“I know I was, but I wanted her so fucking bad. I loved her from the moment I saw her.” I sighed. “Chase warned me off, told me I wasn’t allowed her, which was the worst thing he could have done because it only made me want her more. So, by me being horrible, I could still be close to her.” I shook my head as I dropped it, looking at my brogues as I sat at the jewellery counter.
“I couldn’t stop once I started, I loved riling her up. The fire igniting inside me each time, then the comments I used to make. I knew she was going to be mine though, as cocky as that sounds. I knew we were going to be together, she was always mine. She just didn’t know it then, but, after her eighteenth, things shifted between us. She wanted me back.” My hair flopping forward onto my head, my eyes raw, watching Robyn.
“Conor, through all of her hate, she wanted you too. Fuck, she crushed on you so bad. Hence why she put up with you, because she couldn’t have you as she thought you hated her, so her hating you was better than not having you at all.” She smiled at me. “Quite sad really.”
“It really is, but each day I am trying to make up for my mistakes, promising her the world and more,” I mumbled.
“I know you are, Royce, I know you are.”
My head snapped up when I saw the sales assistant walking over with the distinctive Tiffany blue box, a beaming smile on her face.
Of course she would be smiling, she was about to take a small fortune off of you, my thoughts snarled at me.
“Here we go, sir, a two-carat heart diamond on a plain platinum band.” She placed the box into a bag and tied it with white ribbon.
“Perfect, thank you so much for your help.” I smiled at her, reaching into my suit jacket for my wallet and producing my card.
“Okay, that’ll be seven thousand, two hundred and fifty pounds, please.” The assistant’s smile widened as I inserted my card into the card reader. Robyn’s eyes were wide as she watched me part with a small fortune. She took the card reader and pulled the receipt out, wrapping it round my card and handing it back to me.
“Thank you for shopping at Tiffany’s,” she sang as she handed me the bag and walked away.
“Fuck, you are a sucker in love, aren’t you?” Robyn muttered, shocked as she walked with me.
“That I am. A complete sucker.” I nodded as we walked towards the door.
A sucker so fucking deeply in love.
CONOR
We were close to the rehabilitation centre. I wanted to go on my own, but Darcey insisted on coming with me. I hated doing it, but I had to tell her that she wouldn’t be allowed to come in with me. She said she was okay with it, but I could see she was a little upset. She brushed it off, saying all she wanted to know was that Chase was okay. I promised that I would let her know, and she knew I wouldn’t sugar-coat it. Plus, my facial expression would give it away.
We pulled up outside the big, black metal gates as the security guard asked for my name. Darcey undid my window as I leaned out.
“Royce,” I snapped. He nodded, opening the gates to let us drive through. Nerves were ripping through me, Darcey’s eyes on me as we slowed into a parking space.
“You okay?” she asked, her own voice betraying her.
“Yeah, baby, it’s just all still a bit raw.” I nodded as I leant over the central console, kissing her before getting out.
I pulled my tee out the back of my jeans, my eyes on my white trainers, taking in a deep breath as I walked towards the door, holding Darcey’s hand, Tyrell, the prick, standing in the doorway, waiting for me.
“Why are you here, Royce?” he spat at me.
“For Chase, obviously.” I couldn’t stop my tone. He went to speak but huffed out in frustration before biting his tongue. His eyes left mine and focused on Darcey.
“Who’s this?” His eyes looked Darcey up and down.
“Chase’s sister.” I grabbed her hand even tighter. “And my partner.”
“She can’t come in, she will have to sit in the waiting room.” He nodded, his tone softer towards her.
“That’s fine, just let me in to see him,” I growled.
I walked Darcey to the waiting room, kissing her softly. “You going to be okay?” I asked as she took her seat.
“Yeah, I’m okay. Just go see him. Tell him I’m here.” She smiled, her eyes glassy.
“I will, baby. I’ll be back soon, I won’t be long,” I said cupping the side of her face and winking at her before turning and walking towards Chase’s room.
My memories flooded my mind from when I was here, all the feelings and thoughts filling me with dread. I didn’t like being here, but I had to be strong for Chase, to be here for him.
After a short walk down the dimly lit hallway, Tyrell stopped outside his door. “He isn’t in a good place, Royce, you need to know that,” he said as he opened the door. “You’ve got fifteen minutes,” he huffed, nudging me in with his shoulder and closing the door behind him.
I stood frozen to the spot. Chase was just lying there, staring out the window, not even flinching from the noise of the door. It took me a few minutes to be able to move. My feet felt like concrete as I tried to move towards him.
His long, dirty-blonde hair was knotted where it hadn’t been brushed, the curls matted, his skin pale and clammy. He looked awful.
“Chase, bro, it’s me,” I said quietly as I took a seat next to him, taking his hand in mine. I saw his chest rise up as he took a deep breath, his monitor beeping faster as his heart rate sped up. His head turned slowly as he faced me, his eyes locking on mine. I couldn’t stop the lump in my throat, I needed to get him out of here and help him.
“Conor,” he mumbled. “Is it really you?” His hand clutched mine tightly.
“It is, mate, I’m here,” I choked out, tears falling down my face.
“When will this all be over? The nightmares, the thoughts, the memories. They’re killing me. I don’t know how much more I can take,” he cried, his sobs quiet as if he didn’t want to be heard.
“They will stop, buddy. I don’t know when, as I’m still plagued, but they are less frequent,” I spoke to him softly. I patted his hand, his eyes wide on mine.
“I want to go home.” He sobbed as he clung to my hand, tightening his grip.
“I know, and you will. I’ll make sure of it.” I nodded, then wiped my own tears away.
“How’s Darcey, Mum and Dad and Robyn? Fuck, Robyn,” he choked.
“They’re all fine, mate, they just want you home. We all do. Darcey is outside,” I mumbled, looking over my shoulder then back at him, his face lighting up. I could see the hope in his eyes in that moment.
“She is?”
“Yeah.” I smiled at him.
“Can you get her?” he begged me, his eyes pleading with me. “Please, Conor.”
“I’ll try. Tyrell is just outside.” Looking over my shoulder, my mind racking with ideas to get her in here. It took a few moments before an idea sprung to me.
“I’ve got a plan.” I smiled at him, dropping his hand.
I walked to the door, and as I suspected, Tyrell was standing outside.
“Sir.” I saluted him. “I’ve just seen one of the nurses out in the garden, that is opposite Sawyer’s room. They mouthed for help. I think they’ve got one of the soldiers out there, she looked panicked,” I said breathless, putting on my greatest performance ever.