Page 93 of Knights Game

“Roman. Please take your hands off me. I’ve had a really shitty night, and I’m about ready to have a meltdown.”

“I think that ship has sailed, sweetheart.”

“Ergh, why are you all such bloody wankers.”

He shrugs. “I need to take you back to Southbank.”

I march to the bathroom, Roman hot on my heels. “Nope.”

Roman’s phone starts to ring, and I wave him away, walking into the bathroom. “Your master beckons.”

I slam the door in his face and sink to the floor. Tears threatening to come as the weight of everything crashes down on me. Time blurs as I sit there, lost in my thoughts.

Eventually numbness sets in, and I gather myself enough to strip and get into the shower. Letting the hot water wash over me, bringing some warmth and feeling back into my body. I step out, feeling a hundred times warmer, but the heaviness lingers, leaving me feeling like a sack of shit.

I wipe the condensation off the mirror and stare at my reflection, looking for any part of the old me. The remnants of my makeup still tracks down my face. Taking my cleanser, I wash off the rest in a trance, working on autopilot.

Hello coping mechanism, how I’ve missed you.

I’m methodical in my approach, cleanse, tone, moisturise. My phone buzzes again, and I shift my gaze to the message from Katy.

Are you okay?

Katy

I pick it up and start typing, then delete, then type again, then delete.

You fucked Roman?

I press send, and she comes back with the monkey emoji.

And now stop deflecting.

Katy

Is Rome still here?

Rome is the least of your worries.

Katy

Oh, for fuck’s sake, I mutter.

I'm staying in the bathroom then.

Sound choice. I’ll speak to you in the morning, he’s in bits if it’s any consolation.

Katy

Roman?

Luca!

Katy

No, Katy, it’s no consolation.

What happened?

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