Page 70 of When We Fell Again
I sucked in a breath, running my tongue over my teeth. “When someone disrespects my girlfriend, I’m going to be there to protect her.”
She raised her gaze skywards. “You’re jealous.”
“Of course I am! Arlo acted like a total prick towards you and needed to be taught a lesson.” I moved towards her, but she dodged out of the way. “Don’t tell me you accept what he did?”
“Of course not. I feel sick just thinking about what he suggested.” Lex shuddered. “You didn’t need to react like you did though.”
“Would you rather I shook his hand and congratulated him on his excellent suggestion? Come on, Lex.” I couldn’t believe she wasn’t angrier about the situation. Or at least, she wasn’t showing me she was.
“Why are we even having this conversation, Jordan? I thought you’d changed, walking away from Arlo earlier, but…”
“But what?”
Lex turned away from me, glancing at the stage. “I think it’s probably best if you leave. We’ll talk properly later when I get back to the hotel.” Then she disappeared from the VIP area without another word.
Why is she being so cold? Can’t she see all I want to do is look out for her again?
The security guard who had been reluctant to let me in in the first place came over. “The tour manager said you’d be leaving soon.”
I let out a hard laugh. “Don’t worry, buddy. I’m gone.”
As I walked back to the hotel, a million thoughts whirled around in my mind. I knew Lex had had doubts about us getting back together, partly due to some of the things I’d done in the past. But I wasn’t jealous of Arlo Carmichael. After the way he’d acted towards Lex, I was disgusted with him, not envious. Surely, she could see that.
At least the tour would be over soon and we could get past it.
Although, the way Lex had dismissed me so easily bothered me. I loved her and I thought she felt the same, even though we hadn’t said it recently.
Had she changed her mind about us?
Exhaling hard, I started my walk back to the hotel, my head spinning. I didn’t want this to be over with Lex again, but at the same time, I didn’t want to argue with her later. Wrestling with my thoughts and doubts, I knew exactly where I wanted to be. Changing direction, I headed for the train station instead.
I got back to London just before midnight, having been in touch with Felix for pretty much the whole journey. I told myself I needed a little something to help me out, to take the edge off, to make everything okay. It would be a one-time thing, conveniently forgetting my original slip. Following Felix’s directions, I found the unassuming house in a row of Victorian terraces and knocked on the door.
Felix answered, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He ushered me inside without a greeting and shut the door firmly behind me. The aroma of weed consumed me—I could have almost got high simply by breathing. We went into the living room, where several lines of coke were already laid out on the table.
I sniggered. “Looks like youwereexpecting me.”
“When I got your message, I got straight on it.” He slapped me on the back. “It’s all yours.”
Any thoughts of Lex and Arlo disappeared as I bent over the table, taking away all the pain of the evening. The familiar rush engulfed my body, and I basked in the feeling as I inhaled my troubles away. My head fell back and I stared at the ceiling.
“That’s some top shit,” I managed.
“Only the best for you, Jordan.” Felix looked like he was sneering at me.
I went to bend over for the next line, but Felix stopped me. “You got the cash on you?”
In my haste to get there, I’d completely forgotten to stop at a cash machine. I rubbed my forehead.
“Sorry, mate. I totally forgot. Can I give it to you next time?”
The sneer on Felix’s face intensified. “My brother may have been into giving you freebies, but that’s not the way I operate. You get me the money, or I’ll break you.”
Brother?
“I can get it if you tell me where the nearest cashpoint is.” I patted down my pockets, finally remembering my wallet was in my bag at Lex’s hotel. “Shit, I’ve left my wallet in Bristol. I’ve only got my phone. I can transfer you some cash.”
Felix let out a laugh, which would have been funny if it didn’t sound so threatening. “Because I really want to show my dodgy dealings through my bank account. Cash only, Jordan. You got it or not?”
