Page 121 of The Alternate Captain
I’ve seen it all before. And I know how she plays these games. She looks evil. Really fucking evil. And as soon as I slide into the seat opposite her, I regret texting her back.
“Do you love her?” she says.
“What’s it to you?” I say.
She laughs. Actually laughs, throwing her head back as the shrill sound of her cackle fills the air.
“I called it because you can’t love anyone, Johnny. You’re incapable. Why do you think I was forced towards Charlie?”
I’ve already had enough.
“What do you want, Sarah? What’s so important that you can’t leave me alone?”
“Your dad gave me your new number,” she says. “He was incredibly helpful, actually. And I told him all about my problem and that you’ve left me on my own to struggle.”
I scoff. “I left you on your own to struggle?”
“My visa is running out, Johnny. And I’m pregnant.”
And just that like I feel sorry for a foetus.
“It’s not Charlie’s, before you ask.”
I wasn’t going to, but whatever.
“And what’s this got to do with me?” I ask.
“I made a mistake, Johnny. I told Charlie that it was yours and—”
This woman, honestly. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I panicked. And I don’t know how to fix it. Because he won’t believe me, and he wants answers. I think he’s going to leave me, Johnny.”
“So? Tell him the truth. I literally have no idea what any of this has to do with me.”
“I need money, Johnny. And I remember you had savings from your dad, and—”
Ah, yes. The only money I managed to keep from her clutches. It only figures that she’d remember I have it, though.
“I’m done here,” I say, moving to slide my chair out.
“Johnny—I don’t know what else to do. I told you; my visa is running out and I literally have nothing. Please, I just need some money to get back home, and I’ll leave you alone for good—I promise.”
That’s the icing on the cake for me. Because all the promises she’s ever made me have turned into a pile of lies. Instead of acting rationally, I kick the chair I was sitting on and high tail it out of there.
“You’ll regret this,” she says.
And what pains me the most? A small part of me is actually considering paying up just to get rid of her.
“That was weird,” Mariesays.
I sit down opposite her in the coffee shop.
“I think something came up,” I say, casting my eyes back over to the blonde who’s standing in the queue with a brunette.
That must be his sister, because he stopped to say something to her briefly before rushing off.
“Anyway, about this tour... we leave on Monday, and Darren is convinced that they’ll extend it once we get started. So, I have no idea how long I’ll be away for. I’m banking on a week, but I need to get it cleared with work. They should be fine, but it’ll mean that I’ll probably be working extra shifts when I get back.”
