Chapter Ten
Max
“Turn the light off,” I groan to no one in particular.
Why is it so fucking light in here? My head is already having a rave, I don’t need my eyeballs to burn away too. I blindly reach out to grab a pillow and drag it over my face, hoping for a few more minutes of sleep. Last night was a heavy one. I drank way too much tequila and bourbon to be fully functioning yet.
At least I didn’t bring another random girl home. I hope so anyway, since there doesn’t seem to be anyone in the bed next to me. That makes a change. These days, my evenings consist of work, alcohol or women. You would think my body would be used to it by now. But no, I am still hanging out of my arse with this particular hangover.
I really do need to get out of bed, although I could easily stay here for a few more hours. I can hear the Formula One commentary coming from somewhere in the house. Which means I’m at Tommy's apartment. Today is race day after all.
We’re back in Worcester for a while whilst he opens the new office here. I could have stayed back home with my parents in Bewdley, but I like Tommy's place more. The location is great, overlooking the river and with plenty of bars nearby. The only issue I have is that it looks like a bloody show home in here. I’m too scared to even leave a cup on the side unit in casehe loses his head. Maybe he is Wednesday Addams in disguise and is allergic to colour. Or, he is just a miserable twat. Who knows.
Letting out a groan, I drag my arse out of bed in search of coffee and food. Maybe I just need another pint, hair of the dog always hits the spot. But it isn’t worth Tommy's wrath, considering we’re at the new office tomorrow. I grab my phone off the nightstand on my way to the living room and check my messages.
Unknown number–Hey handsome, I missed you last night. Call me when you’re back.
I have no fucking clue who that is. I’m more surprised that there is only one message like this waiting for me.
Mum– Family dinner, our place, 4 pm. It is the only night you’re all here, so please grace us with your presence.
I still. Reading the message over and over.
All of us?
It can’t be. Surely Mum would have given me a heads up if Lucy was here. She is the main reason I moved away when Tommy offered me the job. He didn’t even finish the sentence before I accepted. I needed an escape, and this opportunity came along at the perfect time. My side of the business is scoping out potential areas and clients that would fit in T. Jackson Construction's criteria. I love that I get to travel around the UK. Every day is different, which is good considering my incredibly short attention span, so an average nine-to-five wouldn’t suit me at all.
I carry on walking with a slight skip in my step. Tonight is the night I will finally get to see my girl again. I have tried to forget about her. God, I have tried to fuck her out of my system with any woman who was the complete opposite of her. Whenthat didn’t work, I changed tactics, only going for girls who resembled her. That was also a major fail.
She is the only one I see.
I tried to make her see sense. Shit, I flew to Paris to confront her face-to-face. But when I saw her on that stage, saw how much she was thriving, I couldn’t bring myself to talk to her. Watching Lucy dance is like watching a butterfly spread its wings, breath-taking. Especially when she’s in her own little world up there. I couldn’t dampen her dream when it had barely begun. So I watched her show, four times in fact, just to get my fill before flying back to the UK.
I couldn’t bring myself to move on, either.
When I get to the living room, Tommy is standing facing the window. With a drink in hand and a scowl on his face. He is one moody bastard.
“What did that cup ever do to you?” I chuckle. Stopping as soon as I see the extra coffee cup on the table. What a gent.
Sitting at the table, I lounge back and take a big swig, waiting for him to explain this morning’s tantrum. He can be a right mood hoover when he wants to be.
“Nothing, just thinking about work is all.”
I internally roll my eyes. If he doesn’t want to talk about it, who am I to push him? Although I do enjoy pushing his buttons.
We chat for a while longer before he leaves the room. Meaning I get to enjoy my coffee in peace now that his constant frown is out of sight. I love this apartment. Even in this miserable weather, the view of the river is beautiful. I should buy an apartment in this area too. That way, I am still close enough to piss Tommy off, but will also have my own space. The obscene amount of money he pays me sits steadily in my bank. I don’t know why, but I have never actually boughtmyself a home. Possibly because nowhere truly feels like home to me anymore. Not without her.
Just that fleeting thought sends a buzz of excitement through my body. Less than six hours until I get to see that gorgeous face of hers. How will she react to seeing me? Knowing Lucy, she is either going to be absolutely livid, heartbroken, and begging to take me back, or my least favourite… completely unfazed. What if, after all this time, she’s happy? She could be in a stable,normalrelationship by now. Leaving me stuck in the past, latching onto memories and wondering what could have been.
Well, there is only one way to find out.
“Did you speak to Fallon today?” Tommy asks from the driver’s seat. We’re only a few minutes away from our parents’ house now, and so far, it’s been an unusually quiet journey.
“Yes, only that mum ambushed her at her place and all but dragged her home for the night,” I reply. “Why is it that she gets a visit and all that we get is a text message?”
“Probably because she is the one who is most likely to bail on us,” Tommy deadpans. It isn’t a lie, Mum knows I would never turn down a home-cooked meal, and that Tommy will go wherever I do.
I may wind him up occasionally, but we’re still thick as thieves.
