“So how did you get on? Is she coming back?” She questioned, I smirked and shrugged.
“Maybe.” Her eyes narrowed on me, she pulled a cup from the cupboards and I watched as she poured herself some water.
“She better be. I really miss her.” Hearing her being so open and honest made me smile and I nudged her arm softly. “You didn’t shag her did you? I told you that it only fixes problems in the short term.” Her eyebrow raised upwards and I shook my head.
“No we didn’t.”
“Right so how much does she know?” There was the Chloe I knew so well. Demanding and to the point just like her big brother.
“Enough.” I almost snapped. She placed herself on the kitchen island, the rips on her jeans seemed stretched. “She knows something isn’t right with Rava. But I’m not talking about Bandoni. She doesn’t need that worry.” Her facial expression saddened. It was almost as though she’d forgotten about that part of the story. Bandoni was a nasty man. Rava’s father. I worked for him. I hated his son and I worked for him. My jaw clenched at the memory of telling Chloe the whole story before I flew out to her. She cried. She sobbed. She knew that the outcome of him getting his hands on her was worse than what would happen if Rava found her and that was bad enough.
“Do you know it’s her Birthday on Saturday?” I looked down towards her phone that was placed next to her and counted the days.
“What the 20th?” She simply nodded.
“Jay said Lena had mentioned that she hoped she’d come back in a better mood. She let it slip one evening when they were working over.” Her voice sounded strained and I touched her chin to lift it up slightly.
“What’s wrong?” I questioned. I knew her well enough to know she wasn’t comfortable.
“I just wish my mum would have done for me what Lena did for Av. She made us suffer under him.” I watched as she touched her arm and shook her head. A tiny shiver rolled over her and I kissed her forehead softly. She sighed and hugged me. I placed my arms around her and squeezed. I knew her mum loved the beer and her dad abused them both as children. I knew it haunted her. I’d spent many of my teenage years holding her while she screamed in her sleep.
“You’re here though Chlo. You both are and you're strong.” I heard her sniff against my shoulder and felt her pull away from me.
“I just don’t want her being hurt. She doesn’t deserve that.” She wiped away her tears and straightened herself out. It appeared as though she was over her sudden outburst of emotion.
“I know.” I didn’t want that either. “So her Birthday?” I watched her smile softly as she cleared her throat.
“Yeah, I was going to surprise her for it maybe a meal out with her mum, Soph and Nance and all of us? I thought that would be really nice?” I nodded and took a step back from her.
“Have you got her anything?” She nodded and jumped down off the kitchen island. My eyes followed her as she made her way out of the kitchen before reappearing with a small box. I smiled widely at her and she glared at me.
“I brought her this.” I recognised the Pandora box and opened it. There was a beautiful bracelet inside, it was silver and had just three charms on it. I ran my hands over the tiny charms and examined them. One of them was a tree in a circle, another was a world and the final charm was four leaf clover. I raised my brow towards where Chlo was standing and watched as she flushed bright red. She was always thoughtful but this was totally out of character for her. “Look I get on with her, she’s my friend Haz and I care for her.”
“Aww,” she rolled her eyes at me and punched my bicep with some force. “No it’s sweet what do they mean?” She grinned and shook her head.
“I’m not telling you, but you need to think about a gift next.” I scoffed a laugh and watched her raise her shoulders.
“I’m not joking. Even Jay has got her something.” Jealousy coursed through my bloodstream and I frowned deeply. I heard Chlo cackle as she wandered out of the kitchen, leaving me to revel in annoyance. She didn’t even mention her Birthday was soon. She’d be 21? I frowned and made my way towards the front door. What do I buy a 21 year old?
Chapter Eight
Holt - Wednesday 17th December
I was sprawled out across the sofa when my mum's face appeared around the crack in the door. I’d missed her so much. I darted towards her and gripped her in a tight embrace. I’d been horrible to her before I left. I’d been horrible to everyone. I clutched her tightly, taking in the scent of her new shampoo and I smiled softly.
“I’m so glad your home.” Her voice was breathy and I squeezed her a little more. She released me and held me at arms length examining me. “You’ve gone a beautiful colour!” The corners of my mouth rose upwards and she touched my face with her fingers.
“Thank you. I always go really dark don’t I?” I watched her nod and drop her bags from work on the floor, I glanced at the time on the clock perched on the wall and smiled to myself. “Your home early?” It was 4pm. She’s never back this early, it was usually past 6pm or even later. She nodded and gave me a secret smile.
“Jamie let me out early.” I cringed at her calling him his full name. It made me uncomfortable. I raised my brow and watched as she made
