Chapter Thirty-Four:

Doug offered to take Hayden on a tour of town. Oliver declined and opted to stay behind with me. I wasn’t about to complain about some time with my homeboy.

“Can you show me how bad it is?” Ollie asked me, gesturing to my arms. I stiffened.

“It’s not going to make you feel any better, Ols.” I told him. He crossed his arms and stared me down. I had forgotten just how persistent he can be. I turned away from him and pulled off my sweater, followed by my camisole. He gasped and started fingering the wounds on my back, softly. I stayed still and let him take in my injuries.

“Thank God he didn’t break anything.” He whispered. I cleared my throat, awkwardly.

“He fractured a couple of my ribs.” I corrected him. I turned around to show him my discolored torso. He looks pained and pissed, like I just kicked his dog and told him that he could never eat carbs again.

“Fucking hell, Lydia.” He cursed. I locked eyes with him, briefly, before putting my clothes back in place.

“I’m fine.” I told him.

“You’re not fine.” He argued.

“I have things under control.” I pressed.

“I’ve heard that before. Are you keeping up with your meds?”He asked me. I nodded. “I’m not just talking about for the bad days. You should be taking them every day with what’s been going on.” He told me. I sighed.

“I’m taking them when I need to.”

“Lydia,” he started. I held up my hand to silence him.

“Things aren’t the same, Ollie. I’m fine. I haven’t flown off the rails. I’m here. I haven’t taken a mouthful of pills or crashed a car or anything.” I assured him. He let out a bit of sarcastic laughter.

“It has to start somewhere. These people you’re staying with, do they even know what to look for? Has anyone explained the warning signs?”He asked me. I shrugged.

“I can handle it.”

“You’re bipolar and depressed with people out to get you. If you don’t have a support system that can give you what you need, it’s only a matter of time before you have an episode.”

“I’m not crazy.”

“Everyone can get a little manic sometimes.” He pressed. I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, Dad. Calm your tits. I’ll… take Doug with me to see a shrink.” I relented. He kept his arms crossed.

“Just Doug?”

“Fine, I’ll take Brian and Zacky, too. Satisfied?” I quipped. He smirked.

“Yes – thank you.”

---

After Oliver got off my case about not sharing certain information with the guys, we met up with Doug and Hayden. They were at the beach.

“So, Doug, what do you do exactly?” Hayden asked him. Doug looked over at him.

“I’m an entrepreneur of sorts. I dabble in a few things. I own a few restaurants around California as well as some in Britain. I’m also a curator for a rather prestigious museum in Los Angeles. My family heads a practice in Britain that I used to be involved with.” He explained.

“What kind of practice?” Oliver asked.

“A law firm,” he answered. I nodded. That’s more than he’s ever told me about what he does. Somehow, I’m pretty sure that it goes deeper than that. I’m willing to bet that he’s connected to some world-renowned crime family. How does someone go about asking someone something like that? ‘Hey, how was your day? Oh, you had a bagel for breakfast? That’s awesome. I was wondering if you wanted to catch a movie later and by the way, are you in the mafia? Yes? Awesome. Hey, look, at that sun outside.’

“Baker and Baker?” I guessed. Doug smiled at me and shook his head.

“Actually it’s Johnson & Sons,” he told me. “My mother’s maiden name is ‘Johnson’.” He explained. “Martha Johnson is my mother.” He added. Where have I heard that name before? I stared at him until it clicked. Oh, my God. He’s related to the Johnson family. The Johnson family. They’re supposed to be one of the oldest, most influential crime families in Britain. Holy shit. My mother sure knows how to pick ‘em.

“Shit,” I breathed. I’m not sure if the guys made the same connection I did, but shit. Doug just smirked at me.

“I didn’t follow my brothers’ footsteps and join the family business.” He revealed.

“Sure you didn’t,” I quipped. He chuckled. Well, then. I guess you learn something new every day.

---

We ended up back at the house and I pulled Doug off to the side. I explained what Oliver had suggested and Doug agreed with him. He told me that he would make the arrangements and he would let me know when the appointment would be.

---

“You’re not reading my journal!” I told Hayden. He just ignored me and pranced around my room, opening my book. I made a grab for it, but he raised his arm so I couldn’t reach it. Oliver lunged and grabbed me. He pulled me to the bed and started tickling my sides, being careful not to hit my bruises. I tried to wiggle out of his grip with no luck. I thrashed on my bed and tried to push him off of me. He pinned my wrists and kept tickling my stomach.

I managed to hook my foot behind his knee. I raised my hips and tried to throw him off of me. He just laughed and kept attacking me, mercilessly. I arched my back and tried again.

“Hey Ace, what’s…?” Brian asked from behind me. I tried to look behind me and Oliver’s hands froze underneath my shirt. Well, shit, this is awkward. So much for a good first impression.

Notes

I couldn't help myself with adding the awkwardness! Lol. You don't realize how much of a fangirl you are until you look at your character list and literally all of them are from your favorite shows. -.- I have a problem. Oh well. Lol.

Tomorrow's chapter will be longer. I'll try for a new chapter up Sunday, but I can't promise anything. It'll probably be short. I normally have zero patience after work.

I'm so glad you are enjoying the friends, especially Hayden. Thanks for all the awesome comments!

Predictions? Thoughts?

Love,
Katie