Canadian heartbreak (The stars book 1)

8: When karaoke gets competetive

 *Zayn*

 Okay this is it, gloves are off. I know it might not be a gentleman thing to do. But I have realised that this is the woman I love. Quite probably the love of my life. And Tyler makes her feel wrong, dirty and sad. So I don't care any longer what is the right thing to do, I am going to make her mine at all and any cost.

 I don't pretend to be perfect and I don't think myself some kind of s*x God, far from. But I am sure she would never feel wrong or unwanted if she was with me. I would f*****g worship every part of her body if she let me.

 Staying clear of Tyler until the other guests come I am planning my way of attack. I am not used to doing things like this. But I actually think I have a fairly good plan. I just have to hope and pray that it will work out to my advantage.

 I go to put on a new pair of jeans that I know fits me well. I know my body is in the best shape it has ever been, so why not take advantage ? Looking through my clothes I find a T-shirt my sister got me for christmas. It is a greyish colour with a button up v neck and I leave it unbuttoned. I look in the mirror, ruffling up my hair, because I know Kitty likes it that way. Yup I can be happy with how I look today.

 *Persephone*

 I am torn, like literally feeling like I'm being ripped to pieces. I mean I have been with Tyler so long, he is the father of my child and I do love him, even though he annoys the s**t out of me these days. But I can't deny the effect Zayn has on me or that I am desperately in love with him. Not to talk about what it did to me hearing that he told Tyler of all people that he loves me.. He loves me..

 The first guest has arrived when Zayn walks in the room and my jaw drops. Holy s**t, he looks so sexy, I can't even.. I mean my brain might have shut down. I have never seen Zayn like this before, not towards me, so openly playing up his sensuality, but damn it is a good look on him.

 April steps up beside me, her mouth hanging slightly open and she nudges me. "Oh lord, I mean he was hot the last time I saw him, but that.. man he is going to need a stick to keep the women away, myself included".

 "He.. I.. Zayn usually doesn't do this.. I mean look like this.. play up the sexy". I am still staring at him, my mind running like 1000 miles per second, wondering how it will be running my hands through that hair, touching that chest, kissing those amazing lips.

 She looks at me with a lopsided grin. "Well just wondering who he is making himself all handsome and sexy for ?"

 Athena comes running before I can say anything else, pulling at my sleeve. "Mom, me sing, me sing first.. Surprise".

 "Sorry I kind of promised her she could, I hope it's okay, Zayn says stepping over". He looks at me, but I can't focus on anything but the dark curls emerging from the opening in his shirt.. it takes all I got to nod.

 My daughter grabs Zayn's hand, looking very excited and pulls him up to the karaoke machine. There are around 15 people in the party room as Tyler calls it. It has a dance floor, a sound system, a karaoke machine and a bar.. right now there are couches on the dance floor to sit in and tables for drinks and snacks.

 Zayn grabs the microphone. "Well good evening everyone, Athena here is the first singer tonight as she needs to go to bed soon. And I kind of promised to do this with her".

 I can't help smiling as I hear the first notes of "I see the light" from her favorite disney movie Tangled and my little girl starts singing with her tiny light voice. She actually knows all the words, even though a couple sounds a bit blurry. Zayn has gone down on his knees, but still towers over her.

 Them singing a duet is just the cutest ever and has all the women there sighing and whispering about how amazing he is. When they are done Athena throws her arms around Zayn's neck. "Thank you Zayn".

 "You are welcome, princess. You did amazing". He says with a smile. And Athena comes running over to tell me everything and ask if she did good. I tell her she did amazing.

 Tyler offers to put Athena to bed and I let him, knowing that he will probably call for me in 10 minutes. When he is gone and someone else is on stage I pull Zayn with me to a corner. "That better not be some kind of play from you buster, using my daughter".

 "Kitty, you know I wouldn't.. we were talking about the party and that people were going to sing and I know she likes to sing so I asked her if she wanted to sing.. she was too shy to do it alone soo". He says, biting his lip.

 I give him a once over, deciding to trust him on this, after all it is Athena's favorite song and she looked so proud and happy. "Thank you for making her day".

 "I am just happy to make her smile". He says softly. He takes my hand. "Just like I love to make you smile Kitty".

 I swallow. Suddenly I have no doubt that Tyler was truthful. Zayn does like me, he might even love me and I feel panic creep in. I have been with Tyler for so long, I do love him, I am just not in love with him anymore. I am desperately in love with Zayn, but can we make it work or would I just end up alone and with a broken heart ?

 "Sweetie can't you handle her ? I really tried, but she just wants her mom". Tyler comes back down, looking flustered and I just nod heading upstairs.

 It takes me about 20 minutes to get her tucked in and asleep. When I come back down I feel the tension between Tyler and Zayn as a physical heatwave and I wonder if something happened while I was upstairs.

 "This one is for my beautiful Penny". Tyler says as he takes the stage and sings 'Shape of you' by Ed Sheeran. He is a pretty good singer, no doubt.

 April steps over smiling at me. "Oh someone wants to piss off his territory and show that you are his. He actually has a rather good voice".

 "Yeah". I say. I feel a headache coming on. Seems like Tyler has decided to fight for me and that does make me feel warm inside, but I also know that in a week or two everything will be back to normal. What should I do ? Take the safe boring choice and keep on living with this need I can't quite explain ? Or do I take the chance, take the man I always truly longed for and hope we have what it takes to make it when the first rush is over ?

 "So this is just a little song that makes me think of someone special". Zayn says, taking the stage, his eyes lingering on me as he throws himself into a passionate rendition of 'All of me' by John Legend.

 April is looking at me. "Why do I feel those two are competing for something and it has nothing to do with karaoke ?"

 "Because they are acting like a couple of kids right now". I say, deciding three can play that game and I go to take the microphone. "Well this is how I feel right now". I must admit that I am pouring all my fear and insecurity into the song 'Torn' by Nathalie Imbruglia.

 Tyler comes over when I get off the stage. "That was great, baby.. I always forget you have such a great voice. You should sing more often".

 "Thank you". I say, letting him hug and kiss me. Feeling weird inside. Wondering if he gets it at all, if he gets me at all.

 When Tyler has gone to the bar, Zayn steps over. He looks sad and pulls me into him, whispering. "Sorry Kitty, I didn't mean to hurt you".

 "It's okay Zayn. Just don't turn me into some prize to be won". I say leaning my head on his chest. At least he gets me. "I just need a bit of time to sort things out in my head okay ?"

 "Okay.. take your time. You know I will always be here for you if you need me". He says softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “No matter what you choose”.