Page 58 of Any Kind of Life
“That’s really kind, but I’ll be okay. Henry is outside for me.”
Rachel narrowed her eyes. “And where was he when Juliet was bleeding out on the floor?”
“I…she…Juliet told him to take a few hours off. She was locked inside the bar and didn’t think she needed him there.” Paige had to be very careful with what she said here. “Trust me, he’s done nothing but beat himself up about it.”
“She was locked inside the bar, but someone got her?”
Fuck. Paige really didn’t need Rachel to turn detective today. “Yeah. Somehow.”
“You and I both know that The Hideout is a fortress.” Rachel looked pointedly at Paige. “And I know that you know more than you’re letting on.”
Paige swallowed, glaring back at Rachel. “We know who it was, okay?”
“Who?”
Paige shook her head. “I can’t say. I don’t want to do anything to risk the investigation.”
“Do I know them?”
“Rachel, I’m not saying anything else. You’ll find out when everyone else does.” Paige didn’t want to discuss this anymore. She took the card from the flowers and smiled. They were from Soraya and the band. “People are so kind.” Paige stroked the petals on the white roses, smiling as she inspected the arrangement. “Don’t you think?”
“They are gorgeous flowers.”
“From Soraya.”
Rachel’s brows rose. “Soraya…Soraya?”
“Yeah. I was on tour with her before all of this happened.” Paige lowered the flowers to the kitchen island and brought up a new message.
Thanks for the flowers. They’re gorgeous. I’m sure Juliet will love them!
The tour seemed like a distant memory now. It hadn’t even been a week since Paige had finished and travelled back up from London, but it felt like a lifetime ago.
“Could I…visit?” Rachel visibly swallowed when Paige looked up from her phone. “At the hospital?”
Paige had no issues with Rachel visiting Juliet. She was secure enough in her relationship to know that what she had with Juliet was unbreakable. And from what Paige knew, Rachel was madly in love with Andi. She just wasn’t sure the ICU was the best place for that visit. “I’m sure Juliet would love to see you, but…maybe once she’s awake and we’re sure she’s doing better, okay?”
“Of course. Maybe waiting until she’s home and back on her feet would be for the best.” Rachel took her handbag and rose to her feet. “But if you need anything at all, you know you can call me.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Rachel.” Paige hesitated as Rachel stepped towards her, ultimately deciding to accept a hug. “I’ll let Juliet know you came here once she wakes up.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Rachel left the apartment far more calmly than she’d arrived, the door closing softly behind her.
Paige stood in the middle of the room, the silence almost deafening, feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened in the last twenty minutes or so. Honestly, she felt as though she was close to breaking down. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t sit here with her thoughts.
She quickly typed out a message to Hannah.
Can you come over? I think I’m going to go insane soon!
And then the pacing began.
Pacing seemed to be the only thing that took her mind off everything lately.
We’re on our way. Put the kettle on.
Paige smiled down at her phone. She didn’t know what she would have done without Hannah and Caz lately. They really were amazing friends.
Thanks so much.