Fallen Down Under (Down Under #2) Read online

  "What and leave you wallowing here on your own? Don't be daft."

  "I'm just busy. You really don't need to worry." All I want is for people to stop fussing over me like I’m a kid that can’t fend for myself.

  "Max." She says softly as she sits down opposite me, a maternal look present in her eyes. "I've known you an awfully long time and I would like to think you had a little bit more respect for me than to actually lie to my face."

  "Honestly, I'm fine. I've just got a lot going on that’s all." In a sense I'm technically not lying to her. I can't remember the last time my head was filled with so much bullshit.

  "Have you spoken to her? Have you made sure that you have told her your version of events?"

  "Wow, seriously? Does everyone seem to know every fucking detail of my personal life now?" I snap unintentionally at her. When did I become so goddamn fucking interesting?

  "Stella called by looking for Jess. She said that there had been a misunderstanding of some sort and she wanted to talk to her. It doesn't take a genius to work out what actually happened dear. To be honest, I've never liked that Stella from the get go, but I normally like to keep my opinions to myself." The sudden pressure that fills my head causes my fingers to shoot straight to my temples. Fuck this bullshit. As if sensing my sudden unease, Martha continues "Don't worry, I didn't tell her where she was. That poor girl doesn't need any more drama and I personally will not be responsible for any further damage that whirlwind of a woman will cause."

  "She's leaving anyway so what does it matter?" I can't fucking believe that those words have just left my mouth. I can't think of anything worse that the thought of Jess being permanently out of my life, but I swore to myself I wouldn't be selfish with my needs when it comes to her and her safety. I’ve witnessed more than enough people get hurt because of me and if anything happened to Jess, I honestly don’t think I could live with myself.

  "Do you want her to go?" Martha asks the question as if it's the simplest thing to answer in the world.

  "What do you think?" I finally ask her after a pause. "It would be much easier for her to walk away now before any more damage can be done. But will it be easy for me to watch? Hell no."

  "If you want my advice, go and talk to her. Try and tell her how you feel, regardless of that male ego of yours. Just promise me something, don't turn your back on a good thing. Jess is your good thing Max. Whatever you do, don't lose it."

  Jess

  The hospital still makes me feel sick to my stomach. The smells, the association of death, pain, everything you don't want to be around is closed in all around you under one roof. I'm on edge every time I'm in a hospital and I can't wait to get out and jump in the shower to scrub the feel and smell away.

  "Hey you. How are you feeling?" I ask, leaning into Mal and placing a tender kiss on his cheek. He looks so much better, especially now that all of his wires have been removed. The last time I saw him his face was still grey, yet now he has a healthy glow and he's rocking some rosy cheeks and a sparkle in his eyes. "I take it that they've been treating you well then?"

  "Like you wouldn't believe flower."

  Knowing Mal, I bet he's had these poor nurses at his beck and call at every opportunity. I can't help but laugh, my chest suddenly feels so much lighter now that I know he is going to be okay. It's one thing Melissa giving me updates but seeing him face to face makes it all feel more real.

  "So what's the plan from here then?" I'm still a little unsure as to what's happening with Mal once he's been discharged. A pang of guilt creeps in for not coming to see him more often while he's been here. My reasons aren't that valid either, only to me for being the selfish bitch that I am. I didn't come to see him because I was scared that I would bump into Max. Yep, definitely a selfish bitch.

  "Well, it's looking pretty good for them to discharge me soon." A huge smile lights up his whole face. "I can't wait to stretch these bad boys, let me tell you."

  Daisy walks in just as I wipe away the happy tears that have made a run for it. It's so bloody good to have him back.

  "Jess dear. It's so good to see you. Has Mal told you the good news? Honestly," she sighs, "I can't tell you how relieved I am. Getting him to rest is going to be the tricky part." I watch them as their faces light up at the thought of finally being free from this place and how in love they still look after all these years. Now definitely isn't the time to drop my bombshell. I stay with them for a while, laughing and joking at everything and in this moment I don’t have to worry about anything but the three of us in this room.

  I step out into the sunshine, my eyes squinting from the brightness. I struggle to see for a moment until my eyes slowly adjust. I take a few steps forward and my heart contracts as soon as I see the most beautiful sight before me. I stand motionless, unable to put one foot in front of the other, completely transfixed on him. My eyes never leave his as he watches me intently. His look alone has me feeling weak at the knees. Clearly neither of us expected to bump into each other. He slowly steps towards me and stops just inches away from me. His mouth opens and closes a few times as he decides whether or not he’s going to say what he was going to say.

  "Hey." He says, a shy grin curving his mouth into that cocky grin that I miss so bloody much. Not that I'd ever tell him.

  "Hi." I reply, feeling rather awkward. After all I have done to prevent this meeting from happening and here he is stood in front of me as if nothing has happened. "It's great news that Mal's on the mend." I say trying my best not to look at him straight on. Whenever I do it's as if he can see straight through me and into my soul. I step backwards so that I can get away from him.

  "Jess, wait. Can we talk?"

  "About what?" I ask, pretending I don't care just to see if he will make a comment about Stella.

  "I've not seen you much at the office. I thought you had meetings scheduled all week?"

  "I did, however I postponed them until further notice. You've got access to my calendar so surely you could have checked that? Why don't you see if Stella can fit them in seeing as she's your current employee of the month?" Childish remark? Maybe, but fuck if I care. He doesn't say anything back to me. He just stands there, his face remaining impassive as he watches me stare him down.

  "Do you know what, whatever Max. I'm done." I turn to head in the opposite direction, more sure now that going home is the best move of them all. How could I be so stupid to think I could be different to all the other women who have been and gone before me? So we've fucked more than once, big deal - it obviously doesn't have to mean anything. The sooner I’m away from him the better. I'm pulled back suddenly as big, strong, powerful hands secure my wrists so I can't break away.

  "Stop fucking running Jess. Jesus Christ woman, will you fucking stop?"

  "Do me a favour and leave me alone Max." I plead, knowing full well that he won't, but it's all I want him to do. It’s too painful to be around him. How can he not see that?

  "I can't goddamnit. No matter how much I try, I just can't get you out of my fucking mind." His words cause me to look up into his deep pleading blue eyes and I start to soften towards him. All too soon I see a massive haze of auburn hair getting closer and closer in the distance. All my walls sharply shoot back up just as fast as they came crashing down at the sound of that high pitched voice. She’s bloody everywhere.

  "Max, what's taking you so long?" Her mouth forms a perfect O as soon as she sees it's me that has his attention and holding him up. I pull my hand out of his grasp now that it has slackened somewhat at the interruption of the queen bitch and I almost whack it against the car door next to me. I don't doubt for a second that she would love nothing more than to witness me walking back into the hospital with an injury.

  "Fucking hell Jess. Will you just hear me out?" His voice is demanding as he stares me down.

  "It looks to me like you’re pretty busy all ready. I'll see you around Max." If ever I needed further proof that they were together, today has set it in stone. Why else wo
uld she be here? I'm so fucking angry. Angry at myself and angry because I know right now that they'll both be laughing at little old me. I knew all along I'd be the laughing stock. I guess I've only got myself to blame once again for not going off my initial gut instinct.

  The sun begins to set as I look out over the horizon. The sight really is beautiful. There's something calming about the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and watching them ripple as the sky prepares for darkness to fall as it says goodbye to another day. I sit here and allow my mind to wander on its own account. Nothing matters while I'm sat here. Nothing but the feeling of peace that I feel. All of the drama that has suddenly attached itself to my life takes a backseat while I'm here, in my new found happy place. Here, I don’t have to meet any expectations. Here I can feel what I want to feel without worrying about getting hurt or not being good enough.

  I'm not sure how long I have been sat here, all I know is that it's slowly getting dark and the chill is beginning to set in. One question that I have said repeatedly today is, do I really want to give up on all of this? Do I really want to give this once in a lifetime opportunity up because of some guy? He's not just any guy though. It would be so easy, much too easy for me to hop onto the next plane and head home, but that would only benefit and please one person. Queen fucking bitch. I miss Jen and George so much, but I'll get to see them when I get home after I have finished this project. Coming back here won’t be as easy the second time around.

  So what if I have to face Max and Stella eventually. Sure it will stab at my chest like crazy but now Mal's out of hospital now and I'm sure he won't mind me working away from the office. I'm sure I can pop over and keep him entertained too while I’m at it. I get up and dust the sand from my arse, my decision set firmly in my mind. Why should I give up this once in a lifetime opportunity before I have to? Jen would only stick my stubborn backside on the next flight back over here anyway and all that would have resulted in would be a massive dent in my credit card. Why the hell does my life have to be so goddamn complicated?

  I look behind me and see the dim glow of lights coming from Melissa's. She must have arrived back from her travels without me noticing. I've no idea how she will react at the news that she's going to have to deal with my mopey arse self for a little bit longer. I guess I’m going to find out soon enough.

  I place my bag on top of the island as I step through the kitchen and look around me.

  “Liss you home?” I shout out but I get no reply. It’s pretty quiet, surely she’s home if the lights are on? Or maybe she has some posh automatic ones that come on with one of those fancy timers. Oh well I guess my little announcement will have to wait until tomorrow. Looks like a shower and an early night with my kindle is in order and I’m quite excited at the thought of it.

  I almost jump out of my skin when I see a sudden movement in the living area. I stand stock still on the spot, unsure how I am going to react to this intruder. I don’t even have a weapon. Fuck, fuck, fuck. As the figure gets closer, I notice that the intruder is male, quite well built and almost naked. What the fuck. The closer he gets the more I can make out of the person coming towards me. With my heart still hammering in my chest, I breathe in a sigh of relief.

  “Um hi.” I manage to force the words to leave my lips, my eyes still lingering on the bunched up cloth just about covering his manhood.

  “Shit, sorry Jess. I didn’t hear you come back.” I look to Melissa and take in her sheepish expression as she dashes through to the kitchen. The poor love, I’ve never known anyone look so embarrassed.

  “Hey, you don’t need to apologise. It’s your house after all. Plus don’t look so scared, I knew you two were shagging right from the off.” I can’t help but grin as her mouth goes slack with shock.

  “You did?” they both say in unison.

  “Erm, yep. It was pretty obvious, the way you were drooling over each other and everything. Wait… Max doesn’t know does he?” I ask, but have a suspicion that I’m already going to know the answer.

  “Are you fucking crazy lady? He’d put my mother fucking balls through the ringer for even thinking about Jess like that.” He’s really not bullshitting. He looks absolutely petrified. It’s actually quite comical to watch and I can’t help but laugh. He stands in front of me, bearing his tall, lean muscular frame, yet he looks like a little boy who has been caught out doing something that he shouldn’t have been doing.

  “Well, he’s definitely not going to be hearing it from me that’s for sure.” I mumble. I don’t realise that they both heard me until I see them both hang their heads at the same time, unsure what to say.

  “Jess…” Melissa starts to say but I cut her off by holding both of my hands up.

  “You two randy dogs, go and stick some clothes on. While you obviously do it for each other, you’re doing absolutely nothing for me. I’ll stick the kettle on if anyone fancies a brew.” I give them one last smile as I walk back towards the kitchen and I’m one hundred percent positive that the image of Heath will remain etched into my mind for quite some time, possibly locked away for the next time I feel intimidated by him.

  Max

  I hear shouting in the distance and instantly know that he’s home. Fear and dread wriggle at the bottom of my stomach. I cover my ears to try and drown out the noise, praying that it will stop but it’s no good. All I ever hear is him shouting, constantly from the minute he gets in until the moment that he leaves again. My mother never says anything to him when he shouts at her and when I ask, all she says is “Daddy needs to vent every now and again honey. When he gets home your daddy’s tired from working all day. He doesn’t mean to upset anyone sweetie.”

  It doesn’t matter what she says or how many times she says it, I don’t like it. Not one little bit. Mummy never shouts and she cleans all day, cooks and makes sure all of our school work is done and yet she never raises her voice, not once, not even to him. It’s not nice when he shouts at my mummy.

  As his voice gets louder and louder from the next room, I look towards the other side of my bedroom and see that Melissa is still fast asleep. It makes me so angry that she’s going to grow up around this. No one should have to witness stuff like this, especially not Melissa. Fortunately she’s too young to understand. At the delicate age of five, hopefully she will forget. It’s not too bad for me, because with time I will grow bigger and I’ll be able to stand up to him and stop him from hurting us ever again.

  A knock sounds at my door pulling my mind out of the past. Shit. I really need to get my head together. Either that or it’s looking more likely that I’m going to have to give Don a call. I slowly lift my head up from within my hands and see Daisy patiently waiting to come in. What the hell is she doing here at the office? Shouldn’t she be at home looking after Mal? Fuck, Mal. I mentally pray that she isn’t here to tell me that he’s been taken ill again. When I look at her though, I’m relieved to see her smiling. If Mal was ill again she definitely wouldn’t be smiling.

  “Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask as I pull the door open for her to come inside my office.

  “I just thought I’d stop by and bring you some lunch. You look like you could do with a decent meal. Maybe you can tell me what’s been getting you so down lately?”

  “I’m good, but thanks for the offer, I really appreciate it.” Do I really look so fucking bad that Daisy feels like she has to turn up and look after me? Her husband is at home, recovering from his near death encounter and yet here she is making sure that I’m okay. “How’s the old man settling in?”

  “Perfectly dear, just like we expected him too. He’s much better now that he’s not cooped up in that hospital bed all day. I left him catching up with the sports while I quickly run some errands. To be honest with you, I think he’ll be glad of the peace and quiet. Apparently I’m mothering him too much.”

  “Is that wise? You know how worked up he gets watching stuff like that...”

  “Max dear, by all means you can go and
try telling him no. ‘d love to watch his reaction.” I laugh knowing that she has a point. The stubborn streak that Mal has must be hereditary. We both use it pretty fucking well.

  “Would you like a drink?” I want to get to the bottom of why she’s really here and fast. It has to be something important to pull her away from Mal’s bedside.

  “Oh yes dear, that would be lovely, thank you. Tea, two for me.”

  “Spill it then. Tell me why you’re really here.” I ask. It’s pointless trying to beat around the bush with her, it just makes her angry so I always have to get straight to the point with her.

  Daisy eyes me intently and I begin to feel slightly uncomfortable. I suddenly regret asking that question. Now I know where this is going. I should have fucking known.

  “I’m worried about you Max. Is there something wrong with that? I want to know what’s happened to you. Mal’s out of hospital and on the mend, yet you look just as frightened and fragile as the little boy that you were all those years ago, and do not try to tell me that nothing is eating away at you. I know you better than you would like to admit Maxwell.” One thing about Daisy is that I have never been able to hide shit from her, ever.

  “I guess I’m still dealing with the shock of everything that happened with Mal. It was scary shit Daisy, surely you can understand that. It was like it was happening all over again.”

  “Yes, but he’s home now. He’s safe and nothing bad is going to happen to him so please stop worrying. What about Jess? Where is she? I haven’t seen you two together for a while.” Bingo… and this is what she wants. There’s no way in hell that I’m discussing this with her. I knew that she’d bring it up eventually. She doesn’t miss a fucking trick. What the fuck am I supposed to say to that anyway? Admit what an absolute bell end I was, still am, by pushing her away and punishing her for something that she can’t control?