Holding On (Memories) Read Free

morning,” Lexy says in a wary voice. “It's her birthday tomorrow, and everyone is going out tonight. She said she wants to see me since I 'fucked off to Devon and deserted her all summer'.” Her jaw is clenched when she finishes speaking.
    “And what did you say?” I ask hesitantly.
    “I told her I was busy helping you and Jen settle in, and if I could go out, I would.”
    “And you don't wanna ask what happened then!” Jen shakes her head. “Oh, hell to the no you don't.”
    Well, of course I want to fucking know now.
    “Princess?” I touch her thigh.
    Lexy gives a frustrated sigh. “She said if I was shallow enough to pick my new boyfriend and “some chick” I haven't spoken to for years over her, then I'm not as good a friend as she thought.”
    My teeth grind, and I focus back on the road. “I don't know where I'm going, by the way.”
    “Nice topic change there, Al,” Jen snipes sarcastically.
    I glance at her in the rear-view mirror, narrowing my eyes slightly. “I'm not kidding.”
    Lexy sighs. “Left, right, right round the roundabout, and right into the car park. We'll walk from there,” she mumbles.
    I swallow a lump of annoyance, and nod once. My fingers tap against the steering wheel as I make the turns she said.
    I knew coming to London would be hard, but it's only been a week and Lexy is already having issues with her friends. But then, are they really her friends if they have a problem with her being happy? I have no idea.
    “Are you going?” I ask, parking the car.
    Lexy unclips the seatbelt, and leans her head back against the headrest. “I suppose I have to.”
    “Don't do it if you don't want to,” Jen pipes in. “I mean, I know I don't know her, but she sounds like a prize cow. If she was at the North Devon Show, she'd win first prize, rosette and all.”
    I snort but quickly disguise it as a cough.
    “Mmm,” Lexy says uncertainly. “I'm just not looking forward to seeing all my friends again, I guess. I didn't realise how much I changed in Devon until I spoke to Jayna again.”
    She jumps from the car and I climb out, stopping her before she walks away. I grab her hand, and smooth some hair back from her hair. She turns her face into my hand.
    “You have changed since I first met you, Princess,” I mutter. “But it's a good change. If your friends can't see that for what it is then they don't really deserve to call themselves your friend. You're damn amazing, Alexis Edwards, I mean that.”
    Lexy presses her lips to my wrist and touches her hand to mine. “Will you come with me? I hate to ask, but if I get annoyed I can leave.”
    “You know I'll come with you.” I turn her face to mine and softly kiss her. “I love you. I followed you to London, I think I can follow you to a nightclub.”
    She smiles, her lips curving up into that adoring smile she keeps on reserve for me. “I love you, too.” She kisses me again.
    “Oh- kay !” Jen whistles. “Can we go now? I don't wanna break up the lovey-dovey show goin' on, but I have shopping to do.”
    I laugh and release Lexy, wrapping a friendly arm around Jen's shoulders. “Oh, how dull my life would be without you, Jen.”
    Jen tilts her face upwards as we walk, and raises an eyebrow. “You act like you'd actually miss me if I wasn't around.”
    “Well,” I say thoughtfully. “I wouldn't miss the constant headaches I get but...”
    “Asshole!” She laughs and elbows my side. I let her go and laugh, slipping my fingers through Lexy's as Laura Ashley comes into view. I smirk as I see Bing stood outside the giant store, his hands in his pockets, and his eyebrows drawn together in a frown.
    “I hate you for this,” he mumbles to Lexy.
    She pats his arm. “I love you, too, brother dear. Now shut up and let's get on with it.”
    I grin at their banter, and let Lexy link arms with Jen. “We'll just wait here for you, yeah?” I call hopefully. “I mean, we'll just get under your feet and that so...”
    Lexy stops