Max drove round a bit, up and down the streets surrounding Millie's apartment block, but not actually past it. It took a long time to decide whether he had the courage to see if she was in. No point putting off the inevitable, he thought, it's got to be done, no matter how painful. He pulled up outside the electric gates of the car park. Looking inside he could see her car wasn't there. Damn, he thought, well I'm here now, might as well wait a while. He parked on the street before heading over to the pedestrian entrance. The key code was imprinted in his mind from four months of almost daily use, he hoped it was the same. Just as the gate buzzed to life in acquiescence, he noticed activity from Millie's apartment door. In the dimming light, he swiftly recognised the figures of Millie's flatmate and her boyfriend walking down the half flight of stairs to ground level. The girl clearly recognised him immediately.
"Hello Becksy" Max looked across to the dopey eyed boyfriend "Jasper." Jasper appeared to focus on him and might have even given a nod of acknowledgement, but Max couldn't be entirely certain. No change there then, thought Max disparagingly, he'd never been able to work out these two. She was so bright and breezy, yet he never seemed to be on the same planet, let alone utter a word.
"Well as I live and breathe. Max Carter. Where have you been all this time?" Becksy was surprised certainly, but her tone was guarded. "And more to the point, does Mill know you're here?"
"Away and no" replied Max, keeping it brief. Knowing he was so in the wrong, he was feeling defensive and didn't see why he had to answer to anyone except Millie. He liked Becksy, but her opinion of him wasn't important.
"She isn't in".
"Well, I'll wait then"
"I think she's out with your lot tonight. Might be late". Becksy was clearly trying to dissuade him from waiting, he couldn't blame her for looking out for her friend.
"I've got nothing else planned" Max shrugged. Somehow Becksy seemed to sense some vulnerability in him and softened.
"Look, Mills was in a really bad way when you went off wherever it is you went. She's only just come out the other side and I don't want to see her getting hurt again."
"Neither do I".
Becksy smiled ruefully and regarded him for a second or two before slowly saying "well short of calling the police to have you removed, I guess there isn't much I can do."
"Thanks Becksy, I appreciate it".
"Hmmm, but I tell you this, if you mess with her, I'll set Jasper on you". Jasper appeared to perk up at the mention of his name before settling back into his own world, much like a Labrador thought Max abstractly. "Don't be fooled" she rebuked as she noticed Max look across at her boyfriend "appearances can be deceptive. We thought you were a pretty straight kind of guy" she left the words 'and look how wrong we were' hanging in the air between them.
"Look, I just want to talk to her, we both need that."
"I guess you do. Look, I haven't seen you and this conversation hasn't happened. Except for one thing, don't screw her up again. She doesn't deserve that... maybe see you around."
Max nodded, it was all he could do.
