“For fuck's sake.” I tip my head back against the sofa as my stomach rolls with disappointment. This is fucking frustrating, but I sense her eyes pleading with me to agree, so I guess I have no choice. I don’t like it at all “Okay. I’ll do it your way, but you’re keeping Andrew. That’s non-negotiable.” I growl.
“Ahh, that’s another sticking point.”
My stomach twists tighter. “I mean it, Angie. Andrew stays with you.”
“I’m not disputing that, but I’d like him to transfer to my payroll.”
“What the?—”
“Tommy, this is just the ammunition Chelsea is looking for, and as half the bloody nation already thinks I’m a home-wrecker, I’m not giving her or anyone else the satisfaction of thinking I’m a kept woman.”
“Why the fuck would you say that? You work your arse off every single day.” It’s getting difficult to keep my temper even.
“Come off it, Tom. You know better than anyone about this stuff. The press doesn’t care about that. All they care about is spinning a good ‘news story’.” She air quotes. “Anyway, with that in mind, I’ve made a big decision.”
I note her take a breath and roll her lips. “From today, I’m a silent partner in the business.”
I sit up abruptly. “Why the—Jesus, Angie. You’re giving up everything for?—”
“No, I’m not,” she says, adjusting her sitting position so we’re eye to eye, although she’s still in my hold. “I’m doing what’s best all around. I met up with Chris this morning.”
“But Andrew checked out the showroom and said you weren’t there, just a mob of press.”
“Which is why I met him at the Rosie Lee café. It just felt safe, and I guessed no one would find me there.” She bites her bottom lip with worry, then adds, “Chris and I made an agreement, Tom. I’ll get an income, but Chris will run the business from now on. It’s best for everyone in the long run, and this way, I’m still involved without running things day to day.”
I feel like shit. “I made you do this,” I reply, shaking my head and looking away.
She guides my face back to look at her. “No. I did this because our circumstances have changed. I want to be with you, and this is something I have to do.” Her eyes are so intense as they look into mine. Then she says, “You were right, Tom. I do work my arse off, and I finally realised that I’ve done my best for Scott. I’ve kept the business going for six years without him, and I hope that one day, Josh might take an interest, but for me, it’s time to move forward. As for keeping a low profile, it’s the first step to the rest of our lives. Once your divorce comes through, we can do everything we planned. Until then, please, let me do what I feel is right for me, you, and the boys.”
It's clear Angie needs this, and after all the shit she’s gone through for me, I’ll give her anything.
“As long as spending less time together is just temporary?—”
She interrupts me without any hesitation. “I promise.”
I nod then close my eyes for a second. “All I want is the chance to love you the way I should have the first time around. If this is what we have to do to make that happen, then okay.”
She nuzzles her cheek against my chest. “Thank you, Tom. Believe me. It’s best for all of us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
TOMMY
“About time. Where have you been?”I ask Ash as he enters the music room.
We’ve been practising and writing new material at my place since Ash arrived home from Greece.
“Sorry guys. I took the kids to the beach this morning. They didn’t want to leave. Oh, and you’ll be happy to know the press have pissed off from outside our place. I guess they finally realised you’re not staying with us anymore.”
I answer, giving him a bro hug. “I’m sorry about that, man.”
Max smirks like a kid with a secret after slapping Ash’s back to welcome him in. “Come off it, Ash. That wasn’t the reason they left.”
I turn to Ash. “What’s he talking about?”
“Thanks, fat mouth.” Ash smirks at Max.
“Ash?” I ask again.
