If heart ache was a physical pain, I could face it.

Part Twenty

Sophie’s POV

Everyone shoots a nervous look over at Max, as who I can only guess is Tom and Anne, knock on the door. I know he’s acting strong for their sake, which they really don’t deserve; we’re all still worried about how he will react to their staying here.

“I’ll get it.” I say, and leave the room to answer the door, and when I do, what I see shocks me.  All thoughts about how much I hate her for what she did immediately leave my mind, and I just want to hug her and tell her everything will be okay.

She looks a lot paler than she used too, her skin looks as if it’s drawn tighter across her face, and she leaning into Tom as he’s clearly supporting a lot of her weight.

“I’m not that ill; I just got tired walking over here that’s all.” She smiles weakly trying to reassure me.  My returning smile is just as feeble as hers as I step aside to let the two of them into the house.

“I’ll go back for out stuff in a bit.” Tom says as he leads Anne into the living room, and I see her tense in anticipation for what is about to come.  I really hope this can work out for all of us...

Max’s POV

As Tom and Anne walk into the room I suck in a deep breath of air. It’s not seeing the two of them together or even seeing the way she leans into his body clearly happy there that hurts me the most, it’s seeing the beautiful smiling girl that I was in love with so ill. I knew to expect this but nothing can prepare you for it. Not trusting myself to speak I get up and head for my room, let everyone think I can’t handle seeing the two of them together, but in truth that’s only half of it.

Charly’s POV

Numbly I watch Max leave the room. I knew this was a bad idea, I knew he couldn’t handle this, and as much as I tired to convince myself otherwise I knew he still loved her. Why did they have to come back? What can we do that could make her better? Now just as me and Max were finally getting together, she’s going to come back and ruin everything. Again.

Roxie’s POV

Sensing that Charly is about to lose it I take her hand and lead her to the kitchen.

“I knew he still loved her.” She whispers while sinking down into one of the chairs. I sit opposite her trying to think of the best way to cheer her up.

“Charly, he loves you. Max knows what it’s like to get messed around, there’s no way he’d do it to someone else, especially not someone he cares about as much as you.”

“So why did he leave the room as soon as they entered? You saw the look on his face.” She replies, not backing down.

“Maybe it was just the shock of seeing them. I mean we all knew Anne’s ill but that can’t prepare you for seeing her like that. He cared about her a lot. And by the way he acted when Tom and Anne walked in, he still does, but he’s in love with you now Charly, not her.”

“Maybe.” She murmurs, still not convinced.

“Go and talk to him, get all of this sorted out.” I smile, encouragingly.

Anne’s POV

“Well that’s three gone.” I laugh ironically as Roxie leaves the room. I sink onto the sofa quite surprised how tired walking from mine and Tom’s has made me.

“They’ll get used to it babe.” Tom smiles squeezing my shoulders reassuringly, as the room slips into an awkward silence. I knew this was a bad idea, and I was right no one wants me here; they just feel sorry for me, and I’m not some charity case.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea...” I say after having sat in silence for almost half an hour.

“Don’t be silly.” Everyone starts talking at once, but no one really seems to mean it.

“Just give everyone time to get used to it.” Jess smiles at me.

“I don’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable.” I say looking down at the ground.

“You wont, this was Max’s idea so he wants you here, just give him time. In the mean time go to bed you look shattered.” Nathan says sticking his tongue out at me, and I immediately relax slightly. He doesn’t hate me.

“I’m fine.” I smile.

“No Nath’s right, you need to sleep.”

“Oh I see, you brought me here so you could all gang up on me.” I pout playfully as Tom, making everyone laugh, which causes me to relax further.

“Yep, because you’re too stubborn for you own good.” Tom laughs as he picks me up and starts carrying me towards his old room.  As he places me down onto the bed I catch him off balance and pull him down on top off me, before reaching under his top and beginning to run my hands over his abs.  “Anne not now.” Tom says while taking hold of my wrists and removing my hands from under his top.

“It’s not like you to turn down sex.” I say trying not to show how upset I am. Tom laughs before rolling off of me to lie besides me.

“You’re not feeling very well.” He replies gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I don’t care.” I say, before getting up and sitting on him, letting my hair fan out around his face.

“Babe you’re not making this very easy for me.” Tom moans lust clear in his eyes. “Tomorrow, when you’ve had a rest.”

“Why not now?” I whisper, while leaning down planning on showering kisses along his neck, but before I get there he sits up and twists so I’m beneath him again, my arms pinned above my head. I smile, happy he’s playing along now, I like it when he takes control anyway.

“Tomorrow. Anyway I’m going to get our stuff before it’s left out on the doorstep all night.”

“You’re just worried you can’t keep up with me.” I call as he heads for the door, and I scowl as I hear him laughing on his way down the stairs. I pull the duvet up over me planning on sulking until Tom gets back and then ignoring him until he suggests make up sex, but he hasn’t even been gone five minuets before I can no longer keep my eyes open... Stupid boys were right.