I nod my head. “Yeah, I’m sorry, I… I just want to go home.”
“Stop saying sorry, George. Tonight was all about you, whatever you wanted, whatever you wanted to do. You’ve had enough, and that’s fine; now it’s time to go.” He kisses me. “You ever done anything like that before?” I shake my head, feeling embarrassed now; what the fuck was I thinking? “Well, it was fucking hot, let me tell ya. Watching her do that to you was fucking hot, so thanks, thanks for that. I’ll never forget it. Next time I’m away and haven’t seen a decent-looking woman for months, I’m gonna play that on a loop in my head to help get me by.” He kisses my cheek. “You sure you’re okay walking?”
I nod, but I’m not actually sure. I grip his hand tightly and let him lead me back the way we came. We collect our stuff from around the fire and head back to the truck. I feel dizzy and lightheaded, tired but wide-awake, and my mind is suddenly very clear. I want my bed. I want to be left alone in my bed with my thoughts. I have no idea why, but Cam keeps popping into my head and it’s pissing me off.
Roman starts the truck, and it occurs to me that he’s done quite a lot of drugs tonight.
“You okay to drive?” I ask him.
He nods. “I probably shouldn’t drive, but I’m okay. If I’m not, I’ll pull over and we’ll sleep in here. I didn’t have any of that joint, remember; the trippy stuff you had? Just the coke.” He pulls out of his parking spot and onto the road, and I have to laugh at his statement.
“Just the coke. Well, that’s fine then; you’re full of coke but you’re just fine to drive.” I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t know where the words are coming from; he’s done nothing but look after me and now I’m being a complete bitch. He swings the truck into a layby.
“Shall I stop? D’ya wanna stay here? Whatever you want, George.”
“I want to go home. I want my bed.”
“Well, the only way that’s gonna happen is if I drive us there. This ain’t London, George; the cab drivers are all in bed at this time, even on a Saturday night.” He leans in, takes my chin between his thumb and index finger and lifts it so my eyes meet his. “I shouldn’t have let you have that coke; I’m sorry.” I feel like the bitch I am; I’m behaving like an arsehole and he’s the one apologising.
“I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m being a bitch; I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
He licks his lips and shakes his head. “The coke, that’s what’s wrong with you.”
“I’ve done coke before, Rome; I’ve been doing coke since I was twenty. You do remember who I was married to?” My heart hurts as I say those words…
Was married to.
Sean, I was married to Sean.
I still am married to Sean.
Except Sean’s dead and I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing with my life right now. I appreciate what Roman is trying to do, and he has helped me, massively. He’s proved that I can feel again, pleasure, at least.
“Well, George, am I driving or are we sleeping in the truck?”
“Just drive,” I reply. He kisses my mouth, pulls back out onto the road and we drive home in silence.
*
I decline Roman’s offer to come in. I apologise for my behaviour and explain I just want to be on my own. I’m not actually sure I do; I don’t know what I want, and I’m not sure of anything. My body is exhausted, but my heart is racing because of the coke.