„If we`ll conclude that you are innocent, you will, of course, be reimbursed...”
„I don`t want anything from any of you, thank you very much. Consider the work I`ve done payment for the weeks I`ve lived in this house.”
„You will get paid for the work you`ve done ...”
„I said I don`t want anything from any of you. In fact, I don`t want to hear from you or mister Kingston ever again.”
Okay, I`ll admit I said the last bit in a last-ditch effort to get Max to turn around and face me, to get him to acknowledge me in some way, but he doesn't. I can see the muscles on his back stiffening more and more, but he doesn't turn around.
It`s like a slap to the face, and I can`t take it anymore, so I go upstairs to pack my bags.
It`s over.
Chapter 13
Max
So this is what it`s like being drunk. I have to say, I expected more.
After Sophie moved out, I couldn`t stand being in the house, but I didn`t want to go out either, so I called Simon and asked him to come over.
Unfortunately, Simon didn`t come alone; he brought my sister with him. Ema practically bit my head off about accusing Sophie of selling me out.
„How could you think for one moment that she would do such a thing? She loves you, you idiot.”
„The only other woman who knew was you, Ema.”
„Well then somebody else talked, it wasn`t Sophie.”
It went on like that for another hour before Simon finally convinced her to give me a break, and she left.
„Thanks, man, I appreciate it. I know she means well, but I can`t handle her right now.”
Simon just nodds before sitting in one of the armchairs.
„I don`t want to add to your stress, my friend, but I think Ema is right, I don`t think Sophie did it.”
I close my eyes, feeling very, very tired. I don`t know what to think; I wish I could be as sure as Ema is about Sophie`s innocence, but I can`t.
I was so happy this morning, and then it all came crumbling down on me.
I don`t think anyone understands how much I`ve worked to get to where I am, how important football is to me. It`s the first place I felt comfortable, my safe place. I was always so careful about my reputation, about how people saw me, and now it`s all gone to shit.
In my heart, I don`t believe Sophie would betray me , but that little kernel of doubt that`s in my mind won`t leave me alone.
„Simon, man, I`m not in a good place right now. I want to believe that she didn`t do it, but the doubt is killing me. I know you guys want to help, and I appreciate it, but right now, I need to get drunk and try to forget for a little bit.”
I can tell that he wants to say more, but I guess he takes pity on me because he keeps his mouth shut and gets up to pour me a glass of whiskey. An hour later, I get my wish and blackout.
Thank God.
Sophie
„Please leave me alone. I know you have questions, but I`m not in the mood to answer them.”
„Sam, please, just give her some space,” Gwen says while holding hands with me on the couch.
They came to pick me up from Max`s house, and since they`d read what that horrible magazine had published, there were a lot of questions.
I told them as much as I could, but Sam kept pushing for more answers.
„I can`t believe you lied to us, Sophie. I`m your brother for God`s sake, don`t you trust me?”
„Of course I do, but it wasn`t my secret to tell. It`s all so inflated as it is. I mean, he didn`t even get to be addicted to the Fentanyl, he nicked it right in the bud when he felt something was off, and still everybody who knew acted like he was doing heroin. That magazine is full of shit in most of the things it says.”
„It`s alright, honey, you don`t have to talk about it anymore,” Gwen says in that reassuring tone of hers that probably calms down a lot of upset toddlers.
„Yes, she does. I want to know where in the hell that lawyer dude gets off accusing you of selling the story, and I especially want to know why your boyfriend would believe him.”
I snap. It`s been a horrible day, and I`ve had enough of people accusing me of things.
„Get out! I`m not one of your suspects Sam, I don`t have to answer your questions or listen to your sermons. I want to be alone and suffer in peace, so do me the kindness of leaving and letting me lick my wounds .”
I don`t think I`ve ever yelled at my brother before, but I`ve had about as much as I can take.
Thankfully Gwen sees I`ve reached my limit because she gets up from the couch and takes Sam`s hand and starts dragging him to the door.
„Come on, Sam, she needs space.”
„I can`t leave her like this.”
„I`ll stay with her, but you need to leave. I know you want to help, but you`re only making things worse.”
„Fine, I`ll go have a chat with Kingston instead.”
I jump off the sofa and march straight to him, my hands balled into fists.
„No! You stay away from him, Sam. This is between him and me and no one else. You need to give me your word you`ll stay out of this.”
He grinds his teeth, but Gwen gives him a pleading look, so he gives a reluctant nod of acceptance.
„Fine, I`ll stay out of it, but if he gives you any trouble, I want you to tell me.”
„I will, I promise.”
I hug him because even though he`s been aggravating me all day, I know he loves me.
„I know you mean well, and I`m sorry I yelled at you, but I`m really upset right
