Chapter 45
Marcus
“Lily is out with her girls, so this is the perfect opportunity.” I’m grinning like a fool as I talk with Harris. “Look, I'm on my way to collect everything, and we can sort the rest of the plan out. I’ll see you in ten.”
“She really has you by the balls, doesn’t she?” I can feel his smile through the phone.
“Totally, and I fucking love it.”
“Me too, man. I’ve never seen you like this. You’re like Tigger on steroids, bouncing around.”
“I don’t understand that reference, but I’m taking it as a good thing. Nothing can upset me right now.”
“You’re definitely in a great place.”
Is that a note of jealousy in his tone?
“You okay, brother?” I indicate to move lanes, checking my mirrors and gliding into the right lane. The British weather is out in force today. Was glorious sunshine not twenty minutes ago, and now the heavens have opened so it’s like a monsoon out here.
“Yeah, I’m good. Just…” He sounds so forlorn.
“It’s just what?”
“It’s just, I want that.”
“Want what?”
“Someone to come home to. Someone who gets me acting like a fool, and who just understands me, takes me for what I am. Someone to look after.”
“Where’s this come from?”
I move lanes again as I overtake a cyclist.
“I thought I saw her today,” he says quietly.
And instantly know who he’s on about. The one that got away.
“And it wasn’t her?” Pulling to a stop at the lights, I squint into the dark as I try to keep my bearings; the rain falling even harder.
“No. Just someone who looked like her, but it brought it all back. I’m never going to get over her. I’ve tried, you know I’ve tried, but she’s the only one I think of. She always will be.”
“Do you know where she is?” Jesus, this weather is so bad. Visibility is terrible, I can barely see the car in front.
“No.”
“Well, maybe we could find her,” I say brightly, hoping to bring him out of his mood.
“I’m not exactly hard to find, Diaz. If she wanted to find me, she would.” He sighs and I can imagine him raking his hands through his hair in frustration.
“Don’t take that defeatist attitude. Come on, you helped me with operation ‘Lily love’ and it worked. Let me return the favor.”
“But…”
“No buts.” I pry. “You love her, right?”
“Never fucking stopped.”
“Then we find her and give her your balls back.”
He barks out a laugh. “I never took them back, man.”
“True. So I’m on my way. We'll plan something. People don’t just disappear.” A crack of thunder rumbles, and then the sky lights up with lightning, making me jump slightly as I slow at the next set of lights.
“Okay,” he responds a little reluctantly.
“Look, you’re helping me plan this little celebration surprise for Lily, so I’m doing my duties as your best friend and finding you your girl. Now I hope you’ve got the kettle on. I'm now only five minutes away.”
“The kettle? Fuck me, she has changed you.”
“Yep, and I couldn’t be happier.”