I shrugged and painted a smile on my face, “Spur of the moment.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek, his arm hooked around me and hugged me. “It’s good to see you, anyway.”
“You too.”I answered quietly.
“Why don’t I make coffee?” Mom said standing, “You can catch up with your brother.” She pointed her gaze at me, I knew what she was trying to get at, she wanted me to tell him what was going on. Dan released me and moved to the other end of the couch, lifted my feet and sat down.
“So, what’s with the spontaneity?”
“I was always coming back soon, I just didn’t know when,” I shrugged again like everything was fine, “I didn’t have much on, so I thought I’d come down.”
He studied my face, “Are you okay?” His gaze roamed over me, I sucked in a breath and nodded. “No, you’re not. I used to see that look when we were younger. What jackass has upset you?”
“Just leave it, Dan.” Tears were pricking at my eyes again, I couldn’t cry, not now. I repeated that mantra to myself over and over. But the more he stared at me, it was harder to hold them off. My chin wobbled and my nostrils flared as the first tear started to fall.
“You need to tell me who’s ass I need to kick.” I sniffed back my tears; I didn’t want to cry anymore. Damn, I’m such a baby, but I couldn’t stop. I swiped the back of my hand over my eyes again and inhaled.
“It’s okay. I promise.” Just then mom walked in with three cups on a tray.
“Here we go.” She passed me mine, and then passed Dan’s to him. As I held my tea in my hands, the aroma of Dan’s coffee hit my senses. Usually, I loved the smell of coffee, but today it turned my stomach, and I knew I was going to be sick. I carefully shoved my cup towards my mom and shot off the couch. I raced up the stairs with my hand over my mouth. Bursting through the bathroom door, I dropped to the tiles, and threw myself over the toilet bowl, the contents my stomach emptied and once I was certain I was finished, I wiped my mouth with some toilet tissue, I threw it into the water and flushed it away. I dragged myself up and got back onto my feet, my legs shook slightly as I bent slightly to wash my mouth out. My hands clutched the edge of the sink as I pulled myself together, then once the feeling to throw up some more had passed, I ventured back downstairs.
“So,” Dan said firmly, “what was all that about?”
I sighed as I got back on the couch, “Just a stomach flu.”
“Why are you lying to me. I’m not stupid, Kaz.”
“Dan, please,” I sighed softly, “I’m asking you to not ask questions, and when I’m feeling more like myself, I’ll fill you in.” He held his arm out for me, giving in for now and I snuggled into him, pressing my cheek to his chest and draped my arm over his stomach. It had been a long time since he’d done this. My big brother had quite often acted like a father figure, but sometimes he had to back off and he knew that. I’d tell him when I was ready.
I wasn’t sure how long we sat like that, but I knew it had been a while. I was about to move from him when I heard the door knocking. I prayed to all that was holy it wasn’t a visitor that would need to come in, because the state of my puffy eyes would put anyone off. I could hear voices, but I couldn’t hear who Mom was talking to. So, I ignored her, and whoever had her talking on the doorstep, and lifted my head from Dan’s chest.“I’m here when you’re ready, sis.”He kissed the top of my head. My brother always knew how to comfort me.
I smiled across at my brother, “Thanks, Dan.”
“Always.” I heard the door close again. Thank goodness for that. My body slumped back the other way and my head fell back onto my cushions and settled my gaze back on the telly.
I heard the light footsteps and knew Mom was coming back. “Who was that?” I mumbled not lifting my head again. I didn't want to look at anything but the telly, it was the only thing that got my attention, and that was only because I didn’t have to concentrate. I hadn’t even turned my phone on today. What was the use.
“It’s me.” My eyes widened. It couldn’t be. “K?” It was. Only Gav that called me that.What the fuck was he doing here?
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Gavin
My hands clenched at my sides as I stood at Karen’s Mum’s door. I never thought I’d be doing this–meeting the family, not this soon anyway. But, if I had to do this, I would. But no matter how nervous I was or however scared I was, I knew I had to get it done and stop being a tool all my life.
I’d figured that I’d pretty much do anything for that girl. That was a strange realisation I’d come to after Holly had ripped me a new arsehole for the way I’d treated her, she made me promise to not hurt her again.
As I waited for the door to open, our conversation was at the forefront of my mind.
“Do you know how many tears she’s cried over you?” Her tone was sharp and full of venom. “From the first time she told me about you, I knew you had the power to break her. I saw it in her eyes, they shone when she mentioned your name.” She huffed and shook her head, and her lips twisted up as sheregarded me. “You broke her, Gav. I’ve never seen her so upset, so tell me why you think I should tell you where she’s gone? Why would I betray her trust like that?”
“Holly, please.” I studied her for a moment, “I love her.” Just hearing those words falling from my own lips so easily even had me shocked but it felt so natural too. “I know I haven’t done the right things through this, but I love her, and I need to tell her before it’s too late for us. Please.”
Something must’ve pulled at her heart strings because she groaned at herself, as her eyes narrowed and snatched a post it note from the table in their apartment. She scribbled the address down and passed it to me.
“Don’t hurt her again. I’m trusting you. This is your only chance, Gavin.” I pulled her in for a hug, promising to not hurt her again and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you.”
And with the address tucked in my palm, I left their place and jumped in my car, input the address into the satnav and set off.
