Page 62 of High Stakes

“I had a key cut,” she admits, “I was worried when you were drinking so much. I did it so I could come and look after you.”

I narrow my eyes, “What the fuck?” My mobile rings before I can lose my shit, and I answer. “JP?”

“Hey Boss, fancy a few drinks at the Cabana club? I need to get away from this bar that you keep me imprisoned behind.”

“Yeah, I’ll meet you there in about half hour?” I say before disconnecting.

I head for the shower with Laurie hot on my heels. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes,” she says.

“Laurie, if I wanted to have a wife to answer to; I’d have married you. Go home and nag your husband.”

“You need to build your strength; you weren’t eating right for weeks.”

“I can order in, like I have done for years.”

I begin to strip off and she lingers in the doorway watching me. “Homecooked is better.”

“I don’t have time,” I say, kicking off my trousers and shorts.

Her eyes run down my body, and she bites on her lower lip. “How about I help you shower?”

“How about you go home.”

“Aiden, come on. I’ve stuck around to help you when no one else would,” she argues, and I feel a twinge of guilt. She has been here to check on me every day.

“Laurie, I appreciate you being there for me, but you have a husband. You should go home and spend time with him.”

She scoffs, “He doesn’t notice I’m not there. And since when did you care about my marriage?”

“I’ve already fucked my own life up. Don’t let me ruin yours too.”

She stands in front of me, running a manicured finger over the tatts on my chest. “You still have the club, and you have me. I know you feel bad for everything with that girl, but she’s gone now.”

“Bella,” I grit out, because she damn well knows her name yet always refers to her as ‘that girl’. “Her name is Bella.”

“Whatever. Either way she’s left. But I’m here. Nothing’s changed.”

I remove her hand from my chest. “Exactly,” I mutter bitterly. “I’ve re-evaluated my life and this,” I say, indicating between us, “Isn’t what I want. Leave your key on the way out.

Bella

Cal sits on my bed, watching me apply my make-up. “I won’t be able to drink, what’s the point,” I say with a sigh, as I apply mascara.

“Aria wants to celebrate your shop opening, don’t be akilljoy,” he says. “I’ll be there around ten.”

“After your date,” I say, wiggling my brows.

He grins, “I want to see you having fun when I arrive. No sulking in the corner.”

“What if I see them?” I mutter, turning to face him.

“What if you do?” he asks with a shrug. “You live close by, it’s gonna happen one day. All you can do is ignore them and make sure they see they don’t affect you.”

“But they do,” I admit.

He stands, kissing me on the head. “You don’t have to show them that.” He heads for the door. “Have fun, you can’t spend the rest of your life avoiding them. And you can’t hide away.”

“I’ll have fun if you promise not to bin this date off for a stupid reason.”

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