Page 36 of Girl Like Me

He takes a step back, eyeing me curiously. “Is she okay?” I nod. “You shouldn’t have involved her.”

“Seriously?” I ask, as I take a step back. “He would’ve given it to her somehow and she’s a cop Levi, the guys she arrests are not all small time petty drug dealers.”

“I know, I’m sorry. It's just that, she’s all the family I have left.”

My phone ringing interrupts the moment. I lean in through the window to retrieve my phone from the seat.

“Hello.” I answer without knowing the number.

“Where is she?”

“Where is who?”

“So help me god Bristol, stop playing games. Where is Chloe?”

Levi looks mad, he can hear the conversation but I hold up a finger to him.

“How should I know?”

“That friend of yours has been sniffing around her and now she hasn’t come home.” I smile at the thought of Mac and Chloe still keeping in touch.

“You need to be careful, Chev, you sound jealous.”

“What the fuck would I have to be jealous of?”

“Either tell her how you feel or leave her be. Mac is a good guy. He’s honest with her about what he wants, unlike someone else.”

“If he touches her, I’ll kill him.”

“Tut tut Chev, you would do well to remember who my family is. Do not threaten one of my friends.”

“Fuck you Bristol!” he snaps hanging up on me.

“What was that all about?” Levi asks.

“Chloe's step brother being a pain in the ass as usual.” Levi nods and pulls me back into his arms when his front door opens and Lissa steps outside.

“Levi, say goodnight. We need to talk.” He looks conflicted but I don’t want to cause unnecessary issues between them.

“It’s okay. I need to get home before anyone realises I’m missing.”

Levi opens the car door for me and I get in. He shuts the door behind me and makes me promise to text him when I get home. I need to talk to someone who will just listen. I fire off a snap to Maximus and he replies back straight away. I open the snap and it’s a picture of him laying in bed, his glasses are off and his mass of curls are everywhere, with the caption ‘come over’.

I also send a message to Mac and Chloe asking what they’re up to and that I had a call from Chev. Neither of them reply straight away so I head over to Maximus’ house.

The house is dark when I pull up except for Maximus’ bedroom. A light flickers in the window where he has lit a candle.

The front door opens before I can even manage to get out of the car and Maximus stands there watching me. My heart melts for him, he is mine and I won't give him up for anyone, no matter what my uncle makes me do.

I quickly unbuckle, grab my phone and make my way to him. “Hey.” I say and he smiles, taking my hand and leading me into his house. I look around for his parents but they are either in bed or out.

He closes his door behind us and leads me to his bed, we both sit in the middle staring at each other. He has his phone in his hand and I know this is so he can communicate with me if he needs to.

“Are you parents home?”

He picks up his phone and types out a message.

Maximus:No, it’s my aunt's birthday and I’m not good in a crowd. They’ll be back in the morning.

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