Chapter 31 #2
“22-year-old Chambers was spotted in downtown New York with one of his management team. They were getting pretty close and were said to be intimate for most of the night. The lady in question was none other than Dani Hill—daughter of former Dunbar Hill legend, Bernie Hill. Bernie also happens to be CEO of Independent label, Election Records who Koolum Law signed with earlier this year.”
Another photo appears. This time the girl who tried it on with me just after Dani left the bar. This one shows her leaning forward while I look as if I’m getting close and personal with her tits.
“During the same weekend, he was spotted getting intimate with yet another unidentified woman.”
“Fuck,” I say again, more to myself. “Turn this off Cal, they’re—”
She holds up one hand. “Shh.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I spit in frustration, but Cal keeps on watching.
“Both Dani and Bernie Hill were unavailable for comment and Chambers hasn’t been seen since his plane hit the tarmac at London’s Heathrow Airport yesterday morning.”
It’s difficult to gauge Cal’s emotions as she bites her nails.
“Lock up your daughters, Ash Chambers is on the prowl.”
I can’t stand to listen to this bollocks any longer. I grab the remote from Cal’s other hand and turn it off. Cal keeps perfectly still, staring into space.
“Baby—”
She blinks rapidly. “No. Don’t you dare.”
I take a step forward and try to hold her, but she pushes me away, her only words, “I said no.”
She takes a few steps towards the bed and drops her body to a sitting position. For a while, I do most of the talking while she stares into space and silent tears stream down her face.
“Listen to me, Cal. I love you. You have to know I’d never do anything to hurt you.
Those photos must have been staged somehow.
We were both a little drunk and Dani was acting weird that night.
She pounced on me, the image makes it look as if we kissed, but she forced herself on me, and I pushed her away, I promise. ”
“You were drunk?”
“You’re focusing on the wrong thing,” I try to reason.
“What was her name?” she asks, throwing me off where I’m going with my explanation.
“I… what? Who?”
“The second girl.”
I can’t answer.
Cal looks me in the eye for the first time in minutes. “Please tell me you at least knew her name.”
I swallow hard before I reply, “No, Cal. You’re looking at this all wrong—”
“Am I? The proof was on the screen, Ash. There isn’t any other way to look at it.”
“Yes, there is. My way. I’m telling you the truth.”
“You know, I should have known something was up when you arrived out of the blue,” Cal says with folded arms. “And to think, last night you couldn’t say I love you enough.” Then she mimics, “No other girl holds a candle to you, no one else. Isn’t that what you said? Now I get it.”
“Why are you taking that crock of shit on the TV as gospel? You’ve got to believe me. Don’t you trust me, Cal? Is that it?”
“Oh, okay. I see what you’re doing. Don’t think you can turn this around and make me look like the bad guy. I won’t fall for it, Ash.”
“Jesus, you’ve already made your mind up.”
“As I said, it was on the screen for everyone to see. I’m sure your mum will be so proud.”
“Just hear me out.”
“I think I’ve heard enough. You should go now, the band are waiting for you and no doubt, you have things to sort out with Dani.”
“Cal—”
“Please Ash, just leave me alone.”
“If I go now, I won’t see you for months. I’m not leaving things like this when I haven’t done—”
“I said, go!” she shouts. This is the first time I’ve ever heard Cal raise her voice.
I know I have to get back to the band as soon as possible, but fuck, if my heart isn’t breaking right now.
I came here last night knowing I had limited time with her, but I should have gone back before now.
Maybe if I had, this wouldn’t have happened.
Perhaps she would still be sleeping. Now, I’m in the shit with the label and worse than that, I think Cal hates me.
I take in a breath. “Don’t let this be the end, Cal. Don’t let them break us apart.”
She goes to open the door and stands by it, waiting for me to leave.
“Can I call you later?”
“Not today.”
“Then, when?”
She looks deep into my eyes and the hurt is clear. “Just give me some time.”
I nod, grab my t-shirt and pull it over my head. I hate leaving things like this. “Maybe when you’ve got your thoughts together…we can talk more then.”
She takes in a breath, closing her eyes briefly. “I don’t know when that will be.”
My throat hurts when I swallow down the hard lump wedged there. “You don’t want to sort this out?” Cal just stares into space. “Cal? Why won’t you accept what I’m saying?”
She remains silent, so I ask the question I don’t want an answer to. “Are you breaking up with me?”
She chews her bottom lip. “I think I have to. I just can’t—” then she stops mid-sentence, so I finish it for her.
“Trust me? Is that what you were going to say? You can’t trust me.”
She rubs her forehead. “We’re just on different paths, Ash. You’re about to go back to New York then on tour for three months. We thought this would be easy; we could cope. We love each other, right? Nothing can impede love, except… I don’t like the person I become when you’re away and now maybe…”
“Maybe what?”
Cal closes her eyes briefly then sighs. “Maybe my worries are valid.”
“They’re not. I can promise you. I’m not letting you go, Cal. Not over something so fucking stupid that wasn’t my fault.”
“Let’s not make this any harder than it already is.”
“For fuck’s sake.” I take a step forward hoping she will at least let me hold her, but her hands immediately fly up to stop me. I try to reason, “I can’t let you go, Cal. In fact, I won’t.”
“It isn’t up to you anymore.”
“Yes, it is. I’ll give you time if that’s what you want, but I’m coming back for you. Simple as.”
I reach around to the counter beside her, slip my wallet in the back pocket of my jeans, while Cal stands next to me; staring into space, but choosing not to look me in the eye. As I walk away, I say, “I’ll call you.”
She doesn’t reply. The door clicks behind me as I leave.
For a second, I let the wall take my weight as I lean against it.
How the fuck did we go from nought to sixty in a matter of seconds?
My phone buzzes and Dani’s name illuminates my screen.
I can’t deal with her right now. My blood is fucking boiling as far as she’s concerned.
Instead, I attempt to get to where I should be.