the other supports my leg and keeps the towel tightly wrapped around it. Just before he lifts me out of the bubbles, he says, “I’ll close my eyes.” He swiftly whips me out of the water and places me on the mat on my good foot, keeping his eyes closed while I cover myself.
“Okay,” I say, letting him know it’s safe. He blinks and then kneels beside me, lowering my leg and soaking up any drips. I keep my hand on his shoulder for support while he satisfies himself that my cast isn’t ruined. “Thanks,” I say. Danny picks me up in his arms without warning and I gasp. He takes me out into his room, sitting me on the bed. I look at him in shock.
He just shrugs his shoulders. “You can’t use crutches and keep a towel wrapped around you can you?” he says as he walks casually to his wardrobe and gets himself a fresh t-shirt to replace the one I’ve made soaking wet. Then, to my surprise, he goes into the bathroom to change it. I’m left confused and disappointed, why would he go in there to change? Men go bare chested all the time and I’ve just bared all to him. Mostly I feel sad that I didn’t get to see his whole tattoo. It's been teasing me under his sleeve for days. Every time I glimpse it, my insides do a backflip and I’m longing to touch it. Shit. No, I have to stop thinking like that, it’s too soon.
I sigh and fiddle with the edge of my towel until Danny comes out with my clothes, neatly folded.
“I’ll leave you to get dressed,” he says with a small smile. But he’s back to business again and the intimacy of the hair washing has all gone. I can't help but feel achingly disappointed.
He’s quiet as he drives me home. I don’t know what it means. For me, the day has been an unexpected step in a forwards direction and I know it has awoken feelings I was definitely trying to ignore. I’ve no idea what he’s feeling, but it seems to have had the opposite effect on him. He has closed down if anything. I sigh, looking out of the window as the town passes by. When we pull up behind the diner, he helps me out of the car.
“Thanks for taking me today,” I say trying to catch his eye, but he’s looking anywhere but at me. “And thanks for the bath.”
His eyes flit to mine and a tight, almost regretful smile appears. “Anytime,” he says quietly.
Chapter Twelve
Liv
Earth to Liv.
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks snatching moments with Danny. He’s so focused and I can’t quite work out what it is he’s focused on. Helping me, or rather, impressing me seems to be what was driving him. But I’m not sure anymore. He doesn’t call me or text, he works and works. He has kept a respectful distance, with the exception of a few baths. I see him each day but only because I go out of my way to be downstairs when he is around. Occasionally, I catch him looking at me, but more often, he catches me looking at him.
I don’t know what's happening anymore. We were so happy before, that looking back I think the bubble had to burst. It all happened so fast, we went from zero to forever in only a few intense weeks. I didn’t see the wheels coming off altogether, but it couldn’t keep going at the pace it was going. All I know is that when it happened, I was determined never to see or talk to him again. Things have obviously changed a bit since then, but now I don’t know what is happening. I still feel like I should be waiting for something, some show or proof of his love and commitment. But the more time goes by, the less certain I am of what that should be. I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve pushed him too far.
He’s finishing early today, so I make sure I’m sitting where he can see me, hoping he would stop and have a drink with me. Instead he calls out goodbye and leaves before I can open my mouth. I sit for a while absorbing the disappointment, until Max comes to my rescue.
“Don’t look so sad,” he says and sits down. “He just needs a night off.”
“A night off from work, or me?”
“Both I think,” Max says gently.
I sigh. “We have hardly spoken for days. Why are we going backwards?”
Max shrugs, but I can tell he knows exactly why. This is part of the problem, not only is Danny slipping away from me but we are sharing a confidant. This has led to me not really discussing it with Max for ages, so I feel all at sea. “Just let him go out, blow off some steam.”
“Where is he going?”
“Some work party with Charlie to do some ‘networking’.” Max laughs. “Dullsville! I’m quite happy with him going in my place.”
I digest this information and deal with the disappointment it brings. He is starting to have a life here and it doesn’t include me.
“He needs some time out,” he continues, reading my reaction. “He hasn’t had a day off since he’s been here. It’s been a month, you know? Let him have this.”
I stare into the middle distance. “Is it too late?” I virtually whisper.
“He’s still here isn’t he? The only reason for that is you. It’s never too late, especially where you two are concerned. But you need to decide what you want and think about your part in making it happen.” He looks at me with his most meaningful it’s-all-on-you-now expression and I nod slightly in acknowledgement. “I know you’ve been hurt, Liv. But he was too and he is the only one doing anything about it. It’s got to be soul destroying.”
What he is saying is starting to sink in. I’ve watched in disappointment for a couple of weeks as he has become more and more distant, partly feeling defiant, because it’s me that should be angry and distant, but a feeling I’ve refused to acknowledge has been trying to surface. Deep down, I know that I need to do something to change things.
My phone wakes me, I glance at the clock, 01:15 and I grab it and see Danny’s face on my screen.
“Danny?” I say urgently. “Are you okay?”
“Liv.” He sounds drunk.
“Yes?” I say, anxiously. What is he calling about at this time of night?
“I’ve tried, you know?” he slurs.
“Danny, where are you?”
“You trust me enough to have me around. You trust me enough to work in your bar. You trust me enough to wash your fucking hair for God’s sake…” He drifts off. “It wouldn’t kill you to say it you know.”
“Danny I…”
“Why are you still punishing me?” He sighs heavily.
I open my mouth to speak and the line goes dead.
I call him straight back but it goes to voicemail. So instead I call Max, he must still be here.
“Liv?” He answers quickly.
“Max, Danny just called me, he sounded really upset. I think he’s drunk.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to Charlie,” he says. “Call you back.”
I sit in bed waiting. After a moment I try calling Danny again but I still get voicemail. I toss it on the bed, frustrated.
Suddenly, it rings and I grab it back quickly. “Danny?”
“No, it’s me,” Max says. “I just spoke to Charlie; Danny’s had a skinfull and wandered off. Charlie is looking for him.”
“Shit.” I sigh. “What should I do? I can’t get through to him, it keeps going to voicemail.”
“Sit tight in case he rings you back. What did he say?”
“Oh, he was saying that it wouldn’t kill me to trust him.”
Max tuts, but stays silent.
“What?” I ask, knowing there is more to his silence.
“Nothing.”
“No, come on, let’s hear it.”
Max huffs. “I just don’t think you realise what a rough time he’s having.”
“He’s not the only one!”
Max scoffs. “Liv, open your eyes, everyone is rallying round you, including him. What are you doing for him? He’s far away from home, missing his friends and family, all for you, and you are like this great big, fucking brick
