I immediately put both of my hands behind my back so I don’t have to touch him although his grip on my left arm is getting tighter.
‘Are you deaf? I said take my hand.’
He is getting more and more aggressive and I don’t know what to do. His grip is so tight my arm now feels numb but I still refuse to take his hand or get anywhere near his lips despite his attempts to try and move his head closer to mine.
After several attempts of ducking and diving he finally lets go of my arm but then he begins to hurl a fury of angry words in my direction.
‘You will pay for this you fucking bitch. You pretty girls are all the same, you use and abuse guys like me and then go off with some other guy who is better looking or has more money…’
I try desperately to think of something to calm the situation and to prevent him getting angrier.
‘No Michael, I am not like that. I want to be your friend.’
‘My friend!’ he viciously spits out from his mouth. ‘You’re not my friend you are just some attention seeking whore.’
I feel physically sick and my adrenaline is sky high. The more I try to pacify Michael the angrier he seems to be getting.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out something in his hand that is metallic. I try to breathe in and out slowly and hope it isn’t what I think it is.
CHAPTER 20
Chad turns thirty today. Being three years younger I like to rip the shit out of him for it by calling him Grandpa Chad and telling him it won’t be long until he collects his superannuation but as usual with Chad he just takes it all in his stride and ignores all the comments. It’s a shame his girlfriend doesn’t do the same.
I remember when I was about thirteen years old and me asking Chad what he thought our lives would be like when we were thirty and to this day his answer still makes me laugh. He said that when he was thirty he hoped to be the richest beach bum in the world ever.
I on the other hand said I wanted a job in the city, a super-fast red sports car and a sexy blonde chick to be my wife who I can go on fancy holidays to Brisbane with.
Well I pretty much nailed the first thing on my list with a job as a senior accountant in one of the top accountancy firms in the city, although still eyeing up being a partner. Just got to wait for old Gerry to kick the bucket and the post should be mine. I do drive a red car, however it’s a Holden not a Ferrari so not quite the sports car I was hoping for. I don’t have a sexy wife to share my adventures with but who needs one woman to have fun with when you can have multiple to pick up and put down when I choose. Okay who am I kidding…I secretly would love a sexy blonde wife as my companion as after these past couple of weeks of chasing after girls and getting a quick lay are getting a bit boring. I need someone who is able to hold a decent conversation not someone who looks decent holding a cocktail but can’t string a sentence together.
Although I daren’t let Chad know my change in heart about relationships otherwise it’ll be his turn to rip the shit out of me.
And as far as fancy holidays to Brisbane go, I’ve also realised that whilst it is an okay city I wouldn’t put it as the most exotic of places to head to.
I may not have reached all my goals yet but I feel pretty okay with what I have achieved so far.
Chad on the other hand has pretty much nailed the beach bum vibe to a tee but seeing as he works as a baker I don’t think he has made it as the most minted beach bum in the world.
Although Chad hasn’t reached his goal, he doesn’t seem too fussed about getting older or what life has ahead for him, he just takes every day as it comes. To him every day is a new adventure.
His main priority seems to be catching the ‘gnarliest of waves’ and having an awesome time whilst doing so. In a way I quite like his simple way of looking at the world. He’d probably be a good psychology subject for my parents to look in to as I’ve never come across any one so chilled as him.
‘Yo, ground control to Ryan, is anybody in there?’ shouts Chad right in front of my face.
Looks like I have been caught daydreaming. I’ve never done that in front of Chad before, I feel rather sheepish and snap out of my thoughts immediately.
‘Sorry Dude. What were you saying?’
‘For a moment there, I thought you were spaced out on drugs or something, anyway never mind dude. What I was trying to say was did we remember to get some veggie sausages and burgers for Charlie because if we don’t, we need to go back as I do not want my ears to be subject to a whole load of verbal abuse on my birthday. All I want is peace, harmony, beers and burgers.’
I let out a small smile and we place the carrier bags full of goods on the pavement to have a look. As we stop to look in the plastic bag to check we have Charlie’s food I get distracted by a couple walking towards us.
This is the third time we’ve spontaneously bumped into each other like this. I’m almost wondering if this is a sign. My heart is hammering big time in my chest but I try my best to remain composed.
‘Hey Ruby, how are ya?’
She responds with a generic, ‘I’m really good’ answer that most girls will do as if they are trying to play it cool but the reality is that they are pissed off with you. Not surprising really when I never got back in contact with her.
I decide to introduce Chad to her as every girl that has met Chad warms to him instantly. This might also soften the blow for me and show that I do have friends of the male variety not just female. It’s funny though, Chad just has to smile at girls and they fall for his charms yet he stays as faithful to Charlie like an obedient golden retriever despite all the goodies available to him.
I see Ruby’s shoulders relax as soon as Chad starts talking to her and it is clear the Chad charm is working its magic. He’s even asked her to his birthday barbecue. Good move Chad. Somehow I wonder if his sub-consciously picked up the vibe that I am into this chick.
I notice Ruby’s eyes light up and I immediately get the butterflies in my stomach feeling as she looks like she is going to say yes. I feel excited that I might get another chance with her and also nervous that I might end up fucking this up again and lose the chance forever to make her my girlfriend. That’s right, I said the word ‘girlfriend’, after meeting Ruby my thoughts on ‘relationships’ have definitely taken a U-turn.
Just as Ruby is about to respond, the Dementor that is stuck on to her arm decides to ruin the whole situation by moving Ruby along meaning our conversation has come to an end and that my chance to make amends has gone out of the water again.
I secretly hope that the guy gets a whole load of sand in his eyes and that Ruby finds him a complete bore and would want to give me a second chance. This is unlikely though as this stuff only happens in the movies not real life.
Although I really didn’t like the way that guy was grabbing her arm, it just didn’t look right.
I start to look back in the bags we have to see whether we have Charlie’s veggie stuff but Chad brushes my hand away;
‘Don’t worry about the veggie stuff, I checked whilst you were drooling over that girl.’
‘I was not drooling Chad, she is just a friend.’
‘Friend my ass dude. So are you going to tell me about this chick then?’
I tell Chad the whole story as to how we met and the dates we’d been on. I never really go into any detail with the girls I have dated with Chad but somehow I feel the need to tell him everything about Ruby. I’ve always trusted Chad and whenever I have an issue I just open up like a double click. My mother always says that when it comes to emotions it’s always better to be out than in, although I thought that was more to do with farts than emotions but who am I to argue when she's sold 1.3 million books on how to find that perfect relationship.
‘Maaaaatteeee sounds like you have been hit by the love train hard.’
‘I don’t think so Chad, this guy is still on the lust carriage and he has no signs of getting off anytime soon.’ I reply. although I secretly know he is right.
‘Wh
atever Dude’. He knows that I am giving a bullshit response back but also knows not to push the topic any further. We then continue the rest of the walk to the flat in silence with just the sound of our thongs pounding the pavement and the rustle of plastic bags.
During the period of silence I begin reminiscing to myself about the dates I had been on with Ruby and the fun we had. I still have the picture she drew of the hotel in my wallet. When we get to Chad’s flat, he begins to fumble around for his keys and as he does so I decide to take the opportunity to get a sneak peak of the drawing. As I pull it out of my wallet I feel my heart beat become unusually fast again. I unfold it and look at all the detailed pencil etchings and I smile a small smile to myself.
An idea then flashes in my brain. Chad’s girlfriend Charlie is an editor for an arts and craft magazine, I might see if she wants to publish Ruby’s drawing as she is always moaning that she can’t find an illustrator.
‘Dude. Why are you staring into space again, I’m going to start getting you to pay me ten dollars every time you do that. Come inside. And what’s that piece of paper in your hand?’
Woah Chad seems to be in a bit of a mood this evening, ninety nine per cent of the time he is a chilled out dude so something must have rattled his cage. It probably doesn’t help when I’ve been daydreaming most of the journey to the flat.
‘Sorry dude, just thinking about stuff. Is Charlie in by the way?’
‘No worries. Let’s put these beers in the fridge ey and we can have a few coldies in half an hour. And yes of course Charlie is in, she’s the one who organised my birthday BBQ so don’t start causing an argument with her.’
‘I can hear my name’ says a voice from the stairs.
‘Hey Charlie’ I muster in my best fake friendly voice.
‘Look Ryan, if you are going to be rude. I suggest that you get it out of your system now so we can try and have a nice evening for Chad’s birthday.’
‘Look I am sorry I’ve pissed you off in the past Charlie and I promise I’ll be on my best behaviour tonight. Besides I have something that may be of interest to you.’
‘Yeah right Ryan, what do you have that will be of interest to me?’
I show her the piece of paper.
‘I know you are always looking for art work to go in your magazine. Just wondered if this would be of interest to you?’
I see her eyes widen and I know I have definitely piqued her interest and so it should it’s one of the best drawings I have ever seen.
‘Did you do this? It’s really quite something.’
I burst out laughing and shake my head side to side to confirm that it was not me who drew such a masterpiece. I may be able to draw up a budget but I certainly can’t draw anything remotely artistic.
I quickly remove the smile from my face and go back to poker mode as Charlie looks like she might get angry again due to my response and I don’t want to ruin this chance for Ruby.
‘It’s drawn by someone of the name Ruby Samuels.’
‘Well as far as I am aware you don’t have any relatives of that name, so I am going to deduce that it’s from a lady friend of yours. You must clearly like her though as I’ve never seen you go out of your way for a girl before like this. I’m not sure whether I am more surprised over the picture or the fact you might actually have feelings for a girl.’
‘Shut up Charlie. It’s none of your business whether I like her or have feelings for her. Do you want to publish the picture or not?’
‘Woah, you are seriously touchy this evening! And yes, I will publish the drawing, it is really beautiful, I haven’t seen such good artwork like this in a long while. I may need to contact her for more illustrations if it works well in this magazine, if you don’t mind.’
I pass on Ruby’s details to her and feel secretly pleased on behalf of Ruby that Charlie is going to publish her drawing. I immediately start thinking of all the ways I can surprise her and take her out for dinner but as I do so the images in my head of surprising Ruby get ruined by that guy who was holding her arm tightly and giving me the evilest of stares. My gut instinct tells me something doesn’t feel right between her and that guy and I need to go and investigate further. I immediately allay my fears to Chad.
‘I don’t know what it is but that guy with Ruby just looked a bit shifty. He seemed to be holding on to her arm a little bit too tightly for my liking. Do you fancy going for a walk along the beach? Just to check that everything is okay.’
‘Oh come on Dude, I’ve only just sat down and opened a cold one. Do you really think it’s a good idea to gate crash their date tonight? You’ll look a right Desperate Dan.’
‘I’m not desperate. I just have this odd feeling that something isn’t right. I see no harm in just walking by to check everything is okay and maybe let her know about the drawing Charlie is going to publish and that she might want to get in contact.’
Okay now I am starting to sound like some whiney tosser by thinking of all the excuses possible to see Ruby again, although I really don’t feel right about her with that guy, unless as much as I hate to admit it I actually feel jealous of them on a date but why would I feel jealous of a guy who wears a turtle neck?
No something isn’t right about him other than his dire fashion sense.
I really want to see her and I really want to see her now.
‘Dude you really do have the hots for her and you know what, good. It’s about time you connected with your feelings and experience a bit of love in your life. Lusting does you no good except landing you with nasty diseases.’
‘Okay I’ll admit that I have a soft spot for the girl but as to lusting its perfectly healthy and I let you know I always use protection so have remained disease free thank you very much. So are you walking or not?’
‘Sure whatever Dude. You know I can’t resist a walk by the ocean to see the waves, although if Charlie sees us going for a walk together she will think we are conspiring against her or some sort of shit like that. You go on ahead and I’ll catch up. Besides I need to choke down… I mean chew one of these veggie burgers first.’
One thing is for sure I would not be pretending to be a veggie for any girl no matter how hot she is. I really don’t understand why Chad puts all that effort in for a miserable cow like Charlie. At least Ruby knows how to smile.
Ah Ruby, she’s infected my brain but in a weird way I like it. Then the image of that creep she was with earlier clouds my happy thoughts again. I make my exit from the barbecue and hope that the date Ruby is on is going terrible but not so bad the guy is making her cry her eyes out.
After a few minutes walk from Chad’s place I hit the Bondi seafront. It’s dusk now so the light is starting to fade meaning the beach is near enough deserted. It’s funny I’ve never really paid much attention to Bondi beach despite growing up so close to it. It’s weird to think that this small strip of sand is the number one spot for tourists when there are so many other beautiful beaches along the New South Wales coast. I suppose it has its charm due to the good restaurants nearby and the yellow soft sand. It is also a prime spot to pick up some horny tourists but for a change I am not interested in finding one to shack up with as there’s only one girl I want to find this evening.
I notice two figures further up the beach and immediately recognise Ruby’s wavy blonde hair. He seems to be making a move, I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach as this guy will get to touch Ruby’s beautiful and delicate skin. Although she seems to have brushed off his advances and my insides lift slightly.
Suddenly things take a turn for the worse. It’s worse than I could have ever have imagined. He begins pushing and shoving her about into the sand and as Ruby tries to straighten up he begins to pull something out of his pocket.
The guy has a knife.
Instinct kicks in and I run as fast as my legs can take me to get to Ruby and this psycho in order to prevent her being injured.
Please don’t hurt her. Please. She is such an innocent and beautiful h
uman being, she does not deserve this.
I shout at the top of my lungs ‘RUBY I’M COMING…GET AWAY FROM HER YOU BASTARD!’
It’s too late he has stabbed her in the arm. I see him pin her to the ground. I continue to shout at him and push sand in his direction. He eventually turns around to face me and as I get face to face with him I pull him off Ruby whilst at the same time managing to get a strong grip on his knife arm. Even though his other arm is taking swipes at my body in order to take me out, I continue to tighten my grip on his knife arm and eventually he drops the blade to the ground. I use my foot to kick it away and get a blast full of sand in my eyes in the process but at least he cannot hurt Ruby anymore.
I then twist his arm around his back and use my other arm to continue to punch the sack of shit until he is on the ground and unable to move. If I could get away with it, I would’ve killed the guy.
As I see that the guy will not be getting up from the ground anytime soon, I hear Chad’s voice behind me and several people running out of the nearby restaurants and shops who have obviously seen and heard the commotion.
‘Dude what the fuck?!’
I sweep Ruby up in my arms, the colour of her clothes begins to reflect the colour of her name as blood begins to pour down my shirt. I hold her closer to my chest in the hope it will make things better and stop the blood seeping from her arm.
I tell her she is safe and I see a faint smile across her lips.
I take a deep breath to remain calm and respond back to Chad;
’Call an ambulance Chad. We need to get her to the hospital.’
I hear her croak out my name and then her eyes shut and her head falls to the side as flashing sirens come closer to us.
Please don’t let this be the end.
CHAPTER 21
‘Ryan, is that you?’
I feel his strong and comforting arms around my body. I am too weak to respond any further. I don’t know what is happening to me. I can just about make out a muffled sound of sirens, then the world became silent and black.
When Love Meets Lust Page 12
