CHAPTER EIGHT

Grace

Gettingin the taxi I take my place in the back and tell the driver my address as he slowly pulls away from the kerb.

I have no clue what happened to Owen, but I know it must've been something huge. I look across out of the corner of my eye, he's sitting against the door. I'm not sure what to do. I'm completely out of my comfort zone… maybe a little idle chat will work, we managed some in the bar and at some points he seemed to be relaxing, but now he seems nervous again, tense.

“So, Owen, how do you guys know each other?”

He looks across at me. “I'm Tom's financial advisor. We've been friends for a few years now.”

“Oh cool! So, you know Ross too then?” I ask turning up my lip at the sound of his name.

“Yeah, I know Ross…why!”

“Just asking seeing as my friend’s ‘seeing’ him, I don't want him to hurt her.” I look across at him intently.

“Your friend doesn't seem too worried from what I've seen tonight and let's face it, he probably will.”

“Well, that's because she thinks with her vagina!” Owen stares at me, eyes wide… “you know the way some men think with their dicks? Well it has the opposite effect….”

“I know what you mean.” He cuts me off. I even get a smile and the shake of his head. I'll take that response as a positive especially after my mouth runs off again. “You do know that she's an adult and you can make her own decisions…”

“I'm sorry - say that again? Did you just call Meaghan an adult? That can't be right!”

He smiles wider then looks out of the window.

“So, Grace. How long have you been a dancer?”

“Wow, as long as I can remember…” a breath blows out of my mouth as I try to think back. “I remember being a little girl and always dancing around the room. I was fixated on ballet dancers. I used to wear little tutu’s all the time. I think I was maybe five when my Mum finally gave in to my plea...”

Owen stares, at what, I'm not too sure - he seems to be looking at me but I think he's inside his own head. “Owen? Earth to Owen.” Waving my hand in front of his face as he snaps out of it.

“Sorry Grace, what were you saying?”

“Erm?” I frown. “That I was around five when I started to do ballet.” I frown. “I'm a good listener if you want to talk…?”

“No. I'm fine.” The taxi pulls to a stop at my flat. “Thanks though.”

“Well... this is me.” I smile sadly. “Thanks for sharing.” I pull my purse from my clutch, pull a note out and offer it to him.

Shaking his head… “Put your money away, I'll pay the fare.”

“I can't let you do that...”

“Yes, I can.” Owen cuts me off. “I'll pay when you get there mate.” The taxi driver nods his head.

“Thanks.”

“You're welcome Grace.” His smile is lopsided as one side of face lifts slightly. Shutting the door, I wave and watch the car pull away. Sighing I turn towards the door.

 

I lie in bed awake for what seems like forever, in reality it's probably half an hour. The sadness in his eyes keeps me from drifting off even though I'm knackered. I try to clear my mind of everything, him mainly, but also Meaghan’s stupidity, but every time I close my eyes it comes back again. My hands cover my eyes, trying to make the room darker but it still doesn’t work. I roll onto my side and push my hands under the pillow, once I’m warm and in a comfortable position I start to drift. Not five minutes later though the front door bangs shut and the sound of giggling reaches my ears. I’m so gonna kill her in the morning!

 

I wake up feeling like I haven’t slept. I drag my tired body from the bed to make a much-needed coffee. Rubbing my eyes, walking through the living room, I head for the kitchen to put on the kettle and prepare my mug. While the kettle is boiling I open a cold bottle of water and drink it down. The kettle switches itself off as drink down the last bit.

“I hope you’re making me one?” Startled to hear a male voice I swing around and see Ross standing at the door. I didn’t expect to see him there, he never usually stays.

“No, just my own. Why are you still here?”

“Meaghan asked me to stay.”

“And how about your girlfriend, does she know who you stayed with last night?” I look from him and make my coffee. I chance a glance at him and his eyes are narrowed at me. Hit a nerve maybe?

“You don’t like me much do you, Grace?”

“Whatever gave you that idea Ross?” I answer, giving him a fake smile.

“It’s not how you think it is you know…”

“I don’t want to know.” I cut him off. “I know you’re going to hurt my best friend eventually, decide you do love your girlfriend, that I’m going to be left to pick up the pieces and that’s not fair so why don’t you do her a favour and finish it.”

Ross looks smug as I finish my pep talk. “You’d love that. Maybe it’s because she’s happy and you’re not.”

“How can she be happy? Knowing you go back to your girlfriend every time and probably tell her all the things you’ve just said to Meaghan. People like you make me sick!” Picking up my mug from the side I prepare to walk away.

“I think maybe you’re just jealous, she has someone and you don’t. You’re gonna end up a bitter and twisted old woman with just her cats.”

Raising my eyebrows at him and poke my finger in his chest. “Okay one, I don’t like cats. Two, I’d prefer to end up a spinster if it meant for being with someone like you and three, you really need to get over yourself pal!” Giving him a tight-lipped grin I walk away with my coffee and head back to my bedroom. 

 

The rest of the day goes by in a blur of movies, coffee and sleep. After my run in with Ross I heard him leave about half an hour later and I don’t what he said to Meaghan but I’ve barely seen her, I’m waiting for the storm to come now. She shouldn’t be surprised, she knows how I feel about him and I do try to keep my opinions to myself, but it hard when he gives me that cocky grin like he has the power. Fuck that, I won’t see him hurt her.

It’s almost eight pm, I push from the bed and knock her door. “Come in.”

Peering around the door as I open it I see her lying on the bed. “Hey, what’s up?” I ask.

“I hear you and Ross had a run in.”

“Ah, did he snitch on me?” She nods, I make my way to her bed and lie down next to her. “Are you angry with me?”

“Not really. I heard it all so he couldn’t just tell me his side of things.”

“So, what’s up then?”

“I’m just lying here thinking that’s all.”

“About?”

She looks my way. “Everything. I didn’t like him calling you bitter and twisted because I know you better than that and I know you’re fiercely protective, but I can’t let him go either, I should - I know that. I’ve told him I need to think about things for a while.” Resting my head on her shoulder I try to give her some comfort.

“I want to see you happy Meag, I do...but him - he’s just using you. He wants his cake and biscuits all rolled into one and he’s getting it. There’s only one person who’s going to be hurt in all this and that’s you and if that happens I may punch him in the face or the balls whatever seems more appealing at the time.

“I love you Grace, you know that? I couldn’t stay angry at you anyway, you know that. Just bear with me? I love him and I know it’s wrong because he doesn’t belong to me but I need to sort my head out first.”

“Meaghan, you’ve always done the right thing and I promise I won’t mention dickface’s name again.” I kiss her cheek and roll off the bed. “I’m going in the shower I feel like shit.”

“Okay babe.”

“I’ll always be here if you need me.” I say before leaving the room.

“Oh, hang on a sec. Who was that guy last night?”

“That was Owen. The HOT Dad - he was a friend of Tom’s.”

“Really? I didn’t see much of him, but I like Tom, he’s a good man.” She says. I raise my eyebrow at her.

“He seems to be. He was nice. Maybe you should screw him instead?!” I don’t say anything else about him instead I wink at her. “I’m off to shower and get an early night.” I leave the room, grab a towel and head for the shower.

I lie in bed, sleepy, refreshed, warm and cosy and it’s not long before I’m drifting off.