Page 13 of Broken Hero
He doesn't need to know why I have no money.
“I’ll take you home. I only had one drink tonight. Early shift tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “No, it's fine. I don't need you to.”
“Come on, I owe you a lift home. Where do you live?”
“Not near you - you would have to go out of your way.”
“I'm taking you. Your bike will fit in my car. My mum would be disgusted if she knew I was driving and I let you go home at this time on your own.”
I know his mum, well, his stepmum - I’ve met her at Jack’s races, she would go mad for sure.
I sigh. “Bossy, aren't you? Fine, I’ll be ready in five minutes or so if you're sure.”
“I'll wait here.”
I get my things together and say goodnight to Tom after we have swapped numbers. He has been a lifesaver tonight, and he’s great fun. There's always room for new friends.
I step out from the cloakroom and see Declan sat on a bar stool waiting for me. I can't help but wish he were waiting for me for a whole other reason. He nods his head towards the door without speaking and we go outside together. He follows me around the back of the pub, where I unchain my bike. He takes it off me and puts it in his boot.
Before I get to open my car door, he gets there before me and opens it, standing back for me to climb in.
“Gentleman, eh? You and Jack are nothing alike.” I'm joking. While yes, Jack has always been on the wild side, heisa decent guy.
He chuckles and walks around the front to climb in. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I appreciate this, thanks.”
He sets off driving. “It's fine, honestly. Are you happy with your first shift? You're going to be exhausted at work tomorrow.”
“It was good. I was nervous before I got here tonight, but when I met Tom, we hit it off straight away. I got paid to have fun. And as for the late night - I can get by on not much sleep. Won't be the first time I've rolled in at this time then gone to work, the difference is I got paid for it.”
He glances over as he's driving. “I'm not great on no sleep.”
My phone rings. Who could be phoning me at this time?
I look at the screen.
Dad.Shit.
“Hey, Dad. Now’s not a good time.”
“Sophie, this is urgent. I need your help.”
My stomach plummets. I can't believe I have to have this conversation now. “No Dad, what about if I phone you back?”
“No, I need you now! I'm stuck in a card game, and they won't let me leave - you have to come here with some money.”
I go cold - he hasgotto be kidding me. “You can't be serious,” I whisper.
“I'm sorry, Love, just come.”
I close my eyes and sigh. I need to let Declan take me home first. I don't want him to get wind of what is happening.
“Honey, are you still there?”
“Yeah, where are you?”
