I can sense Michael’s anger rising by the second, but I can understand why. “I don’t know her surname, just knew her as Betty.”
Michael suddenly whips his phone out. “Betty at St. Francis in Midlothian, right?” He glances at me long enough to see me nod my head before he carries on typing whatever he does before he makes his screen go black. With his phone tucked in his pocket, he turns back to me. “I’ll make some inquiries in the morning.”
“I don’t want her to get in to trouble because of me,” I suddenly blurt without thinking. I don’t know why I’m defending her when she had no compunction about spilling any beans about me.
“Ana,” Michael scowls, his tone frustrated. “How can you defend someone who exposed you like that to a person like him? She knew what you went through with Tony. She was there when you came in unconscious. She saw your scars and witnessed your nightmares. How she can possibly blab like that about you after knowing that is beyond human comprehension.”
He’s right. Of course he’s right. It still doesn’t help that horrible feeling of knowing I may ruin someone’s career because of it.
When I nod my head, he grips my hand again. “Listen, we’ll get to the bottom of all this. In the meantime, are you still up for going to the movies? We can hang out here if you prefer?”
I vehemently shake my head. “No, I’m not letting anyone win by ruining my night. Phil Spector can go fuck himself.”
Michael blurts out a laugh. “Well, okay then.” He then gets up, pulling me up with him. “Ready to go?” I nod my head but then halt him.
“Can you please not breathe a word of this to Jake? If he finds out about this, he’ll become insufferable, and I can’t be dealing with all that right now.”
Michael gently sighs but nods his head. “Of course. He won’t be in the dark much longer, but it certainly won’t be because I told him. Rest assured.”
I know that too. But the longer I can keep him from knowing, the more time I get to try and heal myself. I will never be able to get over Jake if we’re constantly shoved together all of the time.
“Thank you,” I reply, squeezing his shoulder.
Once at the parking lot, he opens the door to his Grand Cherokee, letting me climb up. I smell the newness coming from the car, and I love it. I inhale deeply as Michael climbs in the driver’s side.
“I love the smell of brand-new cars. When did you buy her?”
He starts the engine, and she roars to life. “I love the way you just referred to the car as her. She is nice, isn’t she? I had an old one and traded it in about a month ago for this beauty. She runs like a dream and will come in handy during the winter.”
I groan. I hate winter, and I equally hate snow.
He drives out of the parking lot laughing. “You really don’t like the winter, do you? I remember when you first started working with us—it was the middle of for winter, and you were an unhappy snow bunny.”
“I can’t stand it. I think I need to move farther south where I can have sun all year round.”
He glances towards me with a smile. “I have an uncle who lives in Florida. Maybe we can move down there together and enjoy the Sunshine State.”
I laugh at his joke, but I somehow feel that a part of him isn’t joking.
We get to the movie theater in no time at all and grab our tickets. We queue up to get some popcorn and Michael buys some M&M’s, quickly informing me that I look a little thin and that curves suit me much better. I nudge him in the arm but accept the chocolate. I’m on my period, so I’m craving something sweet anyway.
“You know, there’s some talk about some of us guys going to the Bahamas for a few days in November. You may want to go with Jessie. I think it’s still warm there around that time of year.”
This is news to me. “Really, are you going?”
He nods his head. “I think I will. It should be fun.”
I suddenly realize that I haven’t got my passport. My mum sorted all that stuff out for me, and it’s been a while since I travelled anywhere.
“I would have to apply for a passport. I haven’t even got one. Do you know what documents you need to apply for one?”
He slightly rears his head back in shock. “You don’t have a passport?”
I shake my head. “Well, my mum took care of all that for me. I’m not going to go and ask her. Things between us are kind of … well, awful.”
His lips thin at my statement. “I’m sorry about that. I think you will need proof of your citizenship and your birth certificate.”
Oh, great, something else I haven’t got. “I’ve never seen my birth certificate.”
Michael snaps his head at me, looking hesitant to speak as we stand waiting in the line.
“You know, the internet is a great thing. You can find just about anything online. Try one of those government websites based in the UK. You should be able to trace yours from there. You can order it for a small fee, I think.”
I thank him, and we take our seats, just in time for the movie to start. Whether I go to the Bahamas or not, I do need a passport, and I’m glad to hear that I won’t have to approach my mother in order to handle that. Frankly, I’ll be happy if I never have to see the woman again. The knowledge that I will put all my efforts in to being a much better mother than she was—whenever I am hopefully blessed—is what puts a smile on my face as we settle in to watch the movie.
8
Michael is the perfect gentleman, but on occasion felt it necessary to feed me popcorn. I just laugh and let him carry on as I know he’s only doing it to try and fatten me up.
When the mediocre movie ends, we venture outside, and it hits me just how chilly it is. I’m glad when we get back to the car. Michael laughs at me as I try desperately to get warm.
“You know, you’re like a lizard. It’s not that cold outside.”
I playfully tsk at him. “Hey, I can’t help feeling the cold.” He laughs but kindly puts the heater on for me.
Very soon I’m feeling nice and toasty, and I almost fall asleep on the journey home—until I hear Michael cursing under his breath. I look up to see what’s caused his sudden anger when my eyes are met with a pair of piercing green ones I know all too well.
My heart races. My stomach drops. And as we near the parking lot, my gut twists at the knowledge that I can no longer run into his arms like I used to.
I knew I had to see him tomorrow, and I was prepared for that. I’m certainly not prepared for this.
The knots grow tighter when I see his pained expression after spotting me in Michael’s car. I should be celebrating that fact, but it never comes. Despite everything that’s happened and everything he’s done, I still love him. There’s no denying that fact.
“You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to. It’s your choice, not his.”
I turn and face Michael, noticing the deep frown on his face. “It’s okay. I would have had to see him tomorrow anyway.”
Michael stops the car and gets out, but I’m rooted to the seat as Jake storms over to Michael, grabbing hold of his shirt.
“The moment Ana’s out of my house you’re here, thinking you can replace me?! You seriously think you can worm your way in, is that it?”