Obsessively Yours (Joe & Ella 1)

“That’s Max’s car.” Joe said and pointed out a little red sports car parked next to his space.

“I didn’t know he was coming, you can meet my best bud.”

He looked pleased about this. Wow we were making progress, first cuddles and confessions now I get to meet the best friend.

As we walked through the door I could hear the TV showing some football match and Max had his feet up on Joe’s coffee table, a beer in his hand looking very at home. He turned when he heard the door and when he saw me walking in behind Joe he whipped his feet off the table and sat up straighter as if he was preparing for a visit from the queen.

“No need to sit up for us bud.” Joe said, “Max this is my Ella, Ella this is Max my best buddy since I was 4 years old.”

Max stood up and I reached for his hand to shake it, I felt so nervous. I hope he liked me. I knew how important the best friend’s opinion was. Max bypassed the hand and came round the sofa pulling me into a bear hug. He wasn’t muscly like Joe but he felt comfy, safe. I liked him instantly. He had a kind smiley face and short brown hair that he had combed to the side.

“Ella, Joe hasn’t shut up about you since the opening night at Elite.” I raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Joe. Great now I knew Max had seen my crazy lady outburst at Charlie over the spilt drink. He probably thought I was a certified nutter.

“I bloody loved how you put Charlie in his place. I knew you were the one for Joe when I saw that. Frickin hilarious.”

“That wasn’t one of my finest moments I’m afraid. I don’t always scream like a banshee at random men in public.”

“Unless they send you dodgy texts.” Joe added sarcastically.

“Whatever dude, you should keep a better eye on your mobile in future, or you know get a pass code or screen lock on it.”

I excused myself from the two guys and made my way to the bathroom to freshen up.

As I made my way back to the living room I couldn’t help but over hear Max and Joe talking.

“So you gonna tell her everything? You gonna let her know about your past and the money?”

“Fuck no, do I look suicidal.” I stayed leaning against the bedroom door, listening to their exchange wondering what had actually happened in his past. How had he got money? Was he abused? Did he dabble in drugs? I know his father and brothers had physically abused him and I knew his Mum had died of an overdose. Maybe he had the addiction gene too. Maybe he was a dealer? My mind was spiralling out of control with all the possibilities.

“She’s special, she’s not like any woman I’ve ever met before. I’m falling for her and I can’t lose her. Ever.”

“Do you really think you can keep this relationship going without telling her everything?”

“Yes. The past is just that, it’s done, forgotten. It’s not important.”

“I think she might disagree with you if she found out.” Jeez this really was something big, a child maybe? Secret wife hidden somewhere? I needed to know what this was.

“Nothing good can come from her knowing and my lawyers have buried it anyway. The past is the past mate, but Ella…..she is my future.”

Now that melted me all over again. Yes Joe, stuff the past I don’t need to know. We’ve all got skeletons in our closets. As long as they don’t come bounding out fucking things up in a few months or years asking for maintenance or some such crap I didn’t care.

“So this

is the real deal then huh? Game over, no more women? No parties at Charlies?”

“I hate Charlie’s parties and yes it’s the real deal. Don’t fuck this up for me Max please, don’t say anything to her.”

“I won’t say a thing Joe, I’ve got your back always, you know that, you’re my best mate but there’s a hell of a lot of pissed off people out there who are still holding grudges against you Joe. One day it’ll come out my friend. I just hope you’re prepared when it does.”

It had to be something to do with money. Maybe he’d committed some kind of fraud and ripped a lot of people off. That was it I was certain. I shrugged it off and made sure they knew to expect me to come through the door so they could stop their private little chat. I didn’t want it to look like I’d been eaves dropping.

I sank down into the sofa next to Joe and grabbed his beer off him chugging it down. He shook his head and got up to get another one. Max laughed and made the ‘under the thumb’ sign at me. I laughed, “Damn straight.” I replied.

Max and I got on really well, so well I think Joe felt a bit left out at times, but I made sure to squeeze his hand or give him a reassuring cuddle throughout the evening. Finally, Max excused himself and left when my stifled yawns began coming thick and fast. Then Joe and I fell asleep cuddling on the sofa, our limbs all tangled together but feeling like a puzzle that had finally been completed. We were always meant to be like this.

Chapter Nineteen

We’d had a particularly busy week at work, not that any of us were complaining. The new business coming in meant we were building the company brand, making a name for ourselves in the industry, and that could only be good news for all of us.