Chapter Seven
Maya
Why didn’t I just stay at Fallon’s place? Being stuck in a room with Tommy and having to pretend I don’t want to jump him right here and now is torture. Then Liz brought up the Jake situation. Just why? All this awkwardness could have been avoided.
Thankfully, the atmosphere is back to normal by the time we sit down to eat. As always, Lucy and Max are the ones to lighten the mood by bouncing jokes back and forth off each other. I could kiss them for it.
Lucy is beautiful. You can clearly see she isn’t blood related to the other three siblings with her stunning strawberry blonde curls, freckled skin and crystal blue eyes.
She has always reminded me of a little pixie, which is only enhanced by how much shorter she is than the others.
But while she may not be blood-related, you can’t deny that they are a family; they fit together perfectly.
Whenever Lucy and Max are together, it’s hard to take your eyes off them. They always joke as if no one else is in the room and don’t care about how loud their laughter is. It’s freeing to be around them.
Shortly after we had eaten, I stand to help clear the dishes. As I step into the kitchen, I sense that someone else has followed me in.
“Maya, are you sure you’re okay?” Tommy asks, setting plates down beside me.
“Yeah, I’m good, honestly. I’m just tired of everything right now.
Last night was a lot to take in, you know?
” I can’t seem to shift this funk I’m in.
This morning with the girls, I was fine, but they always know how to keep my mind occupied.
Maybe being around the man I want but can’t have isn’t helping the situation either, though.
I start to wash the dishes, and to my surprise, Tommy comes around to my other side to dry them. We carry on like that in silence for a few minutes, my mind elsewhere.
“Do you need me to rough him up a little?” His voice jolts me out of my thoughts, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
I laugh at that. “No, I think he’s wounded enough. We really weren’t that serious, at least in my eyes anyway.”
Standing this close to him, all I can smell is his aftershave, again.
It’s like a drug, enticing me towards him.
I really wish I didn’t feel this way about him; life would be so much simpler.
Did he have to be so nice? And charming?
And gorgeous? If he carries on, I will end up jumping him right here in his parents' kitchen.
Control yourself, Maya.
“I can imagine how hard it is for him. How hard it would be to fall under your spell.” He moves his body so he is now angled towards me. That invisible pull is back, drawing me in.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” I reply, unable to look away from him.
He lifts his hand, tucking a piece of hair that has fallen in front of my face behind my ear. As I go to move away, the back of his hand gently caresses my neck.
“You are truly beautiful, Maya. Being with you would be a gift for any man.”
This man! Still feeling the ghost of his touch on my neck and hearing his words has me squeezing my thighs together, needing the pressure to dull the ache he is creating. Does he even realise what he’s doing? All these years longing for him, I don’t think I can control myself for much longer.
The dishes have long been forgotten, and gravity has taken control of both of us. He is leaning in towards me, and I am leaning in towards him.
He is so close now, I can feel the heat of his breath on my lips, and we still haven’t broken eye contact.
God, I could get lost in those eyes. His hands start to travel up my neck before grasping hold of the back and angling me perfectly.
Perfectly for him to kiss me. My own hands drift up and grasp the front of his shirt, pulling him in to me.
Then his lips are on mine.
I have never felt so much raw emotion from a kiss before. His lips are just what I imagined they would be. Soft and demanding.
Before we have even properly started, there is a cough in the direction of the door.
Shit!
Max is leaning against the door frame, arm crossed with a cocky smile in place.
I dive away from Tommy. Cheek’s heating at being caught.
Then the guilt slams into me. What am I doing?
In his family home, no less. Fallon is in the other room and could have walked in at any moment.
Even though the guilt is making my stomach churn to the point I feel sick, I don’t regret it.
I could never regret finally indulging in Tommy.
“Sorry to break this up, but we need to leave to make it back in time for the Formula One. But I have got to say, it’s about bloody time you two gave in to each other,” He tells us, still smirking playfully as he walks off.
I risk a glance back at Tommy, and he is panting and a fire of pure wanton desire burns in his eyes. I stand, frozen and lost for words, unable to string a sentence together. I’m torn between jumping for joy and converting into a nun to repent my sins.
I know this shouldn’t be happening. I know that Fallon with hate me. I know that I will probably end up with a broken heart.
But I want him.
And I think he wants me too.
I am in the world’s worst mood. Sprinkling my negative energy everywhere I go.
Gracie has already threatened me twice to stop fucking up her chakras.
I couldn’t even bring myself to fake it in front of my clients today.
Poor Mrs Newton nearly got whiplash from how erratically I was washing her hair.
Shortly after kissing Tommy last night, we rang a taxi, and I almost dislocated Fallon’s shoulder dragging her out of there. The whole ride home, I was desperate to tell Fallon what had happened; it was like word vomit in my mouth. It was all I could do to keep it from spilling out.
After last night, I don’t think I could stand another minute at her apartment.
I need my cabin. My sanctuary. I love having my own space, it’s where I go to process, to be able to think clearly and without any outside influence.
Something I desperately need after everything that has happened.
I’m so accustomed to being on my own, it’s hard work sharing space with someone else.
I love Fallon, but I just need a minute to breathe.
“Hey, babes, what’s got into you today?” Gracie questions me whilst we lock up the salon. Luckily, it’s been a quiet day with just me, Blair and Gracie working; Blair was only in half of the day too.
“Nothing, it’s just been a long weekend, and I’m really missing my own bed.”
“Oh, I can imagine. There is nothing better than getting tucked up in your own bed with a good book and a cup of tea. Are you sure you’re going to be okay going back tonight?” She asks, concern clear in her eyes.
“Yeah, I reckon so. I haven’t heard from him since that night. From what he said to me, I think he’s as much done with me as I am with him,” I reply. “How’s your day been today? I’ve been that busy today, I feel like I haven’t seen you.”
Fallon and I work downstairs in the salon doing hair, whilst Gracie and Blair are upstairs doing beauty. It’s great, because no matter what, there’s always someone able to make us feel gorgeous. Owning a salon with your three best friends is honestly so special.
“You don’t even want to know,” She huffs out, frustrated.
“Actually, I’m going to tell you anyway.
I had some big, hairy bloke in for a massage this afternoon.
I was halfway through his treatment and told him to turn over so I could do his calves and feet.
Anyway, five minutes into one leg, I noticed movement under his towel! !!”
“Nooooo! Please tell me he wasn’t doing what I think he was doing?” I demand.
“Well, you can imagine me thinking that. I started shouting around the room about how disgusting it was and how rude of him to do such a thing. You should have seen his face! He was in shock, with no clue what I was going on about. He was only bloody texting on his phone! He said it was because he felt rude texting work in front of me when I was rubbing his legs, so he did it under the towel instead.”
“Shut up! This is the funniest thing I’ve heard all day,” I wheeze out, laughing so hard I have tears streaming from my eyes. “That poor fella. Did you carry on with his massage?”
“Did I shite. After apologising a million times, I ran out of the room. Luckily, it was as Blair was finishing work, so she went in and finished him off.” She cringes at the innuendo she mistakenly said. “You know what I mean. The massage!”
God bless her heart, I don’t think I have ever seen Gracie this hot and bothered before.
“You have made my day. Now tell me, why are you getting all flushed talking about it? I know you… You only ever get flushed when you fancy someone.” I probe. Giving her a sly side eye.
“Because, although he was hairy like a bear, he was so handsome. Literally the most charming man I’ve ever met. And do you know what’s worse? He has booked in again for in two weeks’ time. With me!” I don’t think I have ever seen Gracie look so mortified. “What am I going to do?”
“I’ll tell you what you’re going to do. You are going to give him the best massage ever, which he clearly must have enjoyed today, and then you are going to give him your number,” I wink.
“Oh my god, Maya! I can’t do that. I don’t think I can ever look at him again, never mind give him my number,” Now she truly is horrified. Being the bad friend that I am, I burst out laughing.
“This could only happen to you,” I laugh.
“God, don’t I know it. Anyway, I need to rush off, Blair is making lasagna, and you know she can’t cook for shit. Just promise me you will ring me if you need me?”
“I promise, so stop stressing over me. It’s all blown over now,” I tell her over my shoulder as I begin to walk in the opposite direction.
Giggling to myself, I head towards the train station. Nipping in and out of shops as I go. I’ve not been home in days, so I doubt I have much edible food left. I can’t wait to get my car back, too. I feel lost without it.
As I wander, my mind does the same. Thinking about last night, again.
I can’t remember a time I didn’t feel this way about Tommy.
It makes me wonder if that was the reason I’ve never found anyone who makes me feel alive in my own skin, why I always settle for the men who do nothing for me.
No passion, no heat, no rush of adrenaline at the thought of kissing them or taking them to bed.
The kiss with Tommy last night lasted seconds and still held more passion than sex with Jake.
Tommy is the one who was always there for me when I was younger.
We never spoke much about anything important; we just enjoyed being in each other’s company.
He was always there when times got rough.
Some of the situations my mum got us into growing up were hell, but Tommy was always there to sneak me away.
I don’t know how I would have survived without him.
I lay my head down on the grass, feeling relaxed now that I’m out in the crisp evening air.
Tommy knew my mum’s newest boyfriend liked to take his anger out on me.
It has never gone past verbal abuse, but it still hurts.
So when he texted me, like he does most nights, seeing if I needed to escape for a while, I said hell yes.
I look over my shoulder, where Tommy lies next to me, and take him in for a minute. He is so captivating, I could stare at him for hours, but I know that I can’t, so the longing looks have to be minimal. He is currently lying on his back with one arm behind his head, staring at the stars.
“Thank you for this.” I don’t need to explain what this is; he already knows.
Turning his head towards me, he smiles gently.
“You know you can call me anytime, don’t you? Even in the middle of the night, I would be there for you.”
“I know,” I reply softly, bravely reaching for his hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “I wish we could stay out here forever.”
I go to pull my hand back, but he stops me and links our fingers. Staring back at the stars again.
“Yeah, me too.”
Thinking back, I don’t know when this infatuation started. It was like a simple childhood crush that never faded away. He has always been a charmer, but it’s more than that. No matter what I needed, Tommy was there, he helped me with homework, lifts home from parties or even just some company.
There is something so attractive about a brooding but caring man.
The fact that I find him so attractive doesn’t help the situation. I always had a feeling that it wasn’t one-sided, that he could feel the same way I do, but he never acted on it. What’s a girl supposed to do? It’s all so confusing.
I’m completely lost in my thoughts as I walk into the train station, not taking in my surroundings, when I hear a familiar voice. A voice I am not prepared to hear right now. Running like a crazy lady, I tuck myself into a corner on the platform, just out of sight of Jake.
He is standing, talking to a beautiful woman with that winning smile that first caught my attention. Is he dating already? Any normal person would feel distressed over this, having just broken up a couple of days ago. Yet, all I feel is relief.
Thank the fucking lord.
I would never have told the girls, but I was a little bit worried about going home tonight, but seeing him with a woman has made me feel so much better.
Unable to take my eyes away, I watch him as he does all the things he would do to me.
Slightly touching her hand with his, holding eye contact with a sexy smile.
All the things that draw you in to a man like him, before it all goes to shit.
After watching for a few minutes, I take out my phone to text the group chat. The girls need to be in on this.
Maya – You will never guess what I’m looking at right now!
Fallon – Tom Hardy?
Gracie – Another new coffee shop?
Blair - Hurry the F up, the suspense is killing me.
Maya – None of the above. Jake with another woman!!!
Gracie – SHUT UP!
Blair – Who else would be crazy enough to go near that psycho?!
Maya – Ey! Don’t be mean. I was blinded by the romance, I now see the error of my ways.
Fallon – Well thank fuck for that. This should mean he will leave you the hell alone now.
Maya – One can only hope.
I look back up from my phone and fortunately for me, they seem to have left. They must have gone to another platform, hopefully anyway. I can’t begin to imagine how painful that would have been, trapped in a speeding tin can for over half an hour with them both.
As my train pulls up and I have a quick scan around, thankfully, they are nowhere to be seen.