I closed my bedroom door.

What the fuck was that?

I leaned against it and locked it.

How? No, what? When did... I sighed. I wanted to scream. This is all so confusing me. I can't. I just can't cope with this. I don't want to process this.

I stayed against my door, breathing. How am I going to face him tomorrow? Can I just do what I usually do and ignore him or confront him?

I shuddered. No. I don't want to confront him.

I unlocked the door for Cody to come in later through the wee hours of the morning as I climbed in to bed and turned the lamp off.

I heard a knock on my door and I groaned as I covered my face with a pillow.

"Monty?" Came Oliver's voice. "I just got a phone call. I have to go. I'll be back in a couple days."

I didn't answer. I didn't want to.

"Monty?"

"I heard you." I snapped out as I rolled over.

Did Oliver really think of me like that or was is it just because I was in his room, calling him out on his personality? That it was dark with a faint glow and getting late at night?

Maybe because he is a male and sometimes males think with their smaller heads more? I groaned in to my pillow.

I don't know. I didn't want to know. All I knew was, Oliver stole what he could. That kiss, my sleep.

****

Oliver has been gone for five days now. He rings every night to talk to Cody but whenever Cody gives me back the phone I quickly mutter a bye and hang up.

We had been stuck in the house for four days and today I dragged Cody along to go shopping.

We needed groceries but I went through his clothes and with the weather warming up, I decided some clothing shopping wouldn't hurt either.

But that only burnt up four hours. I'm fast and decisive when shopping, no matter what it's for.

So I decided to take Cody to a park we haven't been to before. After googling some I found one and after a bit of a drive we were there. I held Cody's hand as we walked the long winding footpath of the river bank after we were on the swings.

Some people were there picnicking, others were fishing. Some walking their dogs.

I let Cody go ahead as he threw some pebbles in to the water. "Don't get wet." I called to him.

The place was fairly busy, parents with kids, some with dogs.

I slowly caught up to Cody, standing a couple metres behind him.

"Montana?"

I turned to the voice and froze. Oh great. Oh fuuuudge.

Percy was here. Can I not get away from him? "Hi." Came my brittle smile and voice.

"Monty. How are you?" He asked me nicely.

"Fine." Okay, am I doing one word answers now? Real smart.

"Look, about the other week, at the restaurant, I want to apologise for my behaviour." Percy was straight out with it, and I suddenly appreciated that.

I looked stunned. "Okay."

"I shouldn't have said that. I was hurt when I saw you with someone else."

"That was my boss. He was treating me out for dinner, I had a very bad week." A very emotional week.

Percy nodded. It was the night I told Oliver about me not being engaged, after Percy had interrupted us.

"I understand. I just wanted to apologise."

I watched Cody before looking back at Percy. "What are you doing here?"

"I had a family do on for my parents anniversary. I was just about to leave when I saw you."

I didn't know what to say. I never actually met his family.

"What are you doing here?" Percy asked me. It wasn't that strange of a question, he was curious, because, why would I be here if I didn't have Cody with me?

I turned to Cody. He was now picking up rocks and looking at them before placing them back.

"Working."

Percy frowned for a minute. "Oh yes." He followed my eye sight. "So that little boy there?"

"Yes. That's Cody." Percy knows about Cody. I used to rave about him, even when I tried not to.

Cody ran up to me and showed me a colourful rock. "Cool." I smiled at him. "Can you find another?"

I spun my head to Percy. "Honestly, you actually hurt me saying those things." I need to swallow this tablespoon of courage while I still had it.

Percy looked at the ground. Was he truly ashamed? "I'm sorry, Monty. I guess we were both hurting."

I folded my arms and shifted my weight. Can this get any more awkward? "Is that all, Percy?"

"I want another chance, Monty."

I frowned. I was the one that turned him down. Why would he want another chance? Did he truly miss me? Well, yeah, for him to say he was hurting.

"Another chance?" I asked him. I kept an eagle eye on Cody.

"Yes," I felt his hand on my arm. "How about dinner?"

I shook my head as I sighed. "I can't do dinner."

"Oh. Okay. I get it. I understand." Was his sad but low voice.

"Percy, I can't do dinner, tonight." I turned my head to him.

Percy's face lit up. "So when?"

"I don't know." I answered truthfully. It all depended on when Oliver came back.

Oliver...

I bit down on my lip as Cody looked at us and frowned. Speaking of Oliver, I could see him on Cody's face right now.

"How about lunch?" I breathed out as I turned to him. Cody would be getting hungry by now.

Cody ran up to us and took my hand as he looked up at Percy.

"Who are you?" Was his blunt question.

I knelt down to him. "Cody, this is my friend Percy."

Cody eyed Percy before turning to me. "Monty. I'm hungry. Can we have lunch please?"

"Sure."

"There is a little Cafe just up that hill there." Percy pointed in the direction.

I agreed and we started walking up there. I held Cody's hand with one of mine as I held my dress down from the wind blowing it with my other hand.

I sat Cody down at an empty table and looked at the menu. "Cody, sweetheart." I leaned towards him. "Do you want some nuggets? A cheeseburger? Sandwiches?" I asked as I read the menu.

"Nuggets and chips."

"Please." I scolded at him.

"Please."

I ordered mine and Cody's lunch and Percy ordered his.

Cody tucked in to his meal, dipping his chips in to the sauce.

I picked at my small bowl of chips as Percy and I talked. I couldn't give him the reason why I said no to him in front of Cody but I did say I will tell him later.

We left the Cafe, saying goodbye to Percy with an awkward hug and I drove Cody home.

I didn't park in the garage, just in the drive way as I opened the front door for Cody.

He kicked off his shoes and ran ahead.

"Don't run!" I called out to him. I turned out off the small foyer and saw Oliver at the top of the stairs.

"Uncle Ollie!" Cody yelled at him and ran up the stairs.

"Oh no." I groaned to myself. No, no, no, no!

Cody hugged Oliver and pulled away. "Where you go? I miss you! We went to park and a river! Guess what? I met Percy!"

Oliver's face went to stone as he shot a look at me. It wasn't pleasant. Cody ran off and played. Thank God he had day care tomorrow. Him and his huge mouth.

I went to the kitchen and did up the laundry. I could feel the heat radiate off me as Oliver burnt his eyes in to me. I may possibly spontaneously combust if this kept up.

"Percy?" I heard the tone and I wanted to sink in to the floor.

I sighed as I closed the dryer door. "And?" I turned to him and walked on the other side of the kitchen island bench.

I quickly left the kitchen and rushed out off the dining room. I went to go up the stairs but only made three up when Oliver took my hand and dragged me to the office.

Oh great.

I was placed on the closest seat as he closed the door. "What's this about Percy?" I heard the mocking in his voice.

"I took Cody to a park and Percy was there." I shrugged. "It's no big deal."

Oliver arched an eyebrow at me. "So I'm assuming the outcome was different then the other night at dinner?"

I just wanted to shrink. Where had my courage gone? Please don't tell me I used it all on Percy! Oliver stood in front of me, a good distance away in fact.

"Actually, yes."

"Do I need to remind you that you're the one that turned him down?" Oliver growled at me.

"I don't need that reminder." I snapped at him. "I know that!"

"Then what are you doing?"

I gawked at him. What am I doing? I thought angrily at myself, mocking Oliver. Wait, what am I doing?

I felt so angry with him. Stuff it. "Well, now that you're back, I'm going to finish off the rest of the day." I yelled at him as I jumped up off the sofa to the door.

I didn't look back at him as I slammed the door and stormed to my room. The balls on him! I knew my shift wasn't technically done for the day, but I needed to get out for a while. Five minutes. Five minutes with Oliver and I'm already yelling again.

I texted Percy and said my plans have changed and I'll meet him at 5. It was just past two.

I showered and got dressed and applied some make up.

I decided to leave my hair down, but straightened it.

I let the time slowly go by as I placed a leather jacket on over my boat neck styled shirt. I slipped on some black heels that were studded.

I snatched up my bag and gave myself a one over. With my hair dead straight, it sat longer than what I'm used to. My eyeliner was a bit heavier than usual and I smacked my lips together with my new colour. I loved it. Raspberry Tiramusu.

I left my room and was at the top of the stairs when Cody called me.

I made my way downstairs. "What's up?" I asked him.

"You look pretty." He dazzled at me. I smiled. "I can't find my blanket!" I took his hand and walked him to the dryer in the kitchen. I pulled out his little orange blanket.

"Thanks Monty." He giggled as he ran off with it.

I walked to the front door as I could hear my heels against the wooden floors.

"I had hoped you thought this over."

Oliver's voice came from behind me. I didn't even notice him when I walked past there.

I turned to him, and went to say something, but I decided not to. I shot him a look as he just stared at me. I waited but he didn't say anything more.

I wanted him to. I wanted him to say something, anything.

I turned and went out the front door, slamming it behind me.