“Shit! I asked him not to do anything! I told him I would take care of it.”
“D, that man loves you.” She points at me. “And this isn’t okay. We should have stopped you from ever marrying that bastard.”
I want to jump out of bed and chase after Oliver. Stop him from confronting Floyd, but I’m naked and Darcey is watching me like a bodyguard. Worry gnaws at my stomach – over what Floyd will do to Ollie, and over what a confrontation could mean for my father. I’m twisted up over what I should do. I don’t want harm to come to Dad, but I don’t want to live like this. Afraid in my own home, waiting for a time when Floyd's kicks land in a way I cannot heal from. No one deserves to live like this. Beaten and abused. Blackmailed and coerced.
Choose yourself.Oliver’s words from last night play on my mind.
Could I do it? Could I leave Floyd and let my father take whatever consequences he has coming his way? I don’t know. What I do know, is that whatever happens, I need it to bemychoice.
“Dars, I’m going to get up. Unless you want to see me buck naked, I suggest you go wait in the lounge.”
She stands, straightening her skirt. “Get dressed, but I can’t let you go after him.”
I scowl. I know everyone is looking out for me. But I’m an adult, for fuck’s sake. I don’t need to be handled with kid gloves.
“I’m not fighting you on this, Darcey. I don’t care what Oliver asked of you, or what good you think you’re doing. This ismylife. So either be my best friend and go with me, or go to work and leave me alone.”
She huffs. “You’re not going to listen to me, are you?”
“Absolutely not.” I throw my hands up. “It’s not like Oliver listened to me!”
“Fine! You’re a stubborn shit, Darius. Put some clothes on, I’ll call a cab.” Darcey turns on her heel and leaves me to get ready.
Gritting my teeth through the piercing pain in my side, and with the use of only one hand, I pull on a pair of my sweats I left here previously, and one of Ollie’s chunky-knit jumpers. I find Darcey in the kitchen, her head in the fridge. She pulls out a pre-made protein shake and holds it out to me. My stomach rumbles with hunger, but I shake my head.
“Those are rank.”
She reads the label, opens the bottle and takes a sip, her nose pulling up in distaste.
“Shit, you’re weren’t kidding. Doesn’t he have the chocolate flavour?”
“Nope. Ollie only drinks the unsweetened vanilla.”
Screwing the lid back on, she puts the bottle in the fridge, closing the door. “It tastes like watery milk.”
I ignore her comment, pouring myself a glass of water. Oliver left the packet of paracetamol on the counter, and I press two out of the silver foil and swallow them in one gulp. Then I rummage in his cupboard for one of the peanut butter protein bars I know he has somewhere. My eyes land on the open box of Jaffa Cakes on top of the microwave and the sight pinches at my heart, while also making me smile. Despite being mad at him in this moment, I am so fucking proud of Oliver. Finding a protein bar, I unwrap it and take a bite. It’s…awful. I hastily shove it all in, washing it down with water and hoping it settles the nauseating sensation in my belly.
I use the bathroom, looking into the hamper for my clothes from the night before, but finding it empty. My wallet is on the bathroom counter, but there’s no sign of my phone.
“Have you seen my phone?” I ask Darcey as I walk out of the bathroom.
She wraps an arm around my shoulders, guiding me to the door. She smells familiar – like lavender, clean linen and a childhood of shared moments – and I take comfort in her presence.
“No. Do you need it? Our cab’s here.”
I don’t remember where I left it when I came over last night. I can’t even be sure I had it on me. Darcey helps me into a coat she found hanging near the door. It’s too big because it belongs to Ollie. Lifting the collar to my nose, I breathe in the remnants of his aftershave.
“How long ago did he leave?” I ask, sliding on my shoes.
“Not long. Maybe fifteen minutes?” Darcey leans a hand on the door as she puts her heels on. “He was here when you woke up.”
“And he still left me?” I rub at my chest with my uninjured hand as Darcey opens the front door.
“I could see he didn’t want to. But he’s doing what he thinks is best. Isn’t that what started all this shit? You doing exactly that?” I nod. “You two were made for each other. Annoyingly loyal, the both of you. If you ask me, people should learn to be more selfish.”
“Is that your nugget of wisdom? Be more selfish.”
“Yep.” She pops the p. “I should put it on a t-shirt.”
