“Oh, Lydia, don’t be so cynical. I think Paul really likes you, and you guys are good together.” I wish that she wouldn’t be so down on her self-worth. I’m also shocked as she has never been so nervous around another guy.
“I could say the same for you and Jake,” Lydia replies. I just grin at her.
I finish my cup of coffee and then we both head off to go to The Den. When we get there, we enter through the back door. Lydia locks it behind us as there will be no one else in here until later on tonight. Lydia just needs to print off the rota and put it on the notice board for the staff to see. I only accompanied her so that I could see my shifts. I need to let Jake know about the weekend as soon as possible.
“Bugger,” I say to myself as I see that I am working Friday and Saturday night next week.
“What’s wrong?” Lydia asks in the background.
“Oh, I just, uh, broke a finger nail,” I lie. I don’t want to sound ungrateful and start moaning to her about what I am working. She was good enough to re-employ me, so the least I can do is work the shifts that she has given me. Lydia doesn’t seem to catch on to my big fat lie. I take my phone out of my pocket and send a text to Jake.
Morning, handsome, I’m afraid that I am
working Friday and Saturday night next week.
Maybe we can take a rein check on going
away?
Stace x
Within seconds my phone buzzes to notify me that Jake has replied.
Hmm, is there no way that you can
switch your shifts?
Jake x
I sigh and text back my response.
I would rather not, seeing as I have only
just started working here again. I’m sorry.
We can go another time.
Stace x
I don’t get a reply which makes me inwardly panic that I have pissed Jake off. I say my goodbyes to Lydia and leave her at The Den to get on with some paperwork before she meets Paul.
I decide to go to Danish and treat myself to one of their caramel latte’s. I arrive there, but I can’t sit in my usual seat as it is already occupied. The woman occupying the table has her back to me. Whoever she is she has long blond hair which makes my hackles rise. As she turns around, she confirms what I already know. It’s Caitlin.
Shit, what is she doing here? I’ve never seen her in here before.
I now know that I haven’t been imagining seeing her in different places. Caitlin has been following Jake and me. I quickly change my order to a take away latte, I don’t want to sit in here and drink it now.
As soon as my latte is ready, I pay the money and then get the hell out of there. I feel a bit pissed off that due to Caitlin being there I feel that I have to leave. I turn in the direction of the flat and start walking. I get only a few paces ahead when I hear my name.
“Stacey Paris.” I turn around and see that Caitlin is marching towards me. I roll my eyes and think of how to get out of this situation, and fast.
Bollocks, I really don’t need this kind of hassle.
“So, I finally got you on your own. You tend to hide behind other people,” she says as she stops in front of me. I straighten my stance and kick into defence mode.
“I haven’t been hiding behind anyone,” I reply in a firm tone.
What is this woman on about? She is nuts.
She starts to laugh, and I begin to feel uneasy.
“You should be hiding.” She narrows her eyes at me as she speaks. I don’t want to show any fear at her words, but I’m sure the whole street can hear the pounding of my heart.
“What do you want, Caitlin?” I am proud of how even I manage to make my voice sound. The last thing that I want to do is let her see that, physically, she is scaring me.
“I want you to leave Jake alone.” This time it appears that it’s my turn to laugh at her ridiculous request.
“He doesn’t want you, Caitlin. What part of that don’t you understand?”
“That’s only because you’re hanging around. Do yourself a favour and tell him that you are no longer interested in him, before things get really nasty.” With that she grins wickedly, turns on her heel and marches off in the opposite direction.
I watch until she goes out of sight. I feel so shaken and I need to get somewhere safe. I manage to turn and power-walk back to the flat. I keep checking behind me to make sure that she isn’t following me.
I reach the flat block and run up the stairs to the front door, unlocking it and slamming it shut behind me, making sure it is locked. I walk on shaky legs to the lounge and sit down on the sofa. I put the latte that I am still carrying, but have no desire to drink anymore, on the coffee table. I try to calm my racing heart and regulate my breathing whilst telling myself over and over again that she is just trying to scare me into leaving Jake alone. Well, she succeeded in the scaring me part, not so much in the leaving Jake alone though.
I pull my phone out of my bag and send Jake a message. I think he ought to know what just happened.
Hi, Jake. I don’t mean to bother you, but
I just had a bit of a run in with Caitlin. She
told me to stay away from you. She seriously
needs help. Call me when you’re free. Stacey x
I put my phone down on the coffee table and just stare at the blank television screen. It takes me a little while to completely calm down, but once I do, I switch the television on and settle myself back on the sofa. I have no plans for tonight, which isn’t a bad thing. I think I would be a bit jumpy if I had to go out anywhere.
I flick through the television channels and try to find something decent to watch when a knock at the door interrupts me. I feel cautious as I go to answer it, but then I reprimand myself for being so silly. I shouldn’t feel afraid to open my own front door. I think that I would feel better about things if I had spoken to Jake, but he still hasn’t responded to my message. Whoever is on the other side of the door knocks again.
I take a deep breath, unlock the door and open it to see who it is. I am greeted by the sight of Jake in all his handsome beauty. A feeling of relief rushes through me, and before I know what is happening, Jake has taken me in his arms and is hugging me tightly.
“I just got your message. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner, I’ve been stuck in meetings since this morning. Are you okay?” Jake says as he continues to keep me close to his body.
“Yeah, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” I try to appear calm about the situation. I breath in his scent as I nuzzle close.
“Of course I’m worried. Where the hell did she see you anyway?”
“I went to The Den with Lydia, which you already know about, and after that I went to Danish to get a drink. She was sitting at my usual table when I got there. I suspected it was her, but it wasn’t until she turned around that I knew for sure. Anyway, when I saw it was her, I left.” I pull back from Jake so that I can close the front door. I don’t need any of the neighbours hearing about my life. I lock the door again, even though Jake is here. It just makes me feel a little better to have it locked. “When I left, she came after me to confront me about you. Basically she told me to leave you alone, and if I didn’t, then things would get really nasty.” Jake’s face goes a little pale.
“Christ, Stace. That’s it, you’re coming to stay with me. I want to make sure that she can’t get to you again.” I laugh at him, thinking that he may be overreacting slightly. Jake doesn’t join in with my laughter. He looks deadly serious.
“Jake, I’m not going anywhere. I live here and I’m not going to let some jealous ex of yours force me out of my home. She’s just making idle threats because she wants you back.” I don’t know who I am trying to convince more, Jake or myself.
“Well, if you’re not going to come to mine then I’m staying here the night,” Jake says.
“Are you now?” I raise my eyebrows at him teasingly.
“That’s not going to be a problem is it, Miss Paris?” Jake asks as he cl
oses the gap between us.
Before I can answer he pushes me against the door and kisses me. My knees weaken, and I give myself to him. I have missed his lips all day, so I intend to savour the feel of them. Jake pulls me away from the door whilst keeping his lips connected to mine and carries me to my bedroom. Shutting the door behind us, he throws me onto the bed and I squeal as he pounces over me.
“I just want to keep you safe.” My heart melts and I place a finger to his lips so that he stays quiet.
“I don’t want to talk about that now. I just want you. All of you, inside me.” I don’t want to think about anything other than what we are about to do to one another.
Jake growls with appreciation. We both take our clothes off as quickly as possible and he slowly enters me.
We only manage to make love once before I fall asleep in his warm and safe embrace.
Chapter Thirty-Three
I wake up to the feel of Jake’s lips on my neck. I smile and turn so that I am facing him.
“Hey, babe,” he says in the sexiest voice.
“Hey, yourself.” I give him a gentle kiss on the lips. “What time is it?”
“It’s six o’clock in the morning.”
“What?” I have been asleep since we had sex yesterday. “I’ve been asleep for ages.”
“You obviously needed the rest.”
“Did you stay here the whole time?” I ask him.
“Yeah. I didn’t want to disturb you by moving.” He is so sweet. I sit up and stretch my arms.
“I can’t believe that I was out for so long.” I yawn and get out of the bed. I need to pee, so I tell Jake that I am going to use the bathroom. I walk into the hallway after using the bathroom, and I can hear whispers coming from Lydia’s bedroom, which means that she has company with her. I’m guessing that her lunch date yesterday with Paul went well. I smile and go back to my bedroom to see that Jake is putting his clothes on.
“What are you doing?” I ask him.
“I’m getting dressed, obviously,” Jake says, smirking at me.
“Very funny. What I mean is, why are you getting dressed so early?” I already feel like I miss him, and he hasn’t gone yet. The feelings I am having are crazy. I have never had to deal with such strong emotions before.
“I have to go back to mine and pick up some notes for a meeting that I have this morning. I wish that I didn’t have to go, but I’m meeting with my solicitor.”
“About Caitlin?” I ask, hopeful that he is going to see what route he can go down to keep her away.
“Yes.”
“Well then, you need to get going. The sooner the situation with her is dealt with, the better it will be for both of us.”
“I know. I don’t want you to worry whilst I’m gone. I would take you with me, but you don’t need to hear the details of what I need to say.” Jake looks a bit worried by telling me this.
Ugh, if he’s talking about how he used her for sex then no, I would rather remain oblivious than hear all the details.
“That’s fine. I’m just going to chill here until I go to work later. I won’t be leaving the flat until then.” I’m hoping this information will put his mind at rest about the possibility of another run in with Caitlin.
“I will send Eric to pick you up and take you. No arguments.” I sense from his tone that even if I try to argue I wouldn’t win, so I just walk over to him and hug him.
“Okay.” To be honest, it feels nice that he is looking out for me. I haven’t felt this cared for in a long time. Jake kisses the tip of my nose.
“If I finish up with work on time then I will come over to The Den later.”
“I will look forward to it.” I take Jake’s hand and lead him to the front door.
“Any signs of trouble and you are to contact me straight away.”
“Mmm. I like this macho side of you, Mr Waters,” I purr at him.
“You keep talking in that sexy voice and I won’t make my meeting.” I grin and bat Jake away, opening the front door for him.
“Go,” I order him as I point out of the front door. Jake just looks at me and smirks. “Jake Waters, will you get your butt out of here, so you can make your meeting.”
“I quite like this dominant side of you,” he replies. I roll my eyes and chuckle as I kiss him goodbye.
“Good luck.”
“Bye, babe.” My heart does a little flutter and I close the door as Jake disappears down the stairs. I lock the door and go back to my bedroom. I put on some clean clothes and turn my laptop on. It’s about time that I did some more writing.
Whilst I am waiting for the laptop to load, I go and make a pot of coffee and take it to my room with me. I settle on my bed and put my headphones in, so that I am not disturbed by any noises that Lydia and her guest may want to make.
I break for some lunch at one o’clock. Lydia is yet to emerge from her bedroom as far as I am aware. When I took my headphones out, I heard someone leave the flat, but I don’t know if Lydia left with them. She usually tells me if she is going out, so I presume that she is still in bed. Before going to make myself a sandwich, I go to Lydia’s bedroom. I knock on her bedroom door, but she doesn’t call me in.
“Lyd?” I say loudly, so that if she in there she can hear me. There is no answer, but I can hear someone in there. Concerned, I open the door slightly and peak round. Lydia comes into view and she is on her own. She’s on the bed, sobbing. I push the door open and walk over to her.
“Lyd, whatever is the matter?” I say as I take a seat by her on the bed. My cheerful mood is suddenly plighted by the sight of my best friend crying.
“Oh, Stace, I’ve been so bloody stupid,” she blubbers at me. Lydia doesn’t cry very often, so I know that something bad has happened.
“Well, why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you? It may make you feel better to talk about whatever it is?” I try to sooth her.
“Promise you won’t judge me?” she says.
“Hey, I’m your best friend. Of course I won’t judge you.”
“Okay.” Lydia takes a deep breath and then slowly breathes it out. “Paul and I got into a fight last night. We were at The Den and he didn’t like the fact that some guy was trying to chat me up. I was working, so I could hardly tell the guy to go and fuck himself, could I? Plus, it’s part of the job sometimes. I didn’t feel that he was over-stepping any boundaries, so I wasn’t really bothered by it.
“Anyway, this led to us arguing and Paul stormed out. I was so mad at him that when my shift ended, I started drinking with the guy that was trying to chat me up.” A new wave of tears pours from her eyes, stopping her from continuing to speak. I let her regain some composure and then I gently prompt her to continue. “I can’t even remember the guy’s name, Stace. I was so drunk. All I remember is that he walked me home, and then one thing led to another, and…” Lydia can’t seem to finish her sentence, and it dawns on me that Lydia slept with this guy, whoever he is.
“You had sex with him, didn’t you?” I ask her. I already know the answer, but a part of me needs her to confirm it. Lydia just nods her head at me and then hangs it in shame. “Oh, Lyd.”
I pull her into a hug as I try to comfort her without words. Nothing I say would be able to ease the guilt that she is obviously feeling right now.
“I’m so stupid. I was just so mad at Paul, and this guy was giving me attention. I don’t know what to do, Stace. Do I tell Paul?” She pleads with me to give her the answers that she desperately needs, but I can’t.
“That’s up to you, Lyd. I can’t decide that for you. You need to do whatever feels right for you.” It’s the only advice that I can give her. I feel my heart break for my best friend. I hope that if she decides to tell Paul then he can find it in himself to forgive her. “I’m going to go and get us some nibbles and then we can just laze around all afternoon watching movies. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good.” Lydia sniffles into her pillow. I leave her to go and look in the k
itchen to see what we have in the cupboards. I am disappointed to see that we don’t have anything decent at all. Great, now I am going to have to go out when I promised Jake that I wouldn’t. The shop is only five minutes away, if I run then I can be back here in no time. It is pointless taking my car as there is no parking by the shop.
With my best friend needing me to be there for her, I put on my trainers, grab my purse and keys, and leave the flat. I run all the way there and am gasping for breath by the time I enter the shop. My heart is racing as adrenaline spikes through me.
I pick up a basket and quickly go down the relevant aisles for the things that I need to buy. Crisps, chocolate, popcorn and diet coke. I decide against a bottle of wine. I don’t really think getting drunk is the best idea under the circumstances. I also pick up a couple of pizzas for later on. I promptly head to the till and pay for my items.
I scurry out of the shop with my bags and run as fast as I can back to the flat. I have my keys ready as I reach the front door. See, nothing to worry about, Stacey. No sign that Caitlin is following you.
I enter the flat and lock the door behind me before taking the bags of food to the kitchen and unpacking them. I put the pizzas in the fridge and take everything else into the lounge with me. I call to Lydia to get her butt to the lounge. She walks in a few seconds later and is still crying. I point to the sofa where she flops down and curls into a ball. I go and grab her duvet and bring it into the lounge for us to snuggle under.
I decide to put on an action movie rather than a romantic chick flick. With the current state of Lydia, I don’t think she needs to see happy couples on the screen, even if it isn’t real life. I get settled beside Lydia, flick the television on and we stay like that for the next couple of hours as Lydia tries to come to terms with what she has done.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Eric picks me up at half past six to take me to work. Lydia is asleep on the sofa when I leave. I am worried about her, but I feel that I should look after things at The Den so that she has one less thing to worry about at the moment. She should have been at work with me tonight, but I told her that Susie and I would manage. It’s a Tuesday night and they are not generally too busy. I arrive at The Den and exit the limo.
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