An inconvenient attachment

Chapter 64

I stumble up the stairs and slam open the door when I finally arrive home. "What the fuck happend to you?" Kate jumps up from the couch. "Fell off some stairs" I say, trying to catch my breath. I really need to start working out more. Kate walks up to me to get a better look. I lay my phone down in the kitchen and grab something to drink. I finish it in one big gulp. My knees and pulses are bloody from the fall. Kate holds up my hands. "What? Where? How?" Kate asks, clearly confused. "Long story, i'm going to go freshen up" I say, making my way to the bathroom.

"Lando is calling you" Kate yells from the kitchen. "Don't answer it" I say, popping my head out. Of course Kate doesn't listen to me. "Yeah, she's here" Kate says. I sigh. "She says she fell down some stairs, she's all bloody." Oh no, now Lando is going to worry. "Kate tell him i'm fine" I yell back. "You heard that?" Kate asks. "No, I think she's showering. I'll tell her to call you back. Ok, good."

When i'm done I grab my phone to text my dad and Kelly

To Kelly 15:43 p.m.: I'm fine, i'll call you guys later

To dad 15:44 p.m.: You should have told me you invited Noah, I told you not to. Ask him to pick you up from the airport. I'll meet you for dinner at 8. I'll send the location later.

I don't wait for him to respond. Fucking dumbass. I see I also have some messages from anonymous, which clearly is Noah. I delete them all without looking. I sit down next to Kate on the couch. All it takes for me to break down is for Kate to wrap her arm around me. That's it. Everything comes out. I tell her about my dad, about Noah showing up and all the other shit with Lando.

"Why is my life such a mess?" I say when everything came out. "What a fucking shit show" I mumble to myself. "Cheer up. You live in fucking Milan! You have a nice apartment, amazing friends and so many other things" Kate says, trying to cheer me up. "I need a cigarette" I say, already making my way outside.  

I think about not going out for dinner, I really do. But I know they'll probably show up here if I don't go. I can't have them here. I haven't looked at my phone in a couple hours. After I get changed I grab my stuff off the counter. "You ready?" Kate asks. I nod and take a deep breath. Kate grabs her bag. "What are you doing?" I ask. "You didn't think I was going to let you go all by yourself did you?"

"You really don't have to" I say, trying to hide my relief she is coming. "I know. I'll sit at the bar if you need anything" she says, wrapping her arm through mine while we walk towards the restaurant. "You're pretty great."

"I know" she says jokingly.

When we arrive at the restaurant a little while later my heart is beating out of my chest. Kate walks straight to the bar, so my dad and Noah don't think she's with me. I look around and see my dad and Noah already sitting there. My dad stands up when he sees me. "Hi, honey" he says while giving me an awkward hug. "What happend to your wrists?" he asks when I sit down. I immediately put my hands under the table. "I fell down the stairs."

"Always so clumsy" Noah says, trying to hide the smirk on his face. "Yup, that's me."

When the waiter arrives I order a glass of wine. "You sure you want to drink alcohol?" Noah whispers just loud enough so the waiter hears. "Of course, we're celebrating right?" dad says. "Wouldn't want to be a party pooper right?" I ask. That's what Noah used to call me. Seeing by the look on his face, he remembers. The dinner is very awkward. When the waiter brings the food I grab my phone and decide to text Lando.

To Lando 20:47 p.m.: wish you were here

I mean it. Maybe I had a wine or two too many, but still. The need for a cigarette is high right now, I wonder if I could get away with a cigarette break. "I have to go to the toilet" Noah says while standing up. I roll my eyes, always a gentleman.

"You ok honey? You've been quiet all night" dad asks. "Well, maybe you shouldn't have brought Noah when I clearly told you not to" I say, getting angrier by the second. "Sorry, I thought maybe it would be a nice surprise. He's such a nice guy."

"I'm really sorry. Maybe tomorrow we can spent some time together, just you and me" he says when I don't respond. "Yeah" I say. I have to remember i'm the one who didn't tell him Noah used to hit me. "What do I hear? I'm being pushed aside?" Noah says. He sits down next to my dad. "I, uh, I thought maybe I could spend some time with Mia" my dad stammers. Really? Grow some balls. "I'm joking, I understand. I'll entertain myself, don't worry" Noah says, giving my dad a pat on his shoulder. Dad seems relieved. The waiter grabs the plate once we're finished. "Anyone want dessert?" dad asks.

"I'm fine" I say, hoping to get out of here as soon as possible. "I could fit in some ice cream" Noah says. God, this guy disgusts me. "Me too" dad says to the waiter. "Ok, i'll bring back the card" he says. I look over at Kate. Her mouth is wide open. What's wrong with her?

"You guys got room for one more?" a very familiar voice says behind me. No, it can't be. I turn around slowly. And there he is. Lando. I look at Noah. The look on his face says everything. Complete and utter hatred. Well, fuck.