I need to get them out of here, just long enough so I can get Jake out of the bathroom. It’s the only current working thought in my mind.
“A few days ago.” Will leaves my side and sits down on the sofa.
Crap, he’s getting comfortable.
I stay where I am. I can’t seem to stand still. I‘m practically hopping from one foot to the other.
I wrap my arms across my chest.
Simone keeps flickering glances my way, but I can’t bring myself to look at her. The shame is burning up my face.
“I knew you were stressed about the whole Jake affair article,” Will says.
I nearly choke on my own spit, quickly turning it into a cough, I cover my traitorous mouth with my hand.
Will doesn’t seem to notice and continues on regardless, “And I know today is the last day of the tour so I thought I would come out and watch the gig – if that’s okay with Jake and the guys obviously.”
“I-I’m sure it will be.” My voice is so squeaky.
This is just getting worse and worse.
“So well, I called up Simone to see if she fancied coming too, and here we are.”
He was being thoughtful. And I was sleeping with Jake.
I’m going to Hell. Straight to Hell.
“I got us seats on the same flight back as yours tomorrow night so we can all fly home together,” he adds, smiling.
“Sounds wonderful.” I force a smile. “So I bet you guys must be starving,” my voice lifts. “Why don’t you go downstairs and get some breakfast, the food here is amazing. I’ll just get dressed and I’ll meet you down there in ten.”
“Yeah, I could do with something,” Will says, putting his hand to his stomach. “But we’ll wait for you, darling … go get changed.” He tips his head in the direction of the bedroom door.
“I need to shower.”
“It’s fine we’ll wait.”
I flick a ‘help me’ glance at Simone.
“We’ll be waiting bloody ages Will, you know what’s she’s like and I’m starving. Let’s go down now and get a table, and Tru can join us once she’s ready.”
“Okay,” Will says hesitantly.
He gets to his feet and comes over to me, tipping my chin up with his thumb and forefinger, he plants a kiss firmly on my lips.
“We’ll see you down there, and don’t be long. I’ve been away from you too much already.”
“I’ll be ten minutes max.”
Simone squeezes my hand on the way past. I almost break down on the spot.
I wait until I hear the door close behind them before I move.
I go into the bedroom, and slowly open the bathroom door.
Jake is sitting on the edge of the bath, dressed in his clothes, and he doesn’t look happy. But then I didn’t expect he would be.
“I’m so sorry…” I start, but he cuts me off.
“Did you know he was coming?”
“No.” I look at him surprised.
He gives me a look of disbelief.
“Seriously, as if I’d have you here in my bed if I knew he was coming.”
He stares at me for a long moment. My stomach is knotted and my body wired. I can’t stop fidgeting.
I go over to him, kneeling down between his legs. “I am so very sorry.”
“Why did you make me hide in here?”
I give him a puzzled look. “Because I didn’t want him to walk in and find you in my bed.”
He narrows his gaze at me. I feel hot and uncomfortable under it.
“So you’re not going to tell him about us?”
“What? Yes, of course I am.”
I think. Maybe. I don’t know.
“So go tell him.” He gestures towards the door with his hand. “You know where he is. Go tell him now. I’ll wait here for you.”
“Jake…” I get up off the floor, sitting on the toilet. “He’s flown all this way to see me. I can’t just go and tell him about you and me ten minutes after he’s arrived.”
“You promised me last night that you would tell him. He’s here now so what better opportunity is there. You didn’t want to tell him on the phone – well now you don’t have to.”
I run my hands through my hair and blow out a breath. “Be reasonable, Jake.”
“I think I’ve been pretty reasonable overall, and patient. So very fuckin’ patient, but it’s wearing thin.”
I look down at my toes.
He sighs loudly, then gets up and storms out of the bathroom.
I’m quick to my feet, following after him.
“Jake, wait,” I call.
He stops just shy of the bedroom door, and turns back to face me. “Will you tell him today or not?”
I let out a light breath, wrapping my arms around myself. “I will tell him, but I can’t today,” I shake my head. “Not today. Please try to understand.”
Moving forward, I reach for him, but he shakes his head, no.
The rejection from him hurts more than I ever realised it could.
He walks out of the bedroom heading for the main door.
“Don’t leave like this, please,” I say, desperation in my voice, catching hold of his hand from behind.
He stares down at my hand in his. The look on his face makes me let go.
“I’m not the other guy, Tru.”
“I know, and I will tell him, I promise you.”