Page 33 of Breakaway Heart
He jumped in surprise when he looked up and saw me standing there, quickly pulling the headphones from his head.
“Um, hi. Where’s Randall?”
“Rain-doll? Oh. Maybe you mean Mr. Bobby Holiday! He’s left already. Gone.”
“He’s… Gone?”
The man nodded his head with certainty. “This afternoon. Gone to get a plane.”
For a second, I wondered if I’d got the wrong house, or if I’d forgotten some vital piece of information that explained what was happening.
I quickly realized that, no. No, I hadn’t. RandallfuckingJackson had left without a word.
“Absolutelyfuckingperfect,” I hissed under my breath, turning back to chase after the cab before it pulled away.
It was the same every year. I hated this day.
15
WORST BIRTHDAY EVER
I arrived back at Adonis, mad, frustrated, and ready to crawl into bed and hide under a duvet for the rest of the night. Unfortunately, other plans had been made for me.
Despite my furious mood, Leon was waiting with a beaming smile as I stepped out of the car.
“Miss Heaton! So pleased to see you! A little sooner than we expected,” He exchanged a quick, nervous nod with the driver, who was clearly in on whatever was going on, “But please, this way.”
I narrowed my eyes back at Leon suspiciously, wondering what was going on, but he just waved his hand to follow him. My insides creaked in annoyance.Whatever it is, just get it over with, so I can be alone.
We crossed the sunny terrace, past the pool, and into the restaurant. As we entered, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
“SURPRISE!”
A group of people dressed in brightly-colored garlands jumped out from behind the tables and the bar, raisingglasses of cocktails into the air. I stared back at them with an assortment of astonishment, confusion, and anger.
Turning to Leon for an answer to all this, he smiled at me so widely and happily that it made me feel sick as I realized what this was.My worst nightmare.I didn’t want to rip away the excitement splattered across his face, but please God, Leon, not this.
“Miss Lucy, we wanted to help you celebrate your birthday! Oh, there’s a cake too! Come, come!”
Leon took my hand, pulling me reluctantly behind him and through the small crowd of assembled and grinning staff members and guests, until we reached what looked exactly like a wedding cake. Except, the happy couple on top had instead been replaced with a Lego brick lady. Next to her, in poorly iced lettering, was written the word, “Loosy”.
“Okay. Hit the music!” Leon suddenly cried out, and I winced as ‘Celebration’ came blaring out of the speakers.
This can’t be happening, please don’t be happening.
Leon took each of my hands and began jerking from side to side, hopping manically from one foot to the other as I tried to slip away from his hands.
“I think I need a drink!” I yelped over the music before pulling myself away.
Relieved to be separated from the enthusiastic gyrating that was now taking place, I asked the barman for a tequila and let the fake smile fall from my face. Notthis, please, not today.
Leon came bouncing over again, shaking his hands and hips to the music in a style of dad-dancing that made him look entirely ridiculous. He stopped dancing and frowned when he saw my placid expression.
“Itisyour birthday, right? When you checked in, your passport said so.”
I nodded at him.
“The staff and I really wanted to try and make your stay a little more special. You don’t want to enjoy it?”
