Paige and Chloe

by Aimee-Louise Foster

  I nodded my head taking in what he'd just said, I knew Harry wouldn't have shown any remorse, that was just the sort of bloke he was but I was glad that he felt pain before he died.

  "So what did you do with his cock?" This was the most surreal conversation I could possibly have with Frank but it was something I needed to know.

  He sniggered, "I put it in his mouth as he bled out in the front room before the guys took him to Les at the crematorium to take care of the body for us."

  "You're one sick individual. Who would've thought an old boy like yourself would be able to be so nasty?"

  We sniggered together as Chloe entered the room. "Hi, it's good to see you two getting along."

  She breezed in wheeling a suitcase and had a large holdall over her shoulder, which she removed and placed in the corner of the room near to the wardrobe. She turned and smiled, "How you feeling?"

  "I feel better for having a sleep but I still feel rough." I leant over to pick up my glass of water but my hand shook making it difficult to hold it properly. Chloe quickly came to my aid and took the glass to place it to my lips.

  "I don't need a nurse maid, I've just told Frank I'm not an invalid." I snatched the glass from her hand and spilt water into my lap but I didn't want everyone fussing over me, I wasn't used to having attention and it just seemed strange.

  "And I'm not going to make it a regular thing so don't get used to it." Chloe stated as she sat at my bedside on the opposite side to Frank.

  I rolled my eyes, "Look I'm finding this all a little difficult. You all couldn't stand to be around me until you knew what happened."

  "That's where you're wrong Paige. I would've liked to have spent more time with you but now I understand why you pushed me and everyone else away."

  "So now my shitty behaviour has been justified, everything's okay?"

  Chloe frowned as she analysed what I'd just said, "Well yeah, I think you're right."

  "This is all fucked up, the whole situation is fucked up." I took another sip of water and stretched to place the glass onto the bedside cabinet but my hand couldn't sustain the action and I dropped it onto the floor.

  "Shit!"

  "Don't panic, it's fine." Chloe pulled some tissues from the box on the desk and placed them on the tiled floor to mop up the spilt water.

  I looked at my hand that was still shaking and covered it with the other, trying to hide the fact that I needed something to take the edge off.

  "What are they doing about that?" Frank asked nodding towards my hand.

  "I'm seeing someone this evening. Can we please change the subject?" I asked in a huff.

  Frank glanced at his watch and stood, "I've gotta make a move anyway but I'll visit you in a couple of days. You'll only be allowed visitors at the weekend from now on."

  "I know but that's good, I need space to give me time to think."

  Frank nodded and moved around the bed to give Chloe a hug, he turned to look at me and I smiled before he turned to leave.

  "Frank," he spun in my direction. "Thank you." I simply stated letting him know that I was grateful for what he had done, a grin crossed his face and I saw him physically relax before he left the room.

  "Right, do you want to have a look in these bags to see what I've brought?"

  I nodded as I pulled back the duvet and got out of bed to make my way over to the case and holdall because I needed to know what she had brought, as our dress senses were completely different. I needed comfortable clothes, I couldn't be sitting around here for three months in the clothes I usually wore for work.

  Opening the case, I riffled through the contents to see a couple of pairs of jeans, t-shirts and jumpers, she had also packed a family photograph. I rolled my eyes at her sentimental gesture but she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders, clearly pleased with herself. I continued to rummage in the bags and found something hard, I moved the clothes out of the way to see my new seven inch dildo.

  I raised my eyebrows, "And why have you packed Mr Dick?" I asked referring to my latest purchase from Ann Summers.

  Chloe blushed clearly embarrassed by my question, "Well...erm you're going to be here for twelve weeks." She whispered.

  "Why are you whispering?"

  "I don't want people to know that I brought you a vibrator."

  I laughed as I carried some of the clothes and Mr Dick across the room and placed them onto the bed.

  I couldn't believe how normal this all seemed and although I was still angry with Chloe, deep down I knew it wasn't her fault, although I would need some help in dealing with the feelings I had towards her.

  "Paige I better be going soon as I've got a long drive home."

  I turned towards her, "That's fine, thank you for bringing all of this stuff today. I know things have been shit between us for years but I will try to sort my head out, I promise."

  "I only wish I knew, I could've at least tried to help you." Chloe's eyes watered, she was never one to hide her true emotions but I really didn't want her pity.

  She smiled through her tears and strolled towards me, engulfing me in her arms to pull me tight. At first I was shocked and let my arms hang by my sides as the hug was one sided but I owed her this, I needed to show her some affection back and awkwardly wrapped my arms around her.

  We stayed like this for a while, as I knew Chloe needed it but once she had composed herself I gently pulled away, "I'll come and see you at the weekend."

  I smiled and nodded my head watching her leave my room. Turning back towards the mess on my bed, I decided I needed some order to try to make this room look more like home, if I was going to be staying here for the next three months.

  I placed the frame onto the shelf above my bedside cabinet that included a photo of the six of us taken on one of our family holidays to Lanzarote. I remembered when this photograph was taken, this was a happy time, this was what I was now calling BH, 'Before Harry'. We had played in the swimming pool all day and later on that evening, Frank and Maggie had taken us out for dinner. Frank had asked a passer-by to take a photo of us at the harbour, our faces showed our enjoyment and I noticed Franks arm wrapped around me. I lightly rubbed my thumb over the photo but I was pulled from my thoughts of happier times by a light knock on the door.

  "What have you forgotten?" I turned expecting to see Chloe enter the room but was met by the hooded eyes of Cade.

  My breath hitched as I watched him stand nervously in the doorway.

  "Is it okay to come in?" he asked looking a little anxious. I was surprised that he had actually spoken, up until now conversation between us had been limited or very one sided.

  I simply nodded and watched as he moved further into the room making his way over towards where I was standing beside the bed.

  "So what brings you here?" I asked genuinely intrigued.

  "I wanted to see you, to make sure you were okay."

  "Well Frank's made sure that I'm getting the right support to tackle the drugs and the abuse I suffered. Only time will tell whether it helps or not." I said as a matter of fact as I continued to sift through my clothes.

  Cade nodded his head and glance around the room, "This doesn't look too bad."

  I scoffed, "If I want to watch television, use a phone or a computer, I have to do it in the communal lounge so I can be supervised."

  "It could be worse."

  I glanced at him, "Really?" I said rolling my eyes. "I'm so independent Cade, I'm finding this really difficult." Letting out a loud sigh I placed my hands into my pockets and slumped my shoulders feeling a little vulnerable by letting my true feelings be known, "I'm just so used to doing everything myself, I've never asked for help before."

  "Well maybe you should. You're lucky to have people that want to support you, there are plenty of people that don't have anyone."

  "Yeah I guess but you sound like you're talking from experience. Is that why you're allowing Frank to support you?"

  "Do you want a hand putting some of this stuff away?" he
asked blatantly ignoring my last question.

  I held up one of my thongs, "Why? Do you want to look through my panties?"

  Cade laughed, "I'd rather see you use this." He lifted Mr Dick and inspected it closely, "Ann Summers has a lot to answer for, things like this give us men a complex."

  "Don't worry babe you have nothing to worry about." I raised by eyebrows animatedly and found myself enjoying the banter. I'd had a shitty couple of days and the simple banter with Cade was helping to make me feel a little less anxious. He was acting normal, like we were friends just having a chat but it felt good as I needed normal in my life.

  He smirked at my comment, which made me giggle, "That's a fucking lovely sound." Cade moved his hand to cup my cheek.

  "I thought you didn't like it when I made noises." I stated quietly in reference to him shouting at me when I spoke as he fucked me against the wall. My smile dropped as I looked at the intensity of his eyes.

  Cade quickly removed his hand, "That's different but we'll save that story for another day because I'm in a good mood." He realised that he was still holding my large dildo and threw it onto the bed before he sat down.

  I could see him tense and wanted to lighten the mood and change the subject quickly, "How did you get down here?" I asked pushing my clothes to the other side of the bed so that I could sit next to him.

  "I got the train."

  "Train?"

  "Yeah, you know those long carriages that are joined together and move on a track, they're called trains."

  I smacked him playfully on the arm, "Smart arse. I just wondered why you got a train rather than getting a lift with Frank?"

  He looked at me confused, "Frank?"

  "Hound."

  "You're dad?"

  "Yeah."

  "And why don't you call him dad?"

  "We'll save that story for another day because I'm in a good mood." I said throwing his words back at him.

  "Touché!" Cade smiled and turned towards me, grabbing my hand and entwining his fingers with mine. "How would I start by telling your dad that I wanted to come and see you? Would I tell him that his incredibly fit daughter gave me the best ever private and then very public show, that has resulted in me thinking about her every minute of every day?"

  Fucking hell, Cade had just knocked the wind out of my sails and in the process got my blood pumping.

  "I wouldn't do that if I were you or you may be sucking your own cock." Cade sniggered at my reference to Harry but I saw that he was a little uneasy. "What's on your mind?

  Cade glanced at me, "How can you be so flippant about the whole situation?"

  I sighed, "I've cried my tears, I've had my melt down but most importantly I now know that he can't hurt me or anyone else physically ever again. Don't get me wrong Cade, I haven't got over my demons and I'm fucking breaking inside but that's why I'm here. I didn't think that I wanted to continue being here but the past hour has shown me that people do care and there possibly is hope for a future."

  The door opened and a nurse walked in, "Miss Watson, visiting hours are over in ten minutes." She smiled and left my room before closing the door behind her.

  "That's my cue to leave." Cade stood and zipped up his jacket. "Can I visit you again?"

  I nodded, "I'd like that." I probably answered a little quicker than I should have, I didn't want him to think I was too interested.

  Cade pulled me to my feet and placed a kiss on my forehead before he turned and walked towards the door.

  "I'll see you on Sunday." He stated before leaving.

  I pushed my clothes from the bed, onto the floor not worrying about the mess for now as I'd clean it up later. I lay on the bed positioning my hands behind my head as I stared at the ceiling.

  What the fuck was all that about? I was shocked when I saw Cade at my door and did well to hide my surprise by his visit.

  Cade was a complete mystery and I think that's why I was attracted to him, he had piqued my interest because of his demeanour and I wanted to find out more about him. He obviously had his own demons and had things that he didn't want to talk about which I respected but that's probably another reason why we found each other, two broken souls looking to be fixed. I sniggered to myself, more like two big fuck ups that needed to sort their lives out quickly.

  "Miss Watson, Dr Roberts is available to see you now regarding your medication."

  I glanced at the portly lady standing at my door, wearing a white uniform with dark blue piping around the edge of her tunic, and I assumed I'd be seeing a lot of this lady over the next three months.

  "Thank you, can I please have a minute to freshen up first?"

  She smiled and left the room closing the door quietly behind her, leaving me to lie on the bed to contemplate further.

  "Come on girl you can do it, this is the first step on the long journey to happiness." I said aloud as I pushed myself from the bed.

  Chapter 11

  Chloe

  I'd had a busy day in the salon and was grateful of my lunch break. It had been an exhausting couple of days since Paige's revelation. I'm sure Taylor would've understood, if I needed a day or two off but we were under staffed as she was injured from her recent accident and I didn't want to take the piss. I needed to keep busy though, if I sat around idle I'd probably start thinking about Woods and that's something I didn't want to do, it just hurt too much.

  "Thanks Amy, I'm starving."

  "Not a problem, how's Paige doing?"

  "She's doing well, she's seen the counsellor and she's responding well to treatment. I'm pleased that she's finally getting the support she needs but she must complete the full ninety days in order to be successful."

  "And who's giving you the support you need?"

  I looked at her confused, "Why would I possibly need support?"

  She raised her eyebrows before turning her head to the sound of someone entering the cafe. "Looks like you have a visitor!" Amy strolled past Woods with a knowing smile on her face.

  He looked breathtaking as he walked into the cafe removing his shades, and I couldn't help but stare. I wondered if he'd want to engage in conversation or would just place his lunch order.

  My heart rate increased as he made a beeline for me, "Hi, how you doing?"

  "I'm doing okay thank you." My response came out breathy and I mentally kicked myself.

  "And Paige?"

  "The counselling is going well."

  I wouldn't see her again until the weekend but I called the clinic every day to make sure she was doing okay. The centre had informed me that she was responding well to treatment and most importantly Paige was starting to open up about the abuse to her counsellor.

  "That's great." Woods stood staring as he leaned on the chair directly in front of me.

  "Is there something else I can help you with?" This was all very polite but I was still wondering if he wanted anything in particular.

  I saw the glint in his eyes and his devilish grin, "I miss you!"

  His statement made my breath hitch as I took in his words. I missed him too and I was yearning for his touch but I knew this would be too much for my dad, what with everything else going on in his life at the moment. I gestured with my hand for him to take a seat.

  Woods shook his head, "I can't, I'm already late. I just popped in to talk to you quickly."

  "And how did you know I was here?" I furrowed my brows clearly confused.

  "Amy contacted me."

  I glanced at Amy as she busied herself around the cafe trying not to listen to our conversation but this was made difficult from the lack of customers.

  "I'd like us...I want to..."

  "For God's sake, spit it out."

  He let out a low growl and ran his hands through his groomed hair, "I can't defy Duke, lord knows I want to Chloe but...I'm not explaining myself very well...I'm erm not asking you to wait for me..."

  "Yes!"

  "Yes what?"

  "Let's wait until the dust settles with Paige
and then if you still want to, we'll try this again at a later date."

  Woods let out a deep breath, "That's exactly what I was trying to say."

  I rolled my eyes as his phone vibrated, he briefly glanced at the message before putting the phone back into his pocket looking frustrated.

  "I've gotta go, I'm running really late."

  He moved around the table and leant down holding my face with both hands, and looked deeply into my eyes until I couldn't resist any longer, I eagerly closed the distance to take his mouth.

  I deepened the kiss and ran my fingers through his hair until it was a dishevelled mess savouring this moment knowing that it would end all too soon.

  Woods pulled back slightly his eyes searching mine as he gasped for air, and moved his thumb from my cheek so that it swept across my lips making my breath hitch and my body yearn.

  "Until next time." He winked playfully and pressed a light kiss on my forehead before turning to jog through the cafe and out into the street.

  I smiled as he left, touching my lips as I could still feel the sensation of our earlier embrace. Letting out a sigh, I leaned back into the chair trying to steady my breathing.

  "Are you okay?"

  I smiled and nodded my head, "What he doesn't realise Amy is that I'd wait forever."

  Epilogue

  Chloe

  It was dad's birthday and we had a small gathering at the house but most importantly, Paige was coming home today. Dad had paid for Paige to have private treatment to help with her addiction and counselling to support her in rebuilding her life since she told of her abuse.

  She had been away for ninety days and in that time she had started to slowly rebuild her relationships with mum, dad and myself. It would take a lot longer than ninety days to make everything okay between us all, but it meant that it was moving in the right direction and each day Paige was getting stronger.

  During her stint in rehab, she had also developed a close relationship with Cade. He visited her every weekend and I was surprised when dad informed me that Cade was what she needed in order to help with her recovery, and that he was happy with them spending time together. Was he going soft in his old age?