The next couple of days had been awkward ones. Rosie had promised Max that she'd break up with Dylan but had no idea how or when to do it. He'd immediately suspect something was going on if he didn't already never mind beg on his hands and knees for her to change her mind.
Rosie shuddered at the thought, she'd have to think about this one! She knew deep down that she probably shouldn't rush into things, after all her and Max had only shared a couple of kisses and a few tears, well they were mostly on her part. She had no feelings towards him before hand - the thought of even reuniting in that way didn't even cross her mind when she went back into the bar that morning. Yet here she was wishing she could blank out the previous year or so without him, realising everything she really did miss about him. She knew they'd have to take it slow again, for both their sakes but one thing was for sure, she and Dylan had no future. Max was right, she probably had settled for second best, just tried to move on and make the most the of it. And to confirm it even further she was seeing Max again tonight. She knew it was probably a bad idea doing so, so soon but the temptation was too much to resist.
Dylan was under the impression Rosie was out with people from work for someone's birthday. He laughed when Rosie told him so, he told her to not go anywhere near Max's bar which made Rosie feel even more uncomfortable!
She finished work at 7pm, a small pet surgery in the north of the city a short drive from the flat her and Dylan now shared. Rosie grabbed her bag and quickly got ready in the toilet at the back of the surgery. She left home in a hurry that morning, for one she had spent ages trying to think over what to wear but it hadn't got her anywhere - not helped by the fact that Dylan kept trying to lure her back to bed.
Not before long she found herself standing outside Max's front door.
Butterflies flew round her stomach and she didn't even know why. She hadn't really been nervous about tonight, only nervous about having to go home to Dylan afterwards.
And then the door opened
"I didn't even knock?!" She frowned as he stood before her
"I buzzed you in!" Max smiled "and heard you walk up the stairs"
"Oh" Rosie blushed, not helped by the fact that Max had leant in and kissed her on the cheek.
"You look great"
"Thanks" she smiled making her way into the flat. She'd gone for a blouse and a tight black skirt and her favourite boots in the end.
"Drink? Oh wait are you driving?" He asked
"No" she shook her head "Dylan wanted to pick me up"
"Oh right" Max said awkwardly
"Don't ask" she rolled her eyes "The wine's fine thanks"
The pair managed to slip back into conversation fairly easily, catching up on everything that had happened. Max told her about his expansion whilst Rosie listened intently before filling him in on everything Leopards Den related. Max had made them dinner, he'd almost gone as far as to make her favourite spaghetti carbonara but didn't want to risk being too full on all at once. After all, nothing was too certain.
Having finished dinner they made their way onto the sofa, Max handed her another glass of wine.
"Oh god not another!" She moaned
Max laughed.
"Do you remember when we went to that vineyard down the Cape?"
Rosie rolled her eyes as she remembered,
"It was a good job we were staying at a hotel that night!"
Silence fell amongst the couple.
"I can't tell you how happy I am to see you again" Max murmured
Rosie looked up at him and smiled
"You too" she whispered "Never thought in a million years it would happen"
"Guess we were lucky" Max edged closer to her
Rosie leant in to him, clasped her lips around his once more. Max smiled as he placed a hand on the side of her head kissing her deeper.
"Missed you so much" Rosie managed between kisses
Max took the glass out of her hand before pushing her down onto the sofa as she giggled.
(X)
The shrill of her alarm woke Rosie the following morning, she groaned reaching for her phone, his arms tight around her.
"Don't go to work" he mumbled
Rosie turned to face him, his eyes closed
"Sorry" she smiled wriggling free "kinda have to"
Rosie heard Dylan sigh as she left the room. Well at least that had been less awkward than expected she thought.
She couldn't believe she'd got away with having sex on Max's sofa and then within an hour coming home and having to do the same with Dylan. She knew it was wrong, it felt so wrong but what she'd managed to get back with Max seemed too good to lose again. Last night reminded her how much she'd missed since they separated, how much the divorce really did hurt her and Max seemed to make it quite clear how much he'd missed her too!
The hot jets of water hit her as she stepped into the shower. Realisation of how complicated everything was about to get.
(X)
Three weeks later and the pair had managed to see each other a few more times. Max couldn't believe how he'd got away with it, managed to get her back so easily! Well not as easily as he liked.
Dylan was still (hopefully) oblivious to what was going on, but Rosie's excuses to go out and spend time with Max were running out. She knew she'd have to tell him soon enough that they were over but despite Max's encouragement she couldn't bring herself to do it.
She knew she wanted to be with Max, more than anything! The past few weeks with him had been so amazing, she couldn't believe how she'd lasted without him. There was something about Max that just made her feel complete, he made her laugh when she least expected it, when he held her she felt at home. He listened to her unlike Dylan, he cared for her, the kisses they shared were so heated full of passion and love.
When she was with Dylan she felt loved, and in love, but it wasn't til now she realised how much they lacked.
Sometimes she couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was, maybe it was the history her and Max shared, maybe she had to give Dylan a better chance. Maybe it was just what love was meant to be like, full of dramas - her and Max had had a fair share of that! Full of the unexpected, or just gut feeling.
And she knew in her gut, in her heart, that this time with Max, everything would just be perfect.
Though they'd both suggested and agreed to take things slow things had heated up quite quickly. Neither wanted to fall into old traps and habits of the love/hate relationship they once shared and so things had to be addressed.
Nonetheless Rosie knew she had to get out of the relationship with Dylan fast. And she wasn't even worried about telling Dylan, she was telling him the truth - well almost the truth, maybe not the Max part. But Max would be there for her when she told Dylan.
"Rosie!" The receptionist at the surgery broke her from her thoughts "your half elevens here"
Rosie sighed, back to reality. She'd have to tell Max now before she changed her mind.
"Thanks!" She called back whilst whipping out her phone and beginning to type.
Gonna tell him tonight, might need you there x
She pressed send, took a deep breath and chucked the phone back in her bag before returning to the waiting room.
"Mrs James" she smiled "come through"
(X)
It was half five. Rosie had finally finished work for the day, but instead of the relief that normally flooded her it was more one of anticipation and stress.
"See you tomorrow!" Maddie the receptionist waved as she left the surgery
"Bye" Rosie managed as she walked onto the street, she turned to approach her car when someone caught her eye.
Max was parked up opposite, his arm hanging out the window as he grinned at her.
"I didn't mean meet me here!" Rosie shrieked as she ran across to the car and clambered into the passenger seat
"I know but-" Max began to explain before deciding to kiss her instead
"Jesus Max not here!" She broke away from him "anyone could see us!"
"Oh come on, I thought this was all getting tied up in a matter of hours!"
"I know" Rosie sighed leaning her head against the head rest
"Second thoughts?" Max questioned
"No" she closed her eyes "I just don't know how I'm gonna do it"
"Um.." Max wondered
"Just drive, I'll figure something out" she breathed as he turned engine on.
(X)
Rosie turned the key in the front door. It was all going to be fine, somehow.
Max had parked round the corner and was waiting in the car for her, all she had to do is tell Dylan and then get out of here.
"Hi baby" she heard him call as she opened the door
"Hi!" Rosie replied
Dylan appeared in front of her, a wide smile on his face
"Good day?" He asked pecking her on the lips
"Yeah thanks"
"Good! I was wondering, do you fancy getting take away or something tonight?"
Oh god why did he have to be so damn nice? Rosie thought.
"Yeh," she bit her lip "Dylan I need to talk to you"
"Sure, what is it? The wedding?"
"I guess" she pondered collapsing onto the sofa, her fiancé following behind
"What about it? Is it the band? I know you don't like them that much, we don't have to have-"
"No" she cut him off.
Dylan waited.
"Look Dylan, you're such a lovely man and stuff and I know you can see this massive future for us but..."
Dylan narrowed his eyes at her. Rosie couldn't look at him, all she had to do was get this out, lie through gritted teeth and it would all be over.
"I just, I don't know if I can see it myself. I don't really know what I want to be honest, sometimes I feel like I don't have much of a life out here. Back home I was just so much happier, this job out here's not what I wanted to do. And I know you love me and you look after me and buy me things but that's not what I really want."
"Please make yourself a bit clearer" he said bitterly
"I don't think I want to be with you anymore" Rosie muttered, finally looking up at him
"And where's this all come from Rosie? I thought we were happy, we're getting married!"
"It's just all too much Dylan, this whole thing is just going too quick, I was so caught up I didn't have a chance to think about it. I'm sorry but I don't think I love you any more"
"And how much of this has got to do with bumping into your ex?"
"What?! None of it!" Rosie lied again "I've been unhappy for a while I just didn't say anything cause I thought it would brush over, and it hasn't, and it won't" she finished.
All this rambling was hard work, she wished she could be honest but it would do more harm than good
"So that's it then? You're going to get your own way and not even try?!" He yelled at her.
"Dylan I-"
"Yeah well maybe I'm fed up of being with someone like you! You act like a fucking princess Rosie, all your life you've got what you wanted and you expect me to do the same, go on then, run back to daddy!" Dylan began to laugh.
Rosie's eyes widened
"How dare you! You're the one that tries to buy my love with endless presents, I try to have my own life but you barely let me! I'm trapped Dylan, any time I'm alone is when I'm at work or you're out with your mates. And yeah, I've heard what you get up to! Buying other girls drinks, acting like you're the big man, watch your ego Dylan" she made her way for the door
"Yeah!" He yelled grabbing her arm and holding her forcefully "and who's told you that?"
"None of your business! Now let me go!" She tried to break free but his grasp was too strong
"Don't you dare leave me" he held her tighter nearly up against the wall "you have no right too, everything I've done for you. You go and I'll find you, you can't escape"
"Ohh the big man speaks again, trying to scare me?" She smiled sarcastically knowing it was a risk.
He squeezed his fingers round her arms even tighter.
"Get out" he spat in her face before throwing her sideways.
"Get out" he repeated widening her eyes
Rosie moved towards the door, even thought she'd brought this all on herself she was shocked by the way Dylan had reacted.
She made her way into the corridor, bending down to pick up her bag when he pushed her to the ground.
Rosie closed her eyes, trying not to give off any reaction or sign of pain.
"Don't come back" he whispered into her ear as she stood again.
Rosie reached for the door handle and ran out into the stairwell, down and onto the street. She heard Dylan slam the door upstairs as she took a deep breath.
"That was worse than expected" she muttered. The red marks on her upper arms were clear but she didn't have anything to cover them up with. No doubt Max would see them no matter how much she didn't want him to.
She walked down the road, brain racing, replaying everything that had just happened. She was genuinely scared of him, what he'd done, he'd never been aggressive like that before, luckily she'd got out of their before it got any worse.
She turned the corner and saw Max up ahead leaning on the car.
He smiled at her but she couldn't smile back.
"What?" He frowned when he noted her worried expression "you told him right?"
Rosie nodded before collapsing into his arms and crying into his chest
Max held her close and kissed the top of her head.
"It's okay" he soothed wrapping his arms around her
"You should of seen him" she sobbed "I've never been so scared"
"Oh Rosie" he sighed,
She broke away and looked up at him.
"Thank you" she whispered
"He do this to you?" Max caught sight of the marks on her arm
She nodded before falling into him again.
(X)
After a couple of days of camping out at Max's flat, Rosie knew she could no longer avoid two things. Firstly getting back to the place she shared with Dylan and getting all her stuff and secondly but even worse, attempting to explain everything that had happened to her family, worst of all her Dad.
It was true no one at Leopards Den was full and love and praise for Dylan but they had all seemed to be slowly warming to him. And now she had to go and tell them all that she'd left him for her ex husband, a man they all had taken on as part of the family but then had to adopt an aspect of hostility towards because of everything that happened.
Did she just tell them she'd split up with Dylan? Or did she go the full way and tell them about Max too?
"What'ya thinking about?" Max asked
"What?" Rosie looked up "not thinking about anything"
"Yes you are" he laughed wrapping his arms around her waist "You're biting your nails and staring into space, don't pretend I don't know you"
Rosie sighed looking up at him
"Second thoughts?" Max asked, praying it wasn't.
"No!" She shook her head "Just don't know what I'm gonna do about it all, telling everyone and stuff"
"Oh, we'll work it out" he tucked her hair behind her ear "shall we drive down next weekend and tell them?"
"God no!"
"Oh"
"No, I didn't mean it like that, I think it's best I tell them myself, somehow"
"Well if you need me" Max smiled
"Actually," she thought "any chance you could help me go and get all my stuff, Dylan's meant to be flying tonight"
"Yeah sure,"
"Thanks"
"Let's hope he doesn't make a surprise entrance!" Max joked
"No let's not think about that!" Rosie bit her lip, that was her biggest fear.
Thankfully Dylan didn't turn up, nor had he destroyed any of her belongings that she'd left in the house. Everything was as it was, despite the absence of the photos of the pair of them that used to adorn the walls.
Within a couple of hours they'd managed to squeeze all of her clothes and other things in Max's Jeep.
Rosie shut the front door one final time, she posted the key through the letterbox and exhaled deeply.
"Out of your life now" Max said taking her hand.
"Yeah" she smiled before kissing him lightly on the lips "one door closes, another door opens"
Max winked.
(X)
A/N: Sorry about the dodgy spacing in the last chapter, I know it would've bothered me if I were reading it. Hope you liked this part - as you can tell I'm not a big Dylan fan. Please review, final part will be up soon! x
