Notice Me

  “It is free to her,” Will whispered in my ear then kissed my neck. “You look so amazing tonight Shannon. I feel like I’m the luckiest man here.”

  “Yeah right,” I laughed.

  “That’s what I love about you. You have no idea how amazing you are,” Will replied suddenly looking deeply into my eyes. “I love you Shannon Davis.” I knew why he was telling me this. Will told me this often just to see my response. Yet again I just smiled saying nothing. “You will say it one day. That is my mission in life… you will love me,” Will teased.

  “I’m sorry you know how much I want to. It’s just when I say it, I want it to be true,” I replied touching the side of his face.

  “I know it’s fine.” I could tell he was lying. It hurt him that I wasn’t in love with him, the way he was with me.

  “You know how much you mean to me don’t you?” I asked looking deep in his ocean eyes.

  “Yes, I just wish it was more. I feel like I might be losing you. These last few days you have been a little… distant.”

  “Oh.” My letter from Mr Anonymous had left me with a few questions for Will, but asking them here in a crowded room wasn’t the best plan, but I knew I had to ask. “Can we go somewhere a little more private? I do need to speak to you.”

  “Sure, there are some cabins below deck.” Will pointed towards a corridor. He took my hand gliding me through the crowd of people.

  We entered the cabin. It was amazing just like the rest of the boat. It must have been the master suite. I studied the detail of the mosaic octopus on the floor.

  I was so engrossed at the detail I hadn’t noticed Will watching me. Pain was all over his face. He had no idea what I was going to say.

  “Will it’s okay, don’t worry I just need to ask you something,” I replied walking towards him.

  “Ask me anything,” he replied touching my face, tracing my lips with his thumb.

  “Are you keeping any secrets from me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Do you have any secrets that I don’t know?” I asked again.

  “Shannon, you know everything about me. I would never keep secrets from you. I love you too much.” His eyes to me looked truthful, his hand glided down my back in reassurance. “I thought you were going to finish with me.” He breathed deeply with relief.

  “Why?” I asked shocked.

  “Like I said you have been distant, especially the last few days. Has someone told you I am keeping secrets from you?” He asked suddenly angry.

  “No, I just… I don’t know. This is going so well, I keep thinking something is going to go wrong.” I didn’t want to bring Mr Anonymous into this conversation. It wasn’t a complete lie some of it was true. I did feel all this was too good to be true.

  “And what part do you feel is perhaps the best about us? Seeing as you’re not in love with me yet,” Will teased putting his arms tight around my waist. I knew what he was getting at. He did look gorgeous in his fitted grey suit. I had wanted to jump his bones the moment I saw him. I knew he felt the same about me.

  “Oh, I don’t know maybe this.” I ran my hand up his chest undoing his tie slowly. One by one I undid the buttons on his white shirt. I ran my nails across his bare chest as he shivered in pleasure.

  “It’s a good job I locked the door,” Will chuckled as he lifted me up wrapping my legs around his waist. He carried me over to the large inviting bed in the centre of the room. Every part of my body felt alive as his hands caressed my body slowly removing items of my clothing. I really couldn’t get enough of him physically.

  I wasn’t sure how long Will and I had been gone from Megan’s party, but I don’t think we were really missed. I wouldn’t have wasted that time with Will for anything. It had been pretty intense as those things go. I guess because Will had got it into his head I was going to finish with him he was trying to prove something.

  Will looked almost cheeky as we entered the party again. I didn’t consider him as a bad boy, but tonight he could have got away with it.

  “Stop grinning everyone will know what we have been up to,” I whispered almost laughing in his ear. It usually didn’t bother me, but his parents were here tonight.

  “Sorry, but I’m just so happy,” Will kissed my hand. “You really are mine.”

  “I am your girlfriend. I have been for a few months remember.”

  “You know what I mean.” Just as Will was about to talk Tim Scott appeared. “Hello Tim. Enjoying your evening?”

  “Top night thank you William.”

  Will rolled his eyes, he hated being called William. “Shannon you look gorgeous tonight. Do you mind if I have a dance with your girlfriend William? I promise I will bring her straight back.”

  “You will have to ask Shannon,” Will replied a little on edge. I couldn’t see the harm, so smiled back at Tim as he led me to the dance floor. As I caught Will’s face he looked a little alarmed.

  “So Shannon, how is everything going with William?” Tim placed his arms around my waist. He was an attractive man, but very slight, his light brown hair was a lot shorter than the last time I had seen him.

  “Wonderful thanks Tim. You know he hates being called William don’t you?” Tim was rather close to me. I had to say it was a little uncomfortable, but the dance floor was so crowded there was no space to move into.

  “I know. I just like to tease him. He is so serious, the only time he ever lets his hair down is… well, he never does,” laughed Tim.

  “You’re not going to ask twenty questions about Megan tonight?”

  “Shannon, have you seen the guy she is with? Even I know I don’t stand a chance while he is around. I can wait though it’s not like I haven’t… actually never mind.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but wanted to tell him he would have a long wait. Charlie wasn’t going anywhere. “So New York is fast approaching. Are you nervous?”

  “A little.”

  “You will be fine. When you go, tell Bradley I said hello. He works in accounts at Head Com. I went to university with him. He is a nice man. You will like him.”

  “Okay,” I felt a new set of hands on my waist. When I turned Will was stood behind me.

  “I think you have stolen my girlfriend for long enough Tim,” Will replied pulling me into his safe arms as a slow song began to play.

  “Very true, thank you for the dance, Shannon. See you William.” Tim then disappeared into the crowd.

  “You weren’t jealous were you?” I asked a few minutes later still dancing in his arms.

  “Of course,” whispered Will. “I tell you how beautiful you are all the time, but tonight you are stunning Miss Davis.” I found that hard to believe as I looked at Megan from a distance wrapped up in Charlie’s arms kissing him in a white lace dress, looking like a goddess.

  I wasn’t sure what time in the morning Will and I reached his apartment, but the sun was starting to rise. I could just about make out the red glow coming from behind the early clouds, breaking out into single rays as the clouds began to part.

  “Well, Megan can really throw a party,” laughed Will as he entered his flat.

  “Yeah, I don’t think I have ever stayed up so late, or should I say early?”

  “Me neither,” Will smiled as he caressed my back. “Do you want to go straight to sleep?”

  “Please, I am so tired.”

  “You go ahead. I will be in soon.” Will kissed my forehead. I entered his room. His bed had never looked so inviting. I probably could have slept for days. As my head hit the pillow I fell fast asleep.

  I woke up later wrapped in Will’s arms. I was so comfortable I could hardly move.

  “Are you awake, Shan?” he whispered kissing my ear.

  “Almost,” I muttered.

  “Do you want a cup of tea?” I opened my eyes to look at him. He was perched on his elbow watching me.

  “Yes please.”

  “Your wish is my command.” Will kissed my nose darting out of his be
droom. I could hear the tea spoon stirring in the cup as he appeared at the door. “Did you have a good night last night then?”

  “Yeah, Charlie seemed a little distracted last night, don’t you think?” I asked Will. He looked thoughtful before he answered.

  “I think he realised how many people want to be him. You know he is a good looking guy, but that won’t hold Megan forever.”

  “Megan adores him why would he need to worry?”

  “Shan, don’t worry about them. They can look after themselves.”

  “I know that, but they are my friends plus Megan is your sister.”

  “I wouldn’t worry they can sort their own problems out.” Will realised he had let something slip as he put his hand over his mouth.

  “What problems?” I asked sitting up now. “Will, is there something you aren’t telling me?”

  “It’s not for me to tell you. Megan would kill me.”

  “Will you said no secrets remember? I want to know.” Will looked down at the floor. I could see he was torn. “Please tell me Will, you are worrying me.”

  “Megan slept with Tim Scott!” Will blurted out so fast I didn’t think I heard him right.

  “I’m sorry, are you being serious, Tim Scott?”

  “Yeah, it is all around Field Organisation. Father was quite impressed with Tim for managing to get in between Megan and Charlie.”

  “That is sick. Do your parents have no respect for people’s feelings? Does Charlie know?” I asked suddenly.

  “He does now. Megan told him last night after the party. I am sure he had already gathered what was going on. The poor guy, he looked crushed. I never realised how much he loved Megan till then.”

  “Where was I when all this was going on?” I asked. I would have remembered something as big as that if I had been there.

  “Dancing with Maisy,” I just nodded it made sense now. Charlie walking to get some air towards the end of the night and Megan following him almost begging him to listen to her. I can’t believe I hadn’t noticed what was going on.

  “Why didn’t Megan tell me? I could have helped,” I whispered in fear for Megan. If she lost Charlie I knew she would spiral out of control, but it would be her own fault.

  “She knew how disappointed you would be in her. She really hates herself at the moment.”

  “Really, she seemed rather proud of herself last night at her party.” I was becoming angry now. Megan might lose the best thing that had ever happened to her. How could she have been so stupid?

  “Tim has been pursuing her for years you know that. Megan was drunk, Tim took advantage.” Will was trying to defend his sister. I was not having that.

  “So every time Megan gets drunk she can cheat on Charlie? Is that what you are saying?” I began to raise my voice.

  “Calm down Shannon. We all know you have a crush on Charlie. You don’t have to defend him. We already know he is innocent in all of this. Megan is the one in the wrong,” Will spat back.

  “What are you talking about Will, Charlie is a friend? He is… or should I say was dating my best friend.” My eyes were filling with water. Where had all of this come from? I had never seen Will so nasty. I hated this side of him. “Anyway, all women are attracted to Charlie. That isn’t his fault. It does not mean I have a crush on him, so grow up.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean that please forgive me.”

  “You told me last night you would never keep a secret from me.” I suddenly was so angry all I could see was red.

  “That wasn’t my secret to tell. Come on, Shannon.”

  “I’m going Will. I… I can’t stand to look at you at the moment.” I grabbed my clothes quickly putting them on. Will stood with his hands over his face.

  “Shannon, please. Let’s not fight over their mess,” Will pleaded as I reached his front door.

  “I think you have made enough of your own mess for us to fight over Will.” With that I walked out slamming his front door hard behind me. Will didn’t follow me.

  Chapter 11

  As I stood on the street in my silver dress from last night, I was left with a dilemma. Who do I check on first? Charlie was clearly the injured soul in all of this. Did Megan really deserve a shoulder to cry on yet?

  I shuddered as I saw my reflection in a shop window. My hair was a chaotic mess, and my eye shadow had run as well as my mascara. Charlie’s flat was nearer so I decided I could clean myself up there while I checked on him first.

  As he opened the door Charlie looked worse than me, which was bad.

  “Shannon, what are you doing here?” He asked stunned.

  “Will has just told me. Are you alright?”

  “Yeah, I have known for a while,” he replied letting me into his flat. “It just hurts when it gets shoved in your face.”

  Charlie’s flat was very small and basic, just one room to be exact. I could see his double bed, small black sofa and tiny blue kitchen all in one glance. The walls were covered with his work. His workshop was in the basement. I had never been down there but neither had Megan. Charlie liked that space to be his own.

  “I still can’t believe it. When I go and see Megan I will give her a piece of my mind.”

  “You came to see me first?” Charlie asked surprised.

  “Yeah, she is in the wrong.” I sat on his sofa while Charlie leaned against his kitchen worktop. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom for a second?” I asked suddenly, remembering what a state I looked.

  “Why are you still in last night’s clothes Shan? Haven’t you gone to bed yet?” Charlie looked confused.

  “I left Will in a rush.”

  “Why?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” I replied getting up to go to his bathroom.

  “Do you want a tea?”

  “Tea would be great thanks. I will be back in a few minutes.”

  “Take your time, no rush bookworm,” Charlie almost smirked.

  I came out feeling a lot more human having washed my face and tying my hair up in a bun. Charlie had moved onto the sofa. He was motionless staring out the window.

  “That feels so much better.” I smiled as I sat next to him.

  “Did you and Will have a fight?” Charlie asked turning to look at me.

  “Why do you ask that?”

  “Will just called me to ask if you were with me. He wasn’t happy when I said you were.”

  “Don’t worry about Will and me. So do you feel up to telling me what the hell happened last night?”

  Charlie sighed sipping his tea. “I knew Megan had slept with Tim a few weeks ago. I found out from someone at work. I wasn’t going to let him win so I just ignored it, but last night he was all over her. I lost it and hit him. Megan then realised I knew about them. It was awful. All of this was in front of her parents too.” Charlie put his head in his hands in shame.

  “You hit him?” I was impressed.

  “Yeah, I was so stupid.”

  “Charlie, none of this is your fault. Don’t beat yourself up like this.” I placed my hand on his back trying to comfort him.

  “Why are you here Shan?” Charlie asked softly looking up at me.

  “To help you silly. I thought we were friends too,” I teased pushing into him gently. Charlie suddenly looked at me very intensely. I began to tremble as he moved closer towards me. I knew what he was trying to do. Why couldn’t I move? His beautiful blue-green eyes burned deep into mine. As Charlie’s lips touched mine I felt a shock. As if my body was being brought to life. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pushed me against his sofa. I couldn’t believe someone as gorgeous as Charlie was kissing me. I became lost in the moment. Of course I had always wondered what it would be like to kiss Charlie. It was better than I had ever imagined. Our kissing became a little too urgent as Charlie’s hand began gliding up towards my leg. I tried to pull away. I wasn’t going to be his pay back to Megan.

  “Charlie, come on we can’t do this,” I replied pushing him. It was harder than I thought as he
began to kiss down my neck. He was making his attentions really clear. “Charlie, seriously stop! I am not going to be your revenge for Megan,” Charlie pulled back looking extremely apologetic.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” Charlie replied still inches away from my face.

  “It’s okay. I should have stopped it before it started,” I replied shaking my head.