Page 23 of Losing the Forbidden
“What the hell are you guys doing here?” I eventually manage to ask, once my shock has worn off.
“Liv thought you might need a night out.”
“You came all this way for a night out?”
“Yeah, well…we might miss you,” Liam says, looking a little awkward.
“It’s not same without you crashing around the house. You sounded like you needed some fun on the phone the other day, so I’ve organised a surprise.”
Raising an eyebrow, I wait for Liv to elaborate, but she makes a show of zipping her lips shut. “All I can say is that tomorrow night you’re going to love us more than you already do. The only thing we need from you is the name of a club for after.”
“No strip club, please.”
Both Dec and Liam’s eyes widen, reminding me that the guy they’ve known for the last six years isn’t the one standing in front of them. “Shut up, you fucking love it, BJ.”
“BJ?” Erica pipes up with a smirk playing at her lips.
Falling down onto the chair behind me, I realise for the first time just how different my two lives are. Bringing them together is going to be weird as fuck.
Dec and Liam’s eyes burn into my skin. I can practically feel them trying to work all of this out while the soft whisper of plotting female voices at the other side of the room floats around.
“So, this is the family business then?” Dec asks, looking around the office. “It looks pretty flash for a builder’s office.”
“That’s because it’s not just any builder’s office.” I give them both a brief run-down of what we do…or at least what we did before I disappeared.
“Have you guys got somewhere to stay or…” I trail off. The thought of taking them home and immersing them in my life here makes me feel more on edge than I’ve experienced in a long time. I try not to think about why that might be, but I know all too well that I’m worried what they’ll think about meeting the ‘real’ me. The act I’ve put on around them became second nature. I hate that I’ve lied to them about my past and where I came from, but it felt right at the time.
“No, we thought we’d sort something once we were here.”
“Do you…uh…if you want, I’m sure Mum wouldn’t mind…uh…”
“We’d love to meet your mum, Ben,” Nicole says softly. “Then we can always find a hotel later, right?” She looks to the others, who all nod, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’ll meet you out the front,” I say, as everyone files out of the office.
“Are you okay?” I bend down slightly so I can look into Erica’s downcast eyes.
“I’m a fighter, Ben. I’ve had no choice.”
“That doesn’t make any of this okay.” Seeing tears starting to swim in her eyes again, I pull her against my chest and squeeze tight. Probably a little too tightly I realise when she starts to complain.
“Go and spend some time with your friends.”
“Come with us?”
“No. I’ve got loads to do here. Someone needs to keep this place from going under.” Guilt hits me that it’s been left to Erica to take the lead. “No, don’t look at me like that. I didn’t say it to make you feel bad. You go and do your thing. Me and the business will be here when you’re ready.” I’m hesitant, but she soon starts attempting to push me towards the door. “We’ve all got a lot of work on our hands, but we’ve got a little time. Go.”
“Okay, but we’ll be talking, Erica. Soon.” She tries to cover her fear, but I can see it in her eyes. “Everything will be okay.” With a small smile, I leave her in the doorway of the office. I’m not sure either of us believe the words that just came from my mouth.
After joining the others outside, we head for home. Liv insists on coming with me while Dec follows behind on the short drive to the house where I grew up.
I know she’s only concerned, but when Liv starts asking about Lauren, I keep my answers as short as possible. She sees through it though.
“What are you hiding?”
Glancing over, I find her staring at me, trying to figure me out. Feeling uncomfortable, I shift in my seat and try to change the subject.
“Dec and Nic were able to get away from the shack then?”
