Chapter Eight
Fallon
I can't do this anymore. Every single time we think she's safe, this happens. But this time was different. He hurt Gracie, too. Poor innocent Gracie. We thought it would be a good idea to visit Maya and Tommy in the Cotswolds for a while, but how wrong we were. The worst part is, we don’t actually know what he did to Maya, and how far he took it. From the way Tommy reacted, I’m not sure if she was abused in a different way. I hope to god that’s not the case.
Maya's ex has been obsessed with her. Stalking her, sending her messages, pretending to be someone else entirely when she had lost her memories, all to get close to her. No one could know the lengths he is willing to go.
And the worst part of it all, the selfish part, I was finally happy. Maybe only for a night, but last night was the first time I actually felt whole. I know I shouldn’t be making this about me, and I would never tell another soul, but I’m so fucking sad. I feel as though so much has been taken from me, even though I have no right to feel that way.It’s all a confusing mess.
I've been up in Gracie’s hospital room whilst Tommy is sitting downstairs in Maya’s. The doctor is currently in there with her, and I thought I'd give the lovebirds a bit of space alone when he leaves. Gracie is okay, though. She's awake, just inconsolable. It all happened so fast; he hit her in the middle of the club, surrounded by people, and no one saw it happen.
I knew I always hated the guy, but this now goes far beyond hate. He deserves to rot in hell for all the torment he is causing.
Once Gracie has calmed down and is wrapped up in Blair's arms, I head down to check in on my brother and Maya. I need a minute of silence by myself first. Just the one. To take in everything and to feel my own emotions before putting on my usual charade. Heading to the stairwell, I sit on the top step and bury my face in my hands. A silent tear escapes my eye that I bat away quickly.
Come on, Fallon. Get over yourself.
I try to control my increasingly shaky breathing when the lower door to the staircase opens. I jump to my feet and end up stumbling, slipping down a step and landing back on my arse.
“Oh fucking hell,” I groan out.
My coccyx hits the hard edge of the step. Fuck, that is going to bruise.
“Fallon?” A voice calls from the bottomstep.
Not just any voice.
Lukes.
Slowly, I lift my head to take in the man standing below me. Just as gorgeous and as irresistible as ever. And without thinking it through clearly, I jump to my feet and run out the same door I came from. Ignoring my name being called from behind.
Shit. Fuck. Urg!
What the bloody hell is wrong with me? Why can't I act normally? I have to be the fricking weirdo girl all the time. It’s like a magic power I can't control. Not knowing where to go next, I pass by Gracie’s room again, but stop at the door when I see the police are in there with her, more than likely taking a statement. Now what am I going to do? I can’t use the stairs, and I can't go to the lift near the stairs. So I carry on walking in the hopes I find another lift.
After ten minutes of strolling through the corridors, I find myself outside Maya's room. Luckily, the time it has taken to get here has helped me to get my emotions under control.
“Knock, knock,” I say as I rush into the room.
She is sitting up in bed, looking awfully pale, but freshly showered. With Tommy only a step away from her, also with damp hair. How I never knew how madly in love these two were, I’ll never know. They're perfect together.
“Hi, Fal,” she says in a small voice.
“Hello, my gorgeous jellybean. How are you feeling now?” I ask, making my way to the other side of her bed.
She’s looking at the end of the bed and then back at me. Turning, my gaze locks onto the mysterious view. Luke is standing at the end of her bed with a clipboard in hand.
What are the fucking chances?
Then I realise why he always looked so familiar. This isn’t just my Luke… It’s Maya's doctor from the night of the accident.
“Oh, er, hi, Lu… Dr Smyth,” I mutter, my eyes dropping to the floor.
Please open up and eat me, right now.
“Hello, Miss Jackson. It’s so lovely to see you again,” he smiles.
Fucking smiles.
