Re: Going Back (AU M/L CC ADULT) Ch 19 6/12/08
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 3:41 pm
Hi guys so sorry for the MAJOR delay in this next part. I have been so busy changing jobs and I got married the other day so I've not been able to get on here to give you a decent update.
Since you've been waiting so long I'll give feedback a miss but thanks for all the great feedback and keep it coming!!
Hope you all are still interested in this!!
This next chapter is a little middle part that is really just to move the story along. It does have Liz's boyrfriend Lucas in it but I assure all you dreamers that they don't stay together much longer!! I just didn't want to do a fic where Liz is the unattatched girl...so don't be annoyed that she's with this guy in this part and he'll be gone soonish...
So happy reading!!
Elle xx
Chapter 20
"Izzy, Lucas is here!"
Stu yelled outside her bedroom door as she finished applying her make-up in front of her mirror.
"Send him in!"
She shouted back and after a few seconds, Lucas waltzed into her room, closing the door behind him.
"Hi babe."
He said as he leaned down to kiss her. She smiled up at his handsome face where his bright blue eyes and sexy grin greeted her. His short blonde hair was spiky on top and she loved how edgy it made him look despite his angelic features. He was tall and skinny but she very well knew that there was a well defined body under his faded blue jeans and white shirt.
"Hi yourself." She replied as she put her arms around his neck slowly.
"A bit over dressed aren't you?"
He questioned and she suddenly remembered that they had made plans to catch a movie.
"Oh god, I completely forgot! We had plans didn't we?"
At his icy stare and stiff nod she sighed,
"I'm sorry baby, I forgot and I made other plans to go out with Maria and Stu and Michael."
"Michael? As in the guy you grew up with? Who keeps coming to see you?"
His tone of voice left no doubt in Liz's mind that he was jealous.
"Yes, that Michael, it's not what you're thinking either. We're just going out as friends."
She tried to reassure but he pulled out of her grasp and she knew they were heading for a fight.
"Is he the reason you won't move in with me?"
He suddenly asked, blue eyes flashing with anger. Great, this is all I need, another fight about why I won't move in with him.
"No of course not! I won't move in with you because I told you I wasn't ready for that yet."
"Well when will you be ready because before he showed up you seemed eager for us to take the next step but now...you're moving away more each time he turns up."
"Lucas don't be silly, that's got nothing to do with it. I'm not ready and I wasn't before so I don't know where you got that impression, I'm sorry but that's just the way it is."
She turned around, effectively dismissing him as she picked her purse up and walked to the door.
"What about our plans for tonight?"
He said through gritted teeth as she opened the door.
"It's Michael's last night so we're going out for a drink, you're welcome to come but I can catch a movie with you anytime." She answered as she left the room and a fuming Lucas.
*********************************************************************
"What do you want to drink?"
Michael shouted to be heard over the music.
"Just a beer!"
Liz shouted back and he turned to Maria and Stu asking them the same.
Liz turned to look around the club they had gone to, bodies were dancing in a huge mass in the middle of the floor and the music thrummed through her body. Turning back to grab the bottle Michael offered her she took a drink as her eyes found the face of a familiar man making his way to her.
As he approached Michael raised an eyebrow at her and she rolled her eyes at Stu.
"Look who found us."
She said to him and he noticed the man almost in front of them.
"Play nice Izzy."
He replied and Michael's gazed flicked from Stu to Liz trying to understand what they were talking about.
"Well look who came out to play."
The guy shouted towards Liz and she smiled politely.
"Nick."
She nodded at him and he turned his gaze to Maria, Stu and then Michael.
"Where's the boyfriend Izzy? Finally let you out to play alone?"
He ran a hand through his jet black hair and gave a cheeky smile as she rolled her eyes at him.
"Funny Nick."
"I'm shocked that you aren't bare-foot and pregnant yet." He sneered and she glared at him.
"Never going to happen, now why don't you run along and manage this place properly?"
"Ouch Izzy, that hurts, why don't you help me manage this place tonight? I think I could find you something to do in my office for me."
He replied as his dark eyes roamed her body, taking in her short strapless black dress.
"In your dreams."
She replied quickly and he then reached out a hand to her arm.
"You're already there."
She shrugged her arm away from him and Michael stepped forward as he reached towards her again.
"You bought a bodyguard out? You think my place is that bad?"
Nick commented looking at Michael unconcerned and she laughed,
"This is Michael, a friend. Michael, this is Nick, he owns this place and is a permanent pain in my ass."
She made quick introductions and Nick laughed as Michael frowned.
"Now why can't you be nice for once in your life?"
"Got to keep you on your toes."
She replied as she took another sip from her bottle. Michael and Nick shook hands. This is going to be a long night, She thought as Nick made small talk with Michael.
She had met Nick when she had started running the club with Stu. He'd started their friendship, if that's what you could call it, by asking her on dates repeatedly. Liz turned him down every time but they continued to flirt and banter through the years, even though they were rivals for customers. Despite his attempts at dating her he looked out for her, he had more contacts than she did and so he was useful at times. He especially looked out for her in her relationships, currently that one being her relationship with Lucas, who he was convinced was no good for her and went about openly admitting it. This is where the conversation led with Michael when they continued to talk about her, despite her efforts at separating the two all night.
Liz and Maria were out on the dance floor and had been for the last half hour when Liz caught Michael's eye and waved him over when she saw Stu talking to a blonde guy at the bar. As Michael made his way over she turned to see Maria's gaze fixed on him.
"Like what you see?"
She teased her blonde friend lightly and laughed when Maria blushed and quickly looked the other way.
"Michael thinks you're cute." She shouted in Maria's ear.
"He does not!"
She protested and frowned when Liz rolled her eyes,
"I know him Maria, I assure you he does like you, he hasn't kept his eyes off you all night."
"Whatever Izzy."
Maria tried to ignore her as Michael appeared at their side smiling.
"Michael! Dance with us!"
Liz shouted feeling the alcohol buzzing in her system. He looked out of place for a moment then Liz grabbed his hand and pulled him in between her and Maria. They both started dancing with Michael in the middle, Maria looked around from Michael's back to Liz and glared at her so in response, Liz grinned back, turned Michael around to a surprised Maria and danced away towards the bar.
Michael had kept an eye on that Maria girl all night, when Liz had first introduced him to her he had been taken back by her beauty. She was slender with blonde hair, green eyes and full red lips that he found he wanted to kiss. As much as he tried to ignore the feelings she was causing in him, he couldn't ignore them, she was everywhere Liz was. She was funny and always honest to Liz, which made him a fan.
He looked out for Liz every time he came to see her and was constantly calling her every other day to check she was ok, when he had learned that she had a boyfriend he felt better that she had someone to take care of her and that she had moved on. Then he had met Lucas and it all went down hill. Lucas thought he was perfect and that Liz should be too. From what Maria had let slip a few times, Lucas was desperate to get Liz to move in with him and that the relationship was heading for marriage quickly, yet Liz had given no indication of the relationship moving in either of those directions. Michael was pretty sure the relationship was one sided but he was in no place to tell Liz what to do.
Now here he was dancing closely with Maria and even though he was glad to be having a good time with Liz and she was obviously pushing him and Maria together, he still felt a pang of guilt for not telling anyone about finding Liz. He'd told Liz that they were better off not knowing where she was, that they'd moved on and he knew it would cause more pain knowing that she had a new life without them and hadn't looked back once, yet deep down he knew they'd want closure on what had happened to her. He saw in his friends, his brother, Liz's brother and his parents everyday that not knowing for certain where she was or if she was even alive still haunted them.
He knew that if Liz didn't come home for Tommy then she had truly moved on and didn't consider herself the same person they all loved. If she didn't come back he didn't think he could keep seeing her and keeping it a secret. The only problem with that was whether he'd tell his friends and family about her or turn away and never see her again, leaving her to the life she had built for herself.
********************************
As the night drew to an end, Liz waved Michael and Maria off in a taxi to his hotel, after dropping Maria off at home, where he'd catch a few hours sleep before catching a flight first thing in the morning, well this morning I should say, she thought as she looked at her watch and seeing the time was 2am.
********************************
Michael sat next to Maria in the taxi and felt nervous for the first time in a while. Sure he'd had girlfriends and dates but nothing very serious, truthfully all the years they had spent looking for Liz caused them to neglect certain aspects of their lives. Girls didn't want to date guys who were always busy chasing after a friend who had disappeared, no matter how much they tried to convince them that the missing girl was just a friend from back home.
"So do you think Izzy will come back with you?"
Maria asked quietly and he frowned,
"I'm not sure, she's got her own life here, I think if she came back it might hurt her again, you know, because of all the bad memories."
Maria nodded and seemed to relax but soon they were pulling up outside her apartment building and she was turning to him.
"Do you have time for a quick coffee or something?"
She said quickly and he smiled.
"Sure."
They both got out and he followed her into the building and up to her apartment. Once inside he sat down on her sofa and waited for her to make the coffee.
"Do you mind if I go get changed?"
She asked timidly from the doorway.
He shook his head but couldn't talk, she was getting changed, into what? Actual clothes or what she wears to bed? Oh god please don't let it be something sexy, I won't survive it! He silently prayed whilst Maria was getting changed but his thoughts were stopped when she appeared a few minutes later in a pair of old sweatpants that hugged her figure and an old tank top that had a faded flower on it. She settled down next to him and passed his coffee, putting hers on the table.
"So..."
She mumbled and he smiled reassuringly at her as he settled back.
"So..."
He replied and as he stared at her beautiful face and thought, what the hell, I'm leaving tomorrow anyway. He leaned in a was about to kiss her when her phone rang loudly and caused Maria to jump, knocking Michael's arm that was holding his coffee, causing it to spill onto his trousers. He jumped up in shock, the burning liquid seeping through to his skin and burning him.
"Shit!"
He yelled and Maria jumped up panicking.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry! Here take them off!"
She told him as she took the cup out of his hands and helped him pull his trousers down quickly. Once they were off she grabbed a shirt that was lying on the back of the sofa and pressed it towards his legs.
"Wipe it off, does it hurt?" She asked, concern in her green eyes for him.
He shook his head and glanced up in time to see the blush making its way across her face, realising that she was looking at his now damp boxers. She quickly averted her eyes and picked up the still ringing phone.
"Hello? Mum hi...no...yes I'm fine...but...yeah but...no...of course not...ok...yes...I said yes mum...I have to go...no...speak to you later...yeah...love you too."
She rolled her eyes as she put the phone down, damn mother, calling at all hours just because I hadn't told her I was going out.
She smiled up at Michael and he smiled back. He felt his own face begin to heat up and then decided to make her less uncomfortable.
"You know, if you wanted to get me naked, all you had to do was ask!"
"Damn and here's me thinking my little plan was working."
She teased, her face turning another shade of red and he threw the now wet shirt onto the table. He looked at her for a moment before pulling her towards him and kissing her hard.
Maria stood there shocked for a second before responding to his passionate kiss and wrapping her arms around his neck to get closer to him.
Michael could feel Maria pressed up against him and he was painfully aware that he wasn't wearing any trousers. He was secretly pleased by her response, feeling glad that she hadn't rejected him, and now he could just marvel at how spicy she tasted but at the same time, leaving a sweet taste. He knew then that he'd get even less sleep now.
**********************************************************************************************
Arriving home in her own taxi, Liz silently made her way to her room. Pulling her clothes off and changing into her shorts and tank top she wore to bed, she frowned when her phone rang, who could be calling at this time?
"Hello?"
"Izzy?"
Lucas's slurring voice met her ears and she sighed, he's drunk, this should get interesting.
"Hey Lucas, what's up?"
"I love you, you know that right?"
"Sure I do."
She answered as she walked into the kitchen to pour a drink for herself.
"I think...hic...we should get...hic...married."
He slurred into the phone and Liz froze.
"I think we should talk about this when you're not wrecked."
She replied after a moments' hesitation, I don't want to be tied down, it only hurts more when I have to leave.
"I not wrecked, I mean...hic...every word I say...hic...why won't you move in with me?"
He said angrily and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Lucas, I'm tired and don't want to have this conversation with you right now, go home, get some sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."
"I don't want to talk to you tomorrow!"
He snapped and she felt her own anger rise as he continued on.
"All you want to do is work and hang out with that Michael when he comes up here, what's going on with the two of you?"
"Nothing! I've told you a thousand times, Michael and I are just friends. We go way back..."
He interrupted her,
"That's another thing, you never tell me anything about your past! How do you go way back with him and where? Where did you grow up?"
He sounded more sober, which annoyed her more, he knew she didn't like to talk about her past.
"Look I don't like to talk about my past, it's not something I want to remember so can we just talk about something else please?"
"No, what happened that made you want to forget your life? Tell me?"
He demanded and she snapped, how dare he speak to me like that!
"It's none of your damn business! I'm not going to speak to you when you're like this Lucas, if you think you can just order me around then you've got another thing coming. Goodnight."
She snapped her phone shut, closing the call off and braced her hand on the counter for support. She took deep breaths to take away the growing ball of fear expanding in her stomach at the thought of her life she left behind and especially the people who suffered from her decision. Like Tommy.
I’ve never looked back since I left, I've worked hard to put that life behind me and forget it but now Michael's opened up that whole can of worms. Tommy has given up everything for me and I never knew it until now. Seven years he's been waiting for me to save him from a life he was determined not to have and now he has it all because I was too selfish to stay and face everything.
"Hey are you alright darlin'?"
Stu's husky voice spoke from behind her. She spun around and gasped, she hadn't heard him come up behind her and her heart pounded in her chest.
"You scared me!"
"Sorry sweetheart."
She turned back around and took a sip of her drink as Stu made his way next to her to lean on the counter.
"You're thinking about going back aren't you?"
He asked quietly and she swung her head to look at him.
"What makes you say that?"
"I know you Izzy."
He replied with a shrug and she immediately felt angry.
"Do you?"
How can anyone really know me, I've been living a fake life for seven years, I don't even know me anymore.
"It doesn't matter what your name is, you are the person you are and I know that person."
"I can't leave him there like that, he never wanted a life like that for himself, he's there because of me and the least I can do is fix it for him."
"You don't owe anyone anything Izzy, it's not your responsibility to save them from what their lives have become. Only they are responsible."
He put a tanned arm around her slim shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. She was slightly shocked that he knew what she was feeling about Michael's revelation. She had told Stu and Maria about it and they had been supportive and would back whatever she chose.
"I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you in my life."
She whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"It would be an incredibly boring life without me."
He joked and Liz laughed at his attempt to make her smile.
"I guess it would."
"So you're going home?" He asked after a minutes silence.
"I am home."
She replied quietly. I am home, She told herself persistently, trying to ignore the nagging little voice trying to be heard in the back of her head.
************************************************************************************************
Since you've been waiting so long I'll give feedback a miss but thanks for all the great feedback and keep it coming!!
Hope you all are still interested in this!!
This next chapter is a little middle part that is really just to move the story along. It does have Liz's boyrfriend Lucas in it but I assure all you dreamers that they don't stay together much longer!! I just didn't want to do a fic where Liz is the unattatched girl...so don't be annoyed that she's with this guy in this part and he'll be gone soonish...
So happy reading!!
Elle xx
Chapter 20
"Izzy, Lucas is here!"
Stu yelled outside her bedroom door as she finished applying her make-up in front of her mirror.
"Send him in!"
She shouted back and after a few seconds, Lucas waltzed into her room, closing the door behind him.
"Hi babe."
He said as he leaned down to kiss her. She smiled up at his handsome face where his bright blue eyes and sexy grin greeted her. His short blonde hair was spiky on top and she loved how edgy it made him look despite his angelic features. He was tall and skinny but she very well knew that there was a well defined body under his faded blue jeans and white shirt.
"Hi yourself." She replied as she put her arms around his neck slowly.
"A bit over dressed aren't you?"
He questioned and she suddenly remembered that they had made plans to catch a movie.
"Oh god, I completely forgot! We had plans didn't we?"
At his icy stare and stiff nod she sighed,
"I'm sorry baby, I forgot and I made other plans to go out with Maria and Stu and Michael."
"Michael? As in the guy you grew up with? Who keeps coming to see you?"
His tone of voice left no doubt in Liz's mind that he was jealous.
"Yes, that Michael, it's not what you're thinking either. We're just going out as friends."
She tried to reassure but he pulled out of her grasp and she knew they were heading for a fight.
"Is he the reason you won't move in with me?"
He suddenly asked, blue eyes flashing with anger. Great, this is all I need, another fight about why I won't move in with him.
"No of course not! I won't move in with you because I told you I wasn't ready for that yet."
"Well when will you be ready because before he showed up you seemed eager for us to take the next step but now...you're moving away more each time he turns up."
"Lucas don't be silly, that's got nothing to do with it. I'm not ready and I wasn't before so I don't know where you got that impression, I'm sorry but that's just the way it is."
She turned around, effectively dismissing him as she picked her purse up and walked to the door.
"What about our plans for tonight?"
He said through gritted teeth as she opened the door.
"It's Michael's last night so we're going out for a drink, you're welcome to come but I can catch a movie with you anytime." She answered as she left the room and a fuming Lucas.
*********************************************************************
"What do you want to drink?"
Michael shouted to be heard over the music.
"Just a beer!"
Liz shouted back and he turned to Maria and Stu asking them the same.
Liz turned to look around the club they had gone to, bodies were dancing in a huge mass in the middle of the floor and the music thrummed through her body. Turning back to grab the bottle Michael offered her she took a drink as her eyes found the face of a familiar man making his way to her.
As he approached Michael raised an eyebrow at her and she rolled her eyes at Stu.
"Look who found us."
She said to him and he noticed the man almost in front of them.
"Play nice Izzy."
He replied and Michael's gazed flicked from Stu to Liz trying to understand what they were talking about.
"Well look who came out to play."
The guy shouted towards Liz and she smiled politely.
"Nick."
She nodded at him and he turned his gaze to Maria, Stu and then Michael.
"Where's the boyfriend Izzy? Finally let you out to play alone?"
He ran a hand through his jet black hair and gave a cheeky smile as she rolled her eyes at him.
"Funny Nick."
"I'm shocked that you aren't bare-foot and pregnant yet." He sneered and she glared at him.
"Never going to happen, now why don't you run along and manage this place properly?"
"Ouch Izzy, that hurts, why don't you help me manage this place tonight? I think I could find you something to do in my office for me."
He replied as his dark eyes roamed her body, taking in her short strapless black dress.
"In your dreams."
She replied quickly and he then reached out a hand to her arm.
"You're already there."
She shrugged her arm away from him and Michael stepped forward as he reached towards her again.
"You bought a bodyguard out? You think my place is that bad?"
Nick commented looking at Michael unconcerned and she laughed,
"This is Michael, a friend. Michael, this is Nick, he owns this place and is a permanent pain in my ass."
She made quick introductions and Nick laughed as Michael frowned.
"Now why can't you be nice for once in your life?"
"Got to keep you on your toes."
She replied as she took another sip from her bottle. Michael and Nick shook hands. This is going to be a long night, She thought as Nick made small talk with Michael.
She had met Nick when she had started running the club with Stu. He'd started their friendship, if that's what you could call it, by asking her on dates repeatedly. Liz turned him down every time but they continued to flirt and banter through the years, even though they were rivals for customers. Despite his attempts at dating her he looked out for her, he had more contacts than she did and so he was useful at times. He especially looked out for her in her relationships, currently that one being her relationship with Lucas, who he was convinced was no good for her and went about openly admitting it. This is where the conversation led with Michael when they continued to talk about her, despite her efforts at separating the two all night.
Liz and Maria were out on the dance floor and had been for the last half hour when Liz caught Michael's eye and waved him over when she saw Stu talking to a blonde guy at the bar. As Michael made his way over she turned to see Maria's gaze fixed on him.
"Like what you see?"
She teased her blonde friend lightly and laughed when Maria blushed and quickly looked the other way.
"Michael thinks you're cute." She shouted in Maria's ear.
"He does not!"
She protested and frowned when Liz rolled her eyes,
"I know him Maria, I assure you he does like you, he hasn't kept his eyes off you all night."
"Whatever Izzy."
Maria tried to ignore her as Michael appeared at their side smiling.
"Michael! Dance with us!"
Liz shouted feeling the alcohol buzzing in her system. He looked out of place for a moment then Liz grabbed his hand and pulled him in between her and Maria. They both started dancing with Michael in the middle, Maria looked around from Michael's back to Liz and glared at her so in response, Liz grinned back, turned Michael around to a surprised Maria and danced away towards the bar.
Michael had kept an eye on that Maria girl all night, when Liz had first introduced him to her he had been taken back by her beauty. She was slender with blonde hair, green eyes and full red lips that he found he wanted to kiss. As much as he tried to ignore the feelings she was causing in him, he couldn't ignore them, she was everywhere Liz was. She was funny and always honest to Liz, which made him a fan.
He looked out for Liz every time he came to see her and was constantly calling her every other day to check she was ok, when he had learned that she had a boyfriend he felt better that she had someone to take care of her and that she had moved on. Then he had met Lucas and it all went down hill. Lucas thought he was perfect and that Liz should be too. From what Maria had let slip a few times, Lucas was desperate to get Liz to move in with him and that the relationship was heading for marriage quickly, yet Liz had given no indication of the relationship moving in either of those directions. Michael was pretty sure the relationship was one sided but he was in no place to tell Liz what to do.
Now here he was dancing closely with Maria and even though he was glad to be having a good time with Liz and she was obviously pushing him and Maria together, he still felt a pang of guilt for not telling anyone about finding Liz. He'd told Liz that they were better off not knowing where she was, that they'd moved on and he knew it would cause more pain knowing that she had a new life without them and hadn't looked back once, yet deep down he knew they'd want closure on what had happened to her. He saw in his friends, his brother, Liz's brother and his parents everyday that not knowing for certain where she was or if she was even alive still haunted them.
He knew that if Liz didn't come home for Tommy then she had truly moved on and didn't consider herself the same person they all loved. If she didn't come back he didn't think he could keep seeing her and keeping it a secret. The only problem with that was whether he'd tell his friends and family about her or turn away and never see her again, leaving her to the life she had built for herself.
********************************
As the night drew to an end, Liz waved Michael and Maria off in a taxi to his hotel, after dropping Maria off at home, where he'd catch a few hours sleep before catching a flight first thing in the morning, well this morning I should say, she thought as she looked at her watch and seeing the time was 2am.
********************************
Michael sat next to Maria in the taxi and felt nervous for the first time in a while. Sure he'd had girlfriends and dates but nothing very serious, truthfully all the years they had spent looking for Liz caused them to neglect certain aspects of their lives. Girls didn't want to date guys who were always busy chasing after a friend who had disappeared, no matter how much they tried to convince them that the missing girl was just a friend from back home.
"So do you think Izzy will come back with you?"
Maria asked quietly and he frowned,
"I'm not sure, she's got her own life here, I think if she came back it might hurt her again, you know, because of all the bad memories."
Maria nodded and seemed to relax but soon they were pulling up outside her apartment building and she was turning to him.
"Do you have time for a quick coffee or something?"
She said quickly and he smiled.
"Sure."
They both got out and he followed her into the building and up to her apartment. Once inside he sat down on her sofa and waited for her to make the coffee.
"Do you mind if I go get changed?"
She asked timidly from the doorway.
He shook his head but couldn't talk, she was getting changed, into what? Actual clothes or what she wears to bed? Oh god please don't let it be something sexy, I won't survive it! He silently prayed whilst Maria was getting changed but his thoughts were stopped when she appeared a few minutes later in a pair of old sweatpants that hugged her figure and an old tank top that had a faded flower on it. She settled down next to him and passed his coffee, putting hers on the table.
"So..."
She mumbled and he smiled reassuringly at her as he settled back.
"So..."
He replied and as he stared at her beautiful face and thought, what the hell, I'm leaving tomorrow anyway. He leaned in a was about to kiss her when her phone rang loudly and caused Maria to jump, knocking Michael's arm that was holding his coffee, causing it to spill onto his trousers. He jumped up in shock, the burning liquid seeping through to his skin and burning him.
"Shit!"
He yelled and Maria jumped up panicking.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry! Here take them off!"
She told him as she took the cup out of his hands and helped him pull his trousers down quickly. Once they were off she grabbed a shirt that was lying on the back of the sofa and pressed it towards his legs.
"Wipe it off, does it hurt?" She asked, concern in her green eyes for him.
He shook his head and glanced up in time to see the blush making its way across her face, realising that she was looking at his now damp boxers. She quickly averted her eyes and picked up the still ringing phone.
"Hello? Mum hi...no...yes I'm fine...but...yeah but...no...of course not...ok...yes...I said yes mum...I have to go...no...speak to you later...yeah...love you too."
She rolled her eyes as she put the phone down, damn mother, calling at all hours just because I hadn't told her I was going out.
She smiled up at Michael and he smiled back. He felt his own face begin to heat up and then decided to make her less uncomfortable.
"You know, if you wanted to get me naked, all you had to do was ask!"
"Damn and here's me thinking my little plan was working."
She teased, her face turning another shade of red and he threw the now wet shirt onto the table. He looked at her for a moment before pulling her towards him and kissing her hard.
Maria stood there shocked for a second before responding to his passionate kiss and wrapping her arms around his neck to get closer to him.
Michael could feel Maria pressed up against him and he was painfully aware that he wasn't wearing any trousers. He was secretly pleased by her response, feeling glad that she hadn't rejected him, and now he could just marvel at how spicy she tasted but at the same time, leaving a sweet taste. He knew then that he'd get even less sleep now.
**********************************************************************************************
Arriving home in her own taxi, Liz silently made her way to her room. Pulling her clothes off and changing into her shorts and tank top she wore to bed, she frowned when her phone rang, who could be calling at this time?
"Hello?"
"Izzy?"
Lucas's slurring voice met her ears and she sighed, he's drunk, this should get interesting.
"Hey Lucas, what's up?"
"I love you, you know that right?"
"Sure I do."
She answered as she walked into the kitchen to pour a drink for herself.
"I think...hic...we should get...hic...married."
He slurred into the phone and Liz froze.
"I think we should talk about this when you're not wrecked."
She replied after a moments' hesitation, I don't want to be tied down, it only hurts more when I have to leave.
"I not wrecked, I mean...hic...every word I say...hic...why won't you move in with me?"
He said angrily and she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Lucas, I'm tired and don't want to have this conversation with you right now, go home, get some sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."
"I don't want to talk to you tomorrow!"
He snapped and she felt her own anger rise as he continued on.
"All you want to do is work and hang out with that Michael when he comes up here, what's going on with the two of you?"
"Nothing! I've told you a thousand times, Michael and I are just friends. We go way back..."
He interrupted her,
"That's another thing, you never tell me anything about your past! How do you go way back with him and where? Where did you grow up?"
He sounded more sober, which annoyed her more, he knew she didn't like to talk about her past.
"Look I don't like to talk about my past, it's not something I want to remember so can we just talk about something else please?"
"No, what happened that made you want to forget your life? Tell me?"
He demanded and she snapped, how dare he speak to me like that!
"It's none of your damn business! I'm not going to speak to you when you're like this Lucas, if you think you can just order me around then you've got another thing coming. Goodnight."
She snapped her phone shut, closing the call off and braced her hand on the counter for support. She took deep breaths to take away the growing ball of fear expanding in her stomach at the thought of her life she left behind and especially the people who suffered from her decision. Like Tommy.
I’ve never looked back since I left, I've worked hard to put that life behind me and forget it but now Michael's opened up that whole can of worms. Tommy has given up everything for me and I never knew it until now. Seven years he's been waiting for me to save him from a life he was determined not to have and now he has it all because I was too selfish to stay and face everything.
"Hey are you alright darlin'?"
Stu's husky voice spoke from behind her. She spun around and gasped, she hadn't heard him come up behind her and her heart pounded in her chest.
"You scared me!"
"Sorry sweetheart."
She turned back around and took a sip of her drink as Stu made his way next to her to lean on the counter.
"You're thinking about going back aren't you?"
He asked quietly and she swung her head to look at him.
"What makes you say that?"
"I know you Izzy."
He replied with a shrug and she immediately felt angry.
"Do you?"
How can anyone really know me, I've been living a fake life for seven years, I don't even know me anymore.
"It doesn't matter what your name is, you are the person you are and I know that person."
"I can't leave him there like that, he never wanted a life like that for himself, he's there because of me and the least I can do is fix it for him."
"You don't owe anyone anything Izzy, it's not your responsibility to save them from what their lives have become. Only they are responsible."
He put a tanned arm around her slim shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. She was slightly shocked that he knew what she was feeling about Michael's revelation. She had told Stu and Maria about it and they had been supportive and would back whatever she chose.
"I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you in my life."
She whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"It would be an incredibly boring life without me."
He joked and Liz laughed at his attempt to make her smile.
"I guess it would."
"So you're going home?" He asked after a minutes silence.
"I am home."
She replied quietly. I am home, She told herself persistently, trying to ignore the nagging little voice trying to be heard in the back of her head.
************************************************************************************************