Holding On (Memories)

slyly, tucking my phone back into my pocket. I know it was a petty thing to do, but I don’t care. Maybe that’ll get his ass up here.
    A horn beeps, and I looked up to find a red Ford driving towards me. I purse my lips, recognising the car as Bing’s, and he pulls up next to me.
    “Get in.” He pushes the door open.
    “Why?”
    “Because I’m heading your way, that’s why. But hey, if you want to wait for the smelly public transport and get two buses to your flat, be my guest.”
    Ten minutes in a car with Bing, or two smelly buses. That’s actually a tough decision.
    “Tick tock, Jennifer,” he says in a bored voice. “I have a place to be.”
    I huff and climb in. “Is that a single, double, or kingsize?” I ask him dryly.
    “What?” He frowns as he pulls away.
    “The place you have to be. Is it a single bed, a double or a kingsize?”
    “Oh, ha, ha,” he deadpans. “You’re fucking hilarious. Do you have your spot at the theatre booked yet?”
    I pretend to examine my nails. “No, but I’m working on it. Rest assured, Samuel, you’ll have front row seats. After all, you’ll be my inspiration.” I smile sweetly.
    “Are you doing a comedy show, or a pole dancing one? ‘Cause I gotta say, Jen, I don’t think much of your sense of humour, but the pole dancing could be a win.”
    “The only pole I’m likely to dance around is the one I’ll swing into your head.”
    “Feisty.” Bing grins. “Just how I like my women.”
    “Oh, Bing, honey.” I shake my head. “You could be the last man on Earth, and I still wouldn’t be your woman. Trust me on that.”
    He stops outside my block of flats, and I unbuckle the seatbelt. I’m about to open the door when I feel his hand touching my back lightly.

BING

    “That’s what you say now, Jen,” I say in a slightly husky voice. “One day, when you’re done with your little boy, I’ll be there waiting to show you how a real man works.”
    She freezes for a second, and I feel her back heave as she takes in a big breath.
    “Asshole,” she breathes out, shoving the car door open, and jumping out. She swings the door shut and it slams loudly. My lips curl up in amusement as she stalks towards the main doors. She turns briefly, her blue eyes meeting mine.
    I raise an eyebrow. She gives me a look and turns, her blonde hair flying with the movement of her head. I hear the shut of the door, and turn the car around, driving back the way we just came.
    So I lied. I didn’t have anywhere to go, I just wanted to get her pissed again, but she did that herself. She annoyed herself by asking which bed I was in next.
    I had no intention of pursuing her. Well, no solidified intention, anyway, but her reaction to me being with another girl makes me really wanna go after her.
    There are so many things wrong with it. Carl, for one, but goddamn that girl is attracted to me. That isn’t my usual arrogance, that’s the flipping truth.
    I pull into the driveway at home, climb out, and go back into the house. Alec and Lexy are still talking at the kitchen table, and I pass right by to go upstairs.
    Tomorrow night is Dad’s party. Tomorrow night Jen will be on my arm, all night, for everyone to see. Tomorrow night, I’m gonna have some fun.

ALEXIS

    “You’re not gonna like this,” Alec says, worry all over his face.
    “What? What is it?” I look at him.
    “Adrian got hold of my number somehow.”
    “And…”
    “And he has bigger balls over text than he probably does face to face.”
    “What did he say?”
    Alec sighs, putting his hand over his pocket. “Don’t worry. I shouldn’t have told you.”
    “Damn right you should have told me!” I raise my voice. “What’s he said?”
    “Princess-”
    “Nuh-uh.” I shake my head, pointing at him. “Alec Johnson, you tell me what he’s said right now so I can go and… Do something incredibly painful to him.”
    Alec shakes his head. I storm across the kitchen, smack his hand away, and take his phone from his pocket. He stands there in defeat, knowing he had no way to stop me. I scroll to his messages, clicking on a random number.
    I scroll back, reading through them, and they’re all full of subtle threats. My throat closes up, and I wonder yet again if Alec coming to London was the best idea. I close my eyes, putting his phone on the table. I turn away, trying not to let the tears break free at the words I’m about to say.
    “Maybe you should go back to Devon,” I whisper in a raw