“If your problem is that our relationship never ended then here; I do not want to be with you. I am with Jack now.” I was proud of myself for staring straight into his eyes, while Toby just stood there motionless, unsure how to take my unplanned defiance, especially since we had company. I turned to Hayley; “Do we have a taxi?” She nodded and as we turned to go I could swear I head Toby speak behind me.
“For now.”
Chapter 35
I managed to hold it together until Jack and I got through the front door, leaving Hayley and David to go on to his in the taxi. But the moment the door shut, tears started leaking from my eyes and before I knew it I was in all out sobs. Jack looked like he didn’t know how to deal with what was happening, but he put his arms around me anyway, and even though I felt comforted, I cried all the more. He pulled me over the sofa and sat down, with me still in his arms.
“Is there anything I can do?” He asked softly and I shook my head against his shirt, bunching a part of it in my fist to stop him going anywhere. Not that he actually made a move, it was just an automatic response on my part. He unfastened my headband and loosened the bun at the base of my skull before stroking his hand through my hair. I’d always had a thing about people stroking my hair, it soothed me, and I enjoyed it even more knowing it was Jack. “Want to talk?”
“I don’t know what to say.” I replied through my tears.
“I nearly hit him.” I flinched slightly in response to his comment and he noticed instantly, “Annabelle?”
“Sorry.” I mumbled against his shirt, hoping he’d drop it. He was silent for a while and I wished I knew what he was thinking.
“Oh God.” His voice was filled with horror and he pushed me back so he could look me in the eyes. “Please tell me this isn’t about what I think it is.” His eyes pleaded with me to tell him what he thought wasn’t true, but I couldn’t kid myself into thinking he hadn’t realised what the relationship between me and Toby was actually like.
“I don’t know what you think,” I said quietly, hoping that he still had no idea. He looked straight into my eyes.
“Did he hurt you?” His voice cracked, as if the mere thought of anyone hurting me was causing him physical pain. I warred with myself about how much to tell him. I didn’t want him to treat me any differently just because of my past. Slowly, I nodded.
“Yes.” My own voice was barely above a whisper and I saw the look of horror on his face.
“Which is why you were so reluctant to be with me.” He sounded hurt and I had to look away. I nodded. “I’m so sorry.”
“What for?” I looked back up, confused by why he was apologising.
“I pushed you.”
“No!” I shouted, my tears slowing with the need to reassure him. “This is not a reflection on you.” The forcefulness in my voice surprised me, but I wasn’t ready to lose him over this.
“But…” He started. I scooted closer to him and took his face between my hands looking into his warm hazel eyes.
“But nothing,” I said softly. “You’re nothing like Toby and I love you. You’d never hurt me.” I saw the truth in his eyes. He wouldn’t lay a hand on me and I knew it.
“But I rushed you.” I groaned in frustration.
“Sure you pushed for a date but it wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t ready for it.” I was feeling fired up now, apparently defending someone to themselves had that affect. “If you hadn’t been you, then we would never have got here. Accept that I’m not going anywhere.” Despite himself he smiled.
“You’re even stronger than I thought.” He said finally.
“Yep. And you Mr. Fenton are well and truly stuck with me.” I kissed him quickly and he chuckled.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better to be stuck with.”
“Good. Now I’m going to put some actual comfy clothes on.” I said while moving towards my room to grab the large t shirt I liked to sleep in.
“Do you want me to go?” He asked while trying his best not to watch me.
“No,” I said quickly. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Okay.”
“Erm…just to sleep.” I felt horrible saying it, but after the night we’d had, anything more was not what I wanted.
“Just to sleep.” He said before moving towards me. He kissed me gently and headed to Hayley’s room.
“Where are you going?” I asked in surprise.
“To sleep.” He pointed towards the open door and I shook my head.
“I’d rather you stayed with me.” I said quietly, proud of myself for the big step I was taking, even if it would seem small to anyone else. He smiled and moved back towards me.
That night, I fell asleep in Jack’s arms for the first time, and for once my ghosts seemed to have been banished.
Chapter 36
I stretched awake before noticing that I wasn’t alone and smiled to myself; happy to feel so comfortable with Jack’s arms around me. Towards the end of my relationship with Toby, I’d had trouble sleeping because of how on edge I’d always been.
“What are you smiling about?” Jack asked through closed eyes.
“Waking up next to you.” His eyes shot open and a lazy smile spread across his face.
“Who knew? Annabelle Phillips is a romantic.” I tapped him lightly on his chest, which was thankfully still covered by his shirt.
“Says you!”
“I’ve never denied being a romantic.” He said seriously, but there was a twinkle in his eye that showed he was teasing. I felt relieved that last night hadn’t made him act any differently towards me.
“Not that you could, considering you’ve defended my honour in front of witnesses.” I tweaked him on the nose.
“What can I say, you provoke that in a man.” His hands grazed my waist and I was lulled into a false sense of security, but the next thing I knew he was tickling me and I was howling with laughter.
“Stop…Jack…stop!” The normal protests of being tickled came through my laughter, though I didn’t really expect him to listen. Of course, Jack stopped instantly. Maybe he had been more affected by last night than I’d first thought. He sighed, lying down flat on his back staring at my ceiling. I propped myself up on my side and looked at him. “Please don’t do this.”
“Do what?” He turned his head to look at me.
“Treat me like I’m made of glass.” He looked back at my ceiling and I did the only thing I could think of; I kissed him. It took him a moment to respond, but I was feeling determined, and he was soon kissing me back. I pushed myself up so I was leaning on him more fully and reached for one of his hands, putting it on my hip. Before another moment had passed he was as caught up in the moment as I was, his other hand in my hair and pulling me closer. Without being fully aware of what I was doing, I trailed my hand up and under his shirt, touching the bare skin of his stomach and felt Jack’s breath hitch through our kiss. He broke away but didn’t move far.
“Annabelle are you sure?” His voice was husky and quiet, giving me hope that he was as affected as I was by what we were doing. I bit my lip while thinking and nodded. Jack responded by pulling me back to him and kissing me again. Feeling brave, I began to unbutton his shirt, slipping it over his strong arms when he propped himself up to help. Our breathing was laboured when we next broke apart from our kiss and stared into each other’s eyes. I was surprised to find that I wasn’t nervous in the slightest. Nor did I feel rushed or pressured, which I’m sure was to do with Jack and his never-ending patience over the last few months.
“I’m home!” Hayley’s voice came through the flat and I groaned.
“Let’s stay really quiet, maybe she’ll think we’re out.” Jack whispered, the glint of mischief in his eyes. I laughed silently.
“She’s not expecting you to be here anyway.”
“Even more reason not to be caught.” He winked. I cocked an ear, trying to work out where Hayley was and what she was doing. To my dismay it sounded like she was headin
g right for my room and my heart beat quickly in my chest. If Hayley caught us like this, I would never hear the end of it. My door swung open and I groaned leaning my face into Jack’s chest in an effort not to see her.
“Oh sorry. Belle said she’d be alone last night.” Hayley flung at us in a knowing tone.
“Plans changed.” I mumbled refusing to look at her. I was just glad that other than Jack’s shirt we were still dressed.
“And I was interrupting?” I could hear the smirk in her voice without needing to see her face.
“Obviously,” Jack replied sarcastically.
“Well I suppose I better leave you to it then.” She walked away just as I finally moved to face her.
“Nothing’s going to happen now.” Even I could hear the disappointment in my voice and it drew enquiring glances from both Jack and Hayley. Jack’s phone chirped from my bedside table and he leant to pick it up, frowning as he read. “Everything okay?” I asked concerned.
“My sister needs me.” He pulled a face.
“Oh. When do you need to go?” I hated to sound so needy but I didn’t want him to leave.
“Now.”
“Okay. Will I see you later?” A smile finally returned to his face in response.
“If you want me to.”
“I do.” I said decisively and I could see Hayley smirking from her position by the door.
“If you two have quite finished with all the lovey dovey stuff, I need my best friend please.” She interrupted. Jack kissed me softly.
“I’ll be back later.” A feeling of relief spread through me; it was highly likely that I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about him all day.
Chapter 37
“So, care to tell me what happened to ‘No, not yet’?” Hayley fixed me with a stare that meant I’d better tell the truth.
“Last night happened.” She looked puzzled.
“So seeing your ex-boyfriend made you want to jump your new boyfriend’s bones?” Her sarcasm was evident.
“I wasn’t jumping his bones she lifted an eyebrow questioningly. “There was no jumping.” I said more firmly.
“So what the hell did I walk in on this morning?” I looked down and blushed furiously. Hayley’s hand flew to her mouth. “That’s as far as you got, isn’t it?”
“Yes. And it wasn’t exactly planned.”
“How did you of all people manage to get into that situation without planning?” She sounded perplexed and I had to admit that she had a point. We both knew how nervous I got around guys, even if it had been easier with Jack. I shrugged.
“I just didn’t want to be on my own last night, so I asked him to stay.”
“And this morning?” Hayley prompted.
“Just kind of happened.”
“And…”
“And what?” I couldn’t quite put my finger on what she was getting at. It’s not that we never talked about sex, we did, but those conversations rarely actually revolved around me. Well except that one time after Henry, but that was more to laugh than anything else.
“Do you want to do it again?” I scrunched up a piece of paper that I found on the floor and threw it at Hayley laughing.
“Yes alright! I want to sleep with Jack. Happy?” We were both giggling now and I felt like we were 15 again and just getting into boys.
“Over the moon! My little Belle is growing up!” I glared at her but we were both laughing and smiling too much for it to be taken seriously. “Err Belle…” Hayley’s sudden turn to the serious stopped my laughter dead.
“Yes?” She wordlessly handed me the piece of paper that I’d thrown at her. I smoothed it out and stared not believing what I was seeing. But there, on the page were the words; Until next time Jack. Except whereas the notes, other than the first one, had all been typed, this one was hand written in a writing that I knew. More than that though, this was the first time the note had involved Jack and there was no way that I was standing for that.
Chapter 38
I was a jittery mess by the time we returned to rehearsals a few days later. Logically, I knew that Toby couldn’t actually do anything to me with so many people around, but that didn’t stop me worrying. While Jack had come over every night since New Year, we hadn’t done anything more. My disappointment was tempered slightly by the fact Jack didn’t always wear a shirt to bed anymore. Unfortunately, things seemed to have taken a turn for the worse between Hayley and David; their arguments had been mood killers to say the least. It had also put Hayley in a foul mood, and no matter what I seemed to do, nothing seemed to make her smile. To make matters worse, from now until our opening night in March, the camera crew would be about constantly; capturing our every move.
“Merry you had better not rip that cape again. It’s the fourth one I’ve had to make.” Hayley snapped at Merry as she spun around in the middle of the studio. I don’t think I’d ever seen her take relationship issues so badly before.
“Aren’t you needed on stage?” I asked Merry from my desk, my gaze on my sketchpad as I made plans for the monkey barrel organ. Whereas I’d originally planned just to find one online, Jack had asked if he could make it instead and if I’d do a drawing for him to work off. Needless to say, I was excited to see what he created for me, especially after the rose he’d given me.
“They’re practicing Prima Donna.” She responded, clearly not taking my option of an easy out.
“They’ll be moving on shortly though, and it’ll be easier with you around to pick up the next scene.” I fixed her with my best impression of a director’s face in the hope that she’d take the hint and leave. Thankfully this time she seemed to get it and she scurried out of the room as fast as she could. “And you…what’s wrong?” Hayley started, she could probably count on one hand the amount of times she’d seen me truly throw my weight around, and it took her off guard.
“Nothing.”
“No. Not nothing. You’re snapping at everyone and don’t think we haven’t heard you and David arguing.” I was on a role now and wasn’t going to let it go until she told me the truth.
“He wants me to meet his family.”
“THAT’S your problem?” I could well imagine the look that was on my face right now, and I didn’t think it was a particularly attractive one.
“Yes.” She said in a small voice.
“It’s been a couple of months, of course he wants you to meet his family.” I felt kind of sorry for David, while I’d been cautious around men, Hayley had thrown herself out there, which had actually made her even more wary of relationships than I was.
“And have you met Jack’s family?” I felt a little smug that I actually had an answer for her.
“No, but both of our families are coming up next week for a meal. Which we’re having at the flat by the way. You’re welcome to come.” She grimaced.
“That sounds like too much fun for me to be there.” I smiled. I wouldn’t actually admit it to anyone, but I was secretly pleased to be having to deal with the normal relationship stress related to meeting the parents. I hadn’t had many chances to be normal like that since Toby.
“Tell David you’ll meet them. What’s the worst that could happen?” I prodded.
“They hate me?” She actually looked worried which surprised me. This was Hayley, she was so confident that most people felt kind of intimidated by her.
“Just be your normal charming self and they won’t be able to help but love you. You’re just lovable like that.”
“She is.” David’s voice came from behind me and Hayley’s eyes instantly flicked to him before sticking there.
“I think they probably need me near the stage.” I said with a wink to Hayley, and left the two of them alone to sort things out.
Chapter 39
I stared in horror at the faux stone gargoyle that had been delivered a couple of hours ago along with a note instructing it to be used for All I Ask of You. I shuddered at the thought, especially considering I had no delusions about who had sent
the monstrosity.
“Do we really have to use it?” I whined at John in a fashion that was very unlike me.
“Yes. It’s been given as a gift.” He was clearly already decided on this.
“But it’s ugly. Could we at least change it slightly?” I was desperate for anyway that avoided that thing on my stage.
“No. We’re using it Belle. Work around it.” With that he turned and walked away and I had to resist the urge to flip him off. Not only was the gargoyle hideous, but we’d already perfected the scene and I hated changing things, especially with only two and a half months to go before opening night.
“Let’s guess; Toby.” I nodded at Hayley, who’d been studying it next to me.
“I assume so. I can’t imagine anyone else would send it anonymously with just a note.” I considered for a moment. “Nor anyone who wouldn’t just make a donation if they wanted to contribute.
“But why did he send it?” I shrugged.
“Because he’s a twisted individual who wants to mess with my head?”
“Ah yes. That.”
“Mmm.” I agreed.
“What the hell is that?” David said from the workshop door.
“That.” Hayley said. “Is a gift from a mysterious benefactor.” She spoke to the portable camera David held on his shoulder and I attempted to remove the look of disgust that I was sure was on my face.
“What’s it for?”
“It’s for use in All I Ask of You according to the note that came with it.” I attempted a dazzling smile which I’m sure fell flat but I had to at least try and look happy about such a gift.
“But Belle, haven’t you already staged that scene?” I wasn’t too sure whether David was asking as one of the camera crew wanting footage for the show, or as the friend that he’d become since he started dating Hayley.
“We have, but it is one of the simpler scenes so it’ll be easy enough to get this piece in.” I went for the diplomatic answer just to be safe, though I wasn’t actually lying; it would be fairly easy to get the horrible thing into the scene.
What Lies Beneath the Mask Page 10