Notice Me

  “I should be back by the weekend.”

  “Good.”

  “Are you are missing me that much?” Charlie laughed. I loved the way his eyes almost twinkled as he laughed. I wish I could have seen them.

  “Too much Charlie,” I sighed.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too. Please hurry up and come home.”

  “I promise. See you in a few days.”

  “Bye.”

  I took a deep breath as I held the phone. Even though Charlie had already gone I held onto him for just a few more seconds.

  I was glad to get home to sleep off my hangover that night, but the next few days were difficult for me. Megan had called. We had been on the phone for at least an hour. She was convinced when I came back to London Will and I would get back together. She told me about the house in South Kensington. She called it our house. I tried to sound enthusiastic about it all. I was thankful it was a phone call so Megan couldn’t see my face.

  As the weekend drew near I felt almost empty from any emotion. Apart from my love for Charlie I had nothing left inside me. No matter how much I beat myself up about what I was doing that never changed. I was addicted to his love in the same way I had needed Megan’s friendship when I first met her. I finally realised what was going on in my head. Charlie had replaced Megan in every single way. I didn’t need to rely on her. Megan was so self-absorbed in her own life now, even worse than before. If I carried on that life with her I would never have one of my own. What other choice did I need to make? I knew I had to be with Charlie.

  We could stay here in New York. Hide out from the Field family for a while, but what could they do to us really anyway? They had the money, but they could not stop me from loving Charlie or vice versa. Deep down I knew I could get through anything if it meant I was with Charlie forever.

  I tried to stay up to welcome Charlie back late Friday night to tell him of my new epiphany. I knew he would be impressed as well as delighted, but my eyelids failed.

  I awoke on my couch to a soft whisper while someone stroked my face. I opened my eyes to see Charlie smiling down at me his beautiful blue-green eyes watching me lovingly. The slight stubble on his chin made him look more gorgeous than usual. I could feel his black leather jacket rubbing against my bare leg as I forcefully wrapped my arms around his neck. My animal needs were back. I couldn’t control myself. Charlie appeared to want it just as much as his hands slid to undo my pink spotted dressing gown. I was glad I had remembered to wear my new black silk nightwear. Charlie’s kisses became more urgent as he noticed them.

  “You missed me then?” I teased as his hands caressed my waist.

  “Just a bit,” Charlie replied kissing up my neck towards my lips. My whole body felt alive with every touch.

  We must have finally gone to sleep in the early hours of the morning. I could just about make out the orange dawn as my eyes slipped into dreams.

  I felt embarrassed that Charlie was up before me and making brunch when I awoke. He had travelled hours to get home then been attacked by some animal as soon as he got through the door last night. I should have been looking after him. He had to be tired.

  “I’ll do that,” I whispered coming behind him to take the frying pan from him.

  “I don’t mind,” Charlie turned to smile at me placing the frying pan on the hob. “Unless you are going to attack me again. I reckon I could cope with that.”

  “Sorry, I told you I had missed you.”

  “Don’t apologise. I really liked it.” I knew I was blushing as Charlie placed his hands on my face to kiss me. “I love you so much,” Charlie sighed into my eyes.

  “I love you too,” I kissed him back wrapping my arms tight around his bare waist. “That’s why I have decided to stay in New York with you forever if we have to. All I want is to be with you Charlie.”

  Charlie beamed at me as his arms folded around me. “What brought all this on? I mean it’s great, but are you sure?”

  “I love you. I can’t be without you. I realised that this week.”

  “Shannon, I…” Charlie was speechless, suddenly he pulled me against his bare chest kissing me with such passion I could hardly control the heat inside my body.

  “I mean I understand if you can’t stand the thought of being with me forever,” I teased as our kiss broke.

  “Shannon, I want you for the rest of my life. I could never love anyone the way I love you. It scares the hell out of me because I would be lost without you.” My heart burst with pleasure as he spoke.

  “You took the words right out of my mouth,” I whispered playing with his hair. Charlie smiled his stunning smile as he leaned down to kiss me again.

  Charlie and I decided to still keep our relationship a secret until my work placement was over. I knew I would be offered a job at the end of my trial. Mr Caldecott didn’t want to lose me. The Field family would have sabotaged any hope of a job in New York if Megan found out. So it was better to wait for the job opportunity first.

  Lorna was over the moon. Of course it meant I would be staying in New York as well as being able to live with the man I loved with no guilt.

  I had been in New York for five months. Strange how the time had flown by. I hadn’t seen Megan for over three months. This did make my choice a lot easier to handle. I spoke to her a few times on the phone, but her modelling career was in full spin. Charlie had bumped into her a few times, but she was as cold as ice with him perhaps Megan was getting over him?

  I had lost count of the number of different men I had seen her pictured with over the last three months. I knew this didn’t mean anything. She could have just been trying to prove a point to Charlie. ‘His loss, every other man wanted a piece of her’.

  I just hoped Megan had got over him, because in four weeks Megan would know exactly why Charlie did not want her.

  “So you guys are really doing it?” Lorna and Bradley beamed at us over coffee. The four of us had become really good friends. Lorna was even helping me do some research to help me find out about my parents. Lorna knew a lot of people. It was remarkable just what she could get her hands on.

  “Yeah, it’s the best way really. My mother is pretty sure Shannon will be offered a job within Downing International so once her job is safe we will go public.” Charlie hugged me, something he wouldn’t usually do while we were in public, but I guess we wouldn’t have to worry about that for much longer.

  “I think it’s so romantic,” Lorna sighed.

  “I can be romantic too,” Bradley laughed. “Don’t forget I did you breakfast in bed this morning.”

  “I know babe. I am just glad they can be as happy as us,” Lorna kissed Bradley tenderly. I knew what she meant. I couldn’t wait to not have to hide away my feelings for Charlie. To be able to shout them from the rooftops.

  “Are we going to see this movie or what?” asked Bradley looking at his watch.

  We all got up in a rush as we noticed we were going to be late. Charlie helped me with my jacket smiling into my eyes. We were both so content knowing we didn’t have to wait much longer. I could tell he wanted to hold my hand as his hand grazed against mine, but it was a little too risky.

  We didn’t stay out too late after the film. Charlie and I wanted to be alone. We were going to go back to my apartment, but we were a lot nearer to Charlie’s. When we were public we would be living at his place so we thought we might as well get used to it.

  We took a yellow cab to Charlie’s. It felt nice to be on the Brooklyn side of New York plus I loved the view from Charlie’s place. The skyline was almost hypnotizing.

  As we made our way towards the lift to his apartment Charlie put his hand in mine twisting our fingers together.

  “Did the film scare you?” Charlie teased as we entered the lift.

  “No not really. I can cope with zombies.”

  “I thought Lorna was going to throw up at one point,” Charlie chuckled.

  “I know. She’s not good with blood
is she?” I laughed with Charlie.

  “Mind you, Bradley wasn’t much better.”

  “I know,” I giggled as Charlie put his hands on my face pushing me against the lift mirror.

  “I love you so much,” Charlie whispered as he kissed me passionately.

  I didn’t even hear the lift door open while I was kissing Charlie, but I knew the voice instantly as he entered the lift and spoke.

  “So Megan was right Charlie you are seeing someone. Who is your little tart?” Will asked sternly.

  Chapter 21

  Charlie stood in front of me. I knew what he was trying to do. Shield me so Will wouldn’t see it was me, but it was no good we had nowhere left to hide.

  So many things went round my head as I began to peer around Charlie. Why hadn’t we just gone to my apartment like we usually did? Why hadn’t we waited until we were safely in Charlie’s apartment before we embraced and why did it have to be Will standing in front of us? But all of this was pointless as Will caught sight of me.

  “NO!” Will almost lost his breath as he saw me wrapped around Charlie. “This is a joke… NO… NO!”

  “Will, please just listen before you freak out,” Charlie pleaded with his hands out towards Will as we got out of the lift.

  “Don’t you dare, Charlie,” Will was furious. He glared at Charlie like he was ready to hit him. I pushed myself in between them as I noticed Charlie glaring at Will the same way.

  “Please stop it,” I begged watching both their faces.

  “Shannon, what the hell are you doing with him? Don’t you realise he is using you? Do you really want to be another notch on his bed post? You are worth more than that.” Will was glaring at me now. “Let me take you back to your apartment before you do something you will regret.”

  “Shannon is not just a one night stand Will. I am in love with her.” Charlie’s voice was firm as he held me tighter against his chest. Will’s face turned to disbelief.

  Will turned to look at me. “Do you love him?” I could tell by Will’s face he already knew my answer.

  “Yes,” I whispered looking at Charlie as he touched my face. Will flipped pushing Charlie violently.

  I grabbed Charlie’s arm holding him back from hitting Will. A lawsuit would definitely be on the cards otherwise.

  “Shannon, what about Megan?” Will asked softly.

  “I can’t help how I feel. I will tell her myself if you give me the chance.” I watched Will’s face wince at my words.

  “Do you really think you are in a position to ask a favour, Shannon?”

  “Think of Megan. I have to tell her myself. I owe her that. I am sorry this happened, but I have no choice. I love him too much Will.”

  “I need to go,” Will pressed the button for the lift looking down at the floor. As he got into the lift he turned to look at me. The pain in his eyes was unmistakeable. “We will talk tomorrow. Make sure you are at your apartment at seven. I just need to get my head around this. Do not be late. Do you understand me?” I just nodded. I owed him that much. To explain my actions fully.

  Charlie and I stood in silence for a long moment stunned by what had just happened. Amazing how life can turn around so fast.

  “What do you think Will is going to do?” I asked, my voice shaking as much as my hands.

  “I really don’t know sweetheart.” Charlie put his arms around me. “Maybe we should go inside. I’m not sure about you, but I could do with a drink.” I nodded as we went to his apartment.

  We both sat drinking a glass of wine as we watched one another. I knew we were going to have to deal with our relationship soon, but having our last four weeks taken away from us like that was hard to get your head round. We had planned everything so well. Now it was slipping through our fingers.

  “It’s going to be fine. Look, I will call my mum in the morning. Tell her what has happened. I bet she will be able to sort your job and confirm it before we even go and see Will tomorrow.” Charlie finally said positively breaking the silence.

  “I think I should go on my own tomorrow Charlie.” I knew that was what Will meant or he would have met here instead.

  “No way am I agreeing to that!” Charlie raised his voice.

  “Charlie, it will be better that way,” I touched his face. “I will be okay. Don’t worry.”

  “I don’t like you having to face him alone. I don’t trust him Shannon. ”

  “I have to do this, Charlie. I owe it to Will and Megan. I need to make them understand.” I smiled trying to reassure him.

  “I’m so sorry Shan. I don’t know what I was thinking in the lift. If I hadn’t have been so stupid Will would never have seen us…”

  “Charlie, don’t.” I hated seeing him tormented like this. “We were coming public soon anyway.”

  “What will you do if he tells Megan?”

  “If he does what can I do? Charlie, all I want is you. I don’t care about anything else. Like your mum said if Megan is my friend she will understand.” I tried to smile at him, but I knew Megan would never be happy for us. I had lost my friend, betrayed her beyond words.

  “Shan, I just hate you having to do this. Giving up everything that once meant the world to you.”

  “Charlie, you are my world now. That is all that matters.”

  Charlie crashed his lips against mine. I became instantly lost in the moment as his hands ran over my body. “You are everything to me Shannon,” Charlie whispered as he picked me up carrying me up his spiral staircase to his bedroom.

  The night was amazing, it was the only way to stop our tormenting heads. One thing was clear when I woke up early the next morning, what I felt for Charlie was imbedded deep inside me. Just the softest touch sent my body into a frenzy. I would never give him up. The rest I knew we could face together. So what if I didn’t get the dream job I had always wanted. I had a far better future than I could have ever dreamed possible.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait outside your place just in case?” Charlie asked for the tenth time as I was about to leave to meet Will.

  “No, I will be fine,” I smiled putting my hand on his face to kiss him. “I won’t be long,” I whispered wishing I could just stay with him and never have to leave.

  “Be careful. I love you.” Charlie gazed into my eyes scared. I tried to ignore the fear in them. I had no idea if Will had told Megan. I knew Charlie could see the fear in my eyes too. “Shannon, really I will come with you just say the word and I am there.”

  “No, it will make it worse. I have to do this alone,” I sighed kissing him one last time as I left to get a cab.

  As the cab crossed the Brooklyn Bridge my stomach turned. I was so anxious I was beginning to feel sick. I took deep breaths opening the window trying to calm my breathing down at the same time.

  As the yellow cab pulled up at my apartment Will’s car was already there waiting. I took one last breath as I paid the driver and got out to face my judgement.

  Will stood motionless against his car. Even in the uneven light of the sidewalk I could see he was still angry.

  “Hi Will,” I said timidly.

  “Get inside,” Will replied harshly. This was going to be bad, really bad.

  We were silent as we entered my apartment. I switched all the lights on as I made my way to the couch waiting for Will’s fury. Perhaps Megan was on her way too it wouldn’t have surprised me.

  Will caught sight of Charlie’s guitar leaning against my wall.

  “Well, Charlie has certainly made himself at home,” Will spat at me.

  “Will, just say what you came to say,” I raised my voice glaring at him. “I know what I have done is wrong, but I am not sorry.”

  “How can you say that. Just think what you have done to Megan… to me. My whole family. We have been nothing but good to you. This is how you repay us?” Will was pacing back and forth in my small living area.

  “Megan is the only one who I have to explain myself to. I have always made it clear a
bout you and me”.

  “But you haven’t. You know how much I love you. This stupid crush won’t last Shannon. Charlie will throw you out like the trash. Look what he did to Megan. Why the hell can’t you see that?”

  “I don’t care what you say Will… I love him.”

  “You love him enough to destroy everything you have worked so hard for?” Will was in my face now inches away from me watching my reaction closely.

  I squared my shoulders and replied with confidence. “YES!”

  “Ridiculous. You cannot be that sure of him,” Will laughed.