Toxic Chemistry

Chapter 3

"What?" I asked

Christian looked around awkwardly "um...I should go" he said "I have an important meeting"

Oh.

I remembered he was on his way out when he saw me.

I gave him a small smile "Thank you"

He waved my thanks away "it was the least I could for you for not fulfilling your promise to castrate me when I took your best friends away"

I giggled at the memory his words evoked.

The night Ava and Zoe had left Taylor's groove I had in a fit of drunken anger called Christian and told him if i ever saw his face again I'd castrate him.

He kissed Ava and was gone.

I raised my brows at Ava and she raised one back. She knew how much I wished I could lift only one eyebrow. She was teasing me. The minx.

I stretched out my hand "The newspaper Ava"

She sighed "Are you sure?,it's bad"

"Just give it to me. If it's about me I need to know what it says"

She wordlessly handed it over.

'Famous basketball player Luke McCampbell seen out and about in downtown with a mystery woman'

The headline jumped at me.

Then I saw a picture of me and the guy who ran into me standing close to each other.

I remember this moment,it was when he said 'you're very much a woman' and was staring at my lips.

The picture looked really compromising.

There was no space at all between us and we were both staring at each others lip,mine slightly parted.

For the past 2 years Lucas McCampbell hasn't been seen with any member of the opposite s*x that wasn't part of his extended family. Just yesterday he was seen in downtown New York with a mysterious beauty. The two looked pretty comfy with each other,it's like they were lost in their own little bubble. We think they're going to be the new cute couple in town but who is this pretty brunette?. It still remains a mystery but stay tuned as we plan to find out really soon who she is and what role she plays in the life of our favoritebasketball player.

The blood drained out of my face.

Oh my God.

When was this taken?. He's a basketball player?. I guess that explains why he was so fit and tall.

"Neil are you ok?" Ava asked. She sound worried.

I nodded and took a huge gulp of my whisky wincing slightly when it burned my throat.

She narrowed her eyes at me "what are you drinking?"

I licked my lips nervously

"Neil..."

"I know!,it's just a sip ok?. I'm not her" I hissed.

She sighed "I know you aren't" then got up.

"What about an iced martini?"

I grinned at her "you know the way to my heart Ava"

I stood up following her to the kitchen.

She hasn't asked me any question about the picture and I appreciated the fact that she knew I had to process it before I could talk.

"Here's to nosy reporters who never mind their businesses" Ava toasted clinking her glass with mine.

"Technically you're one" I pointed out.

She gasped dramatically "How dare you!"

I rolled my eyes at her waiting for her to tell me the difference between journalists and reporters.

"A journalist is an individual who writes for newspapers,magazines or news websites or prepared news to be broadcasted" she took a deep breath "while a reporter..."

"...is a person reports or conduct interviews for the press or broadcasting manager" I finished

"Hahaha very funny Neil" she rolled her eyes "but on a serious note what are you going to do about this?" She pointed at the discarded newspaper.

I sighed. I had almost forgotten about it.

"I didn't even know his name till I read the paper" I admitted.

Ava lifted her eyebrow and this time I knew it was her way of telling me to continue.

So I told her everything. Which wasn't much anyway. I mean I've only seen the guy twice.

She listened silently a smirk on her lips "Do you like him?" She asked when I was done.

My jaw dropped "did you not hear a word I said?. I've only met the guy twice and both times he was a complete jerk"

"Why are there reporters in front of the house" Zoe walked into the kitchen looking groggy.

Ava and I turned to face her and I burst out laughing. Beautiful,immaculate Zoe Taylor looked like a zombie.

"What happened to you?" Ava asked snickering.

"12 shots of martinis that's what" she groaned "I'm going to kill you guys, how could you be so chirpy this early in the morning"

I snorted "it's 9 am"

She waved her hand at me shushing me.

"Should I make you the Stewart fix?" I asked

"Yes please"

The Stewart fix is an hangover drink I learned to make when I was 8 for my always drunk mother.

If it wasn't on her table the morning after her drinking spree-which was every night- she'd have an hangover,if she had an hangover she'd be cranky and if she was cranky?.

I shuddered.

"Don't" Ava glared at me and I gave her a salute which earned me an eye roll.

I sometimes find it disconcerting how well she knew me but it made me comfortable most of the time.

I guess that's how she felt with me too. That's what you get from a 13 year old friendship. Although we only met Zoe 6 years ago,we make a close and inseparable trio.

"Stop overthinking and make me my damn fix Stewart" Zoe whisper yelled.

She must have a killer headache.

"Yes ma'am. Right away ma'am" I grinned.

"Here you go sweetie" I said giving her the drink when I was done.

She took a sip and sighed "I love you Neil"

Warmth coursed through my veins and into my heart. Growing up I wasn't loved -not really- until I met Ava who loved me flaws and all and then Zoe.

I really don't know what I'd do without these girls. I thought they'd hate me three years ago when...

Don't think about it Neil.

I gave Zoe her a toothy grin "I love me too"

I made kissing sounds which made Zoe grimace.

"Here take some" Ava handed Zoe three tablets of aspirin.

She took it gratefully and said "I don't know what I'd do without you guys"

"You'd be hungover and suicidal" I told her with a smirk.

"The headache would be so unbearable you'd jump off a bridge" Ava also smirked.

"So to answer your question..." I trailed off.

"You'd be dead without us" Ava completed.

Zoe stared at us with a sour expression "I hate you guys"

"We love you too boo" Ava blowed her a kiss.

"So you guys didn't answer my question" Zoe raised an eyebrow.

"Umm...I think we just did" I said.

She rolled her eyes "About the reporters. My binds were opened when I woke up,I stood up to close it and saw reporters camping in front of our gate"

I groaned "They're still here?" They were so desperate for a nonexistent story they'd risk being sued?.

"Why are they here?" Zoe asked again.

Ava handed her the newspaper. She glanced through it her jaw dropping. Then she whistled. "That's Lucas. You sure know how to pick em Neily" she smirked.

I groaned again "I've only met the guy twice and both times were completely accidental so I don't know why you guys are making a big deal out of this" I emphasizedaccidental.

Zoe nodded then looked at me sympathetically "poor baby. You're getting harassed because of someone you don't even know?"

I nodded with a pout.

"My poor baby,you must be feeling really down. Especially since you missed your run"

I nodded again with a dramatic sniff already knowing where this was heading. Ava also caught up cause she said "she's ok"

Zoe stared at me "Are you ok babygirl?"

"NO!" I wailed.

"Ah. We should do something about that right?" Zoe asked and I nodded.

"Guys please stop" Ava pleaded.

"What would you like to do babygirl?" Zoe asked ignoring Ava.

I jutted out my lips "pizza and the walking dead please"

"Anything for my traumatizedfriend"

Ava facepalmed "she's NOT traumatized" her voice was muffled behind her hand but we heard her.

"Let me go order the pizza" Zoe ignored her again.

I nodded "Yeah I'll go bring out the series"

Ava grabbed my hand and I glanced at her. Her eyes were round,her mouth in a pout. She always did this -unconsciously- when she needed something.

"Choose another movie Neil"

I snatched my hand from hers "you really need to be brave Ava,yolo. But if you can't handle a few zombies I'll choose another movie"

She glared at me like I knew she would "let's do this"