I turn to Charlie. “Fine,” I reply, but my body is pumping with adrenaline. I clench my fists tight, needing to calm down.
“I thought I was going to have to hold you back.” I nod, not sure what to say. I never lose my cool like that. “I heard what he said. He doesn’t know shit.” He fist-bumps me and squeezes my shoulder. “You good? Or do you need a minute?”
“I should take a minute.” I step around him and make my way into the back office to pace the length of the room. What the fuck will Rachel say when she finds out? I don’t want her hearing it from him.
I pull out my phone; she answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hi,” I say.
“I thought you were working. Is everything okay?”
“Yes and no,” I reply. I sit on the edge of the sofa in the office and stare at the floor.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, sounding concerned.
“Marcus was here,” I say.
A loud sigh escapes her. “I’m not surprised,” she replies, almost resigned to the fact.
“Does he let Molly down a lot?”
“Lately more so, yeah.”
It goes quiet for a beat, our breaths the only sounds.
“I don’t want you to hear it from anyone else, but I barred him and kicked him out.” I squeeze my eyes closed, ready for her comeback.
“I’m sorry,” she says.
Why the fuck is she apologising? “Don’t be, he was the one drunk.”
I hear her let out a sigh. “He wasn’t always like this,” she says, almost wistful, and I wonder if she does want him to sort himself out so they can be together as a family.
“Well, it’s done now. I just don’t want you getting any repercussions from it.”
“Olly, it’s fine—nothing I can’t handle. Thank you for letting me know.”
“You busy tomorrow?” I ask, hoping she’ll say no.
“Laundry, housework, that kind of stuff.”
“Do you fancy coming with me to my mum and dad’s for lunch?”
I chew my lip as I wait for her answer. “I can’t. I have Molly, sorry.”
I let out a laugh. “Yeah, I know, she’s invited.”
“Oh…well okay, yeah. If you’re sure?”
I nod and then remember she can’t see me. “Absolutely. My mum has been asking about you, and I know she’s falling over herself to get to meet Molly.”
“Then we’d love to.” I hear the smile in her voice.
I don’t want to stop talking to her, but I have to get back out to the bar. “Goodnight, Rachel,” I say, after we settle the specifics.
The sooner this shift finishes, the faster tomorrow comes. I can’t wait to see her.
Chapter Thirty-Three
