Encore (The Black Eagles Series Book 2) (8 page)

              ‘Tell me everything she said,’ Toby demanded in a low whisper. She didn’t look at him as she repeated the conversation with Zoe. ‘Zoe is a fucking idiot,’ Toby snapped. He let go of Megan and stormed away to retrieve his phone. He called Zoe, and told her in no uncertain terms exactly what he thought of her. Megan stood and watched him pacing the room during the conversation, rage so clear on his face. The hood of his blue sweater was up. It always made him seem more sinister to others but not Megan. He walked back to her and deleted every trace of Zoe from his phone.

              ‘You haven’t been sleeping with her? I wouldn’t blame you. I have no chance against her. ’

              ‘No.’ Toby grabbed her hand, and pulled her to their bedroom. He moved her in front of the full-length mirror. He stood behind her and made her look at herself.

              ‘Megan, will you please hear what I am saying?’ He ran his finger down her cheek, along her jawline, down her neck. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘I wish you could see what I see.’ He looked at her through the mirror. Her hair fell like fire around her shoulders. She had curled it slightly and he loved it. Her big emerald green eyes stared back at him, scared and lost. Her size twelve figure had curves in all the right places. She was perfect to him.              

              Megan crumpled to the floor sobbing, angry with herself for always feeling this way. She shrugged him away when he tried to comfort her. Then felt the guilt as he sighed and left her alone as instructed. It was only when he got to the bedroom door that he lost his temper.

              ‘What else do you want from me?’ he snapped. ‘I’ve done everything possible to show you how much you mean to me. I love you. Isn’t this house, or the fact I’ve looked after you since your attack enough?’ He stopped and looked at the floor. ‘I sometimes feel like you don’t want me. You’re hell bent on pushing me away...’ he trailed off, exhausted from trying so hard. He was struggling to keep fighting.

              Megan watched him lean against the wall, head in his hands. She knew if she carried this on, she could lose him. And in that moment she decided it was time to take what was being offered to her. She had to be better than the likes of Zoe, and the thought of losing all she had because of her pathetic behaviour sparked something inside her. She got up from the floor and went to him. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands were shaking as she went in for a kiss. It took him by surprise, a quick gentle kiss at first and she pulled away. ‘Of course I want you. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I’ve always been so down on myself, it’s a bad habit.’

              Toby frowned and told her she needed to stop doing it. He hated it. ‘You don’t understand how much you’re driving me crazy.’

              ‘Sorry. Why do you even bother?’

              ‘Megs, will you just shut up,’ Toby said before kissing her. It was fear that stopped her, and the longer she pondered on it, thought about it, the more it became an issue. It was time he took control. Toby wound his hands in her hair, pulling her towards him, kissing her with intensity. His hands caressed her, like he was memorising every part of her. This time she didn’t freeze or push him away. She wanted it. She wanted him. He lifted her shirt up over her head then unhooked her bra quickly and confidently. It fell to the floor and she did the same with his shirt. Suddenly exposed, she sucked in her breath. She was putting all her trust in him, giving all of herself to him and praying he didn’t smash her delicate heart afterwards. She watched his eyes close as she ran her shaking hands gently over his chest. He was smiling and she knew this was a good start. She ran her hands over other parts of him and he certainly wasn’t complaining.

              ‘See, nothing to be worried about. That was perfect,’ he whispered. Surprisingly, Megan didn’t feel so scared any more. Toby’s kisses and his hands exploring her seemed completely right. They didn’t let go of each other as he moved her towards the bed, staggering without breaking the embrace. They didn’t make it that far, collapsing to the floor, and Toby held his weight so he didn’t crush her. Her fears melted away and she was lost in the moment. He made her feel safe, and her confidence lifted hearing his moans in her ear, responding to her touch.

              The words screamed in her head. ‘This is it, Megan. You are about to lose your virgin status. Don’t bottle it.’ Although it was way too late to stop now – not that she wanted to.

              He stopped to look her in the eyes. ‘Are you sure?’

              Megan reached up to touch his face and nodded. ‘Yes, don’t give me time to think about it,’ she said, breathless.

              His eyes lit up, and she felt him move her legs around him, lifting her slightly. His head rested on her shoulder kissing it. She closed her eyes and flinched as she felt him push against her. Once the first uncomfortable pinch had passed she relaxed, as he entwined his fingers in her hair holding her head, and they became one. Every emotion that they both felt, good and bad, laced each other: the love they felt for each other and the pain they’d both suffered and the loss of something so precious that had broken both their hearts. A heartache they had been through together had made them stronger as a couple. Toby had been right: she did know what to do, and her instincts had kicked in. It was like a battle of emotion and desire. Her body had ignited and shy, timid Megan was erased. Equally, Toby had never felt such want or need for someone. Nearly losing her made it so much more intense. She was here, alive in his arms and naked. He wondered why she had been so worried. She was the best he’d ever had. And he wasn’t ever letting her go.

‘How could she do this to me?’ Zac sat numb with rage. There were no tears but his expression showed such shock. His eyes were dull and empty, and his hands shook as he tried to light his cigarette. He couldn’t look at Luke. He felt humiliated. Here he was in his idol’s home, mortified and heartbroken. His contract and brief success hadn’t been for the right reasons and he felt like the biggest loser ever. Luke felt for his friend, and had nothing to say. What did you say to someone in this situation?

              ‘I bet you think I’m a right dick?’ Zac said without looking at Luke, afraid to see his expression. 

              ‘Why would I think that?’

              ‘How did I not see it? Jesus, it all makes sense now. She used to freak out when I’d leave, and almost go to pieces. I’m so confused. She wasn’t having an affair because she loved him, but she still cheated on me. What do I do with this?’ Zac was torn between being the cheated on partner and the one that was angry because his girlfriend had been used and abused. ‘Why didn’t she tell me?’ Zac spoke out loud as he tried to process all his thoughts, everything Lyla had confessed to, the reasons why she had done it. And the betrayal of his bandmate for broadcasting his private matters all over the internet.

              ‘I know it isn’t quite the same but I do know what you’re going through,’ Luke said. He did understand to a certain extent. He could have been in the same situation, but thankfully he wasn’t. ‘That piece of shit still destroyed everything.’

              Zac leaned over Luke’s balcony, the smoke from his cigarette swirling around his head. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed loudly. ‘Liss stayed true to you.’

              ‘Yeah. I’m a lucky guy. But look what he did to her face. He might not have done the act in person but he was the master of the puppet. He nearly raped her when she refused him. Do you have any idea how that feels? Then to top it off he tried to kill her. He’s left his mark on her and I’m still fixing her ’

              Zac turned to look at him fully for the first time. ‘Shit. I’m sorry. You’re right. You’ve been through a rough time. Listen, you don’t need this. I’ll go.’

              Luke stopped him from leaving, making him sit down. ‘You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. We’re probably the best people to be around. I share your hatred of the man.’

              Zac agreed to stay and the two guys talked through the options. Luke gave him some honest opinions on Lyla, mainly letting her explain in full. Zac needed to get the full facts and have all his questions answered, and make a decision from there. The couple had been together since they were thirteen. Lyla had been there through Zac losing his mother to cancer and his dad falling to pieces. She’d been his strength, his best friend. And he was struggling to let that go, but also forgiving her wasn’t an easy option. He was being ripped to shreds inside. Every time he thought of it from her side the image of her willingly taking her clothes off and having sex with another man and the reason for it overshadowed it and the fury came back. He couldn’t forgive her, he just couldn’t.

              The conversation turned into a drinking session until Zac passed out.

*****

The phone had been ringing constantly for an hour and Toby finally gave in and answered it. Megan settled against his chest and switched on the TV. She knew it was Luke by the way Toby had answered the call.

              ‘Alright, you little shit. What do you want? I‘ve a hot redhead in my bed. We’re busy.’ Megan heard what she thought was a roar of laughter from the other end of line. And she was sure Luke made some comment that sounded like ‘About fucking time.’ It wasn’t a secret about Megan’s virginity and her insecurities and Luke asked in code how it had been. Toby answered using football references to lose Megan completely on the actual conversation, although her attention had been taken by a documentary she’d just found about tigers.

              ‘No. That player is no longer on the bench. Upfront and the goals are stacking up. Top class that one, mate.’

              ‘Pleased for you, mate. Sorry to burst your bubble but I could do with your help with Zac. We need to keep his mind off it. Few beers tomorrow and some pep talks? Carry on the training. Call me later.’

              Toby agreed. ‘As if we need this shit,’ he snapped but told Luke he’d be round to sort the kid out once he was available. Luke threw more jokes at his drummer before hanging up.

              ‘What did he want?’ Megan asked.

              ‘Zac needs babysitting or something. And football stuff,’ Toby half lied.

              ‘Was I OK?’ Megan asked. It wasn’t really what she’d planned on asking but she just wanted to know if she had at least been OK.

              ‘No. You were not OK,’ Toby replied.

              Megan flinched. She had known it: she had been a disappointment. ‘Oh,’ was all she said. She felt sick and her stomach turned, and her heart skipped a beat. ‘I knew...’

              She heard Toby laugh. Suddenly he flipped her over, looming above her, his grin a mile wide. ‘You were not OK. You were amazing. Silly girl.’ 

              Then she took a swing at him. ‘That was cruel, you bastard.’ She was laughing as the relief rushed through her. ‘Do I beat Zoe?’

              Toby’s eyes closed and he muttered something under his breath, then rested his forehead against hers. ‘Megan, for the love of my sanity will you stop being so down on yourself.’

              Megan knew it was her worst habit, but she couldn’t seem to control it. ‘Sorry.’  

              ‘Listen to me and don’t interrupt. Yes, Zoe was attractive, and the others I’ve been with. Yes, I could have whatever I wanted from them. The reason you beat all of them is I didn’t love them. I didn’t care what they did once they left me. I wasn’t bothered if they didn’t come back. You, I love, You, I do care what you do and I do care if you come back. The last time I was with Zoe was just before we got together.’ Megan turned away from him. She didn’t want to know. But he wasn’t letting her stop this conversation: she needed to hear it. ‘Every kiss I shared with her, the sex and after she left, I only had one person on my mind. You.’ Megan smiled at him and he told her again how much she’d driven him mad with her playing hard to get. ‘For the first time I am with someone I love. I adore you, would do anything for you. You’re kind, sweet, intelligent and beautiful. You knock them all right out of the stadium. You shouldn’t have been so scared about disappointing me. I thought it was perfect.’

              Megan said nothing as she embraced him, pulling him to her. She was no longer scared. She wanted more.

*****

Beth was pacing the living room trying to decide if she should drag Lyla out of bed. The girl hadn’t come out since the previous day, and apart from her using the bathroom they’d seen nothing of her. She wouldn’t eat or talk to anyone.

              ‘She needs to deal with this. I’ll give her another hour then I’m dragging her out,’ Beth said, her decision made.

              Dale nodded. He wasn’t happy with Lyla and would prefer her not to be occupying their spare room. It was attention they didn’t need and that was his main concern. It wouldn’t be long before she was tracked to their house. They had been lucky lately and hadn’t been harassed as much, but this would change that. All eyes were on Luke and Melissa these days, as always, hence they had chosen a top floor apartment. They could escape a little.

              ‘How long is she staying?’ he whispered.

              ‘I don’t know. As long as she needs.’ Beth knew Dale felt uncomfortable about it. ‘I’m sorry, honey. I can’t kick her out. I just can’t. She just reminds me of Liss, and the scandal.’ Beth felt sorry for her, despite the girl having brought it on herself. Lyla had been used and abused and it was disgusting.

              Dale nodded and took her hand. ‘It’s fine. I’m just worried about being hounded. They’ll find her here soon enough.’

              ‘Don’t be too hard on her. That scumbag has destroyed her, poor girl.’

              Dale promised her that he would remain neutral. He did feel for the girl. It was disgusting how Jay-Den had used his power to treat people like this. He wondered how many other girls were out there in the same boat as Lyla, too scared to tell the truth and risk losing everything. It made him shudder. ‘You’re a sweetheart. I wish people could see this side of you,’ he said.

              Beth laughed. ‘Are you kidding? And lose my reputation. No chance. I save this me for those worthy of it.’

              Dale pulled her to him and kissed her. ‘I love you.’ They stood like that for a while, finding the silence settling. It wouldn’t last long and they were making the most of it. Dale kissed her for a long time. He’d always kissed her in a way that made her go weak at the knees, the only man who had ever given her butterflies in her stomach. He made her heart pound, always had done. Dale had cracked her once-closed heart and she thought he was the most beautiful man in the universe.  

              They were interrupted by the baby kicking and Beth giggled. ‘Quick.’ Beth grabbed Dale’s hand and held it against her bump.

              ‘That’s some kick. We’ve got a footballer in there.’ Dale laughed as his phone rang. It was Luke, calling a band meeting. ‘Fingers crossed,’ Dale said, grabbing his jacket to leave.

              ‘I want to hear about the big comeback when you get home. I could do with some good news,’ Beth shouted as he almost ran through the door. She really hoped so, as Dale was starting to worry and he missed it. Beth had every faith in Luke, and she knew he wouldn’t let them down. But they needed to move on and get back to normal. If they didn’t, in her eyes Jay-Den was winning.

*****

Jo-Jo wiped her face with a towel as she walked off stage. The Spanish heat was unbearable, and sweat dripped from all three girls. Cassie shook her hair and it rained sweat.

              ‘I thought I was actually going to die out there,’ Allie commented as she joined them backstage. They quickly changed before heading to greet some fans who had won a competition and did their duty for an hour before getting on their tour bus for another long drive. Shadowed Faces, their support band, had joined them.

              ‘That was insane!’ Summer, their singer, said, throwing herself into a chair next to Cassie as the rest of her band took their seats. Summer smiled at Cassie, who smiled back. There was something about Summer, and Cassie was almost certain she liked her. Summer was always staring, and if Cassie was honest she would be happy if that was the case. She thought Summer was stunning. She was tall and lean with long wavy caramel hair which always looked perfect but messy, but somehow it seemed deliberate – exactly what Cassie liked. She decided to see how things panned out. One relationship on tour was enough to be dealing with. She smiled back and they chatted about the show. Nathan had taken his place next to Allie, arm around her, and she giggled at everything he said. Once he’d given enough of his time to Allie his eyes settled on Jo-Jo, who sat opposite him. She ran her hand through her cherry brown hair smiling. Cassie knew that smile – she was texting Tom. She loved how cute all her friends’ relationships were. They had all found their soul mates and she wanted to find hers, but she had to deal with Nathan first. He was going to mess with her band and she wasn’t having it. Nathan had long dark brown hair down to his waist, ruffled and unkempt, but it suited him. He was lanky, sarcastic and generally annoying in her opinion. He seemed to glide around, getting involved in things that were none of his concern. She wondered why Summer put up with it. He’d caused his band so much trouble with his general attitude that if Cassie had any say she’d have kicked him out long ago. But it wasn’t her band and she didn’t have a say, although she thought Shadowed Faces would get further without him holding them back. It was his acting the idiot in the past that had ruined certain chances. Summer had confided in Cassie on a number of occasions about her worries but he was close to the other guys in the band and she was outnumbered. Summer was an incredible singer and it was where her talent was strongest. She was also very confident on guitar and wasn’t bad on drums, something she had learned very recently. If Cassie had a place for her in Echo she would consider it, only that wasn’t for her to decide.

              ‘Yes!’ Jo-Jo shrieked next to her.

              ‘What?’ Cassie asked.

              Jo-Jo held her phone up. The text message was clear. ‘BABE. WE ARE COMING BACK! XXX’

              ‘He’ll be so happy,’ Jo-Jo said, and gave a little sigh of relief.

              Nathan shifted slightly in his seat, his eyes still on Echo’s bassist. ‘Those boys of yours finally getting off their arses and coming back,’ he commented.

              Cassie glared at him and used it as an excuse to vent some of the anger she felt towards him. ‘Oy, you’ve got no place making comments about my friends.’

              Nathan looked a bit shocked by her outburst, but she didn’t care. ‘What’s your problem?’ he snapped back.