Wrong Girl (13 page)

I
glance over at her and nod my head, knowing that she means it. She really would
be there for me if I asked for her help.

“Thanks,
Audrey.”

The
sound of my phone interrupts us again, forcing me to sigh irritably. This must
be the fifth time it’s gone off in half an hour.

“Feel
free to answer that, you finished work five minutes ago.” Audrey grins at me,
carrying on with the tidying up she was doing before calling Rosie away from
me.

“Thanks.”
I say appreciatively, hastily grabbing the key for my locker out of my back
pocket.

It’s
probably just Rachel. She’s so excited by the idea that I’ll be staying over
tonight. She’s gone on and on about it for two whole days, ever since she first
suggested it to me on Wednesday.

I
reach for my phone in my bag and frown when I notice that the five missed calls
are from Jason. Why would my best friend be phoning me when he knows I’m at
work? My overactive imagine kicks in, thinking of all the worst case scenarios
it could be. Wanting to rid myself of such unpleasant thoughts, I eagerly phone
him back.

“Jason,
what’s wrong?” I press the phone against my ear and clutch it tight, choosing
not to bother with the formalities of answering the phone.

“How
come you’ve just ignored every single one of my calls?” He snaps angrily, also
dismissing the typical protocol that comes with greeting your best friend.

“Huh?
I didn’t. I’ve only just finished work. You know I can’t answer the phone
whilst I’m working.” I tell him, wondering what the reason is for his surly
attitude.

“Not
even for your best friend?” He says darkly, breathing heavily.

“Not
even for my best friend.” I reply coolly, struggling to control the surge of
adrenaline that’s racing through my body.

“Oh,
I see how it is.”

“Jason,
I don’t know what’s rattled your cage but there’s no need to take it out on me.
What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,
besides the fact that I haven’t see my best friend in what feels like years.”

The
bitterness in his voice is astonishing. Jason has never, ever spoken to me like
this and it’s utterly unnerving.

“Come
on, it’s not been that long.” I say, attempting to placate him and his bruised
ego.

“Yes
it has.”

“I
saw you on Saturday.”

“Exactly.
Six days ago. That’s a lifetime for us and you know it.” He informs me, certain
that I won’t be able to argue with him.

“I’ve
been tired… I know it’s not a great excuse but I’ve been going to bed early.”

“Bullshit.
I saw you head off to work this morning and you looked exhausted. You’re
definitely not sleeping
or
going to bed early. I’d say you’ve been
staying up half the night.”

“Wow,
that’s just creepy. You watched me leave for work?”

I
can’t help the small laugh that escapes from me. The idea of Jason peeking out
behind his blinds to watch me leave is so ridiculous it’s funny.

“It’s
only because I care.” He says gently, releasing some of the hold he had on his
anger.

“I
know you do but I really have to go now. Audrey’s waiting for me to leave.”

“Wait!
Don’t hang up. I’m sorry.” He says quickly, his irritation leaving him.

“Apology
accepted but I really have to get off the phone. I’m sleeping over at Rachel’s
tonight.”

“With
your mum there?”

The
disbelief in his voice is comical. Jason knows I would never spend the night
under the same roof as that woman.

“Hell
no. Rachel said she’s gone away for the weekend, I don’t know where and I don’t
care. So long as she won’t be there.” I assure him.

“So
I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asks hesitantly.

“I’m
staying over on Saturday night as well so it will probably be Sunday before we
can meet up.”

“Fuck.
I really miss you, Sam.” He whispers tenderly, instantly melting my heart.

“Aw,
you’ll get to see me soon. Come over on Sunday, we can spend the evening together
watching ‘Braveheart’ or something.” I joke.

“Again?
I swear your fascination with that movie is just plain weird.”

“Shut
up. You love Mel Gibson’s Scottish accent just as much as I do.” I respond sassily.

“Alright,
I’ll see you Sunday.” He says reluctantly.

“You
will.”

“Bye,
Sammy.”

“Ugh,
you know I hate that.” I moan.

“Yup.
See you later, Sammy.”

Argh,
I know he’s only trying to antagonise me and it works.

“Do
you need a lift again like last week? I don’t mind.” Audrey asks me kindly,
opening her own locker to get her coat.

“Thank
you but I’m fine. I don’t mind walking.”

“Have
you seen the rain outside?” She leans over to the window, opening the blinds.

 The
rain outside is heavy, falling down against the hard concrete in the
playground.

“I
have my umbrella and I don’t mind the occasional walk in the rain. It helps me
think.” I tell her, pulling on my coat.

“And
what could a young girl like you have to worry about? You’re young and you have
the whole world at your feet.”

If
only she knew…

I
smile, unwilling to divulge any of the reasons I have to worry. I like to keep
my private life private, not many people know about any of the issues I’ve been
dealing with lately and I intend to keep it that way.

I
send Rachel a quick text to let her know I’m leaving work, say a quick goodbye
to Audrey and brace myself against the downpour I’m about to face outside. I
need to go back to my apartment so I can grab a few things I’ll need for the
weekend and want to get there before Jason gets home from work.

I
know it sounds awful but I just can’t be dealing with him right now. The phone
call I just had with him was really unnecessary and I don’t understand his
anger and frustration. I frequently miss out on seeing him when he’s involved
with someone and don’t complain about it. I don’t know what his problem is and
for now, I don’t really care.

I
hastily gather some of my things from my apartment, eager to leave and get back
on my way. I reach for my iPod, selecting ‘Far Away’ by Nickelback to listen to
on my walk over to Rachel’s. The rain has slowed down a little so I should be
ok. Besides, it should only take me a few minutes to get there.

Rachel
texts back, letting me know she got my message and I can’t help smile when I
read her the text she sent me. She’s so excited about me staying over. I have
no idea why but I have to say, her enthusiasm is infectious. Tonight I aim to
forget everything. Last week, my conversation with Zack and the things we
discussed will be erased from my mind. It’s not like something actually
happened and his silence over the past week goes to prove he regrets his
proposition. From now on I’m going to concentrate on being there for my sister,
I’ll get through the wedding as best I can and I won’t have anything more to do
with him. They’ll both miss London sooner or later and want to go back there,
once they do that they’ll be gone for good and it will feel like none of this
ever happened.

I
don’t know why the idea of this makes me feel so… sad. It’s the right decision
and one I plan on seeing through. I make my way up the long driveway,
quickening my steps to get out of the rain. I had my umbrella with me but I’m
still soaked, all I want to do now is take a hot bubble bath, get into my comfy
clothes and watch a movie with my sister. Rachel and Zack would have met with
the wedding planner earlier this afternoon and I’m sure she has lots to tell me
about it.

“Wow,
you’re soaked! Why didn’t you get a taxi?” My sister asks, taking my dripping
umbrella from me as she opens the door.

“I
thought a walk in the rain would be refreshing but I think I was wrong.” I
laugh, removing my knee high boots.

“You
poor thing, you seriously need to dry off before you get cold.”

“All
I want right now is a hot bath. Will that be ok?”

“Of
course! You don’t need to ask. I’ll put the kettle on whilst you get changed.”
She playfully ruffles my wavy hair before walking down the hallway into the
kitchen.

I
wrap myself in a warm towel after my relaxing bubble bath, sitting on the edge
of my bed as I tug a hairbrush through my wet hair. I didn’t want to have to
wash it again but I had no choice, it was too messed up from the rain. I
decided to use the en suite in Rachel’s bedroom and feel a bit strange about
sitting on her bed right now. My mind inevitably pictures the two of them
together on this bed, cuddling, kissing and making love. It feels like a knife
has been plunged straight into my heart and the pain is indescribable. I should
not
be feeling that way about Zack, I should be happy for my sister and
pleased that she’s found the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

I
groan in frustration, throwing myself back onto the bed. I turn to face the
double doors which open out onto my sister’s personal balcony. I’m so tempted
to open them, I know it would let all the cold in but I’m seriously craving
some fresh air. It’s far too stuffy in here and I feel as though I can’t
breathe properly. It’s like there’s a weight on my chest and it makes it hard
for me to take a deep breath.

I’m
off the bed within seconds, hurrying over to the glass doors so I can throw
them open. I need air, I need oxygen. My hands are frantic, desperately seeking
the latch so I can unlock them. Where is it, where is it, where the hell is
they key?! I eventually find it and turn it roughly, hurting my hand in the
process. I fling the doors open, inhaling deeply, greedy for the cool air to
invade my lungs. It’s still raining so I don’t go out onto the balcony, just
being able to get some fresh air is enough.

“Feeling
hot?” A deep, powerful voice asks from behind me.

I
whirl around, letting out a loud gasp when I spot Zack standing in the doorway
across the room.

“What
the hell are you doing in here?” I squeal, tightening the towel I have wrapped
around my body.

“Rachel
let me in.” He answers calmly, completely unfazed by the fact that he’s walked
in on me half naked.

The
only thing that gives him away is his eyes. They’re practically smouldering
with want and desire as they leisurely wander up and down my body.

“And
she told you that you could come up here?” I ask in disbelief, wondering where
on earth my sister is.

“No.
She just left.”

“Left?
Why? Where did she go?”

“She
went out for coffee, she found there was none left when I arrived just a few
minutes ago.” He reluctantly drags his fiercely intense gaze back up to my
face, crossing one ankle over the other as he continues to lean against the
door frame.

“Did
she tell you I was in the bath?”

“She
did.” He smirks, locking those mischievous brown eyes upon my own.

“So
why did you come up here?” I tremble, unable to keep the trepidation out of my
voice.

“Because
I wanted to talk to you.”

“Whilst
I was in the bath?” I say incredulously.

“Well,
I would have preferred it if I’d caught you when you were getting out of it but
I guess I missed that opportunity.”

“Get
the fuck out. I have nothing to say to you.” I turn my back on him, unwilling
to observe his perfection for a moment longer.

“Maybe
you don’t but I have plenty to say to you.” He strides over towards me, placing
his strong hands on my shoulders so he can spin me around to face him.

“We
can’t do this. Not here.” I argue, pulling away from him.

“Then
where?” He persists, following me across the room.

His
presence is overwhelming. His masculine, intoxicating scent surrounds me,
infiltrating my senses until I’m enveloped by his presence.

“What
are you talking about? I haven’t heard from you since Friday. Seven days of
silence means there’s obviously nothing for us to talk about.”

“I
wanted to give you some space, I knew that if I pressured you it would only
make you run in the opposite direction and that’s the last thing I wanted.” He
grabs my arm, pulling my body against him.

The
only thing left between us is my towel. One tug and I’d be naked against him, that’s
all it would take and it’s the one and only thought that keeps swirling around
inside my head. It appears to be the same for him as his arms encircle my
waist, relentless in the hold he has over me, refusing to allow me to put any
distance between us.

“Zack…”
I whisper softly, desperate for him to relinquish the grip he has on me.

“You’ve
thought about it, haven’t you? Tell me how many times you’ve pictured us
together? How many times have you made yourself come whilst you were thinking
of me? Tell me, I need to know. I can’t stop thinking about the two of us
together and I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to be doing! I feel like
I’m going insane. Help me, Samantha. Please, I’m begging you.”