Chapter Seven
A few hours later,I wake up to a heated argument coming from the room next to mine. For a moment I’m utterly disorientated and wondering where the hell I am. Then a sudden pain in my side, back and lip reminds me. I groan, pushing myselfupright.
“Lights,” I say into the pitch dark. Max had explained to me earlier about the voice activated system and how to use it. They blare on, and I have to cover my eyes from the glare. “Dim lights,” I add quickly. They dim to a better level and I am able to see without my eyeswatering.
Pulling back the covers, I slide to the edge of the bed. Thanks to Calum, who had brought up my suitcase earlier, I’m wearing a clean t-shirt and pyjama shorts. He’d stayed briefly to tell me that Nisha had settled in and was enjoying watching Netflix on the TV in her room. I had smiled at that. We didn’t have a TV at the flat, and no money to afford the licence meant we had only each other for entertainment. Max had put my clothes away in the walk-in wardrobe despite my protests, whilst Bryce and I had chatted over the chicken salad he’d made me. We talked about silly stuff, TV shows we liked, what they’d been doing at work, what I’d be doing once I’d recovered enough. It was nice. I think they realised that I’d had enough for one day and bringing up anything more serious was a no go. Eventually exhaustion had got the better of me and Max and Bryce had saidgoodnight.
I glance at the digital radio on the side table next to the bed. It’s midnight, I’ve been asleep for less than four hours. Sighing, I get up and head for the bedroom door, opening it slightly so I can hear better. The shouting continues. I’m pretty sure it’s Bryce andHudson.
“I need to see her. Get out of my goddamn way, Bryce,” Hudson says. His voice is slurred. It’s obvious he’s drunk.Shit.
“No. You need to sober upfirst.”
“Get the fuck out of myway!”
I hear a scuffle and I pull open the door. There is no way I’m going to let them argue over me. If Hudson wants to see me, then he can. It’s not as if I haven’t dealt with a drunk before. Striding towards the commotion, I push open the door along the corridor from mine. Bryce is holding Hudson in a head lock and Max is trying to persuade Bryce to let himgo.
“What the hell are you doing?” Iask.
Bryce’s head snaps up, and he releases his hold on Hudson, who falls to his knees. “I asked you a question,” I say, placing my hands on myhips.
“Louisa…” Brycestarts.
Hudson pushes up from the floor. He looks horrific; thin, drawn. There are huge black circles under his eyes, which are bloodshot andrheumy.
“Louisa,” he slurs, stumbling towards me. Max moves forward and catches his arm, hauling himupright.
“Louisa, you should leave,” Maxsays.
“No. One of you needs to get Hudson some coffee and a couple painkillers.” I look at Bryce. He needs a few minutes to cooloff.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” he says through clenchedteeth.
“Good.”
As he walks past, he touches me on the hand, stopping by my side. “You don’t have to do this,Louisa.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. This is exactly what I need todo.”
“Fine,” he sighs. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He looks over his shoulder at Max, shooting Hudson a disgusted look. “If he acts up, you lay him out,okay.”
Max’s eyebrows shoot up. “Jesus, Bryce. That’s a bitexcessive.”
“He doesn’t touch Louisa. Gotit?”
Max blows out his breath. “Gotit.”
I squeeze Bryce’s fingers. “It’ll beokay.”
Hudson allows Max to guide him to an armchair in the corner of the room. He sits down heavily upon it, placing his head in his hands. Max standsback.
I approach him and kneel on the floor, pressing my fingers against Hudson’s arm. He recoils, so I pull themaway.
“Hudson…” I saygently.
“You left me…” The words come out in a mumble, but I hear them loud and clear. I hear the pain in them, therejection.
“Why did you leave me?” He sits back up, his green eyes filled withhurt.