Tales Of Sulking Backstabbers And Honest Love Interests

Day 116 of The Andie Chronicles

There is a gentle knock on the door. 

It’s after seven, after dinner, after the hustle has stopped. A time of the day when I thought I could stop thinking about everything.

And no one comes to visit me anymore. My friends don’t show up to see me.

But tonight they have. They should have been here days ago.

“Can we come in?” 

GG asks like a wounded bird like she’s the one entitled to act delicately. It’s likely because she’s not alone, instead flanked by Sophia and Taylor.

I know why they’re all here, finally showing up when they should have been here days ago. And I hate that I have to pretend to not know why Taylor is here. I know he is an investor, yet I’m not allowed to know it.

All these secrets have been killing me. Probably because there hasn’t been something to look forward to when the secrets entered the public domain.

It’s not about the secrets themselves. I don’t mind keeping a good secret, a worthwhile secret.

I open the door for them. Taylor is the only one to embrace me, which catches GG off guard. She gives him this look like he’s flirting with the enemy.

In reality, it’s what she should be doing, to stop me from flying off the handle. For someone who’s constantly trying to make sure everyone is happy with each other, she’s not doing a very good job at it.

“I’m sorry about the mess. I would tell you where all these boxes are going but James is showing me tomorrow.” 

GG and Sophia exchange a look, resulting in Sophia pushing her hands up, and backing away from GG. 

“The business has office space at 101 Collins. We’re moving into Douglas’ offices.” 

I raise my eyebrows. 

“We’re moving in with my ex?”

“Well, it was going to be 120 Collins but there were last-minute changes. You will love it there, I promise.”

“How do you plan on keeping that promise?” 

GG can’t answer me. She looks across at Taylor who looks ready for business.

“I love that you’re here, Taylor, but I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into this mess. I’m not always this pissed off about work.”

“You can be as pissed off as you want,” he responded, cooly. “It’s been a complete disaster.” 

GG grabs him by the arm, unable to hide her disdain at his assessment. 

“Don’t pretend it hasn’t been. Andie being left in the dark wasn’t your group’s finest hour. Though I know it was my brother’s idea in your head, you still are old enough to ignore bad advice.”

I wanted to throw myself at Taylor and hug him profusely for standing up to me. And for telling the truth. I didn’t know Douglas was the one who swore everyone to silence.

But why my friends agreed with it? It’s not what friends do, I mused.

“Anything else to tell me?” I asked Taylor.

“Yes,” he smiled. “I’m an investor too. Small share. Thought it would be best to have a level head working on this too. Is that ok with you?”

It was the first time anyone had asked my opinion in months. “Fine by me. And thank you for asking.”

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You’re reading The Andie Chronicles, the 2023 romance-fiction series from the 1 Lovelock Drive (1LD) universe.

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