Page 27 of Forever Mr Black

The wooden floor is hard and cold beneath my bare feet as I head towards the glimmer of light coming from the living area. The sunken spotlights are turned down low, illuminating the countertop in the centre of the kitchen, where Art is sitting, hunched over his laptop. Grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt encase his body. His dark hair’s all over the place. He looks deep in thought and doesn’t notice me.

I wrap my arms around myself and lean against the kitchen wall. The last time we spoke, we pretty much broke up. I almost don’t want this conversation to start because I’m scared where it might end.

I clear my throat. He briefly glances up from the laptop before returning his eyes to the screen.

An awkward silence descends.

I hate this. This isn’t us.

“What time is it?” I ask in a bid to break the tension.

“Half six.” He straightens up on the stool and rubs a hand through his hair.

Even now, with everything that’s happened, he still makes me want him.

I drag my gaze to the parquet beneath my feet. The fact that he’s speaking to me is a good sign even if he’s still not looking at me.

“You should go back to bed and get some more rest. A lot happened last night.”

So, we’re being civil.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to go back to sleep now.”

Because I need to know where we stand.

“I couldn’t sleep. Big Steve’s text said the police have refused Jamie bail until his hearing, which by the sounds of things, they’re not going to rush through. They want to take a statement from you about what happened last night.”

If it helps the case against Jamie, I’m there. “Okay. I can go down there later.”

Art was right. Jamie won’t be bothering us again, but I can’t help but feel as if we’re avoiding the bigger issue here. I take a step forward into the kitchen and notice my engagement ring on the countertop beside his laptop.

Art follows my gaze, his jaw working. “Do you really want …” He pauses, as though he can’t bring himself to say the words. He climbs to his feet and lifts his gaze to mine. Hurt-filled eyes look back at me. “Did you mean what you said? Do you really want to call off the wedding, break up”—he lowers his eyes to the floor— “leave me?”

“Art—” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“Because I’ll change.” He looks at me. “I can change. I’ve already changed for the better because of you. I’ll do whatever it takes for us to work.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “Last night, I was fucked off and angry with myself.”

I frown. “Yourself?”

“I wasn’t there to protect you from Theo. I was too busy working. And Jamie shouldn’t haven’t got anywhere near you. If I’d been there …”

“Stop blaming yourself. There’s nothing you could have done about Theo or Jamie. You had no idea I was going to show up at the club or that Jamie would try what he did. Besides, I gave as good as I got. I kneed him in the bollocks. I’ve got a pretty sharp right knee. Remember?”

My attempt to lighten the mood falls flat.

Art shakes his head. “Last night … I said things I didn’t mean.”

“Me too,” I agree. “I love you. I don’t want to finish anything, but I meant what I said. I can’t be with someone who uses their fists as a way of solving problems. Theo will use your past against you. He’ll goad and goad until you snap and do something stupid. If you hit him, he’ll go to the police without a doubt. You’ve got a record. I don’t want you being sent down because of him.”

He nods, and what he says next makes my heart skip with relief. “I overstepped the line.”

He gets it.

“I just couldn’t bear the thought of another man’s hands on you, let alone …” His eyes drop to the floor, and he draws in a deep breath. “I wasn’t thinking straight. And then you told me about Theo. Ever since we got together, I’ve worried something was going to come along and fuck things up for us, and now, he’s shown up, and it’s fucking up.”

“Things will only fuck up if you let them. Right now, Theo’s winning because he’s driving a wedge between us.”

His forehead creases in irritation, and he picks up the ring and comes towards me. “No more. This belongs to you.” He takes my left hand and slides the ring back ontomy finger. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.” He cups my face in his hands and gazes into my eyes. “I’d die for you.”

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