Drive Me Crazy (28 page)

‘I keep meaning to ask, did that leave a scar?’

‘I knew you were watching.’ He laughs. ‘Nope, that’s the great thing about the human body – it never ceases to amaze you with how much it’s able to recover from without leaving a mark.’

‘Like failed relationships,’ I tell him.

‘Exactly,’ he replies. ‘Sometimes the people we fall for are not the ones we get to spend the rest of our lives with, and sometimes it hurts, but sometimes we realise it just wasn’t meant to be. No matter how hard you try and how carefully you plan it, things just don’t work out the way you hoped they would. But it’s OK, because life gives you plenty of opportunities to start over – not just every time something goes wrong, or even each morning – every second of life is another shot, another chance to make better choices.’

‘You’re very wise,’ I tell him.

‘You say that like you’re unsure if it’s a good or a bad thing.’ He laughs.

‘It’s good because you’re smart, but it’s bad because you know it,’ I reply.

‘Come here, bro,’ he says, freeing his arm to wrap it around me.

I snuggle up in his arms, exhaling deeply as I feel myself relax.

‘It’s funny to think that after all these nights of not being able to sleep, I might actually be able to get some shut-eye tonight, and I had to sleep outside to achieve it.’

‘I don’t think so.’ He laughs, running a hand up my thigh. ‘Do you know how many light fittings there are below us that we can make swing?’

‘Yes, yes, yes,’ I reply.

Chapter 38

‘What are you smiling about?’ Danny asks me.

It’s six a.m., and I’ve just woken up on the roof after a night of not very much sleep with Danny.

‘Oh, not much,’ I reply. ‘Except I had sex on a roof last night, and I wasn’t even that drunk.’

‘You’re a big, brave girl, huh?’ He laughs as he stretches out.

‘Oh, totally,’ I reply sarcastically. ‘But I probably only felt so brave because we’re on such a tall building, no one could possibly see.’

‘Oh, they definitely have CCTV up here,’ he tells me casually.

‘No!’ I gasp.

‘Oh, yeah. I checked. I don’t mind an audience; I just like to know it’s there, you know?’

‘You’re winding me up,’ I insist.

‘I could point the cameras out to you?’

‘No thanks,’ I reply quickly. ‘I’m happy not knowing.’

‘I’m starving,’ Danny says. ‘Reckon they’ve got somewhere we can plug the toaster in up here?’

I laugh, although I don’t think he’s joking.

‘I’d suggest we go get showered and changed and head out for breakfast, but I don’t want to get up. I don’t want today to happen.’

‘You don’t want to go back?’ Danny asks.

‘Nope,’ I reply.

‘Well, let’s go somewhere else,’ he suggests.

‘I can’t,’ I sigh. ‘Responsibilities – and it’s not just my work, or my flat. I’ve got Amy’s wedding tomorrow.’

‘Oh yeah, well, I’m looking forward to it,’ he says, reminding me that he said he’d go with me. ‘Anyway, you’ve got me around now. Life won’t be like it was before.’

‘This is true.’ I smile. I kind of feel like I can tackle anything with Danny backing me, as cheesy as it sounds.

‘We’ll just take it a day at a time, and see what happens,’ Danny tells me. ‘You don’t have to have everything figured out.’

See, this is what I love about Danny. When things are bad you can be the kind of person who has a breakdown, writes about it for all of Facebook to read, and makes sure everyone knows that you’re having a tough time, or you can be more like Danny, take things a step at a time, and when things are bad just plant a smile on your face and crack on. It’s called getting on with life. You timer doesn’t stop ticking just because you’re having a bad day. Every day counts and every day could be your last. With my rubbish family medical history, I am more determined than ever to make every day count.

‘OK, let’s get up, let’s head back…before I change my mind.’

‘OK, but after breakfast,’ he insists. ‘And after this.’

Danny climbs on top of me, pinning my wrists down above my head before kissing my neck slowly.

Cameras be damned. I’m making the most of these last few moments, before it’s back up north, back to reality, back to face the music.

Chapter 39

As we checked out of the hotel, the manager gave me a knowing glance and a wink, the kind that confirms there were definitely CCTV cameras up on the roof. I don’t care though; I’m just so happy right now.

The trip home was loads of fun, with Danny keeping me amused for the entire journey. He insisted I get some sleep while he drove, but I didn’t want to just abandon him. Plus, as much as I trust him, I still like to keep one eye on him.

As fun as the trip was, after four hours in the car I am ready to get a bath, put some comfortable clothes on and get in my own bed. Danny and I can’t get enough of each other though, so the plan is to both head home, freshen up and then meet up later for a threesome with Netflix.
House of Cards
is on the agenda, and Danny is determined to catch me up before the new season starts.

Danny pulls up in the taxi bay outside my flat and insists on carrying my bags up for me, much to the annoyance of the actual taxi drivers parked outside. We share a quick kiss before he leaves, but I don’t even have a chance to get my shoes off before my phone rings.

‘Candice, are you back?’ Sweet Caroline asks, without so much as a hello.

‘Caroline – just,’ I reply. ‘What’s up?’

‘We need you to come in,’ she tells me.

I glance at the time. It’s nearly the end of the working day and it’s Friday.

‘Erm, OK,’ I reply. ‘Right now?’

‘Right now,’ she replies, hanging up.

I quickly use the bathroom, glancing in the mirror, fluffing up my hair and touching up my make-up before heading back out. In my ripped skinny jeans and my awkwardly low top, I’m not exactly dressed for the office, but I’m not technically supposed to be there, so they’ll have to take me as I am.

I grab my handbag, hop into one of the taxis outside and soon enough I’m at Starr Haul HQ, making my way up the banana, heading for the office I share with Caroline.

As I walk through the door I notice her sitting at her desk, but then I glance over at my desk and see that Stephanie – Will’s wife – is sitting there.

‘Caroline, can you go get us some tea, give us a moment?’ Stephanie asks her.

Caroline nods and shuffles towards the door. As she passes me she looks me up and down, uttering something only loud enough for me to hear.

‘You look like a prostitute,’ she says.

‘You’re not the first person to say that,’ I call after her, giving no shits what she thinks, but Stephanie’s presence here has me worried sick. She never really visits the office.

‘Sit,’ she insists, nodding towards a chair that has been placed in front of my desk that isn’t usually there.

As I sit down, I notice the pram in the corner of the room, with their new baby boy fast asleep in there. I’m assuming it’s a boy because of all the blue crap surrounding him.

‘I’m just going to blurt it out,’ she starts anxiously, taking a deep breath, composing herself. ‘I found out Will was cheating on me this morning. Pictures on his phone, so there’s no lying his way out of this one.’

I stare at her, paralysed by fear, terrified by what she’s going to do. Suddenly, I don’t feel safe being in a room with her. I imagine trying to explain myself, only for her not to believe me and pour scalding hot tea over me while Caroline holds me down… I give myself a mental pinch and tell myself to calm down. I just need to explain, and maybe – hopefully – she’ll believe me.

‘Mrs Starr, I am so sorry,’ I start, unsure how on earth to make it sound as heartfelt as I mean it.

‘It’s not your fault,’ she says, wiping her tears away with the backs of her hands. ‘But obviously there’s a lot of fallout for the business, so we’re in crisis mode here. Will has gone AWOL, the chicken,’ she snaps. ‘So it’s all hands on deck, if you don’t mind.’

‘I…I didn’t think you’d want me to help,’ I stutter.

‘Of course I do,’ she insists. ‘I know it must be hard; I know that Will looked out for you – almost like a dad to you – this must surprise you.’

I stare at her for a moment, confused. As I wrack my brains for any possible reason she could be so cool with me after I have wrecked her marriage, I realise something: I never had my photo taken with Will. Not even once.

‘You said you found photos,’ I push, inconsiderately.

‘Oh, yes,’ she says angrily. ‘Him and the slag in bed. She’s some young thing, cleans his office.’

‘
Julie
?’ I ask.

‘That’s the one,’ she replies. ‘Needless to say, I sacked her. I’ve stepped in while Will is off having his pathetic little meltdown – he’s probably with her. I’m on the board of directors and this company is my kids’ future. I’m not going to let it go to shit because he can’t keep his dick in his pants – again.’

I had never imagined Stephanie to be the kind of lady who swears, but she’s only human, I suppose. All this time I was feeling like shit over how Will betrayed me, and here’s this poor woman with three kids to him who has been repeatedly cheated on and lied to by him. And not only has he done it before, but he’s been cheating on both of us with a third person as well. Julie the fucking cleaner, the one he would always complain about, the one he
needed
to keep having words with about the poor job she was doing… He’s a piece of shit. All this time I was worried about being the other woman and I wasn’t even that, I was the
other
other woman.

‘I am so so sorry,’ I tell her. ‘If there’s anything I can do…’

‘Thank you,’ she replies, her eyes filling up with tears again. She seems to be alternating between tears and fits of anger, and I don’t blame her at all. ‘No doubt he’ll surface tonight, in time for his fucking party.’

‘Party?’ I ask.

‘Yes, the big company party to celebrate the anniversary of him taking over, the egotistical twat.’

‘Oh,’ I reply. I’d forgotten about that. All employees are expected to attend. Well, all but Julie, I’d imagine.

‘So, Caroline will be back in a moment. She’s putting a damage-control plan in place – everyone is talking; it’s horrible.’

‘I can’t even begin to imagine,’ I tell her honestly.

‘I won’t be at the party tonight, but… I doubt she will, but if that slag turns up, will you call me, please?’

‘Sure,’ I reply.

‘I don’t see why I should let some opportunistic tart steal
my
husband – take
my
happy family away from
me.
I sure as hell don’t want him now, but she’s not having him. No way.’

I nod my head as I grab my phone to text Danny, to remind him about the work party tonight.

Danny: See you there. Wear the red dress. Xx

Me: Will do. Lots to tell you… xx

I stare at Stephanie for a moment and the hurt look on her face makes me feel sick – sick with myself. I may not have been knowingly sleeping with her husband, but I was sleeping with him, and I can’t help but feel bad. So technically it wasn’t me who ended their marriage, but what does it matter? Their marriage
is
ruined.

As Stephanie rummages around, shuffling the paperwork in front of her, I notice the ring I found in Will’s pocket on her finger, confirming that the ring was never intended for me, and proving what a piece of shit Will really is. I feel like I’ve had a lucky escape, to make it out of such a horrible situation without having my heart broken or my reputation damaged.

I don’t know if Julie, his other other woman, knew the real deal or if he lied to her too, but that girl’s reputation is trashed. She’s the girl who slept with her married boss and ended his marriage, just days after his wife gave birth. I can’t even imagine how things would be playing out for me right now if I had been her. I’m just glad I got out when I did. I never wanted to hurt anyone; I just wanted to be happy. Now I realise that I wasn’t happy at all, I can move on with my life. One thing I do know for sure is that I can’t wait to hang out with Danny tonight.

Chapter 40

We’re in the lavish reception room of one of the biggest hotels in Manchester, but despite the beautiful surroundings and the masses of guests dressed in their best, there’s an atmosphere. I’m guessing everyone knows, but no one seems to want to talk about it. No one but Danny and me that is.

‘That monumental twat,’ Danny says a little too loudly, causing the barman serving us to raise an eyebrow. ‘So we’re all here celebrating a man who we all know is a bastard?’

‘Pretty much,’ I reply, glancing around the room. There are yellow balloons everywhere, a big banner saying: ‘Keep up the good work, Will’ and tables of food all around us. Danny was delighted to learn it was a buffet set-up, and not a sit-down meal, and every so often we have to drag our conversation across the room so he can eat more. The food looks delicious, with different tables laid out with a variety of world foods. Everything is a miniature version of what it claims to be, which is why Danny reasons he’s eating twice as much. There’s canapés, burgers, pies, sandwiches, wraps and lots of Chinese and Indian stuff. There was talk of mini pizzas and, since Danny learned of this, I feel like he has constantly had one eye on the kitchen doors, like a dog keeping an eye out for the neighbour’s cat, ready to pounce and devour it the second it rears its head.

Danny takes his fork and stabs the balloon next to him, causing everyone to jump. It happens too quickly and there are too many balloons for anyone to notice where it came from.

‘He doesn’t deserve balloons,’ Danny reasons. ‘Oh, fun game, let’s see how many we can get rid of as the night goes on. It’ll be easy at first, too many to tell, but as they get less we risk getting caught. Deal?’

‘You’re on,’ I tell him, shaking his hand, only to find my own returned with ketchup on it. He’s like a big kid, and I love it.

‘Watch out, Nurse Ratched is on her way over,’ Danny warns me. I watch as Sweet Caroline heads over towards us. She’s wearing a big, frilly white dress, and I can see her eyeballing my own choice of attire. As per Danny’s instructions, I am wearing the red hooker-wear that I wore to Eros, and if Caroline thought I looked like a hooker in my jeans, then this is really going to upset her. She drops her handbag, then bends over to pick it up.