Chapter 51

Chapter Fifty-One

Maddy

I hadn't led a sheltered life, even though I had lived in the same town for most of it. Going to London, though, I was grateful that my hand was firmly in Zak's. The masses of people pushing and pulling on the underground had been cloying, to the point that I wasn't sure I had enough breath in my lungs.

Sensing my tension, Zak had curled his fingers around mine and didn't let go as he pulled me through the crowds until we got onto the overground train, which we'd just gotten off. Heading for the exit, Liam had a hand on Emma's shoulder following us, while Liv dragged a huge suitcase behind her, evidently forgetting we were only staying for one night.

As we made it out into the cold grey day, I heaved a sigh of relief and Zak smiled down at me.

"Okay?"

"Yeah, I just can't believe how busy it is." I glanced back to where dozens of people were milling around, coming in and out of the station. "It's manic."

"Welcome to London, babe." He grinned proudly, clearly pleased to show us his ‘home city'. "You alright guys?"

Liam wrapped his arm around Emma's neck and pulled her against his chest. "Yep, all good."

"I can't believe Ana didn't turn up for the train." I sighed, giving my phone yet another glance just in case she'd finally called me. "I hope everything is okay."

"You sure she's not in Liv's case," Zak replied sarcastically. "It's fucking big enough."

Liv rolled her eyes, running a hand down her pink wool coat with a deeper pink fur collar and cuffs. "Essentials, Zachary, and have I asked you to pull it?"

"No, but?—"

"Then there's no need to discuss it, is there?" She did a ninety degree turn and pointed with a pink gloved finger. "I believe this is the direction we need to go in."

Blinking, I looked at Zak. "Do we?"

He scratched his ear. "Yeah, actually she's right."

As she took the lead, we all followed, and I couldn't help giggling. "How does she know where we're going?" I asked Zak.

"No idea. I mean I put it on the message for everyone to pass onto their parents, so maybe she googled it."

"She isn't even looking at her phone, though."

"I think she has a photographic memory," Emma said. "Because have you noticed how she never forgets anything."

"I don't think that means she has a photographic memory, Em," Liam replied. "That just means she holds a grudge."

"I heard that," Liv called over her shoulder making us laugh. "I wouldn't need to hold a grudge if you lot weren't such vile people. Right, it's just around here."

Zak shook his head and chuckled as we all trailed behind her and the bump, bump, bump of her suitcase on the pavement. Within ten minutes she pulled up at a wrought iron gate leading onto a black and white tiled path at the end of which was a black, front door with a shiny chrome letterbox and number seven. There were shutters at the bay windows and a holly tree standing proudly in a black pot next to the step.

"Very nice," Liv said pushing open the gate and standing to one side. "I presume you have the key, Zak."

He raised an eyebrow and moved past her, pushing a key into the lock. Once it turned and he pushed open the door, my stomach gave a little flutter of excitement. When Zak grinned at me and held out a hand to show me inside, I even did a little dance.

"This is going to be so much fun," I said over my shoulder.

"It is but there are some rules that my uncle has given."

As everyone pushed inside, congregating in the long thin hallway, we all dropped our bags and looked at him expectantly.

"Any booze that is drunk must be bought by us. Any of his that is used must be replaced and," he said, with a sigh, "his booze is expensive, so we really don't want to have to do that. Secondly, any beds slept in have to be stripped and the bedding put in the washing basket. Jules, his girlfriend, said we don't have to remake the beds, but she really doesn't want to find any, and I quote, ‘jizz or puke stained sheets on her bed.'"

I snorted out a laugh, Emma giggled, and Liv gave a loud, "Yuk." Liam and Zak exchanged a smirk like they knew that was exactly what was going to happen.

"Is that it?" Liam asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Can we pick rooms now?"

"Yes, but we're having the bedroom at the front." Zak grabbed my hand. "Get your bag, babe."

We were just about to dart up the stairs when there was a knock at the door. We all stopped and held our breath, staring wide eyed at each other, like we'd been caught out.

Zak looked at us all in turn and shook his head with a smirk. "It's fine, we're allowed to be here." Gently manoeuvring Liv to one side he moved to the front door, opening it wide. Liam and Emma picked up their bags ready to go up the stairs, while I peered around Liv to see who had knocked. Zak's hand gripped the handle and his shoulders lifted almost to his ears as his whole demeanour changed. His relaxed stance had gone, and he now looked as stiff as a board.

"What are you doing here?" he asked tightly. I couldn't see around him to see who it was, but whoever it was he didn't sound happy to see them.

"Nice welcome, hon." It was a girl's voice, and I don't know how I knew, but something inside told me that she'd been his girlfriend. Instantly, my insides curled in on themselves, bitterness biting at my throat. "I thought you'd have called me."

"I had no reason," he bit out, his shoulders heaving into a shrug.

"You were the one who wanted to try the long distance thing."

Emma nudged me and Liv gasped before hissing, "She was his girlfriend."

Biting on my lip, I glanced at her and shrugged. I knew nothing about her, other than he had an ex. We'd never discussed her, and Zak had never offered any information. He certainly hadn't told me that he'd suggested they have long distance relationship.

"I don't recall that," Zak snapped, probably for my benefit because I noticed how he glanced, albeit for a split second, over his shoulder

"I think we were you know, busy, at the time," she purred.

Zak took a step back, and I saw her palm was flat on his chest, and it may as well have been slapping me across the face. I mean I knew he'd had a girlfriend, that he'd kissed other girls, but being faced with the reality of it made me feel weird. I couldn't explain it other than it felt like nerves but in fact was pure green jealousy.

"Connie, I'll see you at the party later, okay."

We all jumped when Zak was pushed aside and a tall, gorgeous blonde girl stepped over the threshold.

"Oi oi," Liam muttered and grimaced.

She was beautiful. A halo of blonde hair, long legs in tight jeans and a leather biker jacket with a long white shirt underneath. It was bloody freezing outside, yet she didn't look like she felt it one bit. As she wafted in, we all got a whiff of her perfume and when I looked over at Liv studying the obvious designer clothes, it was clear my friend had fallen in love. Or lust, whatever it was when a girl fell for the looks and style of another girl without any sexual or romantic feelings.

"Oh hello," Connie gave a half smile, her eyes grazing across each of us. When they landed on me her smile dropped. "I'm Connie." She was telling all of us but staring specifically at me. I don't know how, but she knew that I was Zak's girlfriend. It was clear in her steely narrowed eyes and the way she thrust her tits out at me.

"How did you know that we were staying here, and more to the point we'd arrived?" Zak grabbed her forearm and pulled her back.

"Oscar mentioned it to Deacon who mentioned it to Nick who told Danny and he?—"

"I get the picture." Zak interrupted her with a deep breath. "I heard you were seeing Danny."

Connie giggled and slapped her hand over the top of Zak's on her arm. "Not jealous are we, Zak?"

Zak pulled his hand away and pushed past her to stand next to me. "This is Maddy, my girlfriend."

Barely glancing at me she said, "Yeah, I heard." Giving a bored sigh, she turned to Zak and gave him what I imagined was supposed to be her sexiest smile. "Anyway, see you later at the party. In case you can't spot me I'll be wearing that red dress you love so much." She giggled and then swept away, back out of the still open front door.

When it slammed closed, Zak pinched the bridge of his nose. "That was Connie."

"Yeah, I got that," I snapped, desperately not wanting to sound bitchy, but unable to stop myself. Grabbing my bag, I headed for the stairs. "Front bedroom did you say?"

"Mads," he called after me.

I chose to ignore him and continued up to our room. It crossed my mind to tell him I was sharing with Liv, but I checked myself. He hadn't done anything wrong, except go out with a gorgeous girl and not tell me anything about her, other than she existed. When I threw open the door to a large, bright and airy room with shutters that matched those at the downstairs window, I instantly felt calmer. It was decorated in the palest of pink colours and had white furniture and bedding and at the ceiling was a small crystal chandelier that tinkled softly.

I moved around the room, thinking how understated yet beautiful it was. How it had clearly been created with love and attention, if the framed photographs, and the glass box of plane and concert tickets were any indication. When I looked at the photographs, I saw how like his uncle, Zak was. They had the same shaped face, the same dark hair and the same eyebrows, just like Zak's dad's.

"My two cousins, Henry and Thomas look the same, too. We Hoyland men clearly have a look."

Zak had come in and was standing behind me, and when he put his hands on my shoulders, I instantly relaxed. Thoughts and ideas of him and Connie vanished, or at least petered out to something of little importance. When he rested his chin on top of my head, I felt stupid for storming upstairs.

"Maybe I'd like to meet them," I told him, my tone light as I nudged him.

"Not a chance. Tom is a model. I don't want him stealing you away."

"But if you look alike why would I even consider him a better option?" My eyes stayed on the photograph as I marvelled at the amazing family genes if all the men looked that good.

"He's slightly prettier and has some strange irresistible charm apparently. Or so he tells me." He turned me around and cupped my face, tipping it up so our eyes met. "I'm sorry she came here. And I'm sorry she was so…" His eyes narrowed for a beat. "So, Connie ."

I laughed. "And what is that like."

"A princess. A sarcastic, demanding princess."

I wanted to add, bitchy, but was determined to be the better person. Well, better than Connie at least.

"I was just taken by surprise. You've never told me much about her. How gorgeous she is."

"You're more gorgeous," he replied instantly, his brow furrowed in a frown. "Believe me she puts a lot of effort in whereas you look beautiful even when you're puking your guts up."

"Thank for that, I think."

I rolled my eyes and Zak wrapped me in a hug, his chest rumbling as he laughed. "I mean it, Mads. You are."

Standing there with his arms holding me tightly, I felt more relaxed and more secure about Connie than I thought possible. Yes, she was beautiful and stylish, but she wasn't the one standing there with Zak. Then his head dipped and he took my mouth in a breathtaking kiss, and I knew that if I were in in her position, I'd be doing what I could to get him back, too. That didn't mean I wanted to be her friend, though, in fact it made me more determined to make sure we steered clear of her for the rest of the weekend. Zak was mine now and I wouldn't let her or anyone else spoil it.