Chapter 4 Robin #3
Instead of standing, I pull out my phone, trying to not think too much into it when I automatically open my favourite social media app and type in Wren’s name.
I’m met with an empty grey screen because of course, there’s zero signal out here.
I could have an inbox full of emails from my agent, but amongst the anxiety I feel, there’s a peace of getting at least a couple of days undisturbed.
I exit the app and instead pull up Phin's contact, scrolling through our typical check in messages which have always been pretty constant.
I find the photographs he sent me of his trip, lingering for only a moment over a photo of Wren, before opening it.
He’s wearing a white t-shirt which is such a contrast to his tattoos and dark curls.
His eyes look jet black as he stares into the camera, a smirk tugging at his lips as his tongue sticks out a little to the side.
He’s holding a bottle of water and I can see sandy dunes in the background, and white beach cottages.
The last place I thought they’d have run off to was a small beach town in Cornwall, I’d expected a party villa to end the summer in Europe, or something.
Granted, I didn’t know him at all, but if there wasn’t a new story online of his latest conquest or lavish party that got out of hand, Lily had no problem gossiping about what she knew. I hated it all, that entire lifestyle.
I’m intensely staring at his face through my phone screen when I hear two voices, the library door swinging open and forcing me out of my trance.
For reasons unknown to me, I duck below the desk, clutching my phone to my chest as I squeeze under the framework.
For a brief panicking moment I hope to god it’s not Corbin.
“Wrenny, I don’t know why you’re being like this.
I can’t understand what I’ve done wrong if you won’t talk to me.
” Willows whines. I peek out slightly from my hiding place to see his tall frame stride into the room, his focus in front of him and his jaw set tight.
Still in her high heels, she shuffles along after him, tripping slightly on the edge of a rug.
Before she can tumble, she throws herself down in an armchair, whining his name again.
With his arms painfully straight by his sides, he pauses, tilting his head to the ceiling which causes wild curls to fall back from his face. “What fresh hell have I woken up in Wil, where you think I really want to talk to you? After everything?”
“Ugh, don’t call me that. You sound like her.” She spits, her eyes burning a hole into the back of his head as he still looks up at the ceiling. I know she’s referring to me, she hates her name being shortened, which is why Phin and I do it.
“I don’t know what your problem is with Robin, but I think you just need to lay off her. It’s not the weekend to be pulling your usual shit, we’re here to support my friends.”
“Of course I want to support our friends. I just want to be civil.”
“Do you even know Corbin? Is there a reason he’s invited you?
” I shuffle myself to watch him finally turn around to face her.
He takes a couple steps back till he’s against one of the tall window frames, his elbow resting as he raises a dark brow.
From this position in the room, he would be able to see me if I made the slightest slip.
“He invited everyone here this weekend, so why are you on the guest list?” There’s no affection in his tone, or else I would have assumed he cared a little.
Rising from the armchair, she pushes her thick curls from her face.
“I’ve met him a couple of times with Lily, but I just assumed she asked him to invite me.
He always asks me about you, but maybe he knows I’m a good time.
” She crosses the space between them and he doesn’t move a muscle, his jaw continuing to work like he’s grinding his teeth together.
So she really does have that effect on everyone.
As she gets closer to him her palm rises, long fingers aiming for his chin but he deflects at the last minute by completely moving.
He walks over to the floor to ceiling bookcases.
“What did he ask you about?”
“Just our relationship. What we got up to, the last time we saw each other. I don’t know, that sort of thing.”
“Why would he be asking you anything like that? We were never in a relationship. We never even dated.”
She scoffs. “We never dated? You weren’t saying that when you gave me your hotel room card.” A blush creeps onto my cheeks as I die inside. God please do not start airing out your sex life here.
“I am really trying to not be an arsehole, but you know we weren’t in a relationship. We had sex one time and it was a long time ago. I’ve politely said nothing about you hanging around the band, but this needs to stop.” He pleads with her.
I take another peek around the desk and see he’s turned his attention to the bookcase, running his finger across the rows like he’s looking for something.
“I think you need someone to explain to you how dating works. Like I said, you never complained.”
The slap of his palms to his face jolts me, thankfully covering my grunt as my head skims the underside of the desk. “You’re going to do a full Psycho shower scene on me aren’t you?” His voice is muffled by his hands, but I hear the disbelief.
“Are you calling me a psycho?” She balks.
“No! It’s a film, Wil. I would never.” His voice suddenly drops and becomes softer. “I wouldn’t ever call someone a psycho, you know that.” Silence follows for a beat and I find myself leaning forward, desperate to know if they’ve both left the room.
“Don’t fucking call me Wil!” Her voice is so shrill I jerk, causing my phone to fall from its perch against my thighs.
It silently hits the carpet, landing in full view of where they both last stood when I had the nerve to watch.
I want the ground to swallow me up, because shining brightly facing upwards, is the photo of Wren standing on the dunes.
I’m unable to draw in a breath, but the library door finally slams shut. Just as I’m about to uncurl my legs, I hear soft footsteps pad across the carpet; tattooed fingers picking up my phone, and I hold in a squeak.
How can I explain why I’m under a desk, looking at a photograph of him?
Wren moves closer to the desk and when I think he’s going to crouch down to peer at me, he leans his hip against it instead.
The silence stretches on and I feel moisture start gathering on my brow once again.
I watch in horror as a hand comes down, his fingers reach out, finding the side of my face, running his fingertip along my jaw.
The touch is electric, the shock of it rocks every nerve ending in my body.
His finger moves up to my bottom lip, and the only thing I can think to do is take it between my front teeth and bite. Hard.