SIX

Luc 

THE LOUD, DEEP growl of an engine interrupts my sleep. 

I shift, turning away from the noise coming from outside. And away from the light.

This sofa is so cramped.

Why am I on the sofa?

I roll backwards so I’m facing the ceiling again, frowning as I squint my eyes open, shielding them from the light.

Fucking sunshine.

I’m still dressed, I realise. 

And then a name: Lexi.

I turn my head away from the light to the right of me, looking to my left.

At the now empty bed.

Just crumpled sheets remain.

Oh yeah. She was wasted.

My jacket is flung over the chair near the desk.

Sitting up, I quickly run through the night before in my head.

Met up with Lexi. She was looking even hotter than I remembered.

Plans for a night of sexy fun were scuppered by her drunkenness.

Brought her here to avoid seeing Jake at the flat she shares with Cerys.

And…now she’s gone.

I rub my head, the roar of the vehicle outside already giving me a fucking headache.

Damn, she was cute. That pale skin, dark hair thing she has going on. Even the vomiting wasn’t a turn off. Just wish she hadn’t been so drunk.

I lean back, feeling the effect she has on me. Letting my imagination take over with thoughts of her climbing onto my lap on this sofa.

Cute but complicated, remember.

Yeah, thanks brain.

The buzz of my phone has me standing and walking to the nightstand next to the bed to retrieve it.

I study the lit screen.

Hayley.

This is getting ridiculous.

I let it ring out before picking the handset up.

The screen clears and shows a bunch more missed calls and three fucking voicemails. All Hayley.

Also six texts. Five from Hayley.

One from Lexi.

I quickly scroll through the messages from Hayley.

Where are you? I can’t believe… Delete. 

I just got a text from Sarah saying you’re in town. Call me NOW!!!!

Yeah, delete.

You’re with a GIRL??

Yup, sure was. Delete.

Delete.

Delete.

And Lexi’s text.

Just one word.

Sorry.

She doesn’t have anything to apologise for. It was a night out with her friends. The contrast between two people has never been so stark.

Hayley acting like an entitled brat. Lexi apologising for, well, being a normal twentysomething.

And I’m suddenly angry.

Voicemails. Deep breath.

‘Luc, who’s that fucking lanky bitch that Deena saw you with?! You’re supposed to be seeing me tonight! Call me now.’ 

Bitch? Fuck’s sake. Delete. 

‘There’s a picture of you both on Twitter from last night too! How could you do this to me? I need to speak to you right this fucking second. We need to see each other. Just call me and we can work it out. I know you still love me.’ 

No. For fuck’s sake. Delete. 

‘Sarah text me saying you got in a fucking taxi with that whore! If you don’t call me now then we’re through forever!’ 

No. Fuck off. Fuck the fuck off. We’re already through forever.

I delete the last message before sitting on the edge of the bed, kicking my shoes off, then laying down.

Lexi’s scent is still on the pillow. I bury my face in it. Sweet and soft.

Fuck Hayley. I swear she didn’t used to be this insane. But I don’t care.

My phone starts vibrating again on the nightstand. I don’t even have to look to know who it is.

I thought she said it was over, for fuck’s sake.

Maybe I need to force the issue a bit harder.

Maybe seeing me with Lexi one time isn’t enough.

Once the buzzing ends, I reach over and grab my mobile.

Hayley. Obviously.

I swipe the missed call away and open Twitter.

Hayley’s right. There’s a photo of me talking to Lexi on the band’s account.

Fucking Harry.

Someone’s tagged another picture of me with my arm around Lexi in town last night.

Forgot just how good she looked in my hoodie.

I quickly search and scroll through.

None of her vomiting, thank fuck.

So Hayley thinks Lexi is my new thing. My new fling. Maybe something more.

Maybe if she thinks I’m dating Lexi…

Or that she’s actually my girlfriend…

On an impulse, I open the message from Lexi.

Who knows? Maybe I could offer her something in return if she’s willing to play along. Didn’t exactly sound like she wanted to become a teacher.

And, truth be told, I wouldn’t be averse to seeing her again. She was fun. Part of me regrets that she was gone before I woke up.

Cute but complicated…

I hesitate for a moment.

But if it was strictly a business transaction?

My phone starts ringing again.

Hayley.

Fuck it.

I divert the call, hit reply and start tapping out a message to Lexi.