Chapter Forty-One
Max
“I can’t leave you and act as if we’re nothing all day, Lucy. I hate it.” I groan out as we make it to the villa gate.
“I know.” She says, her face dropping at the thought. “It won’t be for much longer. The moment we get back, we tell them everything.”
“Okay. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to hide it anymore.”
“Me either.” Her frown lines were deepening. “We could always head home early?”
“No, it doesn’t feel safe going back home right now, and I really don’t want to leave Tommy,” I add. Trust this shit to happen now, of all the times.
“Then we pretend for a little while longer. It’s our only option.” She replies, and her shoulders drop.
The pair of us look like berated school children. It was easy while back home with no one around. But all this extra sneaking about is getting harder by the day. I study her face whilst I still have the chance. The sun has brought out even more of those cute freckles of hers since we’ve been here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so tanned. Even her auburn hair has lightened in some places, making her look even more fairy-like than usual.
Her natural beauty is incomparable to any other woman I’ve ever been close to. Now I have to act aloof for God knows how long whenever she’s around. How am I supposed to not study every move she makes when I am this consumed by her?
“We are going to have to go through the gate at some point.” She pouts.
“Come on, let’s go before I make you run away with me.”
After only three hours of sleep, everyone else in the villa has decided today would be a great day for a huge arse walk around the island. Am I so tired that I can barely function? Yes. Was the lack of sleep worth it to spend time alone with my girl? Also, yes. I may just need a litre of Red Bull to get through the rest of the day.
My legs drag as I start to walk up yet another hill. I wasn’t made for this shit. Half of these guys are bodyguards who have been training by the pool multiple times a day. Luckily, I’m one of those guys who doesn’t need to do much to stay in shape. Even the girls are in better shape than me right now.
We’re heading to the next resort over for lunch and spending some time at the beach before heading back. Which to me seems like torture. Not only do I have to do this walk again, but with a full belly too. I feel like the grumpy old man flagging behind. Of course, Lucy Twinkle Toes is at the front, showing us all up. That girl has got stamina, which is one thing I knew pretty well already. But how the bloody hell does she still have this much energy after the night we had?
“Come on, bro. All I can hear is you huffing and puffing behind us.” Fallon laughs, the girls joining in with her.
“Oh, piss off, will you? Some of us enjoy relaxing when we’re on holiday, unlike you psychopaths.” I grunt, my footsteps becoming heavier as I stomp after her.
“We are almost there. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure there is an ice-cold beer waiting for you.”
“Great. Thanks.” I reply, rolling my eyes.
“What’s got into you? You’re never normally the moody one. If it were Tommy, I’d be less worried.” She says as she slows her steps to match mine.
“Just tired. I couldn’t sleep last night.” Mainly because I was too busy having one of the best nights of my life, but hey ho.
“I always struggle when I’m not in my own bed. Try to sleep for a while when we get back? I think we’re all heading into Mahon later.”
My mood perks up at that. Mahon is the capital of Menorca, and is one of my favourite things about this island. Considering it's such a big place, it's still so untouched. There are so many authentic tapas bars, shops, and entertainment around that you can really experience the culture.
“Thank fuck for that, more clothes shops for you girls to drag me into.” I tease. I’m really not bothered at all. I may be all man, but I love being one of the girls.
It also means more time with Lucy, even if it’s not one on one.
“You love it.”
“I know.” I agree. “So, whilst I’ve got you alone for once. How have you been feeling? Do you feel a little better now that you have the real Maya back?”
After being to hell and back, she finally looks like she’s gaining a little bit of herself back. The circles under her eyes seem less prominent, and she’s even put on a little bit of the weight she lost. Not that she had much she could afford to lose as it was.
“Erm, I’m okay. I think.” Her eyes glaze over as she concentrates on the views ahead of us. “But not, at the sametime. It’s definitely not as bad now; the lows are more like waves that come and go. Sometimes gentle, then others like they’re going to crash into me.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s a normal human response to everything you’ve been through,” I say, taking her hand to give it a quick squeeze. “Have the girls been looking after you?”
