He Called Me Princess. Disaster Engagement Series Book 3 Lynn Smith

Episode 12

The next day Tommy and I decided to go for a drive down the coast, it was a beautiful day and the ocean was lovely. As we were driving Tommy brought up Mick, it was the first he had mentioned him and I had expected him to ask a few questions. “So the big mans mate Micks a nice guy not what I expected but a nice guy” I was happy that he was so relaxed about meeting my ex, “yeah he’s nice” “I liked James he’s a laugh, they way the two of them bicker had me in stitches” “yeah they are always like that but they love each other really” “we should have asked them out with us today? James said you two used be really close and that he missed you” “yeah but once I split up with Michael our friendship just fizzled out” “what do you mean?” “You know what’s it’s like, Michaels his brother so when we split up it was awkward with me and James” “oh right the Michael from your tattoo” “yeah but I’m glad you and Michael got on ok” “what your ex Michael was there” “yeah Mick” “so your telling me that block Mick is Michael” “yeah James is his twin brother I thought you knew” “I thought they were a gay couple” I let out a laugh “it ain’t funny” he snapped “so all that ‘your a lucky boy, you look beautiful my little sweetheart’ that was your ex boyfriend” “I’m sorry I thought you knew” “well I didn’t f*****g know, and before they left that arsehole gave me a big speech about looking after you. Talking to me like I’m a f*****g mug. All the time I just thought he was a one of your gay mates” “why did you think he was gay?” “Because the way he was close to that James saying he was his date, talking about buying each other ties” “people buy their brothers ties” “he had his arm around his shoulder” “he was trying to calm him down because he was excited” “he was talking about decorating with Stacey” “him and Stacey are mates, and he wasn’t doing any talking she was talking at him as usual” “stop f*****g defending him” “I’m sorry” “this is a piss take, the big man inviting him last night is a total piss take. He did it to piss me off” “don’t bring him into it , they are friends, they can see each other if they want to” “you won’t be f*****g seeing him” “Tommy don’t be like this” “no f*****g wonder your ex Stefan was jealous” “stop the car” “what” “stop the car” “no don’t be silly I shouldn’t have said that” “stop the car I don’t want to speak to you” “princess I’m sorry, I’m not stopping the car, you mean the world to me, I didn’t mean that” “take me home Tommy” “alright but I’m not angry with you I’m angry with him and with myself for being stupid” “if your angry with him take it up with him not me” we sat in silence for 40 minutes before we arrived at my house and I was livid. When he pulled up outside my house I jumped out without a word and ran inside and upstairs. I could hear Tommy shouting from the bottom of the stairs “princess I’m sorry, get down here, I’m not going to chase you, I mean it” “f**k off Tommy ya prick” and I slammed my bedroom door. A few minutes later I heard his car pull out the driveway. I didn’t want to speak to him but the fact that he just drove away made my insides boil with rage, why couldn’t he chase me and apologize. A few hours later Fran called “Alright Gorgeous, fancy a band meeting? A proper one this time, Chris is off the wagon he’s had a fallen out with Carm and Stacey and the big man are at each other’s throats” “yeah I’m up for that cause I f*****g hate Tommy” he let out a huge laugh “it looks like I got back just in time, let’s have a wild one gorgeous, pick you up in an hour”

Five days passed and me and the boys had went a bit nuts. Fran got us a plane down to Mexico. We drank ourselves into an oblivion. It was good to be with my friends again and it was like old times but it had to end sometime. I purposely left my phone at home so I wouldn’t be obsessed waiting to see if Tommy was calling me or not, and I didn’t want the girls to call me looking for the big man and Chris. Chris said him and Carmela were arguing because the baby had them up most nights and it was getting to them, he had a glass of champagne at the premier party and she wasn’t happy and embarrassed him in front of Fran so he drank the whole bottle, and had been drinking nonstop ever since. It wasn’t like them to argue and although I was worried about them I was glad to have my friend back for a few days. I didn’t release just how much I had missed Fran either. It was great being back to just the four of us. But now we had landed in LA we all had faces like smacked arses. The big man and I had one of our stupid drinking bets as usual and if he won I would need to show him my t**s and if he won he would need to get my name tattooed on his hand. He was itching his tattoo the whole way home feeling sorry for himself, I kept apologizing but he said he was only gutted he didn’t win so he could see my t**s, which even if he had won I would never have shown him. Fran thought it was hilarious, but Chris looked genuinely worried about going home to Carmela. I felt awful for him. When I got home I wanted to go straight to bed, when I got to my bedroom it was full of flowers, there was bunches of pink Lillie’s dotted all over my bedroom. They were my favorite flowers. My heart sank, poor Tommy must have been worried about me. When I thought about how childish I had been I felt embarrassed but sad that I had ran away when he told me that he couldn’t handle rejection. I opened one of the cards on the flowers and it said ‘I love you sweetheart’ they were all from Michael. I couldn’t handle that or the fact that Tommy clearly didn’t give a s**t or the enormous hang over I had, so I just lay on my bed and drifted off to sleep.

It was dark outside when I woke up, and it was raining hard. I sat up with a fright. My phone was beside my bed but was out of battery because it had been sitting there since Fran called me for the band meeting. I didn’t know what time it was. I got up and had a shower and went down stairs to get a bottle of water and Tommy was sitting at my kitchen table, I got the fright of my life, he looked upset, “so your home?” was all he said, “yeah I’m home” “did you have a good band meeting?” “Yeah just what I needed” he looked down at his hands, “he looked super nervous “me and Stacey were worried sick about you lot, then we seen online that there was photos of you all in Mexico” “yeah, why are you here Tommy?” He looked hurt that I had asked him. “Well I’m not here to talk about the f*****g weather” “don’t snap at me, I’m dying with a hang over, I meant what are you doing here at this time of night” “Carmela called to say you are all home and I came straight here, I’ve been waiting for you to wake up” “I’m sorry for running away but you seriously pissed me off” “who’s all the flowers from?” “I read one of the cards they are from Michael” he nodded his head “I thought that” he was subdued it wasn’t like him. “I love you princess, but I told you before I can’t handle people telling me to f**k off or running away” “and I told you I couldn’t handle jealousy” “sit down we need to sort this out” “I’m tired Tommy” “im tired too I haven’t slept in days because I was so worried about you” “you hurt me bringing up Stefan” “I shouldn’t have said that I was angry” “I’m going for a lie down” I turned away from him and he had his head in his hands “are you coming” a little smile broke out onto his face. “Yeah but I’m not going up there with all those flowers” “I’ll bin them in the morning” “I didn’t mean it like that, like I’m not going up there with the flowers from him, it’s because I’ve got hay fever” we both had a little laugh. “Let’s sleep in one of the spare bedroom’s and talk in the morning” I put my hand out and he smiled as he took it and we headed upstairs. I was still only in my towel, “you should dry your hair and put on pjs you’ll catch a cold” “yeah I should but I’m a rock star so f**k it” he laughed “your a nutter that’s what you are” we went into the spare bedroom and went into bed I took of my wet towel and threw it in the floor and got under the covers he took off his cloths and got in beside me. He lay in his back and I cuddled into his side as he stroked my hair. It was so relaxing. The rain was really coming down hard against the window. His chest was gently going up and down with every breath he took. Then he gently pulled my face up to meet his and kissed me. His tongue was in my mouth, he was softly kissing me as if I was made of China. He slowly rolled me over on to my back and he was on top of me. All the time kissing me deeply, the passion from him was hot. I had my arms wrapped around his neck and legs wrapped around his waist, i wanted to be this close to him, I never wanted to leave him again. I felt him align his hard on against me and tenderly burying himself into me. I groaned against his mouth. And he broke away from kissing me. “I love you don’t leave me again” I could hear the hurt in his voice, it was like nothing I had ever felt before, “I love you too”this was raw emotion. There was no slapping my arse or saying look at me when you suck my d**k, there was no tell me to come or calling me Princess. I wasn’t asking him to stroke his d**k and call me a good girl, it was just him and me reconnecting showing how much we meant to each other, for the first time we actually made love and it was better than every time before, because this was real, and I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to stay like that forever.

We stayed in bed for three whole days. It was still raining outside so we watched TV and we ate junk food and we made love. We only got up to shower and change into fresh pjs. I was missing my own bedroom and set about getting rid of all the flowers that Michael had sent me. Tommy stood at the door way watching me put them into black bin bags, every now and then he would let out a huge sneeze, “f*****g arsehole sniffing about my bird then making me sneeze” he said with a smile. I just changed the subject as I busily emptied the room of any sign of Michael, I went down stairs and threw the beautiful flowers away when I came back up Tommy was opening the windows and balcony doors to air the place out. I went over and hugged him, I wanted to reassure him that he was the one I wanted to be with, and I wanted the reassurance from him that he wasn’t angry about the flowers. He hugged me back and it felt good. Then he said “let’s get back to bed princess” I let out a laugh, he stopped and bent down “What’s this?” it was a card from the flowers, he opened it “I love you sweetheart, please don’t get serious with baldy” he let out a huge laugh, and I was relieved “I take it that I’m baldy, I’m not bald I shave my head” then he let out a huge sneeze, “I’m going to kill that Irish arsehole” he said as he wiped his nose.

The next day Fran said he was coming over to work on the album. I knew he wasn’t going to be happy with how little work had been done when he was away. Although I had written a few good songs, they weren’t right for our album so I kept them quiet from him. I got dressed and Tommy went out with the big man for a game of golf. I was glad they were getting on and had became mates over the past few months. As I was getting ready I remembered that I had lost Frans grans necklace. I looked in the safe and it wasn’t there, I hoped no one had took it, the last time there was anyone in my house that I didn’t know was Stacey party. I rushed through to Vinnie and asked him to go through the CCTV cameras from that night and see if anyone had went up stairs. I left him to it and headed out to meet Fran he was waiting outside on the patio. I felt really guilty when I saw him. Remembering how happy he was when he gave me the pendant made my heart ache. He was so sweet to have given it to me, and now I had lost it or let someone steal it. He gave me a kiss on the cheek “fancy some lunch honey?” I said kissing him back.”Yeah I’m starving and how’s about a beer gorgeous?” We went into the kitchen and he opened us a beer each, I started making lunch but he took over. That was the thing with Fran he always said he liked to look after me but I think he was just controlling. He could never just sit back and let me fuss over him. But I was happy to let him get on with it. “Stacey’s coming over I hope you don’t mind honey?” He made a face “Oh god I’ll hide down stairs in the studio when she gets here” I just shock my head “don’t be like that honey” I said with a laugh. We sat and chatted for a while and I loved having him back. He told me that Carmela and Chris were back to being the perfect couple. She had forgiven him for disappearing to Mexico with us. He said that Stacey was livid when the big man came home with a Lydia tattoo on his hand but she calmed down when he gave her his credit card. I heard a car pull up outside, “that must be her honey” Fran jumped to his feet, “I’m going down stairs gorgeous” He practically ran to avoid her. Stacey had always annoyed Fran, but he said now he thought she was unbearable. She was really happy when she walked in with arms full of shopping. “What have you been buying?” I said with excitement, “I’ve been shopping non stop, Jamie gave me his card and told me to buy anything I want, because he was away so long at the band meeting” she didn’t mention the tattoo, so I decided to bring it up “I’m sorry about the big man having my name tattooed on him, it was a bet, and we were all so drunk” she just cut me off “don’t worry about it Lyds he explained that it was a bet” I was glad she understood there was nothing in it. “Well let’s see what you got today you little shopaholic” then I noticed she was wearing Frans grans necklace. “Stacey where did you get that? I’ve been looking for it” I asked in shock “what? Jamie gave me this for my birthday” she said stroking the delicate chain, “it was so sweet of him. I thought he hadn’t got me anything all day then he appeared with this“ she seemed so proud of him, I was going to kill him. Obviously he hadn’t bought her anything and just took my necklace from my safe to pass it off as a thoughtful gift from him. “Stacey that’s my necklace, it went missing from my safe, it belonged to Frans Gran” her face fell “I’ve got my security looking through CCTV and I’ve been worried sick that it was stolen” she started to cry, I sat down next to her and gave her a hug. This was so awkward but I had to get it back before Fran seen it, I didn’t want him to think I was careless with something so special, I finally plucked up the courage to ask for it. “I’m sorry honey but I need it back it’s sentimental” she let out a huge sob “Are you sure it’s the same one” I gave her a look as if don’t be stupid of course it is. “Stacey I’m sorry honey” she took it off and I put it on because I didn’t want it to go missing again. “He doesn’t give a s**t about me Lyds, why am I trying so hard to keep a hold of him when he treats me like this?” I decided to be honest with her after all she was my friend. “Stacey you need to stop trying and let go, your not right for each other, you need to move on, it’s been going on too long now” she looked at me with tears on her eyes “thanks for telling me the truth. I think I had to hear that” “you don’t need him Stacey, you can stay here with me and you have a job that you love, and friends, just remember your worth more than the way he treats you. She nodded “I mean it this time it’s over” she didn’t shout or scream or go over the top instead she was calm and for the first time I actually believed her. “I better let Vinnie know I’ve found it. He’s been going through the cameras all day” I went out to find Vinnie and he was going through all the footage from that night, I appreciated all his hard work. His eyes must be going square the poor thing. I knocked the door of his little office, Vinnie got a fright and paused the screen. “Hi Vinnie I’m sorry I found the necklace, the big man stole it and gave it to Stacey as a gift, I’m sorry you had to go through all this I owe you one” he just rubbed his eyes “I’m glad you found it” I could tell he was a little pissed off with me. Vinnie was a nice guy, he was a little older than me with dark hair and brown eyes and had a great New York accent and an Italian second name I couldn’t pronounce. He had been married and his wife had left him that’s why he moved to LA. He was a quiet guy and kept himself to himself. Then I noticed that he had paused the footage and on the screen was Tommy and Fran and the big man talking in my drive way. “what’s that on the screen honey” i asked, “I’m not sure, they seem to have had a disagreement, I watched it already your friend Fran has a hell of a right hook” I didn’t understand what he meant. “Can I watch Vinnie?” He pulled a chair over “yeah sure” he pressed play and I could see Fran, he had that huge beard that he had when he came back from Glasgow. The footage showed Fran run towards Tommy outside my house and punch him, then the big man grabbing Fran and dragging him away. I was shocked why didn’t I know about this. I looked at Vinnie and he looked as confused as me, “maybe they had a argument” I said. I watched Tommy getting up and them both driving away. When I thought back it all made sense, Tommys black eye and Frans bandaged hand. But why? And why did Tommy lie and say he got hurt on the film set. I rushed back into my house, past Stacey who was still crying, and ran down stairs to the recording studio, Fran was sitting at the desk he gave me a smile “Are you ok gorgeous?” I was like a ragging bull, I wanted to slap his stupid face. “why did you punch Tommy at Stacey’s party?” I shouted at him, he didn’t look at all surprised that I was angry “Who told you that?” Was all he asked “I just seen it on the CCTV, why did you do it?” He looked deep in thought “I’m sorry gorgeous I had warned him to stay away from you, and I was livid when I seen that you were with him” what the hell was he talking about “why did you warn him to stay away from me? What you don’t think I’m good enough for your mate, is that it?” He looked like I had kicked him in the balls, he got up onto his feet “Don’t be stupid, why would you ever think that? I dont think he’s good enough for you” I shrugged my shoulders like I didn’t understand what he was getting at “why?” I could see the wheels in motion before he spoke “You forget I was mates with him for years before you met him, that’s why” I just rolled my eyes “god here we go Tommys a ladies man, and f***s about, ive heard it all from the big man” i said sarcastically “I was just trying to protect you” he snapped “from what?” I shouted “From getting hurt again” he looked genuinely concerned “I’m not your responsibility Fran, I’ve told you this before” he was silent for a second or two and he was shuffling from one foot to another like he always did when he was nervous “yes you are I think about you every day, every decision I make revolves around you.... and the boys, f**k this I’m leaving” he tried to storm by me then he stopped and turned “don’t you forget that every time something happens you run to me, and I look after you. well when you split with Tommy don’t come running to me” i was so hurt that he brought up the past. “I ran to you before because I love you, because we are meant to be there for each other, and now your telling me I can’t live my own life and depend on you when I need you, like all friends do?” His jaw was clenched. “Look Lydia I’m sorry about hitting Tommy, but it’s fine now it was ages ago and him and I are mates again so does it even matter now” “yes it matters, what if he would have said ‘she’s not worth fighting for’ and walked away. And I don’t see you going to Stacey and telling her to stay away from the big man. Why do you interfere in my life when your best friend is miserable with Stacey” he looked deep in thought “that’s a different situation” I shook my head “he’s your friend just like me” he stood in front of me and said “why are you so angry about some stupid punch from months ago?” and he was right it wasn’t just about that, I had so much pent up feelings that I needed to get off my chest. He was my best friend and over the past couple of years I went from wanting to see him every day to wanting to slap him every now and then. I still loved him loads but he had hurt me a lot those past few years. “I’m not just angry because of one punch Fran” I rubbed my forehead trying to get my thoughts in line. He closed the door “I’m angry with you for not letting me help you with your Mum, for not letting me be there for you. Im angry that you push me away when you need me most. I’m angry about you shagging some Lydia Knight lookalike two minutes after I moved out your place and I’m angry that I lost our little baby and you walk around here without a care in the world while I’m still heartbroken” he grabbed me into a hug and kissed my face. “I love you Lydia” he said over and over. I pulled away and wiped a tear from my eye. I never cried and I wasn’t going to start now. “Please forgive me for being such a d**k, I shouldn’t have hit Tommy, I was just trying to protect you and you know how upset I was about the baby, I just don’t bring it up because I thought you were happy now with Tommy” he was right, there was no point going on and on about the past. “Why do you always push me away?” He took both my hands “gorgeous I don’t mean too, it’s just the way I am” he was right, he couldn’t change who he was any more than I could change who I was. He’s stroked my face then he said “why would you say that I wouldn’t think you were good enough for Tommy” he said with a little laugh. “Because you think I’m damaged goods” his face turned into a scowl “why do you keep saying that? I didn’t say that, Stefan made that up, I don’t want to hear that again. I don’t think that” I thought about it constantly. I played it over and over in my head. It was quiet between us. “I’m sorry for everything gorgeous, I’m meant to protect you and I’m the one causing you to be upset” then I said something I had been holding in for a long time “yeah your meant to protect me, not sleep with me when I’m passed out drunk” he barged by me and left without a word. A few hours later Tommy came home. I was up stairs in my dressing room throwing cloths into a suitcase “what’s up princess, what’s going on?” He said with a worried look on his face. “Why did you lie to me? Why did you say that you hurt your eye at work when I know that it was Fran” i was angry with him too, he had promised he wouldn’t lie to me. He took a deep breath “I’m sorry I didn’t want to start any trouble between you guys. You are like family I didn’t want you falling out, and I was a bit embarrassed he got me a good one” I rolled my eyes and I went back to being packing “I’m fuming with him I could scream, I’m not hanging about here Tommy” he started to panic,