Free Never Let Go (Take My Hand) by Nicola Haken Page A

cried. “Like you think I’m a dick, or a
goofball, or an overprotective jerk…” I giggled lightly, shaking my head. “A
smile, eh? We’re getting somewhere!”
    “I’m trying, Chris. I promise I’m trying. But it’s
only been a few days. I just need a little time,” I said, painfully aware that
I didn’t have the luxury of a lot of
time.
    “Good. We need more ‘normal’ around here. Jesus, I
reckon they get more laughs at the local funeral parlour.”
    “Funny,” I said with a sarcastic smirk.
    “Okay, we’ll discuss the details later. Dex, if you’re
going for a run, go now. I need you in the garage for 10 AM at the latest.
Emmie, you’d best piss off too. The place isn’t going to open itself. Me? I’m
going to try and keep some toast down, then I’ll make my way in myself.”
    “You can’t work like this,” I argued.
    “I won’t be working. I’ll be watching him work.” He nodded towards Dexter,
flashing him a devious grin. “Now get your arse in gear, mate. I’m giving you
an hour.”
    “Yes, boss,” Dexter shot back, saluting Chris. “Love
you, doll,” he added after standing up. Then he bent down to kiss the tip of my
nose like he so often does. “See you at work.”
    “Yeah,” I agreed, smiling widely. How domesticated is
that? Like we’re a ‘real couple, sharing a ‘normal’ life together. Just the
thought of our future makes me giddy.
    Until I remember who won’t be there with us.
    “I’d best get going,” I mumbled to Chris, my smile
completely evaporated. Chris stood up when I did and stopped me reaching for my
coat and shoes from the rack by the front door.
    “You smiled today. That means so much to me. Thank you
for trying.”
    Damn. Now I was crying.
    “Stop that,” he ordered, feigning a stern,
authoritative voice. “If I can’t talk to you without you crying like a giant
pussy on me then I’m going to stop talking to you altogether.”
    “Sorry,” I shrugged. “But maybe if you didn’t go dying
on me I’d be a little cheerier.”
    “ That right
there!” he enthused, leaning over and kissing my cheek. “That’s the spirit I
want from you!”
    “You want me
to joke about you dying?”
    “Sure. If we don’t laugh we’ll cry right? And not just
that, but the fact you just said dying twice in a row without flinching.”
    “Chris…”
    “No, Emmie. Let’s leave it at that. It’s progress. It
gives me hope that you’re going to be okay.”
    “Chris,” I tried again.
    “Nuh uh. Get your arse to the garage and open up. I’ll
see you in an hour or two.”
    Holding up his finger in front of my face and
preventing me from responding, I had no choice but to just nod my head in
agreement. With that, he playfully punched my shoulder like he used to do when
we were little, and headed out of the room to… well I don’t actually know what
he planned to do.
    “I love you, bro,” I whispered to myself. Then I bent
down to get my shoes, dragged them on and grabbed my keys before calling a
taxi. Dexter was right. I really do need
my car back.

Chapter
Nine
    Dexter
     
    “ Wow ,” Emily gasped as we walked through
Snickers and Jared’s front door. It was Monday, and we travelled down to London
on the train with them to collect some of our stuff. “This place is beautiful,
Rach.”
    “I know, right?” Snickers agreed.
    “And he hardly charges you any rent?” Emily asked in a
hushed whisper when Jared left us alone in the living room.
    “Jared’s dad’s a strange one,” Snickers went on. “He
says Jared needs to work his way through life, earn stuff… so he charges our
rent based on what Jaz earns from the pub, yet he also throws cash in his face
left, right and centre. Alistair thinks he’s making a man out of Jared by not
handing him life on a platter, but Jared knows damn well he’s a spoiled little
rich kid. I’ve given up trying to get my head around it now. If what’s on offer
is best for these two,” she rubbed her growing