Page 55 of High Stakes

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“Stay tonight and think about it. We can discuss rent tomorrow if you decide to take me up on the offer. No strings attached, Bella.” He gently rubs my arm. “I’ve put some leftovers in the fridge if you want them, help yourself. And try to get some more rest.”

I spend the next few days in hiding. I agreed to a trial run at Cal’s and after we settled on rent, I went back to my room,and I’ve hardly left since. I can’t eat, and every time I try, I just feel sick. I haven’t been to work and apart from the odd text to confirm I’m still alive, I haven’t spoken to Aria. I can’t face the questions I know she’ll fire at me the second she sees me.

There’s a light knock on the bedroom door and Cal pops his head in, just like every morning, he holds up a brown paper bag containing a pastry. “Breakfast?” he asks hopefully. I stop drawing and give a nod. “Thank god,” he says dramatically, “I’ve had to eat both pastries these last few days. It’s not good for my waistline.”

I follow him into the kitchen. “Are you supposed to eat this stuff in your line of work?” I ask.

He narrows his eyes playfully, “Are you judging me?”

I smile, “It makes me feel better when I see healthy people eat crap.”

“Hey, a little treat doesn’t hurt.” He slides one pastry to me and sits opposite me to tuck into his own. His eyes glance at the drawing pad beside me. “Can I see?” he asks. I nod, pushing it towards him and he flicks through. “These are amazing, Bella.”

“I love drawing,” I say, shrugging.

“But these designs are perfect, can youmake them too?”

I nod. “Yeah, but Aria isn’t keen on taking her business in that direction. Orders can flood in, and she doesn’t like to over commit.”

“Have you thought about selling the designs?” I shake my head. “You could put these online. Have you got a website?” I shake my head again, smiling at how excited looks. “I can sort that. I’m serious, Bella. You have an amazing eye for this stuff, and I reckon brides would buy these to hand to their cake designers.”

I take the pad back and stare at my latest creation, “They are beautiful,” I mutter thoughtfully.

“And it would be good to have a focus,” he says, “Build a future. I got you something whilst I was out,” he adds, reaching for a bag. “It’s totally up to you, if you don’t want to use it, I won’t be offended, but I thought you could use a fresh start.”

I take the bag and warily look inside. “A mobile?” I ask, taking the new phone out.

“It’s a good way to start again. If he doesn’t have your number, and doesn’t know where you’re living, he can’t keep hassling you.”

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a great friend?” I almost whisper, feeling emotional.

Aiden

I stare at the empty bottle wondering how I drank it so fast. I wave to the bartender but JP steps in, shaking his head. “No more,” he says firmly.

I scoff, “You know what you are, JP?” I slur. “A fun sponge. Always there with your words of advice, telling me to sort my shit out.” I laugh at nothing in particular and point a finger in his direction. “Fun sponge.”

“I’ll take him upstairs,” says Laurie, wrapping a gentle hand around my arm. “Come on, baby,” she coos, and I shudder in repulsion. It’s not the first time she’s been waiting in the wings to drag me off upstairs, and I don’t exactly fight her off. Why would I? She’s all I deserve.

We stumble into the apartment, and I fall back on the couch, attempting to kick my shoes off. Laurie is there in a flash, grabbing my foot and easing it free. I take in the tight dress she’s wearing.Why is she always in red?“I’m starting to think you’re drinking so much to avoid me,” she says, removing my other shoe.

“It’s not working,” I muse, “Cos here you are again.”

“I’m worried about you. This is so unlike you.”

“You don’t know me,” I mutter, looking away. I stare at the blanket hanging over the back of the couch. The same blanket Bella used to wrap around herself whenever she fell asleep in this exact same spot, waiting for me tocome home. I pull it closer and press it to my nose, inhaling deeply. Her scent is fading, and I hate that.

“I should wash that,” says Laurie making a grab for it. I hold it tighter, and she glares angrily. “This is not healthy, Aiden. Fuck, when are you going to pull yourself together?”

“Just go,” I mutter.

She sighs. “You’ll never move on if you keep drinking and laying with her damn blanket,” she snaps. “Let’s just get back to normal.” She runs her hand up my thigh, giving me a sexy smile. A few months ago, that would have worked. But now, all I can see is Bella and all I feel is guilt. It’s consuming, and the only time it eases a fraction, is when I’m wasted.

I tune back in to Laurie, realising that somehow, she’s pulled my trousers down to my thighs. “That’s it, baby. Focus on me,” she whispers seductively, gripping my cock.

I close my eyes and picture Bella.My beautiful Bella.

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