Page 96 of All the Forbidden Things

“Whitney? What the fuck has she gotta do with anything? He’s getting shot of her as soon as he can.”

“He spent most of yesterday and last night with her. Deana was trying to find somewhere to make herself scarce when I popped over there after you dropped me off.”

“Max spent last night with Whitney? Nah, I’m not having that.” He shakes his head but doesn’t look my way.

“After you dropped me off, I had this crazy idea I needed another drink.” Now he looks at me with a raised brow are-you-kidding kind of glare. “Yeah, I know, anyway, I went over to the house to pinch a bottle of wine, and I could hear Max and Whitney giggling and laughing in her room. He had the baby in there with him too.”

I know she’s Layla’s mum, but just the thought of Whitney being around her makes me want to cry. She doesn’t deserve that little girl after the way she so blatantly disregarded her.

“I bumped into Deana as I was leaving, and she told me they’d spent the whole afternoon and evening together and that she felt like a spare part. So, why he’s calling you now and asking what I did with my evening, I don’t know.”

I feel strange. Angry. Emotional. Confused. I have this pent-up energy that I’m not sure what to do with. It’s only ten in the morning, but I already feel like I need a drink, and I’m not usually a big drinker.

Fucking Max Young.

Fucking fucker. Yeah, I’m not a big swearer either, but this man has got me doing all kinds of things I don’t usually do.

“Right. I’m gonna tell it to ya straight, ’coz I think you’re grown up enough now for me to do that.” When he gets serious, Mick’s nasally South London accent makes him sound like Del Boy fromOnly Fools and Horses, a show my dad used to love. “Actually, if you’ve got this something, whatever it is, going on with Max, then you’re definitely old enough to hear me out. That boy has a lot on his plate. Youknowwhat their job demands of the boys, you’ve lived with it your entire life, on top of that, he’s a new dad, a single dad, and he’s about to start divorce proceedings that are gonna cause an absolute media frenzy around him and anyone associated with him.” Micky licks his lips and rubs them together as I study him. He shoots me a quick glance then back at the road as we enter the heavy traffic on Camden high street.

I’m meeting Dan outside the World’s End pub, but with the way I’m vibrating with tension, I’d rather Mick dropped me right here so I can walk some of it off.

“You need to know, if you do this, if something comes of these sparks, rainbows, or fucking unicorn bollocks you reckon is going on between the pair of ya, then that media frenzy is going to turn into an out-and-out shitstorm.”

I attempt to ease the dryness in my mouth by chugging the last of my now barely warm coffee. It does nothing except add to the queasiness in my stomach.

“You’re hisnanny, Spice. You’re what? Twenty years younger than he is?”

“Sixteen,” I correct him.

“Sixteen? How old are you then?”

“Twenty-two.”

“When the fuck did you grow up and get so old?”

“While you were running around looking after drunk and high rock stars,” I tell him with a smile.

“Ain’t that the truth? I thought my job would get easier when they grew up.”

“Jake’ll never grow up.”

“Again, you’re not wrong there.”

We’re both quiet for a beat as the car inches forward.

“Anyway,” Micky clears his throat then continues, “even a sixteen-year age gap, the press will go to town on, plus, like I said, you’re his baby’s nanny. You’re also his band mate’s, who also happens to be his best mate’s, sister. Add to that whatever might be about to come out regarding his divorce and the fact your brother is gonna hit the fucking roof, that is one scary ride you’re about to embark on. The point I was gonna make is if you’re not prepared to go the distance, if you don’t think you can put up with all of the attention you’re both gonna attract, then my advice to you is: don’t go there.” He catches me frowning at him. “I mean it, Spice, unless you’re all in, don’t go there. There’s a little girl who’s already been abandoned by one mum to consider, and I don’t think that boy will survive another broken heart.”

I’m feeling defensive. I’d never do that, not to either of them, and this is all an overreaction anyway. Max doesn’t want me; he wants another supermodel.

“I’m not gonna break his heart, Mick. Nothing has even happened, and as far as I’m concerned, it never will. He could be rolling around in bed with his wifeandher fucking sister for all I care.”

Micky gives me another one of his eyebrow-raised looks that lets me know he knows I’m talking shit. I give him one right back as he double-parks the car outside the pub where Dan is waiting for me.

“Just think on it, Spice. Have a great day, and bell me if you need picking up or have any other problems.”

“Will do, thanks for the lift and the coffee. Love ya, Mick.”

“Love ya too, sweetheart.”