Any Kind of Life (Hush Liverpool #4)

Chapter 6

“Oh, there’s no place like home.”

Paige dropped her holdall to the floor, the front door closing softly behind her. Juliet wasn’t home, she was having dinner with Hannah and Caz, but it gave Paige the perfect opportunity to shower and dress in something more comfortable before her girlfriend arrived. Hannah knew Paige was surprising Juliet tonight—encouraging Juliet into leaving the apartment had been a team effort—but the electricity pumping through Paige’s veins had her almost running out the door and to Hannah’s place now…rather than wait.

Just wait. It’ll all be worth it.

And it would be worth it. Seeing that sexy smile of Juliet’s had been all Paige thought about on her journey back to Liverpool. She knew Juliet had her schedule for the tour, but she wasn’t sure how often she checked it. This wasn’t just a quick flying visit. Paige had the next two days off. And once she returned to the tour, she was only forty minutes down the road in Manchester. What did that mean? It meant she had plenty of time over the next couple of days to dedicate all of her attention to Juliet.

She took her phone from the side of her holdall and brought up Juliet’s messages.

Hi, babe. How’s dinner going with the girls? x

Kicking off her trainers, Paige headed straight for the couch. She just wanted to rest for a moment, and then she would get the place ready for Juliet’s return.

Nice. I’ll probably leave soon. As much as I love Hannah and Caz, I’m not fond of being the third-wheel x

Paige laughed and shook her head. Juliet hated having dinner with couples when she was on her own. Paige did too, though.

I’m sure it’s not like that. Just enjoy yourself and I’ll talk to you later, okay? x

Paige watched as the delivered receipt turned to read. She lay down, enveloped by Juliet’s divine scent, and waited for a response.

Paige, could I ask you something? x

Of course, babe. What’s up? x

Juliet had been quiet over the last few days. Paige assumed it was the tour beginning to get to her, the time spent away, but if something else was on Juliet’s mind, Paige wanted to know. Because then she could put her mind to rest.

You have a break from the tour now. Unless I have the wrong schedule, last night was your last performance for a few days. I kind of hoped we could have spent those days together, but you haven’t suggested doing so.

Paige frowned. Okay, she hadn’t told Juliet she was coming home, but what exactly was it she wanted to ask?

Was there supposed to be a question in that message? x

She waited. And waited.

Then waited some more.

Do you not want to see me? x

Whoa. Paige hadn’t expected that to be what Juliet wanted to ask. She understood her girlfriend’s wariness, Juliet had been more than honest about her feelings leading up to the tour, but really? Did she really believe Paige didn’t want to see her?

Still, she didn’t want to ruin the surprise of being home.

Would a little white lie hurt? Surely not.

Sorry. Things are a bit hectic with the others. We have some time off, yes, but that’s also going to be time spent travelling to the next city and stuff x

Wow, Paige didn’t like lying to Juliet at all. Quite frankly, that message made her feel very uneasy. Perhaps it was time to just come clean.

Okay. Well, have a great night with the band, and I’ll talk to you soon. I love you x

Paige puffed out her cheeks, giving herself a moment to decide what to do next. Juliet had bought what she’d said, at least that’s how it seemed, but Paige still felt bad.

She switched to Hannah’s messages, hoping to get a feel for Juliet’s mood.

Hey, I’m back home. Is Juliet okay? I think she’s under the impression I’m avoiding coming home, so if you think it’s easier to tell her I’m back, I’ll do that. I don’t want her to have a shitty night because she’s upset.

Hannah started to respond immediately.

She’s fine. She did mention it to us, but she’s in the living room laughing with Caz right now. We’ve finished dinner so I’d imagine she will be heading home within the next hour. She wasn’t planning to make it a late night.

Okay, that satisfied Paige.

Thanks for getting her out of the apartment. Could you let me know when she leaves so I can have everything ready?

Sure. I know she’s dying to see you, so you’d better make it a good night!

Paige grinned. She planned to spend every second she could with Juliet for the next forty-eight hours. She switched back to Juliet’s message and quickly responded.

I love you, too x

And now, it was time to make sure the apartment looked as cosy as Paige wanted it to be. In a couple of hours, the woman of her dreams would be lying in Paige’s arms.

And there is nowhere else I’d rather be.

“Goodnight, H.” Juliet exited Henry’s car, leaning into the open window when she closed the door. She appreciated everything he continued to do for them, always there to keep an eye on any…unsavoury people lurking around, but he didn’t need to be here tonight. “I’ll be home for the rest of the night now. Get yourself some rest, and I’ll call you in a few days.”

“You know, she wouldn’t like knowing you’re locking yourself in the apartment day after day.” Henry gave Juliet a knowing look. “That’s not who you are, Jules.”

“Well, she doesn’t need to know.” Juliet just wanted to get inside and sleep off this dreadful mood she seemed to be in. What did it matter if Paige had a couple of days free? Those days were for recuperation, and Juliet knew that. Hell, she encouraged it. “If she calls you, you know nothing, and I haven’t been sitting around at home. Got it?”

Henry blew out a breath. “Whatever you say.”

Juliet patted the door. “Thanks for the lift. Take it easy, H.”

She turned and looked up at the apartment block, sighing when she felt that loneliness settle in the pit of her stomach once again. It wasn’t on Paige to prevent that feeling, Juliet was a grown woman who had managed just fine before she met Paige, but the nights felt longer. The days…they just dragged on and on. Juliet really needed to find a hobby for these kinds of times. Who knew what sort of life Paige would have soon. If they were going to be apart for long periods of time, Juliet had to find something to occupy her mind.

As she walked through the gates, she turned to find Henry watching her from his car. Perhaps she could treat him to dinner one evening. Maybe even just a chat and a coffee at the apartment. Henry was a good guy, he’d had her back for some time now, so why not thank him for that? She had an expensive bottle of scotch lying around somewhere that an old client had given to her; she was sure Henry could make use of it.

She entered the building via the fob on her keys, heading straight for the lift. Once she was safely inside, Juliet allowed the emotion she’d been holding back all night to surface. I just want one night with her, she thought, brushing a tear from her cheek. One night to look at Paige and remember everything they shared. One night to hold and be held. One night to stroke that soft blonde hair as they lay on the couch with one another.

Just…one night. It was all she needed to stave off the craving she had for Paige.

But Paige was busy being the superstar she was quickly becoming.

I’m so proud of her.

Juliet reached their floor. Another night of climbing into bed alone was about to commence. It shouldn’t be so dramatic in her mind. Before Paige, Juliet had spent practically every night climbing into bed alone. Well, with the exception of Rachel. But that had been a strange time in her life. One where she didn’t know what each day would bring.

She stopped in the corridor close to their apartment and took her phone from her bag. She shouldn’t have said what she had to Paige earlier this evening.

Hey. I’m home. I’m sorry about what I said before. I was just feeling a little lost without you. But I want you to know that I’m proud of you every time you go out onto that stage. Rest, baby. And please, take care of yourself. If you need anything, you know where I am. I love you always x

Exhaling a slow breath, another tear working its way down her face, Juliet slid the key into the lock and forced the apartment door open.

The place should have been in darkness, but as Juliet stepped over the threshold, candles illuminated the space. Warm flickers of soft light that instantly calmed Juliet. If not for the fact that she could smell Paige all around her, she would have questioned what the hell was going on. And then she turned ever so slightly. Paige was standing close to the bedroom door, her phone lit up and in her hand.

“I never want you to feel lost without me.”

Juliet regarded Paige with a lopsided smile, fresh tears threatening. “Paige. W-what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to surprise you. And right now, I’m glad that I did come home.” Paige crossed the space and took Juliet’s handbag from her. She placed it down on the kitchen island and took Juliet in her arms. Their eyes met, concern showing in Paige’s, and then she brought a hand to Juliet’s cheek. “Babe, what’s going on? You’ve been crying.”

“I’m okay. Just an emotional day.”

Paige cocked her head and gave Juliet a knowing look. “Talk to me, please. You know how important our communication is to me.”

Juliet buried her face in the crook of Paige’s neck, inhaling her scent. Just a moment or two, and she would speak up. But first, she needed to feel Paige’s warmth against her. Enveloping her. Keeping her safe. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Paige drew a palm up Juliet’s back, their bodies pressed together. “I’ve missed you, too. And I’m not leaving you for the next two days.”

Juliet pulled back. “What? Really?”

“Mmhmm. So, why don’t you change, and then we’ll get comfortable on the couch.”

Was it too soon to rip Paige’s tank top and boxer shorts from her body? Probably not, but Juliet would like to hear about Paige’s time away so far. They had plenty of time to reconnect. “I’d like that.”

“Me too. Now, go on. Shift that incredibly good arse, and I’ll wait for you on the couch. Glass of wine?”

Juliet grinned. “I’d love a glass of wine.”