Page 124 of All the Forbidden Things

“Good girl. Lights are red. I need to stop, and there’s a pap on a bike coming up the driver's side. You’ll hear a bang if his lens hits the window.”

I hear something hit the glass a couple of times before the car moves forward.

“With any luck, he’ll check the shots now, think I’m on my own, and fuck off.”

“Not feeling the luck today, Mick.”

I hear him chuckle again just as another call comes through.

“They’ve shot off.”

“Cheers, mate. As soon as we get past the Westbourne Green sports complex off The Westway, we’ll get Billie in the front and strapped in. Just cover us, will ya.”

“Gotchya.”

Ten minutes later, I’m buckled into the front passenger seat, and we make the two-hour drive to Hampshire where Jay and Marnie’s sprawling estate is situated on the edge of the New Forest.

Max

Everyone except Jake has left, and I’m in desperate need of a shower, a change of clothes, and to talk to Billie. When I went back earlier, I was distracted by a sexy as fuck redhead in a cute green beanie. She’s well on her way to Hampshire now, and as much as I hate to do so, I need to shower and wash her scent from my skin.

“I’m gonna nip across the road and grab some clean clothes and some beers. You all right here?”

“Reckon I’ll manage. You safe over there on your own with the toxic twosome?”

“Got my phone. I’ll text if I have any problems, but if I’m not back in thirty, call the police,” I shout out as I head down the stairs, only half-joking.

I’ve not seen Whitney all day. Aaron has advised that I steer clear and if I do bump into either her or her sister, to keep my mouth shut. When I exit the door leading from my laundry to the hallway, I catch Deana at the bottom of the stairs.

“Deana.” I acknowledge her but keep moving.

“Oh. Hey, Max, I was just looking for you. Whitney and I were just going to order takeout for dinner and wondered if you’d like to join us?”

Is this chick for fucking real? I want to pull her up on the blatant lies she told both Billie and me. I give her a tight-lipped smile before answering with, “No thanks. I’m working with Jake over in the studio. We'll order something later.”

“Is Layla over there with you? Do you need us to mind her? I’m sure Billie would welcome the break after the day she must’ve had.”

“Nope, Billie’s fine, and Layla is tucked up in her new cot at her place sleeping soundly, so I’ve got it covered, thanks.”

I watch as Deana fights to keep the fake smile plastered on her face. “Okay then, if you’re sure.”

“Positive,” I tell her with a nod. “There are takeaway menus in the drawer under the microwave,” I call as she heads along the hallway, and I climb the stairs.

Grabbing clean boxers, jogging bottoms, and a hoodie from my wardrobe, deodorant and a toothbrush from the bathroom, I close my bedroom door behind me and leave.

Jake has brought the PlayStation we have set up in the studio into the flat and is playing FIFA when I reach the top of the stairs.

He nods as I pass him but continues talking into the headset.

I close the bedroom door, the bathroom door, turn on the shower, and then call Billie.

“Hey,” her voice sounds sleepy as she answers, and both my heart and my dick react.

“Hey. You there yet?”

“Fifteen minutes away,” I hear Micky say.

“Any problems?”