Chapter 139

It took me a while to get used to the fact that Conor Maynard, the boy I was crazy about when I was 15, is actually in my apartment. The boy I haven’t seen for two whole years is here. The guy I dated for months is actually here again. I didn’t think I’d be seeing him for a while. Or ever again besides from the TV to be honest.

It’s crazy to think that I used to date the celebrity, and if it wasn’t for me buying him that recording studio, he would probably be nowhere right now. I always knew he’d get famous so it wasn’t much of a surprise to me when I found out Ne-Yo became his mentor. Secretly, I was over the moon that he finally got discovered.

He’s been well known for a solid two years now. He’s actually amazing. I mean, I’ve always known he was but whenever I hear his song on the radio or see one of his music videos, I can’t help the smile that creeps its way onto my face. No matter how much he hurt me, I’ll always be proud of him.

And of course, I’m extremely jealous of his success. Whilst I’m working my ass off in University, the asshole’s probably out sunbathing in his house in America. Yeah, he moved out when he turned 18. He’s loaded.

The night I found out he cheated on me, I didn’t go home for a while. I turned off my phone and just walked around the city to try and calm myself down. But no matter how much I walked around that night, I couldn’t escape the reality that he was gone. I knew that this time, I had to move on and I couldn’t just wait around for him to say something sweet to me to wheel me back in. No, this time, I stood my ground.

I won’t say it was easy and I can’t say I’m completely over the guy even now. The more boys I met, the more I realised that it’s only him I wanted to be with. Course it’s better now. Well, I’ve been dealing with Nick’s crap for 6 months already.

I need to end things with the guy. The only reason I put up with it is because he takes my mind off things. I don’t know, he gives me confidence. And sometimes he’s really sweet to me, it’s only when he’s drunk it gets out of hand... Which is pretty much every day. He’s never physically hurt me though so I’m not too bothered. And he doesn’t go to University which is a huge plus if we actually have broken up with each other. At least things won’t be awkward and I can just delete him from my life.

I’m sort of glad things are over between us. He won’t be missed. If there is somebody out there for me, I’m sure fate will pull us together eventually.

I decide to make up for my loss of sleep last night thinking about Conor by going to sleep in the car. Well, that’s my excuse for a nap anyway. I would’ve gone to sleep either way.

“Right, buckle up everyone. I don’t want any deaths on my case if we happen to have an accident” Eleanor informs us all as she adjusts her rear view mirror in her car.

All our bags are packed into the boot except Conor’s. He must’ve already been back to Brighton. No way has he come back from America with no luggage at all. Mind you, he could probably afford to set up a new home from scratch here in the UK with his bank card.

“Nice to know I’m under safe hands” Conor mutters from beside me. Of course Eleanor would squeeze us two in the back just so she can sit next to her boyfriend. I’ve learnt that ‘mates before dates’ doesn’t apply to her.

“Hey, I didn’t offer for you to catch a ride” El frowns.

“Yeah, I paid enough for it though” he huffs.

She scoffs, “Fifty pounds is nothing to you”

“Been checking my bank account, Eleanor?” he smirks.

“You better watch your mouth before I ‘accidently’ ram into a truck on the motorway at your side of the car” she threats. She’d probably do that so Conor better watch his pretty little mouth.

“Hey, hey, hey. Calm down” Jack’s eyes shoot open, probably thinking the same thing as me. She’s a psycho when it comes to the road. It surprises me how much trust I have in her. “Conor’s at my side of the car too”

“That’s the only thing that’s stopping me, Jack. Believe me” she growls, turning on the engine. I think even Conor knows she’s being deadly serious as he’s completely shut up now.

Eleanor’s car isn’t the nicest thing in the world. I guess it’s okay but I don’t really blame her Mum for buying her the car she has. Eleanor’s lethal on the road, and driving a fancy Range Rover Sport like Jack’s wouldn’t exactly be a wise decision. She’s already crashed this thing 3 times and it’s still alive and kicking.

Now Jack’s car... That’s nice. Conor bought him a Range Rover Sport for Christmas last year and he hasn’t stopped bragging about it. To be honest, I wouldn’t. That’s everyone’s dream car. He drives at least 20 miles a week in it, just pointlessly riding around the city. I’m surprised he didn’t drive it here to be honest. I wish he did, then I wouldn’t be stuck in the back of Eleanor’s crappy car for four hours. The thought of having leather, heated seats is killing me.

“Jack, why didn’t you bring your car?” Conor complains, reading my thoughts as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

“Do you have a problem with my car?” Eleanor snaps.

“Nope” he sits still, raising his hands in defence to calm her down.

“I told you, it’s in the fucking garage. Something’s happened to it” he sighs.

Oh yeah... He called me up in tears about his car being sent to the garage for repairs or something. He can’t use it for a couple weeks.

I notice Eleanor fiddling around with her radio station and I take it as my queue to go to sleep. I sigh, plugging my headphones into my phone, putting my phone on shuffle and closing my eyes. There’s no way I’m staying up listening to Eleanor’s crappy pop music that Jack seems to love raving to, when I can be catching up on my beauty sleep that I’ve missed out on so much since I moved here.

-

The sound of ‘We Can’t Stop’ blasting through the car instantly brings me out of my slumber. Apparently my music from my phone isn’t enough to block out the radio.

I slowly sit up in my place, pull out my earphones, and look out of the window to see the sun setting above Brighton beach. God, I’ve missed this view. There’s not a lot to see in Manchester.

I smile slightly as we come to view of Brighton Pier, bringing back some good memories. I remember when the group and I would go out almost every night and never fail to find something new to do. Well there’s one person who I’ve to thank in particular but let’s not get into that.

“Sleep well?” Eleanor smirks at me from the rear view mirror.

“You’re awake!” Jack smiles, craning his neck to see me from behind.

“Yeah, no thanks to you. I’m guessing it was you who decided to blast out Miley Cyrus” I raise an eyebrow.

He smiles proudly, “Yeah it was. Eleanor had to tie my hands down when Drake came on because she knew how mad you’d be if I woke you up”

“Thanks El” I smile and she just gives me a quick nod. “The fact she managed to tie your hands down whilst trying to drive a car shows how much use you get out of that gym membership your Mum bought you”

“Burn!” Eleanor rolls her head back in laughter, still managing to drive smoothly. Well, as smoothly as it gets with Eleanor. “Rinsed like a washing machine”

“Fuck off. I do go” Jack sulks. “I just thought it’d be tight if I woke you up”

“Yeah, yeah” I roll my eyes, turning to look out of the left window when I suddenly notice Conor sat there.

Oh god, I forgot about him.

“It’s so weird being back here” he smiles slightly, staring out of his window.

“Yeah, bit of a change of scenery from all the palm trees and crystal clear beaches” Eleanor throws back.

“What did I do?” he mutters to himself. “I thought we were getting along”

“Hmm” El smirks slightly. What have I missed?

Before I can ask, I realise we’re pulling up to Jack’s house. The ginormous gates are open so Eleanor just rolls straight through them, halting to a stop outside his front door.

“Jesus Christ, I feel like I’ve just come out of a game of GTA” Conor sighs, holding his head slightly. I bite back my laugh at how true his statement is. “Well thanks for the lift and an amazing journey” he smirks.

“No problem. If you ever want a lift again, you know where I am” she winks, jokingly. “A ride into town will be a tenner”

“I knew it was too good to be true” he rolls his eyes, climbing out of the small car.

“See you two later” Jack smiles at us both, pecking Eleanor on the lips.

“Bye Jack” I smile. I climb to the front of the car when he leaves and strap myself in for the 2 minute journey we’ll be taking to my house. I just can’t risk it with Eleanor driving.

I can’t wait to be in my own bed. Our apartment beds are awful. I once resorted into sleeping on the floor because it was more comfortable.

“I’ll see you later, Luce” Conor smiles slightly at me, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Bye” I flash him a smile. He turns to walk toward his front door, Jack following him with his bag. Eleanor pulls out of the drive and we drive back to mine in silence.

“Seriously? He calls you ‘Luce’ and you can’t stop smiling to yourself?” Eleanor breaks the silence, raising an eyebrow at me. My face drops and I look at her in slight embarrassment. I didn’t even realise.

“Eleanor, I’m just happy to be back” I lie fluently.

“Mhm, sure” she rolls her eyes. “He’s an asshole though. Not that that’s ever made you listen to me. But he lives in America. Good luck making that work”

“You’re taking this way too-“

“We’re home!” she interrupts me.

I roll my eyes and practically leap out of the vehicle. I stretch out my legs, the smile never seeming to fall off my face. I’m finally home.

After pulling my bag out of the boot, my Mum suddenly comes jogging out of the house in her dressing gown and pulls me in for a giant hug.

I chuckle, “Hey Mum”

“My baby” she squeals, pulling away to see my face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m excited about being home”

“Me too, Lucy” she nods excitedly, glancing over at Eleanor. “Eleanor!” she squeals, pulling in Eleanor for a hug.

I think the plan is for Eleanor to stay over at mine for a while but she’ll go back to Cheshire in a few weeks or something. I’m not sure. We usually just roll with it. We just find there’s more to do at our house so both our families prefer to stay here.

Cheshire has gone pretty downhill. I was bored at my visit there last year. Besides seeing a few of my old friends there, there’s not a whole lot to do. We’ve all moved on in our lives; I don’t really care about them and I’m sure the feeling’s mutual. Eleanor’s always been my best friend and everyone else were just people I hung around with. Moving to Brighton’s made me realise that.

Besides, Eleanor’s mates with everyone in Brighton so she certainly loves coming down here to see them all too which is another reason we all prefer to stay at my house.

“Your Mum’s inside, love” Mum tells Eleanor.

Lauren and Matt came down to Brighton earlier so they could spend more ‘parent time’ together. I don’t know... Lauren and Mum were probably too excited to see each other. That’s literally me and Eleanor when we grow up, get married and have kids.

“Okay” El nods, dashing inside.

“Matt and your Dad have literally just gone out. They’ll be back in an hour or so” Mum tells me as we walk inside the house.

“Aw” I pout.

“In the meantime, we have a lot of catching up to do missy” she smirks, pulling herself up onto a bar stool. “Don’t think just because you’re living in Manchester now, we can’t have a heart to heart”

I chuckle, “I’ve actually missed these”

“Well I’m only a phone call away if you ever need to talk” she shrugs.

I feel bad, I haven’t told her anything about Nick. I mean, yeah, I’ve mentioned I’m in a relationship with the guy but she doesn’t know half of it. I guess I should tell her. She’s my Mum for Christ sake. I’ll just leave out the bit about Conor because that’s a whole different story.

She sits in silence, waiting patiently for me to be done with my story that’s been bottled up for around 6 months now. I don’t even think I’ve told Eleanor any of this or how I feel about it. She’s in the bathroom or just outside our room when all these arguments blow up. Hell, she’s sometimes sat on the other sofa trying to watch TV. She’s tried to defend me a lot of times but it honestly just makes things ten times worse so after talking to her about it, we decided it was best for her to just leave the room when an argument erupts.

“I actually don’t know what to say” Mum sighs, shaking her head once I’ve told the whole story.

I shrug, “He hasn’t texted me or anything so I don’t even know if we’re together or not”

“Are you joking? You’re not stepping foot near him again!” she raises her voice.

“Mum-“

“No, Lucy! There’s not one good thing that you told me in that story. Do you know how that makes me feel? Having my daughter being treated like shit by her so-called-boyfriend, and knowing nothing about it?” she looks at me in disgust. I don’t think she’s disgusted at me, just the whole situation.

“I know” I nod.

“Why did you even stay with him?” she frowns in confusion, tears pricking her eyes. Crap, I’m making her cry...

“I don’t know. I... I love him” I shrug, picking at my cardigan. I don’t even know why I said that because we both know it’s not true.

“No you don’t, Lucy” she shakes her head at me.

“You didn’t have a problem when I used to say that about Conor” I roll my eyes, trying to keep up the ‘I love him’ act to keep things simple and to make me seem like less of a mug.

“Yeah, Lucy. Conor took you out places, he always wanted to see you, he genuinely cared for you and got in fights with guys that even looked in your direction. He bought you a damn Pandora bracelet with promises and memories in charms” she explains, holding up my wrist to see it.

“He also cheated on me twice, left me for some junkie-“

“But you’re still holding on, aren’t you?” she raises an eyebrow, looking down at my wrist.

“Mum, it’s a bracelet. It looks nice” I shrug and she just rolls her eyes.

“Conor was different to him and you know it, so don’t even compare the two of them. Yeah, you and Conor argued a lot but my point is, Conor wouldn’t just send you a quick text the next day when he’s sobered up, telling you to go round to his and expecting you to take that as an apology” she breathes.

“I know” I nod, genuinely agreeing with her.

“The reason I liked Conor and allowed him to get away with a lot of stuff was because he never gave up on you. No matter what the argument was, either you’d realise how stupid you were and after thinking things over for a night, you’d go to his house and apologise” she smirks slightly, making me chuckle at the memory, “or he’d show you that he still cares. He’d always find a way to make it up to you and he was sixteen. This asshole’s nineteen, Lucy”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right” I sigh.

Conor was pretty cute. Even when he screwed up, he’d always make it up to me and never actually gave up on me. I guess that’s why I love him.

Loved.

I guess that’s why I loved him.

“Lucy, I swear down if you get back with Nick, I’ll be coming to Manchester to give him a piece of my mind” she threats, no sarcasm to her voice at all.

“Okay, Mum” I chuckle.

She’s so right though, I can’t get back with Nick. He is an asshole.

“Promise me, Lucy. I can’t bare the thought of you getting back with him. I’m half tempted to drive up to Manchester now” she grinds her teeth together.

“Mum, calm down. I promise, okay? I don’t want to be with him anyway” I shrug.

“So much for loving him” she scoffs and I just roll my eyes.

“Aw, I’ve missed you” I giggle, pulling her in for a hug.

“I’ve missed you too” she chuckles. “We have a surprise for you”

I smile, “What is it?”

“Your Dad would probably shoot me for telling you without him so wait until he gets home”

The kitchen door suddenly swings open to reveal my Dad smiling widely in my direction.

“Dad!” I squeal, pulling him in for a hug.

“Aw, Lucy” he chuckles, swinging me around in the air. I fucking love my Dad.

“I’ve missed you” I mutter.

“I’ve missed you too” he smiles, putting me down on the floor. “How are you?”

“I’m great thanks” I chuckle. “But I hear you have a surprise for me”

“Oh, that’s why I got such a big greeting!” he scoffs. I roll my head back in laughter.

“No it’s not!”

“Ok, ok, come into the living room” he smirks, leading the way.

I throw myself on the sofa Eleanor’s sat on with Lauren. After saying my ‘hellos’ to Lauren and Matt, we all sit down and wait patiently for Dad to tell us the news. The smile hasn’t seemed to fall off my face since Dad walked into the kitchen.

“Dad, it’s killing me. Can you tell us now?” I groan, making him chuckle. I’m guessing all the adults know about this ‘surprise’.

“Okay. I’m just gonna get it over and done with” he shrugs. “We’re going to be spending a week in America. We leave on Monday”

My jaw drops, “What the- Why?”

“For a holiday! The last one we went on was that skiing one when you were fifteen” he scoffs.

“So, Eleanor’s coming too?” I gasp.

“Yeah” he chuckles, making Eleanor and I scream and hug each other like our lives depend on it.

Mum coughs, “Someone else is coming too, right Adam”

My face drops slightly as I see the look on her face. This isn’t good...

“Oh yeah, Jack’s going to be there too” he briefly explains. Eleanor doesn’t think any deeper into this and just starts dancing around the room whilst I just sit and stare at my Dad in confusion.

“How is it bad that we’re going to America with- Oh my god” my face drops as I realise what’s actually going to be happening on this trip. “We’re going to Conor’s house!?” I shout.

“He offered for us all to come the other day” Matt shrugs. So that’s why he’s in this country. The ‘things’ he told me he needed to sort out was a freaking holiday for us all. “I’ll show you a picture. His house is incredible” he mutters, pulling out his phone from his pocket and scrolling for a picture.

“I can’t spend a week with Conor! Don’t you get it?” I frown.

This actually can’t be happening. No way. This has got to be some sick joke.

“Lucy, come on. What happened was two years ago” Mum shrugs as if it’s nothing.

“I still don’t want to spend a week with the guy!” I gasp.

“You need to-“

“So that’s why you were saying all those nice things about Conor before?” I scoff. “I actually thought you were giving me good advice but you just like him because of the holiday he’s providing for us”

“No, Lucy. It’s nothing like that at all!” she raises her voice. Maybe I’m overreacting? I tend to do that a lot.

But no! I’m freaking living with Conor for a week! An overreaction is necessary.

“Lucy, come on. Most people would be over the moon with this trip. When do people like us get the chance to go to LA?” El scoffs, looking at everyone in the room. A few mutters of agreement are heard around the room but I just can’t stop thinking about the fact I’m staying at the moron’s house for a week. A week!

“Did you not think about me in all this? How would you feel if you were being forced to stay in your ex-boyfriend’s house for a week just because your parents fancied a free holiday?” I raise my voice, standing up from my place on the sofa.

I think I’m more angry at the fact Conor’s planned this. It’s kind of understandable that mine and El’s parents have taken up him offer to be honest. I mean, it’s pretty hard to decline, especially if it’s just because of Conor being my ex-boyfriend.

But why the hell has he invited us all to stay at his house? Why has he invited me? It puts me completely on edge.

“You’re being unreasonable about this. Lucy, we’re going to America” Mum laughs dryly.

“To be fair, you probably won’t even see him. His house is ginormous” Matt gawps, still scrolling through his phone as he looks at the pictures.

“Matt” Lauren shakes her head slightly at him and he just shrugs.

“Lucy, why don’t we go on a walk or something?” El smiles slightly. I look around the room before giving her a quick nod and walking out of the room.

“Can we just go upstairs?” I sigh and she nods, following me up. I’m not in the mood for walking. I just want my bed.

-

“I completely understand where you’re coming from, Lucy. Honestly” Eleanor nods as I explain why I’m feeling the way I am. “Just think about all the pros and cons. Pros... you’re going on holiday with two of your best mates and it’s in freaking America. Cons... you might pass Conor in his mansion” she shrugs as if it’s nothing.

“I do want to go, El. Just, a week with him? I don’t know” I groan.

“Think of it this way. You’re going to bloody America, you can get a hot tan, we’re going together, and we can go in the pool and stuff. Push away the fact it’ll be with Conor and boom, you’re in your element” she shrugs, clapping her hands together to emphasize the ‘boom’, making me chuckle slightly.

I shake my head, “I can’t go”

“Lucy-“

“No, I actually can’t” I groan.

“I don’t understand what’s holding you back so much. I mean, I can’t stand the guy but I’m getting a free holiday out of it so I’ll sure tolerate him” she scoffs. “What’s holding you back?”

“What if Nick finds out?” I force myself to ask.

“Fuck Nick! I won’t even allow you to get back with the dickhead. Think about what you want and stop trying to please others”

“I want to go but I just feel like there’s a reason why Conor’s invited us. It’s never just straight forward with him”

“He might’ve changed” she shrugs.

“Yeah right” I roll my eyes. “There’s more to it”

“Lucy, are you alright?” Mum asks, walking into the room and sitting down next to me on the bed.

“I’m not going, Mum”

I realise how stubborn and how much of a bitch I’m being right now but knowing that Conor’s got something up his sleeve actually scares me. There’s no way that boy’s offered for us all to stay with him out of the goodness of his heart. He hasn’t even seen us for 2 years!

She groans, “Stop being so stubborn and get packing. Why can’t you just accept the fact that he’s generously inviting us over to America. This isn’t something that gets offered to you every day, Lucy. Hell, maybe he’s even doing this to make up for what he did two years ago. Think of it that way”

“Mum-“

“What happened was two years ago. When he came and offered us this trip, I knew he’d changed. You need to accept that and move on” she shrugs and I just let out a huge groan, turning to Eleanor.

“I hate to admit it but she’s right, Lucy. The asshole’s probably changed” El shrugs. “In the car journey on the way here I knew he was trying with me. I can tell he’s different”

“How?” I frown.

“I don’t know, just the way he was talking to me. And think about it, he’s not been a problem since the whole Zac situation ended. He always treated you right after that besides from the fact he cheated on you. I’m just way too stubborn to give him the benefit of the doubt” she smirks slightly. “Lucy, if I’m saying that I think he’s okay now, I think you should consider being civil with him for a week”

“I agree” Mum inputs. I swear she just wants this free holiday. Who doesn’t?

“Right, whatever” I shrug. “But I’m not speaking to him unless I’m forced to”

“Fine by me!” Mum cheers, jumping out of her seat and dancing out of the room.

“You’re an ass, you know?” I raise an eyebrow at El, making her roll her head back in laughter.

I can’t believe I’m agreeing to stay a week at Conor’s house in LA.

70% of me’s actually buzzing and wants to jump on the plane right now to catch same rays abroad, but 30% of me’s worried about just spending time with him in general. I know it won’t be awkward because he’s too easy to make conversation with and he never makes things awkward, but I’m just thinking about everything that could come out of this and to be honest, it terrifies me.