Fight Like A Girl: An Opposites Attract Romance (Fighting For Love) Harley Reid (top 100 books of all time checklist TXT) 📖

when they did.” They go through the door but just before it closes behind him, he pops his head back through. “If you remember anything else, please contact us. Your mother has our contact details.”

A few moments after they leave, mum comes steps back into the room and resumes her position at my side.

“I’ve just spoken with your doctor and he has agreed that you can come home with me this evening. They wanted to keep you in for observation, but I managed to convince them you will be much better at home in your own bed.” It isn’t my home anymore, and it hasn’t been my bed for many years but then I think about Lexi’s couch — the only other option I have — and I don’t have the energy or inclination to argue.

Taking a deep breath, I sigh as I scroll through the contacts on my phone, staring aimlessly at Mia’s number for what is probably the hundredth time, but I don’t call. I never do. Her mum was right. All of this was my fault and the best thing I can do for her is to just stay away.

How did I not know that my best friend was so dangerous? How could I invite someone like that into our lives, let him spend time with the people I love? The fight is in two days and I haven’t seen her since I found her laying unconscious on Jamison’s floor and I can’t shake the image of her like that.

I just need to know that she’s okay.

Pressing the green button to dial Lexi’s number, I know I’m playing a dangerous game but I’m running out of options, but it starts to ring and there’s no going back. I’m not entirely sure she’ll answer anyway and it’s not like I can go over to the house and wait outside because the minute I see Mia, I won’t be able to stay away. I have the breaking strain of a Kit Kat around her.

I rub my neck as the ringing continues, debating whether or not to leave a message and just as I’m about to hang up, everything goes quiet.

“She’s not here.” She answers softly but I know she’s lying. Where else would she be?

“I just need to know that she’s okay and I won’t call again.” I wince as the words leave my mouth, soaked in desperation.

“She’s fine but you not calling is why we’re in this mess in the first place.”

As much as it kills me to admit it, I need to give her the space she needs. I want her to be happy, even if that means I have to sacrifice my feelings in the process.

“I just want her to be happy.” Before I get the words out, the line goes dead. I gulp down my whiskey and fuelled by rage, throw my glass across the room, watching as it crashes against the wall, shattering into a thousand pieces.

A few seconds later, the doorbell echoes and I stumble to the front door to find Lexi standing in front of me with an empty box in her hand. Then she barges past me and disappears into the house.

“I was on my way over anyway. Mia asked me to come and pick up her things.”

I follow her into the living room, both of us avoiding the shards of glass scattered across the floor and slump down on to the leather sofa as she places the box onto the table and starts opening the blinds. Sunlight spills in, burning my eyes so I have to shield them with my arm until they adjust.

“Jesus, you look like crap. When was the last time you had a shower? You freaking reek.”

There’s pity in her eyes and I hate myself for being such a mess. I knew it was a bad idea to get involved with her, but I did it anyway, even knowing how much I could get hurt and now I’m back in this same position again. Only, this time it’s worse. I’ve lost the woman I love and have to deal with the fact that I was the one responsible for putting her in danger. She’s better off without me.

I let him into my life knowing that he was seriously messed up. How can you not be when you witness your mum shooting your dad? But it was me, inviting him into my life, allowing him into my family, putting everyone in my life at risk because I didn’t see that he needed help.

I did this to her, and I couldn’t protect her when she needed me, just like I couldn’t protect Sam.

“Okay, here’s what is going to happen right now.” Lexi waves her arms in front of my face to get my attention. “I am going to pack some of Mia’s stuff and clean this place up, and you are going to shower. Then we’re going to sit down and you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on.”

She’s angry and I’m not in the mood to argue with her. I just want to be alone, so I trudge off to take a shower.

The water raining down on me feels good against my skin, the sound of it splashing against the bottom of the cubicle hypnotises me and before long I am going through the motions of washing the stench of stale alcohol and self-pity from my body.

Once I’ve finished in the shower and feeling a little more like my normal self, I get dressed, walk through the living room where there is now no sign of the broken glass and sit with Lexi in the kitchen.

“You two seemed so in love, and you seemed so worried when you found out she was missing. I get that you have a lot to process with Jamison being responsible for your wife’s death and everything, but what I still don’t understand is why you haven’t been to see her. You left her