I Treasure Your Heart

by C. M. King

  “Elijah,” I warned.

  “Come here and hug me, I’ve missed this.” He sighed into my hair as we stood with arms encircled around each other. I didn’t care whether anyone was watching. I was helping my best friend.

  “Oh, I needed that. Now let’s gets the drinks and then we are hitting the dancefloor, and we are going to dance till our feet bleed.”

  “I think mine already are in these shoes,” I groaned. They were killing me.

  “Shush woman, you are rocking those heels, that’s the main thing.”

  He was always a fashionista till the core.

  Several shots, Cosmos and vodkas later, we were more than ready to hit the dancefloor, all my inhibitions were left behind the moment the alcohol touched my lips. Elijah even persuaded Sam to join us and for the DJ to mix in some Lady Gaga. He was in his element, and I could tell by his face that it was exactly what he needed. We bumped and grinded for the next hour. My body was crying out for water. I was on the verge of passing out. I signaled to Elijah where I was heading and he nodded as he lost himself in the music. Corinne grabbed me and followed me over to the bar.

  “Oh, Iz, if I stand much longer I’m going to pee myself, can you get me a water? I won’t be long.” I nodded as it was easier than trying to compete with the music.

  The queue was endless, I’d expected Corinne to be back before now. After I paid for the waters, I went in search of her. The corridor was dark, but I could hear the faint sound of whimpering then my eyes widened when the stranger moved slightly to reveal Corinne pinned up against the wall, I instantly recognized him as the arsehole she had slapped earlier.

  I was all set to launch the bottles as missiles at his head when an unsuspecting Josh walked out of the gents.

  “What the fuck?” Within seconds, he had him pinned up against the wall. “You want to fucking explain why you have my friend by the throat,” he growled.

  “She fucking slapped me so I was about to teach her a lesson. This has nothing to do with you man so just fucking walk on and we’ll say no more about it,” he spat back.

  “Well, you see, I can’t do that because this girl means the world to me and anyone that harms a single hair on her head is in for a whole world of pain. See that hand mark around her neck? Well, this is for that.” He punched him hard in the stomach and he went down like a sack of potatoes. “Don’t you ever fucking touch her again, you piece of shit. You got that or do I have to give you another warning?”

  “No—no, I get it, she’s your girl. Fuck, I can hardly breathe, man,” he groaned, gasping for breath.

  He grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. “Walk the fuck away before I do anymore damage and pummel this fucking face.” Josh tossed him back and he stumbled before correcting himself, legging it out the door.

  “Corrinne, it’s okay. He’s gone. Fuck, baby, don’t cry, come here.” She launched herself at him, and he stumbled back a little. “Hey you’re safe, you’re with me.”

  “But what if he comes after me when I leave? He was choking me and I thought that was it. I was hyperventilating. I couldn’t move, couldn’t scream. I was scared stiff. I don’t want to be alone tonight, I can’t—”

  His face looked pained by it all. “Hey, I’ll walk you home. I’ll sleep in your room. Trust me when I say no one is getting to you. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she mumbled, burying herself into his chest.

  “Shh, it’s fine. I’m here. I’m going nowhere,” he soothed, stroking her back reassuringly.

  “Promise?” she asked. The tone of her voice almost brought tears to my eyes.

  “I promise. Now go in and freshen up, splash your face, it’s all blotchy with crying.”

  Her hands automatically lifted to her face. “Oh god, I bet I look freaking awful,” she shrieked and I smiled. She was back to her old self.

  “You look beautiful, but I don’t want anyone harassing us on the way out. I just want to get you back to the hotel. Now go on, the sooner you get in there the sooner we can go. You’ll be safe in my arms tonight.”

  She nodded and scooted through the door. Josh turned and slammed his fist into the wall. I was almost scared to approach him right then, but I knew I needed a moment alone with him before Corinne came out.

  “Is she alright?” I asked hesitantly.

  His eyes lifted from staring at the floor to meet mine. “She will be. Did you see it all?”

  “I just came around the corner as you came out the toilet, if you hadn’t arrived I was planning to hurl this water at him and then jump on his back.

  “Sounds like a good plan.” He finally chuckled.

  “But seriously, how is she?” I was scared for my friend after going through such an ordeal.

  “Not good, I’m taking her back to the hotel.”

  “Josh,” I warned.

  “Yep.”

  “You know she likes you.”

  He let out a long sigh. “I like her.”

  “She more than likes you, and I think you know it. I think you got scared when you realized you started to have feelings for her. That’s why you’ve acted the way you have, but she deserves better. Don’t give her this one night and then return to your old ways. I don’t think she could handle it. She’s falling for you and if you don’t think you can handle that fact, then walk away now. I’ll take care of her and make sure she’s okay. I just don’t want to see her heart broken again.”

  “I’m not proud of that, Iz.” His eyes dropped down to the ground.

  “So what? Are you finally going to step up?”

  He let out a loud sigh. “I think I have to. Seeing her there with that guy with his hands around her throat was an eye opener for me. If I don’t do this now then this might be my only chance and I can’t lose her, but I’m—”

  “Scared?”

  His eyes flicked up. “Yeah, it’s not something I’m used to but—”

  “Corinne is the one, she’s an amazing girl.”

  “She is.” He nodded in agreement.

  “I knew you would do the right thing. I could see the good in you from the moment I met you, you just did a good job of hiding it. I need to get back. I don’t want to get Corinne upset. It’s best that you get her away from all this. I’ll make an excuse that she wasn’t feeling well.”

  “Tell them she’s gone home with me,” he insisted and I frowned.

  “Are you sure? Because the moment I say that everyone will start gossiping, it will spread like wild fire and you can’t take it back.”

  “I know and I’ve been an arsehole, but I’m not going to hurt her, Iz.”

  “If you do just so you know I have a mean right hook, just ask Joel.” He had learned that the hard way.

  “I’ll remember that.” He pulled me into a hug before I made my swift exit in case Corinne became any the wiser.

  I arrived back with the water, which Elijah soon snatched from my hand. “God, Iz, what took you so long? We’re dying here.”

  “Slight exaggeration.” I rolled my eyes.

  He handed the bottle to Sam who finished off the rest. “Err where’s Corinne?”

  “She’s gone home with Josh.”

  “No way, tell us everything you know,” Micha shrieked. She was almost as bad as Elijah for ear shattering decibels.

  “I saw them earlier and she was tired. She was talking to Josh and he said he would take her home.”

  “He’d better not hurt her,” Micha warned, pursing her lips.

  “Can someone get me up to speed? Thanks,” Elijah barked overdramatically.

  “Corinne has a huge crush on Josh. They were friends but he got scared when he thought she wanted more, but now I guess he’s changed his mind.” That was the straight to the point version.

  “Oooh I’ve yet to meet this guy Josh, is he cute?” Elijah asked.

  “Yeah, well I think so.” I shrugged.

  “Then I have to meet him.”

  “Hey.” Sam slapped his arm. “I’m right here.”
<
br />   “Oh shush, Sam, I’m allowed to look.” Elijah tutted in annoyance.

  “As long as that’s all you do.” Sam gave him a look as a warning.

  “Hey, I’m wearing your ring, aren’t I? If Izzy would hurry up and get married then I might have time to start to plan my own wedding.”

  “Oooh, are you guys engaged?” Micha asked intrigued.

  “No, but we wear commitment rings. We want to in the next year. I just want mine not to be overshadowed by Izzy’s.” He winked and I rolled my eyes.

  “You two go first then,” I huffed. No one was stopping them.

  “Listen, lady, you are getting married if I have to drag you down the aisle,” Elijah warned with a cheeky glint in his eye.

  “Do you not want to get married, Iz? Cause Joel is hot, I’ll have him,” Micha added laughing.

  “Err you’d have to get past me first.” Elijah snorted.

  I scowled at them both. “Oh shush, the pair of you. I love Joel and we’re not breaking up, but I’m not a wedding person. I just want something small and intimate. I don’t need all the bells and whistles to commit to Joel. I would go to the registry office and just get it over with just the two of us.”

  “Over my dead body you will, after all this arranging, you are having a better wedding than that,” Elijah barked.

  “Elijah.”

  “I mean it, Iz. I will downsize but I want this day to be special.”

  “It will be,” I reassured him.

  “Right, how about we head back to the hotel because I am bushed,” Elijah said, sighing.

  “Ooh let’s stop off at Franko’s on the way there, they make the best pizza ever,” Micha suggested with a smile.

  “Now you are talking.” Both Elijah and Sam grinned. “What do you say, Iz?”

  “I’m in.”

  He encircled his arm around my back, and we headed out into the cool early morning evening air. It had been one hell of an eventful night that was for sure.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Nothing beats a fry up after a night out drinking,” Elijah said in between bites.

  Despite our early hour pizza feast, we woke up ravenous so were soon down to help ourselves to breakfast, the one perk of living in a hotel.

  “I’m going to refill on orange juice, anyone want some?” Sam asked.

  “No, but bring me two more sausages, thanks,” Elijah mumbled, his mouth full of food.

  “You’ve already had three.” Sam shook his head in disbelief.

  “I probably danced off about a million calories last night. I’m allowed the extra stodge. I need it for our journey home,” he huffed, not looking pleased at the fact he was questioning him.

  “Oh, by the way, we are not listening to Lady Gaga on the way home, I’m telling you now.” Sam walked off before Elijah had time to answer.

  “Yeah, yeah, we’ll see about that.” He winked and we all knew he would get his own way.

  We all quickly cleared our plates, quietly chatting away when in walked Corinne and Josh. There were some whoops from the tables as poor Corinne turned as red as a tomato.

  “So are you two a couple now then?” Micha asked. Sheesh, she didn’t stand on ceremony.

  “Are we?” Corinne asked, turning to face Josh silently asking for reassurance.

  “Yep, she’s my girl.” He grinned.

  “Awwww, so sweet.” Corinne sighed.

  “I think I’m going to hurl.”

  “Shut it, Paul. Do you want some breakfast, baby?”

  Corinne nodded and moved to go with him.

  “No, I’ll get it. You sit down with your friends so they can begin the interrogation.” He smirked, knowing exactly what he was doing.

  “You know them well. Thank you for last night.” She pressed a quick kiss against his lips before walking off.

  “Oooh last night, you’ve got to tell us all.” Elijah grabbed her by the hand steering her into the seat next to him so she could give him all the details.

  “It was amazing, Josh was so—”

  “What, well hung?”

  “Elijah!” Corinne shrieked.

  “When I said all the details, I meant all the details.” He looked on in disbelief that she would be so shocked by his interrogation.

  “Well, let’s just say he put a smile on my face, and we’ll leave it at that.”

  “Oh, but I need more.” Elijah pouted in protest.

  “You’re not getting more.”

  “Who wants more? What, food? There’s plenty there still.” Josh pointed.

  “Oh, we weren’t talking about food Josh,” Elijah scoffed. “But I’ve been hearing a lot about you, I’m Elijah by the way.”

  “I dread to think what you’ve been told,” Josh replied, huffing.

  “It’s okay, baby, I didn’t tell him anything about last night. That’s private between us.” Corinne kissed his lips and stroked his face reassuringly.

  “I hoped you told them I was amazing in bed, how many times?” He winked grinning in delight.

  Oh that he was okay with. Men.

  “Josh,” Corinne exclaimed, slapping him on the arm.

  “Oh, no wonder you’re wearing that massive grin, if you came that many times, you lucky bitch,” Elijah jested.

  “I can’t believe you just announced that to the whole table.” Corinne groaned covering her face with her hands.

  “What? It’s the truth, and I’m not going to lie about it. I think it’s public knowledge now that you’re mine, and that’s what I want people to know.”

  “So we’re officially a couple?” Corinne asked, still looking a little unsure.

  “Baby, do you even have to ask?”

  They kissed and we all averted our eyes.

  “So what’s the plan for today? I asked Elijah, trying to turn my attentions away from the two people currently eating each other’s faces.

  “A little retail therapy, I think. We might stop off and have a nice lunch before we head home. You should come with us.”

  I pulled a look of disgust. “No thanks, you should know by now shopping is not my thing.”

  “Good job I’m your personal shopper then.” He winked and I smiled. I was glad he was there to do it all.

  “But one thing before I go, I am taking your measurements.” Elijah sent me a warning glare that he was not taking no for an answer.

  “I just had a big fry up, I’m all bloated. Can’t it wait till another time?” I whined. All I wanted was to spend the day catching up on my Kindle and to call Joel later to hear about his day. I had no energy for anything else.

  “Nope, you’re not getting out that easily. I am searching for this dress and I need those measurements, so we either do it the easy or the hard way.”

  “Fine.” I rolled my eyes.

  “You had better not roll your eyes at me,” he warned, narrowing his own.

  “Whatever,” I blew out.

  “You want some tickle torture?”

  “God, no.” I flinched at the thought.

  “Well, comply with my wishes and stop being a brat.” He winked at me to take the sting out of the comment, and I had to admit it was all in my best interests that he was arranging the wedding so I had to be thankful that way. “So, come on, lead the way.”

  I shook my head as I headed back up to my room, if anything to keep him quiet. Shortly after both Sam and Elijah left, there were a few tears but the thought of buying some new clothes brought a smile to his face. I was all too ready to face plant the pillow and read about sexy hot book boyfriends for the rest of the day.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “I just miss you so much, Iz. It’s been two months, and I need to see you, baby,” Joel huffed down the phone. I could only imagine the scowl he was wearing.

  “I know and when I get a break in the schedule, I will,” I soothed. But what Joel didn’t realise was I actually had a three-day break after the theatre had just been damaged by flooding the night before. This had put a sto
p to our run in York, but there was a part of me that was ready to head home and spend the time with Joel.

  It had all been arranged with Lee that Joel would be marked down to work the weekend so he didn’t suspect a thing despite the fact cover had been arranged. I couldn’t wait to walk through the pub doors this afternoon and surprise him.

  I managed to secure a seat despite Friday being a manic day to travel. All I could think of the entire journey home was Joel. It was more than enough to keep the smile on my face throughout the journey, even if I did get a few weird glances from other travellers.

  I walked through the front door of the home I loved and sighed. For a moment, I almost hugged the walls. No one knew I was here. I was planning to spend the rest of the day with Joel. Apart from a gig tomorrow night, the rest of the weekend he was free and I was going to enjoy each and every minute of it.

  Ruby was staying over at Mike’s. She had taken a shining to Kara, so she often went over to stay when Joel was on late shifts or at gigs. Elijah still had her too. She enjoyed getting thoroughly spoiled by everyone. Just looking at her picture, I wanted to hightail it over to get her, but once my appearance had been found out there was no chance of alone time with Joel, and right now that was of the utmost importance.

  I showered and washed my hair, changing into some fresh new clothes. I loaded the washer with my dirty ones to do later on. After putting on a little makeup and spritzing some perfume, I made the short walk over to the pub ready to surprise Joel.

  The pub was quiet when I walked in. Joel had his back to me as he stacked the glasses, and I stood just admiring him for a few moments before walking forward.

  “Hey barman, how about some service here?” I quipped, waiting for a response.

  He spun around and his eyes met mine. “Are you really here?”

  I looked myself up and down before my amused eyes returned to his. “Yep, looks like it.”

  He leapt over the bar and swept me up in his arms, his lips crashed against mine and we launched into the most deep and passionate kiss, despite the fact we had an audience. But I was too lost in the moment to care.

  “I can’t believe you’re here,” he mumbled between kisses.