Chapter Thirty-Three
Max
Another day, another painfully slow morning knowing my girl is in my bed whilst I’m stuck in this shit hole.
I say that, but it’s actually really nice in here.
It’s just a fact that I have left Lucy at home, naked and wrapped up in my sheets.
The image of her beautiful bare arse running through my mind is complete torture.
The one good thing about today is that Tommy is back working, even though he’s living in the Cotswolds with Maya for now.
But at least it’s a bit of pressure off me.
Doing both of our jobs hasn’t been the easiest, even with Lana helping me out.
It also means Lucy can stay at my place whenever she wants and doesn’t have to worry about anyone finding out.
I’m living the dream.
All I need now is to be able to take my girl out on a date and not just be confined to my apartment.
Not that I mind, because when we’re at my place, clothing is optional.
And a naked Lucy is my most favourite thing in the world.
I just hope it’s enough for her. The thought of her leaving me makes me feel sick to my stomach.
I’m happy with the way things are going, but is she?
Most of the time, I think she is happy with me.
No, I know she is. But sometimes, something feels off with her.
Especially when it comes to talking about her new job.
It's not like she comes to my work to visit me, but she works in a bar for fucks sake. Surely, it’s an average thing for a boyfriend to visit his girlfriend at the bar she works in.
I don’t even know what the bloody place is called.
If she’s not at work, she’s with me. Wrapped up in my arms or in her studio. Sometimes she doesn’t even let me in there. My mind is on fucking overdrive right now. After everything we’ve been through to get to this point, she wouldn’t give up. Would she?
“Yo, bro!” Fallon’s voice shocks me out of my thoughts as she leans around the now open door.
She looks gaunt. Nothing at all like how she used to.
We would laugh at how she would always be dolled up for every occasion.
Make-up done, hair styled, and a barely-there outfit.
Yet, seeing her now, dressed in yoga pants with her hair slapped back and not a scrap of make-up on, it’s disarming.
She looks a lot slimmer than she used to, and the dark circles under her eyes prove she’s not sleeping too well either.
“Hey, sis. Fancy seeing you here.” I smile as she makes her way into the room.
“I was walking past and thought I’d pop in. Fancy getting some lunch?” She asks, her eyes hopeful.
How can I say no to that? After everything that’s happened recently, Fallon is the one who has had it the hardest. Not just losing Harry, but also losing her best friend.
Especially now that Maya has moved away for a while.
I know loneliness better than most people.
Even when you’re surrounded by people you love, it's hard to ignore the feeling of being isolated.
“I would love to.”
“How has work been?” I ask before taking a bite of my burger.
We’ve nipped into a small independent café across from the office. The burgers in here are another level of goodness.
“It’s okay. Business is thriving.” She replies flatly, her face impassive.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” I ask in confusion.
“It would be, if it wasn’t for the fact that people are only coming in to find out the gossip about Maya and Harry. It’s like we’re a bloody circus show. Then there’s the fact that Gracie and Blair act like I’m an injured bird, about to break at any second.”
I know my sister very well, and I don’t think I have ever seen this look on her face. She wasn’t this bad when Dad left, or even when we realised he was never coming back.
“Is there anything I can do? We could all go down and stay in the Cotswolds for a while? God knows Tommy has enough room for a village in his estate.” I smile, trying to rid the sadness from her eyes.
“I can’t leave the salon now. Without Maya here and the extra clients we’ve got, it’s crazy. I’d be letting so many people down.”
“Of course you can. I’ll pay the bills until you're back. Your happiness is more important than work.” I lean across the table to take her hand, squeezing it. “We need to look after you, too.”
Her eyes well with tears, but she doesn’t let them fall. She shook her head to battle them away.
“I love you, Maxy. You’re the best.”
“I know.” I smile widely. “Now, tell me some gossip you’ve got. Cheer my day up.”
“I don’t think I have any.” She contemplates for a minute. “Oh, wait, yes, I do. Did you know Lucy has a new job? She’s working for that sex God of a man she met in London.”
What?
I stare at her blankly as my anger starts to rise.
“Riley?” I ask flatly.
“Yes, you know the one who likes her, but she won’t take him on? Maybe she will now that she’ll be spending more time with him. Lord knows she needs it. That girl never dates anyone.” She smiles before finally digging into her own meal.
I can’t speak. Can’t find the words to respond. I feel like I’m going to throw up or throw the table across the room. One or the other. Is this some sick kind of joke? No wonder she’s been so fucking sketchy about where she works.
I try to eat some more, but the food has turned to ash as soon as it touches my tongue.
I can’t believe Lucy would do this to me.
She wouldn’t go with him, would she? He would be the easier, safer option.
The one who could take her to nice places and show her off like she deserves. I can’t do any of that for her.
But that’s been her decision. Not mine.
I try to enjoy the rest of the time with my sister, but I can’t do it.
All I want to do is go home and find out what’s really going on.
I can’t lose her. Not now. My body is pulsing with contained fury as I finally say goodbye to Fallon and head back to work, but instead of going to the office, I head straight to the car park.
There is no chance in hell I’ll be getting any work done now. If he has laid even a finger on my girl, fuck, even a flirty comment, I’ll kill him.
As I drive across the city, the radio has decided to play every soppy love song it can find to irritate me even more.
I'm that pissed off, I turn the full thing off, needing silence. I’m not sure how I’m going to deal with this, but I do know that either way, I’m finding out what the hell is going on. Today.