supposed to stay in here until you think I’m calm enough to go back out there?”
    He nods. “Pretty much.”
    “Yep. Because being stuck in a room with you is guaranteed to calm me down. I mean, why wouldn’t it? You are my favourite person after all,” I scoff.
    He crosses the room, stopping right in front of me. “You might like me if you give me a chance instead of bitching at me all the time, Jennifer,” he says softly.