Page 32 of The Hideout

Rachel crouched in front of Juliet, lifting a hand to her face. “Don’t you see that I want you, Juliet? I’m here and she’s not.”

“I…need space. A lot of space. I don’t know what I’m doing lately. My head is a fucking mess.”

“I want to be there for you,” Rachel whispered, leaning in. But Juliet turned her head and shifted further away. Juliet wrapped her arms around herself and swallowed the emotion lodged in her throat. She couldn’t allow this again. Rachel had to understand. And Juliet, well… She had to stop with this hold Rachel seemed to have over her. “Juliet…baby?”

“Stop. Please, for the love of God, just stop.” Juliet was beginning to grow frustrated with this now. Yes, she was in the wrong for not turning Rachel away earlier, but it didn’t change anything. “I think we should really stop seeing one another now. We can’t keep doing this.” Juliet was barely able to look at Rachel. But she did, hoping Rachel would understand—would see—the loss Juliet also felt. Rachel had helped her through one of the most difficult times of her life; Juliet could never forget that support or the friendship they’d built. She sighed lightly, shaking her head. “I can’t focus on anything else at the moment. I’m sorry. I hope you know that.”

“I-I know.”

“I’m not sleeping with her, Rachel. I wouldn’t lie to you. I just need some space. I need to be alone. I haven’t been alone since my mother died, and I think that maybe it’s the best thing for me.”

“I helped you through that. I was there whenever you needed me.”

Juliet smiled. “I know. And I can never repay you for that. But it’s time for me to figure some stuff out, and in order to do that, I need space.”

“Right. Space. Well, I don’t know…” Rachel got to her feet, smiling weakly as she stared down at Juliet. The atmosphere was calmer than Juliet thought it would be, so that was positive. “If you ever need anything, if you…ever need me, then you know where to find me. Bye, Juliet.”

Juliet sighed, watching Rachel walk out the door, it closing softly behind her. She sat on the couch, holding her towel against her, aware that her life was about to become complicated. It always had been in some way, but that had never been because of a woman.

Never.

Until now.

* * *

Paige turned the key in the door to the bar, her hand shaking at the thought of seeing Juliet. Last night had blown her mind in many ways, but in others, it had only complicated everything. She couldn’t explain to Juliet the life she had; she couldn’t put it on anyone else. Paige recalled their first meeting when Juliet had asked that she leave her issues at the door. To walk into the bar tonight and expect the opportunity to explain, she wouldn’t do it.

Paige had never kissed another woman in the years she’d been married to James, but could she even call herself a cheat? After her last few exchanges with her husband, Paige didn’t plan to see him again. It wasn’t a case of letting the air settle and then figuring things out with him. No, she was way past that. James wanted to control her, to demean her, to…hurt her. Paige wasn’t going back to him, and if she ever did return, it wouldn’t be to make amends.

She pushed the door open. The bar was in darkness, but the alarm wasn’t set. That meant Juliet was already here, and Paige didn’t have time to figure out her next step. She was going to come face to face with Juliet, and there was nothing she could do about it.

She took the stairs, sadness anchored in her stomach when she walked through to the bar. Juliet was sitting on a barstool, hunched over paperwork, just one spotlight above her head illuminating the room. Paige wanted to leave, to forget about the world and run once again, but she was better than that.

“Hey,” she spoke quietly so as not to startle Juliet.

Juliet sat upright and turned, removing her glasses. “Hi.”

“Are…you not opening today?”

Juliet’s forehead creased as she eyed her watch. “Sorry, I didn’t realise the time. It’s been quite a day.” She slid from her stool and turned on the lights, squinting as the room brightened. She moved back to her paperwork, gathering it in her arms. “I’ll let you get on. If you need anything, you know where I am.”

“Juliet?”

“Yes?” She looked up at Paige, dark circles around her eyes. Eyes that looked a little swollen. Bloodshot.

“Are you okay?”

“Sure. I’ll be fine.” She threw a thumb over her shoulder, struggling to keep her focus on Paige. “I should finish these invoices.” Paige wanted to move closer, to hold Juliet…to touch her. She wanted to find…to feel that connection, with the hope of seeing the very same woman she’d met the first time she’d walked in here. God, she wanted to admire her all over again. Because this Juliet was nothing more than a shadow. How she spoke barely above a whisper. How she seemed anxious. How she couldn’t even look Paige in the eye. “I’ll…get to work. Bye, Paige.”

“Of course. Yeah.” Paige waited a moment or two, calming her nerves, and took her spot behind the bar. Where she belonged. Where she was at her most comfortable.

Still, she wished things were better with Juliet. Paige wanted to knock on the office door, she wanted to clear the air, but she was worried about the reaction…the response from Juliet. Paige had more than enjoyed that kiss last night, but then she’d fled. Typical, and clearly what she was best at. Fleeing…whatever the situation.

Braced against the bar, Paige dropped her head on her shoulders. Could she change the course of her life and do something different? Could she stay and fight off James? Really, he was nothing more than a bully who would be devastated if people knew what he was capable of. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to find her. To hurt her.

Maybe it’s time to call his bluff.

“Excuse me, sorry.” Juliet’s voice suddenly startled Paige, her heart pounding unexpectedly.

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