by King, C. M
“I’m like that with Broadchurch. I think I know who the killer is, the one I first thought was far too obvious, but I think I have it sussed now. I just need to confirm it.”
“It’s so annoying.” I sighed and could feel myself become slightly intoxicated by Sam’s cologne. You could tell he was Elijah’s boyfriend, okay, he smelt amazing. Though I’d expect nothing less.
We sat their snuggled against each other when we were rudely awakened.
“Err, what do you think you’re doing, Iz? I think you’ll find he’s already taken,” Elijah retorted, but I could hear the humour in his voice. A smile touched my lips before my eye peeped open to find three of them looking on us.
“We were just resting our eyes,” I replied innocently.
“In here with this music? How the hell could you possibly sleep at this decibel?”
“Oh trust me, we could,” Sam huffed.
“Come on, wake up, the pair of you, this is supposed to be a fun night,” Elijah chided, handing Sam his beer and me my second Cosmo.
“Thanks,” I muttered, taking a quick swig.
“And you, what are you doing letting my friends snuggle up against you? You know we only snuggle together. You made me a little jealous. You’re going to have to make it up to me later.”
Sam smiled at Elijah’s pout. “Yeah, what do you have in mind?”
“Well, first of all, you have to kiss me because those lips belong to me, and the rest, I’ll figure out later when we get back to the hotel room.”
“That I can do.” He pressed his lips up tight against Elijah’s but it seemed that wasn’t enough and Elijah soon took over kissing him. Micha and Corinne whooped but others seemed to have an issue with it.
“Faggots, make me sick, doing that right in front of everyone.” It was no surprise it was the pervy guy from earlier. His green eyes sent daggers Elijah’s and Sam’s way, and I felt the anger rising inside me.
“What did you just say?” I snapped, jumping up.
“You heard, I thought you had better taste but obviously not. It’s not too late to change your mind.” He grabbed me and pulled him into me.
“Get off me—”
“Get your fucking hands off her,” Elijah warned, storming forward to protect me.
“Or what, faggot boy?” he sneered.
“Oh you want me to show you.” He stepped closer, locking eyes with him. He manoeuvred me safely away so he could square up to him.
“Elijah, he’s not worth it, just let it go,” I pleaded, feeling scared for his safety.
“No, he deserves a right hook in that homophobic face, if he doesn’t hit him then I will.”
“Micha, you’re not helping,” Sam chided.
“Elijah, come on, just leave it, please,” I begged again, hoping I’d get through to him.
“Elijah’s eyes locked on mine, and I could see the anger present there. He had every right after this arsehole had stepped in and caused trouble, but I wasn’t about to let him ruin the night. “Fine,” he snapped, stepping back. “But stay the fuck out of my sight.”
“Oh don’t worry, I won’t be coming near you and your boyfriend, that kind of thing makes me sick to my stomach.”
Elijah surged forward, but Sam held him back. “Please, Elijah, he’s just a bigoted arsehole. He’s not going to change his mind and hitting him will make no difference.”
“Yeah, but it might make me feel better,” he muttered bitterly.
“Any time faggot, any time.”
My eyes widened in horror, but Corinne got in before the rest of us. It was fair to say you could have heard the slap over the music.
“Bitch.” He launched forward but a guy behind grabbed and pulled him back. “Mate, we don’t want to get chucked out. Calm the fuck down.”
“That bitch just slapped me,” he growled.
“I know but now is not the time or the place.”
He glared at us all for the next few seconds, his eyes full of anger, as the red hand print began to form on his face. He was pissed, and a part of me was scared at what he was about to do next.
Eventually he stepped back, giving us all one last standoff stare before walking off. We all let out a collective sigh of relief except Elijah who seemed more pissed than ever.
“Elijah,” Sam asked, registering his icy mood.
“Don’t,” he warned.
“I just—”
“You had no right, this was my fight. I could have handled myself, but you had to stick your oar in. I’m sick of bowing down to fucking idiots like that who think we’re wrong for loving someone different from them. I’m tired of having to justify myself for being in love with someone. You should have let me resolve this in my own way. Idiots like that need to be taught that it isn’t right the way they pour their evil beliefs onto others. I have as much right to love whoever I want.”
“I’m sorry, but I just didn’t want to see you hurt, that’s all,” he protested, trying to make him see sense.
“This was my fight, and you should have kept out of it.”
“Does the same go for me as well?” Corinne was still shaking and looked on the verge of tears.
“You could have gotten hurt defending me, Corinne. You hardly know me. You shouldn’t have stepped in. I’d have never forgiven myself if he had laid a finger on you,” Elijah relented.
“I would do it again in a heartbeat, Elijah. I know we’ve barely just met, but you have such a good soul. I hate to see you beaten down by idiots like that. I didn’t want him to touch you, so I stepped in. But, fuck me, I thought for a moment I was going to be toast.”
I think we all did.
“He’d never have gotten that far. I was two seconds away from slamming his face into next week. I may come across gay as fuck, but trust me, after almost getting my head kicked in when I was seventeen, I made sure I would never be put in that position again. I went to a lot of self-defence classes, I know how to throw a killer punch, and he wasn’t far off being the receiver of one of them.”
“I just didn’t want to see you hurt.” Her voice trembled and her body shook as she descended into sobs. Elijah pulled her into him.
“Shush, you were too brave for your own good, but promise me you won’t do anything reckless like that. Well, only if you let me show you how to defend yourself,” he soothed.
“I’d like that.” She snuggled into his chest as he continued whispering words of reassurance in her ear. She chuckled a few times, and I knew he was slowly bringing her back around.
“What a night,” I whispered to Sam and he nodded.
“I don’t think I’m coming out ’round Manchester again.”
“Oh yes, we are,” Elijah shrieked. “We’re not letting bigoted men tell us where and when we can’t go. Now come on, another round of drinks, we are far too sober for this to end on a good note. Come on, Iz.” He dragged me off before I even had time to protest. We squeezed through the crowds to join the queue at the bar.
“Elijah, are you okay?” I asked, concerned about what had just had moments earlier.
“I will be.” He smiled but he wasn’t that convincing.
“You scared me, standing up to him, you know you should just walk away.”
“I’m sick of it, Iz, living my life while people turn their noses up at me doing something so natural as kiss my boyfriend. How would you like it if people frowned on you kissing Joel?” he growled, surprising me with his tone.
“I wouldn’t care.”
“Course you would,” he snapped.
“No, I wouldn’t. He’s my fiancé and he’s hot, so I’d damn well kiss him all day long whether people liked it or night.” No one would stop me from kissing Joel.
“I might kiss him too.”
“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.
&
nbsp; “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.”
“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 ma
rried 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.