Page 80 of Not So Happily Ever After (British Bad Boys)
He’s outside? I’m off the bed and at my window before he’s even finished speaking. Brooklyn’s right next to me, even though she didn’t hear his side of the conversation.
It’s not dark yet, as it’s only just gone six, and his car isn’t on the drive. A little pang shoots through me. Did he park along the road so my dad wouldn’t see him?
“I’ll be right there. Don’t move.”
I run down the stairs and am at the end of the drive in record time.
Still can’t see his car. Where the hell is he?
“Where did you park? Why don’t just come up onto the drive? Dad’s out,” I add, in case that’s the deciding factor.
There’s a long silence. “You’re at home?”
A terrible suspicion slithers through me. “Yes.”
“Right. I’m in Oxford.”
Oh my God. He drove all the way to Oxford to see me. There’s the most stupid smile on my face, but I don’t care because he can’t see it. “I dropped out. It’s been quite the week.”
“Huh.” He sounds shocked. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, it’s all good.”Even better now you called me. “So, uh, why did you want to see me?”
“I boxed up the stuff you left at my flat. Thought you’d want it back.”
I fall back to earth so damn fast my lungs hurt. It wasn’t me he wanted to see. He just wanted to offload my crap.
That doesn’t make any sense, and you know it.If that were true, he would’ve dumped it here, especially if he thought I was in Oxford.
There’s only one reason why he drove all that way.
Don’t fuck this up, Mac.
“Okay, then.”Do I sound breezy?There are so many butterflies in my chest right now I can hardly even breathe. “Why don’t you come round Sunday afternoon?”Say it.“Or, uh, I could pop round to your flat instead. Save you a journey.”
“Right.”
I can’t tell whether he thinks that’s a great idea or the worst one ever. Before I lose my nerve, the words tumble out. “See you Sunday, then?”
“Okay.”
I hang up and exhale a relieved breath. Two more days and we can try and sort this mess out. I can’t wait to see him again. And then I have one of those totalduhbrain moments.
Why didn’t I say I’d see him tomorrow?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Will
I should’ve waited until Sunday before driving to Mac’s. That’s what she wanted.
Except I need to see her tonight.
I glance at the box on the passenger seat. As strategies go, I’m chuffed I came up with this one. Returning her things gives me the perfect excuse to see her again.
She only told you to bugger off because you were such a prat.
I hope to God I’m right about that. I get out of the car and hesitate. Do I take the box with me right now, or go with the birthday gift first?
