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I took the lead, heading into her little apartment with the others close behind. Unlike the main hallway, Julie’s apartment was well decorated and very colorful. I got the feeling it was normally pristine because, aside from the tissues that littered the floor, nothing was out of place. Even the stack of magazines on her coffee table were fanned out neatly, like you’d see in a showroom. Julie must’ve noticed my perusal because she darted into the living room, quickly picking up the tissues and stuffing them into the pockets of the fluffy robe she wore over her pajamas.
“I– I’m sorry for the mess. I didn’t think–”
“Don’t stress, sweetheart. We didn’t warn you we were coming. Besides, tissues or not, it’s significantly cleaner than my room.”
Grayson scoffed, muttering under his breath. “That’s putting it lightly.”
I just shrugged. I wasn’t looking to impress anyone with my cleaning skills.
Bennett stepped up to her, stopping her harried movements by taking her hands gently. “Are you okay?”
Her bottom lip trembled, and she lifted her shoulders helplessly. “I don’t know. Six years is a long time and he won’t even talk to me about it. I tried calling, but–”
I made an irritated sound before I could choke it back and the shame that crossed her face ate at my insides. Grayson checked me on the back of the head and, as annoying as I found it, I couldn’t fault him. I grimaced and rubbed the sore spot, glaring at him over my shoulder before stepping back up to Julie and lifting her chin with my knuckle.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t about you. I’m still pissed at what that jackass did to you, and I’ve got a bit of a short fuse. You aren’t at fault for that, though.”
She stared at me, her eyes darting across my face like she was looking for the lie. She wouldn’t find anything like that there. All she’d see was the worry I felt for her and how much I cared. It wasn’t my usual mindset. I was selective in who I called friend, but she wiggled her way into my heart almost instantly and I couldn’t stand seeing her upset.
“I missed you, sweetheart.”
Her face crumpled a little, and tears gathered in her eyes. “I’m sorry. I know I need to go back to work but–”
“It’s not about that,” Grayson interrupted. He looked uncomfortable, standing farther back with his hands in his pockets, but the determination in his face wiped out any of the hesitation I had about him coming along. “I mean it, Julie. We’re not here because of work. We’re here because we’re worried about you and we want to make sure you’re okay.”
She twisted her fingers like a nervous habit, her eyes moving between me, Grayson, and Bennett. I took her hands, urging her into sitting down on the couch. I sat next to her and Bennett took her other side, carefully leaning against her. She melted into the comforting gesture and leaned against him with a shuddering sigh.
“Thank you… I’m not going to lie and say I’m okay, but I appreciate you coming.”
“Always, darling. We’re here for you.”
Chapter Thirteen
JULIE
I'd been expecting a takeout delivery, so when I opened the door to find my boss and his two best friends standing in front of me, I didn’t know what to think. I considered that maybe Mr Andrews was upset about me taking a few days off, but he very adamantly argued against the notion before I even had a chance to question the possibility. It meant so much to me that they came to check on me, but I was still heartbroken and humiliated and probably not a very good host.
I tried to force myself to go back to work the next day, but the reminder that literally everyone who was in that cafeteria heard what Alan said was so embarrassing that I couldn’t make myself look in the mirror, much less put on nice clothes and pretend like I could get my work done. The stares and whispers would start immediately and I didn’t have the confidence to face it. I almost considered looking for a new job, but I couldn’t do that to Mr Andrews. He needed my help, and I wasn’t going to punish him because of what Alan did.
“Have you eaten recently? You look a little pale,” Luka cajoled gently.
I waved my hand towards the door. “I ordered takeout. I thought you were the delivery guy.”
He nodded. He hadn’t released my hands and his thumbs rubbed over my knuckles soothingly. Bennett sat on my other side, leaning against me just enough to remind me he was there. I fought back another wave of emotion. They were attentive and caring, everything Alan never was, and it hurt to think about.
The intercom buzzed and Mr Andrews answered it before I could push to my feet, letting the delivery guy into the building. I looked around for where I set down my purse, but Luka’s hands tightened on mine.
“We’ve got this one. Just sit and relax.”
I wanted to protest, but Bennett carefully wrapped his arm around me and pulled me against his side and I sank into his gentle affection. I didn’t realize how much I needed this until they showed up.
Luka got up to help Mr Andrews while Bennett cuddled me and rubbed my arm. I felt a few tears slip over my cheeks, but he didn’t complain about it like Alan would’ve. He gently wiped them away with his thumb and hugged me tighter. I had friends, but other than a few pitiful phone calls, none of them could make it out here to be with me. Most didn’t live in the city and because it was the middle of the week, they couldn’t do a long trip to come see me and still have enough time to get home before work. They were sympathetic, but I felt like a burden crying on the phone for hours, so I stopped calling them and just wallowed on my own. Having these guys show up to take care of me was like a dream, and I was almost afraid I was going to wake up any minute.
“Did you call the restaurant yourself?” Luka called from the kitchen.
I shifted a little so I could see him in the pass-through. “Yes, why?”
He smirked. “Looks like they felt bad for you. They sent enough to feed an army.”
