Chapter Twenty-Two
Max
Today is the day I can finally stay at my own apartment. All the construction crew and designers have worked around the clock to get it ready for me. It’s the same people we have used for the new offices, so I knew they would have done a great job before even setting foot inside.
I can’t help the grin on my face as I let myself into my own home.
Not just any home, but the first that is all mine.
I can’t wait to call Lucy and let her know.
I have kept the place a secret this whole time, wanting it to be special when she finally sees it.
I have a feeling she will have the shock of her life when she sees what I’ve done to the place and how I’ve made it into a home with her in mind.
I freshen up as quickly as I can, then head over to Tommy's place. I am going to bring her to see it right now, I can’t wait another minute. We still haven’t had the much-needed talk that we need to have, and tonight is the perfect opportunity.
Letting myself in, I call out for them, but no one replies. That’s odd. He hasn’t left this apartment in weeks, and Lucy hasn’t left his side. I try to call Lucy's phone first, which goes straight to voicemail, then call Tommy's.
A wave of anxiety takes over me that I can’t control.
This is one thing I hate about myself. How lost I feel whenever I’m alone.
I’m fine. Everything is fine. They’re just out and will be back soon.
Even though I know this to be true, my palms are still clammy and my heart is beating a mile a minute.
My phone vibrates with a call from Jenson. Thank fuck someone is available to talk to.
“Hey, Jen.”
“Get your arse over to Xpressions. Tommy is finally leaving his pit and coming for a drink.” He says over the loud bass music in the background.
“You’re joking! I’ll be there in two. Is Lucy coming with him?” It wouldn’t surprise me as she won’t leave his side.
“Nah. She’s away for a while or something. Now hurry the fuck up.” He barks before cutting me off.
Away? Away where? And why am I only just finding out about it? Why wouldn’t she have told me?
The pity party for one I’m having soon leaves me when I step into the bar. Just one look at Tommy’s smiling face is enough to brighten my day. I haven’t seen him smile in so long, and trust it to be Jenson talking absolute garbage to bring it out of him.
He still looks like shit, but it’s a big improvement from how he has been.
“Hey,” I say, taking a seat next to them, a drink already waiting for me.
“So, this sorry fucker is moving back to the Cotswolds for a while,” Jenson says, nodding towards Tommy.
“Really? I think it’ll be good for you.” I wonder if that’s where Lucy is, getting herself settled before he joins her. But still, I don’t get why she hasn’t given me a heads up.
“I can’t do it anymore, Max. I need to get away until she’s ready to speak to me. Fallon tries every day to get her to meet with me, but it's just pissing her off more.” His frown slides back into place. “You’ll be okay up here running the office, won’t you?”
“Obviously. I’ve been doing it for a while now anyway.” I joke, bumping his shoulder with my own. “Is that where Lucy is?”
I couldn’t have waited any longer to ask.
“No, she’s in London with Sara. She left a few nights ago.” He replies.
What. The. Hell.
She’s been gone for days. And I had no idea!
This just shows how much work I have taken on. I have thought about her nonstop. I even jacked off to the thought of her last night. Yet still, I have been so busy I haven’t even noticed she’s been gone. Fuck.
But why didn’t she tell me she was leaving? It’s not that hard to send a text. You haven’t texted her either, dickhead, I think to myself. Which is true, I have made no effort at all. She must be so angry with me. Although she has been just as busy running around after Tommy.
“How long is she staying in London for?” I wonder aloud, trying my hardest to sound casual.
“She isn’t sure. I booked her a hotel room with an open stay, so whenever she wants to, I guess.” He replies nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders and swigging his beer.
Nonchalant, my fucking arse. I need more details than this.
“Where about is she staying?”
“Jesus fucking Mary and Joseph. Max, give the guy a minute, he doesn’t need interrogating on his first lads’ night!” Jenson interrupts as a barmaid comes over with a tray of shots. “You boys and your overprotective bullshit.” He raises the shot high, motioning for us to do the same.
“I want a night with no thinking, no dwelling, just us and some booze.” Tommy raises his, too.
“Yeah… except add in a beautiful lady or two for me and Maxy boy here!” Jenson laughs, slapping me on the back with his free hand.
I will not be going near any woman that isn’t my woman tonight. But these two can’t know that. So I lift my own shot and do what I need to.
“Cheers!”