I think I lost it so badly because this anger at myself had been building for weeks.
I’d wanted to take it out on someone, and Chris had been the perfect target. I could punish him for what he’d done to Lily. For whatI’ddone to Lily.
The front door opened and slammed shut, footsteps approaching.
“Good news.” Harry strode into the living room. “I did a little investigating, and the police weren’t called. Chris and his mates left the club without reporting it. The club didn’t want any bad press, so they didn’t report it either.”
“That’s good,” I replied flatly. Though truthfully, it was good news. I might not be an oft-talked-about member of the royal family, but the tabloids would definitely print a story about Princess Mary’s grandson almost beating a man to death in a Scottish nightclub.
“Did … did he really stalk Lily? That’s what Zac said Jan said.” Harry sat down on the sofa, his expression uncharacteristically concerned.
I nodded. “He was her ex. He treated her … badly.”
Anger flashed in Harry’s eyes. “Glad you beat the shit out of him, then.”
I huffed bitterly, raising my hand with the necklace. “I lost her for good because of it.”
“What’s that?”
“The necklace I gave her for Christmas. She dropped it off with the doorman.”
Harry winced. “Sorry, man … So, does that mean you guys really were a thing?”
A thing? We were so much more than a bloody thing.
My mobile rang, saving me from having to answer. I reached for it. “It’s Juno.”
My friend nodded and stood. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
“Thanks, Harry.”
“For what?”
“For always having my back.”
He smirked. “Remember that after you answer your phone.”
I frowned, watching him disappear into his bedroom as I picked up. “Junebug.”
“Harry said you beat up some bloke that used to stalk Lily. What the hell?”
Bloody Harry. I sighed. Heavily. And rested my head against the wall, closing my eyes.
“Sebastian?”
With a grumble of weary impatience, I launched into the story without giving away too many details about Lily’s ex. That was hers to tell, not mine.
Juno’s tone was careful. “And she ended your friendship?”
A sharp, agonizing ache flared in my chest. “Yes.”
“I feel like I’m missing something.”
Bugger it.There was no point hiding anything now that everything was a giant mess. “Lily thinks I’m punishing myself for what happened to Lawrence.” Juno was one of the few people who knew about the incident.
“I don’t understand.”
“She thinks I gave up pursuing a football career and a career as an artist because I’m punishing myself for what happened to Lawrence. She thinks I think I don’t deserve real happiness and that’s why I refuse to choose the things that will make me happy, including … well, her.”
