Page 25 of Skipping Stones
I’m not. I’m just exaggerating. Things will be fine when I get back.
If he’s not ready to get help, you HAVE to leave him.
Now you’re the one exaggerating.
Please listen to me. I’m calling you now.
Derek, let it go. I’m fine.
Linney’s phone rang, and she dropped it on the bed, ignoring the sound. Another call. A third. Linney silenced her phone, and pulled the covers over her head. She couldn’t deal with this. Not now. Not even with Derek.
* * *
After a restless night, Linney appeared for breakfast with Grant quiet and pale, and he asked if she’d slept alright.
She shook her head. “Lots on my mind.”
“I hope I didn’t contribute to that with what I said yesterday.”
Linney lay her hand on Grant’s arm. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”
When the train pulled out of the station, Linney remembered her phone and took it off silent. Five missed calls from Derek. She slumped in her seat. He needed to let it go.
Almost immediately, her phone buzzed. MJ had news.
Heads up. Loverboy didn’t make it in this morning.
On our way home now.
You might want to go over to his place when you get back. Even Gemma couldn’t reach him and she looks like she’s ready to strangle him. She had to give his story to Ron.
Ron’ll do a good job.
Not the point. Mac’s out of control.
I know. I’m scared.
I’m here for you when you need me.
♥? Thanks.
Linney felt the dull ache in her head return. She propped her glasses on the top of her head and rubbed her eyes. It didn’t help. And she spent the rest of the journey fretting. She wasn’t going to be able to ignore this anymore. She flagged down a taxi at Kings Cross station and picked at a hangnail until it bled. Soon she arrived at Mac’s place. The hinges creaked as she used her keys to open the door and crept into his dark flat. “Mac? Are you here? It’s Linney.”
She heard a thud from the bedroom and then some scuffling. Mac appeared in the doorway with a tumbler in his hand. He had a black eye and a scraped cheekbone. “Hey, Linney,” he slurred as he weaved his way toward her, stumbling into the coffee table on his way. “Ouch!”
“Mac, you’re drunk. It’s not even lunchtime.” The sight of him confirmed all the things she’d been worried about. “What happened?” Mac threw back the amber liquid in his glass and set it down roughly. He put his arms around Linney, who stiffened at his touch.
“I’m glad you’re back. I missed you.” Mac kissed her sloppily and she tensed and wrinkled her nose at the taste of his boozy breath and the smell of stale sweat.
“What happened?” she repeated.
“This?” Mac asked, touching the bruise under his left eye. “Disagreement at the pub. You should see the other guy.”
“Oh, Mac. You can’t keep doing this,” she said sadly.
“I’m fine,” Mac insisted. “Just fine.”
“Okay, I can’t keep doing this.”