Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(70)

I sat in my favourite spot, by the window. Marcus sat down and handed me a hot chocolate; he’d remembered my drink of choice.

I wrapped my hand around the mug. “Thanks. Hey, you remember when Silas broke his wrist doing a backflip off that table?”

Marcus laughed. “Yeah. What an idiot. You just stood there looking at him like did he really just do that. He was too cocky.”

I smirked. “He wasn’t after that. Anyway, so what’s going on? Why are things so bad for the gym?”

He sighed. “I don’t know. Something’s going on, but no one seems to know a damn thing, or they do they’re not saying. Some guys in fancy suits have been wondering around. I think the place is in trouble.” And that would be why he desperately wanted the gymnastics to work, he was scared the business was in trouble.

“Have you asked Gregory?” Gregory was the owner of the centre, and a total idiot. He cared about money, not people. I’d always hated him. There was trouble with him every year about raising the prices too high, and none of the extra money ever went into improving the facilities.

“I did. He made it sound like it was all in my head. Of course, he wouldn’t tell me the truth. He’s said so much bullshit in his time, I don’t even think even he knows what the truth is. Enough of that crap though. Has the media circus died down?”

“Took a little while, but I think they’ve finally realised I don’t want to talk about it. Well, most of them, some still hang around.”

Marcus nodded. “It’ll stop before too long. Don’t let the pap be a factor in deciding where to live though.” He thumped his heart and said, “Team England.”

“Team England?” I repeated, laughing. “You’ve clearly never been to Australia!”

There was no way I would let the press decide anything for me. The house I grew up in was still a huge problem, however. I couldn’t drive past it without feeling sick. I wasn’t sure if that was something I would be able to get over or not. Every time I was at Cole’s parents’ house I could feel its proximity. It might as well have been a hundred foot tall and lit up in neon lights.

“Want some advice?”

I smiled. “Do I have a choice?”

“Why no you do not!” He winked. “Look, Oakley, they took too many years of happiness from you. Don’t let them have another second longer.”

“Hmm. Alright, I’ll give you that one. That’s actually good advice. I expected you to say something crude.”

“I can if it’ll make you feel more comfortable?”

“No thanks. Anyway, I should really get going.”

“Already?”

“Yes, but I’ll come back soon.”

Marcus stood up as I did. “Okay, just remember, Team England.”

Nodding, I grabbed my cup. “I will. It was really good to see you, Marcus. Thanks.”

“See you soon,” he called. Laughing to myself, I waved over my shoulder and threw the plastic cup in the recycling bin. I felt happier for seeing him, and everything else seemed a little clearer now.

I got in the car and dialled Ali’s mobile. Marcus had good advice. Advice I wasn’t going to ignore, because he was right. Max and Frank were not stopping me from being happy for another second.

Hanging up the phone from speaking to Ali, it rang immediately. I smiled as Cole’s name flashed up on the screen. “Hi,” I said.

“Hey. How’d it go with Marcus? You on your way home?”

“Good, and yes. How’s work? You’re not busy, right?”

“Hmm, are you insinuating that I’m not busy because you think I do nothing all day, or are you asking?”

Giggling, I replied, “Asking!”

“Well, no, not really.”

“Of course you’re not,” I teased. “Sorry. I know you’re very important.”

“Was there anything in particular you wanted?” Cole asked. His voice laced with sarcasm and a hint of amusement.

“You called me.” I pointed out. “And nope.” My heart danced in happiness. I loved our playful conversations. “Want me to go?”

“Nope,” he replied. “I want you in my bed.”

“Cole, you’d better be alone in your office!”

“No, I’m in a conference,” he muttered dryly. “Of course I’m alone. No one really comes in my office.”

“I’m playing a sad song on a tiny violin.”

Cole chuckled. “I’m gonna hang up.”

“No, you won’t. Are you coming to Ali’s after work?”

“Do you want me to come to Ali’s after work?”

I shook my head, laughing softly. “You know I do.”

“Then you know I’ll be there at quarter past five.”

I pulled into Ali’s driveway, right by the front door because there were a few people hanging around outside. They didn’t come through the front gate anymore. Not since Jasper threatened to call the police and report them for trespassing.

“I’ve just got back to Ali’s. I’ll see you tonight, okay.”

“Okay. Love you.”

“I love you too.” I hung up the phone and took it out of the cradle. My house key was in my pocket. I grabbed it, so I could get in as quickly as possible.