Page 165 of Take My Hand

“I hate that I can’t even get dressed.” She hiccupped.

“I like that you can’t,” I joked. “It means I get to help you put your bra on.”

She snorted, a cross between a laugh and a sob, then wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “Trust you.”

“I must admit I had a sneaky look at them while I helped you. And, when I help you take it off, I might even cop a feel.”

I got a smile from her, even though she continued crying quietly, wrapping both arms around me.

“I’m being stupid,” she said with a sniff.

“No, you’re not. You’ve had a shit experience that scared you, and it’s all just got a bit too much.” I kissed her hair and inhaled a relieved breath. “It could have been so much worse.”

After a few minutes, Maya’s cries subsided, and her grip on me loosened.

“Bit better now?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yep. Thank you.”

“Anything for you.” And I meant it. I would do anything for her. I’d do whatever it took to make her happy. From the minute I’d met her, it was if I’d been ordained to. “So, tell me what you need.”

“Painkillers and a pillow or cushion, please.” Her bottom lip was pouty, like a small child’s who was being forced to do something they really didn’t want to, in her case, admit that she needed help.

“Okay, sit back and I’ll get everything you need.” I helped her ease back against the sofa, then slowly stood up, my eyes pinned to her the whole time, until I was sure that she was okay. “Want some chocolate or ice cream?”

She considered it for a second, and then shook her head. “No thanks.”

“Okay.” I dropped another kiss to her head. “I’ll be back in two minutes.”

After getting her some pain killers, I ran up the stairs to get another pillow. My phone started to ring. Just as I reached the bedroom door. I gave it a cursory glance, ready to ignore it, but saw that it was Marcus. He’d been good enough to take on my shifts so I could take care of Maya, so didn’t want to ignore him if it was urgent.

“Marcus, what’s up mate?”

“Will, that guy who reckons he’s your dad, was here again. I told him you weren’t working today, and he said it was fine, he’d come to the house. Sorry, bud, I’d have lied and said you’d slipped out for a bit if I’d known he had your address.”

“For fuck’s sake,” I groaned, running a hand over my head. “Can he not take a bloody hint? How long since he left the bar?”

“Two minutes ago.”

That gave me ten or so to figure out how I was going to tell him to fuck off and actually be heard this time. I was just glad I’d told Marcus everything, otherwise he might have turned up and I wouldn’t have been prepared.

“Okay,” I sighed. “Cheers for that. Everything else okay? No problems?”

“No. Except the bread order was short.”

“Great, that’s all we need seeing as Robbie’s sandwiches are so popular.” I hung my head wondering what else could go wrong.

“It’s fine; Robbie came up with an open sandwich that takes less bread. It’s been a big hit so far.” Marcus chuckled. “You really need to send that kid on some courses so we can increase our menu.”

“Yeah, I send him on the courses and then a big pub in Manchester knicks him from us. No, we’re fine with sandwiches and burgers for now.” I glanced at the bedroom door, conscious that Maya was still waiting for her pillow. “Anyway, thanks for letting me know, mate. Call me if you need anything.”

“Will do. Speak later.”

As he ended the call, all I could think about was how to get rid of the man who donated sperm to my mum, because I knew there was nothing he could say that would make me welcome him into my life. Scrubbing a hand through my hair, I went back downstairs to take Maya her pillow.

“What’s wrong?” she immediately asked. She rubbed a finger between her eyes. “You’ve got that little crease that you get when something is bothering you.”

I had decided to try and keep it from her, but clearly wasn’t very good at it. “It’s nothing I can’t sort out.” Going over to her, I gently pushed her forward, putting the pillow behind her. “Is that better?”

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