Chapter
One
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I am so knackered. I literally feel as
though I could sleep for days, if not weeks. If we aren’t at the recording
studio working on our new album, we are rehearsing for shows and today is no
exception. This will be a tough rehearsal to get through though because we have
the next few days off. I love what I do and wouldn’t trade it for the world but
I am looking forward to the down time and to spending time with my girlfriend,
Chloe.
Chloe.
Just the thought of her makes me smile
like a fool. I know it’s still a newish relationship but I haven’t felt this
strongly about someone in a long time. She’s beautiful and smart and she puts
up with our array of ridiculousness without breaking a sweat. Speaking of ridiculousness...I
glance at the clock. It’s time to go meet the boys at Dean’s house. I grab my
black and white Rickenbacker and gently slide it into my black mono case. I
slip a couple of picks into the side pocket and pick it up, slinging the straps
over my shoulder. Then, after shoving my cellphone into my pocket and grabbing
my keys, I am on my way.
I open up my door and am surprised to
see an overly tanned, somewhat muscular guy sitting on the floor, leaning up
against the door to Chloe’s flat. He is busy scrolling on his cellphone and
doesn’t glance up as I walk into the hall. I quickly lock my door and turn back
to face him.
“Hello there mate,” I say. “Can I help
you with something?”
He peeks up, gives me an odd look and
returns to playing with his cellphone. “No.”
Okay.....let’s try this again.
“Mind if I ask who you are waiting for?”
“I’m waiting for you to mind your own
business. Does that count?”
“It is my business when you’re leaning
up against my girlfriend’s door.”
The guy furrows his brow. “Didn’t Abby
just get here? I mean the girl can move fast but.....wow!” He widens his eyes,
blows out his breath and shakes his head.
“Abby isn’t my girlfriend. Her sister,
Chloe, is.”
A pained look crosses the blonde guys
face for a second before he bursts into laughter. “Oh that’s rich. That’s just
rich!”
Now I’m confused.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” I ask.
“Oh where are my manners?” He
jumps up to his feet and extends his hand out to me. “Names Connor Scott. I’m
Chloe’s fiancé.”
“Rubbish.” I say.
“You really think that a hot little thing
like Chloe wouldn’t have someone waiting at home?” Connor shakes his head and
rolls his eyes. “Okay, clearly you did. Look.....what’s your name?”
“Jack”
“Look, Jack, I’m not sure what bullshit
Chloe has been feeding you but we got engaged a couple months ago.”
Connor presses a few buttons on his
cellphone and turns it around to me. On the screen is a picture of him and
Chloe. He is holding up her left hand, which is sporting a massive diamond on a
very important finger. They both look unbelievably happy.
My heart drops into my stomach. Could
she really be engaged to another man? No. there’s no way she would do that to
me.
“I take it by the look on your face she
hasn’t mentioned me.”
“No, not once.”
Connor’s brow furrows and his mouth turns
down into a frown. “Well, you seem like a nice guy, Jack, so I’m going to give
it to you straight up like she should have done. Chloe and I have been together
for a few years. We lived together back in New York and we got engaged in January.
We’re getting married next year and then I’m moving here to be with her. I’m
sorry if she led you on. She’s always been a little boy crazy.”
Then, to add insult to injury, Connor
scrolls on his phone again and shows me a copy of their engagement announcement
that had appeared in the newspaper.
“Did she know you were coming here?” I
ask.
“Do you think I’d be sitting out in the
hall if she did? No, I wanted to surprise her.”
I study his face, praying his smile will
somehow falter and he will admit this