He laughs. I shoot off a quick text to Molly: We’re going to Cape Verde bitch!
“Do you like windsurfing?” He asks.
I shrug. “Never done it, but I’ll try anything once.”
He cocks an eyebrow and turns his head toward me slightly. “Really? Anything?”
I run my hand up his thigh. “Anything.” I try to hide my smile. I can only imagine the fantasies running through his mind right now.
My phone rings loudly in my hand bag, distracting me from my taunting of Theo. I reach into my handbag and pull it out, expecting it to be a squealing Molly. Georges name flashes on the screen. I answer it.
“Hey, babe.”
“Lilly, where are you?” He snaps.
“We’re on our way to Theo’s house. Why?” I frown.
“Oh good, you’re with the sperminator. Tell him his fucking baby mama is going all crazy hormonal on my doorstep. She won’t leave, and seriously, the neighbours are going to complain if she keeps this shit up. She will not leave. Says she needs him.” He huffs. “Tell him to come deal with his shit.” I can’t even get a word in before he hangs up. What the fuck is Cassie doing out? She’s not supposed to be out until tomorrow. Shit, I don’t like this.
I lean my head back against the head rest and let out a breath. I really hope she hasn’t gone off the rails again. “Everything okay?” Theo asks.
“No. We need to go to mine. Cassie’s there.” I glance at him as his features tighten.
“What the fuck?! I thought she didn’t get out of rehab until tomorrow?”
“Well, technically she can discharge herself. Theo just stay calm okay. She probably just has nowhere to go.” I know he tries with Cassie, and he tries to hide it, but he still has serious issues with the whole thing.
“Why go to your place? Hell, why not fucking call me?!” His body is practically vibrating.
He turns left at the next junction heading toward my flat. I place my hand on his thigh, rubbing small circles with my thumb in an attempt to calm him.
A few minutes later, we pull up outside the flat. George is stood in the main doorway, with Cassie on the step outside. He’s blocking her entrance into the building, and she does not look happy.
“Stay in the car.” Theo growls at me as he undoes his seatbelt.
“Theo.” He pauses and glances at me.
I reach up and touch his cheek. “Breathe. Calm. Don’t lose your shit.” He takes a deep breath and presses a kiss into the inside of my wrist, making my heart throb. Then he’s gone.
I reach over and press the button to lower the window, just an inch. It’s cold, but I’m worried that Theo might lose it. I need to leave him to handle his shit, but at the same time, I need to know when he’s going to blow and step in. Cassie is vulnerable, whether he sees it or not. She needs help and understanding, and she needs to know that he’s on her side.
“Cassie what the fuck are you doing here?!” He shouts at her. Yep, because being an arsehole works so well on emotional pregnant women, I’m sure. I want to literally face palm. He has about as much tact as a bloody dinosaur.
“I need you.” She cries hysterically. I watch his entire stance go rigid. I study his profile carefully in the glow of the outer light. His jaw clenches hard.
“Seriously?!” He grates.
“I love you.” She sobs. Oh fuck. This is going south fast. I undo my seat belt and get ready to jump out. I pause though. He needs to work this out with her. So far it’s always been me smoothing the way between them, but truth be told, it’s not my place. I wait, giving him one last chance to try and deal with her rationally.
“Jesus fucking Christ, look at you! You’re a fucking disaster. You’re delusional.” He shouts just inches from her face. George steps between them, getting in Theo’s face. Okay, not so rational. It’s fine, George will diffuse this. My presence will only make Cassie worse. She wants Theo to help her, to acknowledge her. That’s what this is, a cry for help.
George and Theo start growling in low voices as George blocks him from my sight. I reach down and turn the heating on, adjusting all the technical computer systems. Seriously, what’s so wrong with a dial? Red for hot, blue for cold, simple.
My head snaps up when the door handle clicks. It takes me a moment too long to realise it’s not Theo. Cassie throws herself in the car and slams down the locks. Fuck. Oh fuck.
Theo’s body slams against the window. “Cassie, get out of the fucking car now.” He shouts. “Lilly, get out.”
I ignore him as I glance at the centre console where the key is still slotted in the dash. “Cassie.” I say calmly. She looks up at me, and what I see is not fucking reassuring. Her eyes are wild, the pupils dilated. She’s on something. Her face is blotchy, mascara running down her cheeks. Her hair is stringy and matted. Her pregnancy bump is covered in a dirty dress. It’s freezing and she’s wearing a dress and cardigan. “Cassie, why don’t we get you inside? Get you a shower and some warm clothes.” I smile calmly.