Looking around, I take in the room. There is a huge bay window bringing in lots of natural light, with beautiful views of rolling hills covered in wild flowers. Although the high ceilings are covered in old-school plaster patterns, the rest of the farmhouse has been renovated to a more modern style. There are three deep couches set around the vintage, wooden-beamed fireplace. The couches are so big that I’ve slept on them a few times after a night at the pub, when I’m unable to make it up the stairs.
Lucy and Fallon are catching up, leaving Maya on her own. Without a thought, I stand and head over to her, taking the empty seat beside her.
“Hey.” She turns to me hesitantly.
“Are you okay? What happened last night, Fal said something had gone on?”
“It was nothing major, just a bit of a problem with my boyfriend... er, well, ex-boyfriend,” She replies, still refusing to make eye contact with me, which irritates me. I want those beautiful eyes focused on me.
Wait. Ex-boyfriend?
I’m trying so hard to keep the emotions running through me from showing on my face. I shouldn’t be so happy that she’s going through a breakup, but I could do a fucking happy dance right now.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“It will be,” She shrugs. I can tell there’s more to it than she’s letting on. I used to be the person she would turn to. What happened to make her back away from me so much? The friendship we had was so special, even though I always wanted more. Having her in any way was enough for me. Or at least it used to be, but that seemed to be changing. Right now, in this moment, I wanted all of her and more.
“Maya?” my mum calls over to get her attention. “How long are you planning to stay at Fallon’s for? From what she told me about that man, I think it’s best if you stay away for a while. You’re more than welcome to come and stay here if need be.” My head whips around so fast I don’t know how I haven’t given myself whiplash.
“What the fuck did he do?” I growl. Unable to control the anger leaking out through my voice, but as I look at her eyes shining with tears, I force myself to calm down. “You can tell me. Did he hurt you?”
“No. Nothing like that. There have been a few things going on, and last night he sent me some nasty messages. Nothing I can’t handle, don’t worry.”
“Then why can’t you go home?” I counter. Don’t worry, my arse. All I do is worry when it comes to this woman. The need to protect her comes over me again. I shouldn’t be so territorial; she isn’t mine.
But I want her to be.
“Nasty messages?” Fallon speaks up. “The dickhead was practically stalking you. He went to your house and waited for you, Maya, shortly after he threatened you, too!” Her words are getting more heated as she goes on. “I don’t think you realise how serious this is, Maymay. No one should be treated like that.Youdon’t deserve to be treated like that.”
“I do know how serious this is. I am the one living through it. You saw firsthand how scared I was last night. To have to call you for a safe place to go.” She stops for a breath, tears still shimmering in her eyes. “Anyway, it’s over now. We all know I should have got rid of him a while ago; this was just the last nail in the coffin. It’s done. Now, can we stop going on about it, please?”
She looks drained after that, like the soul has been sucked right from her. I’m desperate to ask her so many things about him. What did he actually say? What triggered him to start on her? Where does he live so I can knock him out?
It must have been something bad, especially to intimidate her so much she couldn’t go home.
My mind continues along this runaway train of questions and emotions, to the point that I forget that there are other people in the room. My entire focus zeros in on protecting Maya. That is until the doorbell rings, shocking me back to reality. Max stands and announces, “Saved by the bell, foods here!”
