He Called Me Angel. Disaster Engagement Series Book 1 Free

Episode 10

Fran had his arm around my waist and was looking straight at me and I was smiling for the cameras. The Big Man was wearing his black sunglasses and looked every inch the rock star and Chris well I'm not sure what planet he was on. He just smiled and kept laughing. He had been really quiet the past few weeks, he was just keeping himself to himself which was really unusual as we all lived in each other's pockets most of the time, but I just thought that after the tour he needed a rest. I had been kind of avoiding the boys since we had got back too. I had promised Stefan I wouldn’t tell them that he was in rehab and I was having a hard time processing what Stefan had said about Fran saying I was damaged goods. I kept playing the words over and over in my mind and it had really hit a nerve. I loved the boys but hearing that we were just co workers made me reassess our relationships. After we had finished posing for pictures me and the boys stood at the bar having a drink. "Let's not get pissed tonight boys, not here anyway, we can go back to the Big Man’s for a party later" said Franco. We toasted to the new album and people kept coming over to congratulate us on how amazing it was. The place was packed with people and Fran slipped off to speak to a guy he knew from an up and coming band that he wanted us to sign to the label but I wasn't interested, the past few months had took a toll on me and I wasn't feeling in a socialising mood. I stood with the Big Man and Chris, the Big Man loved the states and he was going on and on about his plans for our American tour but I was hardly listening to him because I couldn’t stop daydreaming about Micheal. I hadn’t stoped thinking about him for years but it had became worse since I'd seen him on tv saying I was his dream girl. I couldn’t stop picturing his gorgeous green eyes when the Big Man disturbed my thoughts by talking really loudly to someone behind me "alright mate? how are you? long time no see" he looked at me and I could tell he was nervous. Before I could look around to see who it was, the person had planted a kiss on my cheek and whispered "there you are sweetheart, I've been looking for you. You are a very hard girl to get a hold of" my knees nearly gave way. It was him. My michael. It was his manly scent that I had missed so much and his touch was enough to make me stop breathing. I couldn't speak for a second then I managed to turn to meet his eyes. He was as handsome as ever only more tanned and had a little stubble. He was wearing a suit and looked incredible. "Hi Mick, how are you?" I knew he hated it when I called him Mick. All his friends and family called him that but I was the only one that called him Michael. He looked annoyed for a second then he gave me one of his amazing devilish smiles that made my heart melt. "You look amazing sweetheart and you feel good too" he said rubbing my bare back with his hand. Chris was oblivious to the slightly awkward situation "alright Mick high five mate, I haven’t seen you in years" Michael high fived him but looked at me and laughed "do people still high five sweetheart?" I let out a little chuckle, "what are you doing in London Mick?" asked the Big Man "I'm pleased to see you mate, don't get me wrong. Just a bit of a surprise" the Big Man and Micheal had always been close when Michael and I were a couple. They would play football, golf, cards, pool, anything competitive. Michael also loved to gamble and could sit all night in the casino together. "I'm back in London for good” I actually felt a little faint. He was finally coming home and although I was excited to see him, there was so much s**t going on in my life that the love of my life returning after being away for all those years seemed to pale in comparison. Then out of the blue Chris asked “why have you been away for so long man?” Yeah why had he been away so long? “because we shot the first movie and it was a hit so we filmed the next two back to back, but thank god it's over, those super hero costumes were a killer, Australia is nice but I prefer London" when he was talking I was just staring at him I couldn't take it in that he was really there standing in front of me. The big man whispered "are you ok gorgeous?" It snapped me out of my daze "yeah I'm fine , so mick tell us what's it like to be part of such a successful movie franchise?" I sounded like I was interviewing him on the red carpet. He went into a big speech about how it wasn't fulfilling as a trained actor but it paid the bills and had made him famous therefore opened other doors for him and then spoke about the next projects he was planning. I was nodding along as if I was really interested but I actually wanted to just scream ‘was it all worth it was it worth leaving me for?’ Micheal was talking about some independent movie he was about to start filming when I noticed the Big Man was just starring at me like really staring at me, he was looking me up and down then he put his arm around me "sorry to interrupt you Mick, is everything ok Big Man?" I asked because he was being really clingy “Yeah do you fancy a drink?” He said licking his lips, why was he being so weird? "No I've got one. I'm fine thanks" I went back to listening to Michael. He was so excited talking about his upcoming work and although it was nice to see him happy it annoyed me that all his success was at my expense. "Do you fancy a dance Gorgeous?” The Big Man said out of the corner of my eye. "There's no music playing Big Man, sorry Micheal what were you saying" Micheal just laughed "no it's fine anyway I was saying..." "I fancy going for a walk bit of fresh air, do you fancy it Gorgeous?" What was his problem? "No big man these shoes are killing me I can hardly stand never mind walk" Chris said "Big Man I'll go with you if you want?" The Big Man shot him a dirty look and squared off his shoulders "no it's alright mate, what were you talking about Mick" Micheal carried on for a few minutes telling us a funny story about his flight back to London. Chris and I were laughing he was always really funny. I had missed him so much but The Big Man was just standing there looking at the side of my face. As the story went on the Big Man interrupted again "Gorgeous what are you doing tomorrow?fancy going out for dinner just the two of us?" I had enough by this point. "Why do you keep interrupting!" It came out a little sharper than I had expected. He looked really hurt "I'm just trying to have a conversation" "we are having a conversation, and you keep butting in" "oh well then I'll just shut up " he drained his glass and slammed it on the bar. "Are you ok honey?" I said and tried to touch his arm to calm him down but he pulled away. It wasn’t like him to be so stressed out. I thought that maybe it had something to do with his therapy, he had told me that day that he was going three times a week now and I was a little concerned about his behaviour. "listen guys I'm not feeling great to be honest" he said rubbing his forehead “what's up mate" asked Micheal "it's just well I haven't been out pulling birds lately and I think the lack of s*x is messing with my head a bit, and I don't feel very well" Michael looked at me and tried to hold in his laugh "I rubbed his arm "how longs it been honey?" "Well all in about a week and a half" the three of us just burst out laughing "mate that's nothing try living in my world and I'm a f*****g rock star"said Chris. He looked at Chris and said "I honestly don't know how you do it" was this conversation for real? But I had to try and be supportive he's doing really well..for him, "Big Man go for a wank honey" he screwed up his face "I don't do that" "what do you mean?”asked Michael he looked really confused. I put a supportive arm around the Big Man. I knew that not having s*x for a week and a half wasn't exactly the worst problem but I still felt bad for him. He was trying to sort out his problems and he needed me to take him seriously even if no one else would "I get it honey is it because your too good looking to wank you've never had to before?" He gave me a little smile "that's exactly it Gorgeous " "well you just need to get over it because everybody wanks, even I do" The conversation went quiet for a second I couldn’t believe I said that in front of two of my oldest friends and my ex boyfriend, I'm such an i***t. I was so embarrassed I just shut my eyes tight when I opened them the Big Man, Chris and Michael were staring at me. I wished I could have disappeared then Michael said "yeah she does make herself come believe me I've seen it, it's amazing" I was gobsmacked "Michael" I said with a screech. By this time the Big Man was sweating bullets, then he said really slowly. "I can't take this, you in that dress and now this....I need to go to the toilet I will be back in a minute" and then he turned and almost ran through the crowds of people. Chris and I just looked at each other "wait till Fran hears about this he's going to piss himself laughing" said Chris "wait till Fran hears about what?" Fran said from behind Michael. "Mate you just missed it, the Big Man has been looking at Lydia like she's a piece of meat all night, then when she pulled him up for it he said he hasn’t had s*x for a week and a half, so I think he's gone to the toilet for a wank, and Lydia said even she wanks it was hilarious mate" Fran just stood starring at me then to Michael then back to me. "This is a f*****g business drinks and you lot are standing about talking about this" I starred at the floor, I hated when Fran was annoyed and I knew he was angry with me. I felt like a little school girl. Michael said "Hi Franco how are you mate?" he put his hand out to shake Frans hand, but Fran just ignored him. Fran could be really rude sometimes and it didn’t help that he had never got on with Michael. I always wondered why he disliked him because Michael was very charming and funny, but Fran acted like he hated him. “Lydia I need a word with you" he said and he looked furious he walked away and I didn’t know what to do so I just followed him. I looked back at Michael and Chris, Chris was laughing and Michael just gave me a sexy smile and wink. He was so gorgeous that I thought that maybe I should go to the toilet for a wank. Fran took me out to the lobby and then into the coat room were it was private and everyone was inside enjoying the party. "What the f**k is he doing here?" he was talking about Michael. "I don't know I didn't invite him" he just starred at me and shook his head "Gorgeous I asked you not to invite your boyfriend because he's an embarrassment so you turn up with your ex, what are you playing at?" He was so angry but I hadn't done anything wrong. "Fran I'm sorry we were having a laugh at the Big Man but we didn't mean any harm and no one was listening and honestly I didn't invite Michael, he phoned me a few weeks ago and I hung up on him and now he's here" I just kept starring at the floor. "Okay, so you didn't invite him, that's good" I was confused "what do you mean?" I asked "Nothing Gorgeous," he bent down and kissed the end of my nose. "Just stay away from him I hate how he treated you the last time" but I was starting to get pissed off, I stood up straight and looked him straight in the eye "what's it got to do with you?" he gritted his teeth at me "it's got everything to do with me, just do what your told!" Who the hell did he think he was “I know this is your band and your in charge and I know that I told you to stay away from Stacey when you had feelings for her but this is different, Michael was my first love and also nothing's going on with us so just back off" "I'm just looking out for you. I'm just trying to protect you" I didn't want to listen to this anymore. It was clear that he was just trying to control me after what Stefan had told me about Fran only seeing me as someone that works for him. All this big brother protective nonsense was bullshit. I was just someone that made him alot of money and I didn't want to hear it anymore "you’re just trying to protect your band not me, but you can't control me!" It was quiet between us for a minute or two I just stared at the floor and he had his head down with his hands in his pockets shuffling from one foot to the other "that's not true Gorgeous please don't think that! You are my main priority, not the band or anyone else" he said and although he did look genuinely hurt I wasn’t buying it “I'm going home Franco this party is crap and I'm going to bed" I turned to leave and he grabbed my arm "Lydia come back. You have been funny with me for weeks. I want you to tell me what I’ve done wrong” I pulled away from him and just kept walking “I haven't finished talking to you!" He shouted but I didn't want to talk. I rushed out and along the corridor to the bathroom to calm down before I headed home. I was glad there was no one in there because I was cursing and swearing at myself in the mirror as if I was arguing with Fran. And I must say I really gave him a piece of my mind, it was just a pity he wasn’t there. When I realized how stupid I was being I quickly reapplied my lipstick and text Harry to get the car for me. I waited a few minutes and then I opened the door and Michael was outside the bathroom waiting for me. He looked amazing he was leaning against the wall looking at his watch and then he looked up and gave me the sexiest smile "what were you doing in there Sweetheart, not the same thing as the Big Man I hope" He made me smile. I ran towards him and slapped his arm. "I can't believe you said that in front of those two, I'm mortified" I said laughing "you started it Sweetheart" he said with a cheeky grin. "I'm sorry about Franco he's under a lot of pressure with the new album and we are touring America next year, he's got a lot in his plate" why was I defending him I thought to myself. "And I'm sorry about the Big Man he's just a big dirty bastard" he just smiled and said "don't worry about it, when I left here two years ago Franco was hating me and dragging you away for secret meetings and the Big Man couldn't stop starring at your t**s, so nothing has changed as far as I can see" the two of us started to laugh, i was still angry with him for leaving but I had forgot how easy it was to be with him, but Franco was right I needed to stay away from him, I was devastated the last time he left me and I couldn't let it happen again. "I need to go Michael, it was lovely to see you, I'm just on my way home. Franco is driving me nuts just now and I don't want to fight with him, it's better I leave" he stood up straight and looked as if I'd kicked him in the balls. "You can't go I need to speak to you" I shook my head “I'm sorry some other time" as I turned and walked away I almost ran. He came up behind me and met my pace and grabbed my arm and dragged me into the coat room, I was half expecting Fran to still be in there. He pushed me into the room and closed the door behind him "what are you doing? people will see" he grabbed me close to his body and pressed his lips to my ear "sweetheart I don't care how sees" he whispered, he ran his lips across my earlobe and I was breathless. Being this close to him had sent my whole body into overdrive. My n*****s were rock hard and my stomach was in knots, but I had to resist. I put my hands on his chest and tried to push him away but he was too strong. Then he whispered in his sexy Irish voice "are you going home to your boyfriend? Do you love him sweetheart? Cause I don't think your right for him and I know he's not right for you" I was out of breath by now "don't Michael," I turned my face away from him “tell me, does he love you as much as i do?” I wasn’t even listening to him because his words were worthless and I’d had enough I needed to get away from him. I managed to get out of his embrace "Michael I don't love him, I love you! But you threw it all away for a stupid movie and I don't think we can get that back. I'm sorry Michael I wish I could forget the past few years of feeling abandoned and heart broken but I can't" he looked really angry "Sweetheart I asked you to come with me and you turned me down because of your career, because of the band, don't you think I've felt rejected and heartbroken these past three years? Of course I have. The only difference is I'm here begging you to give us a chance and your standing there wearing an engagement ring. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who loves who more here" I was shocked how dare he say that. I suppose he was right he asked me to go with him but I never asked him to stay so how can I be mad that he went. "Michael I love you so much and this ring was a huge drunken mistake. I miss you and I wish you had never left, but you did, I just need time to figure out stuff" he gave me a half smile and brushed the backs of his fingers down my face "I love you Sweetheart, that's not going to change any time soon, so sort out your stuff and I'll be waiting for you" he always knew exactly what to say and I had to admit he was talking a lot of sense. I looked into his beautiful green eyes and for a split second I wasn’t angry with him anymore. I stood on my tip toes and gently brushed my lips against his “I've missed you so much baby" I said. He let out a sigh of relief "but I'm still going home this party stinks, I'm going to bed" "I wish I was going with you, here's my number call me tomorrow or tonight or whenever you can,okay Sweetheart" I just nodded and walked out I didn't have any more energy and didn't have anything else to say. That was the second fight I’d had in that room that night and I was exhausted, so I headed straight home. When I got there I poured myself a big drink and sat down on the sofa trying to work out what to do next. I had a lot to think about. Firstly I had to break up with Stefan and I wasn’t sure how to do it. I didn’t want to add to his list of problems because he was already really fragile. But it wasn’t fair if I stayed with him just because I felt bad for him. I didn’t want me ending our relationship to set him back in his recovery but I couldn’t pretend to be in love with him just to save his feelings. Then there was Micheal, I still loved him but every time I looked at him I just felt hurt by the way he had left me before. But the main thing that played on my mind was Fran and how things had been strange between us since I found out what he had told Stefan. I missed Fran loads and although boyfriends come and go best friends were for life. I had to clear the air with him. Because I could live without Micheal and Stefan but I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I woke up a few hours later and it was the middle of the night and the rain was coming down hard outside. I must have fell asleep on my sofa after my drink. I woke up still in my dress and I was feeling chilly. There was a blanket over me, I thought Stacy must have covered me up. The place was in darkness, except for the duke box light and the street light shining through the balcony doors. I sat up and stretched. My thoughts immediately went to Micheal I couldn't stop thinking about him. About his stubble brushing against my neck, and his smell and his perfect smile and a voice broke my thoughts "it's about time you woke up sleepy head" it was Fran he was leaning against my arm chair with a large whiskey in his hand. He had taken off his suit jacket, he was wearing a waistcoat with a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows but his tie was still perfect. I jumped when I realized he was there "god Fran I nearly had a heart attack", I rubbed my eyes and stretched and gave him a smile "how did you get in here, did Stacey let you in?" "No the Big Man is having a party downstairs" he took a sip of his drink "you looked beautiful tonight but you look so cute lying there all tiny, I could watch you sleep all night" I let out a giggle "how long did you watch me for you little weirdo?" We both laughed. "You were cold so I put the blanket over you" he looked worried and stressed, probably because we had argued. I had to stop thinking about what Stefan had said. Fran was my friend and I loved him, and I knew he loved me too. I didn't want to fall out with him and when I thought about it, Stefan was desperate to have me all to himself and he would have said anything. Fran was one of my favourite people in the whole world and I didn't want to lose that. "I'm glad you’re here Fran, I'm sorry about earlier" he put his glass on the coffee table and stood up and put his hands in his pockets. "I'm sorry too gorgeous.... But can I ask... why have you been so off with me lately?” I could hear the hurt in his voice but I couldn’t tell him the truth so I just said “I’m just really stressed out right now” he nodded his head “me too, it's just this tour of America coming up, I feel like I'm the only one taking it seriously" he looked really tired and deflated i rolled my eyes "don't start that Fran. We all have a lot on our plates just now” he just stared at me in darkness. He just kept looking at me. "Are you ok Fran? you look so worried" his eyes where narrowed and he stood up and walked towards me. I was still lying on the sofa and he was standing over me. I said nothing and just stared up at him."Fran say something" He sat down on the coffee table in front of me and I sat up on the sofa. He started to slowly undo his tie. "Lydia you have no idea how hard it is" i was totally confused "what's hard honey?" I asked. "pretending to be happy when you're not" he sounded so sad. "Fran we all can't be happy all of the time believe me” “I know but I’m really struggling” I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek “Can I do anything to make you feel better?” I asked but he shook his head. “I would do anything for you Francis. Please tell me what’s wrong” He took my hand “I shouldn’t have said anything I’ll be fine. Please don’t worry” “But I am worried honey. And not just about you. The Big Man is all over the place and Chris is on a different planet, we are all falling apart” “we are a bit of a mess at the moment” I took both his hands “why don’t we all go away for a while? Just run away?” “Why is that your answer to everything?” He was right even when we were kids my nickname was Speedy because I ran everywhere. “I need to get away” I said “why?” He asked as he gently held my hands “All this bullshit with Michael coming back to London. He grabbed me and dragged me into the coat room earlier but I'm just not ready to speak to him. Why don't we go away, just the four of us, we could go and get some sunshine and try and relax somewhere we aren't famous," he looked deep in thought "your answer to everything is to run away but yeah that sounds like a good idea” he gave me a weak smile “I seen you coming out the coat room I thought you two might be getting back together" "no don't be silly Fran" Then a voice came from behind us "Lydia" it was Stacey "sorry to interrupt but I can't sleep, the party down stairs is keeping me awake , I might pop down for a drink" she was wearing a tight black dress and a full face of make up. She looked drop dead gorgeous but it must have took her hours to have got herself so glam. She turned and practically ran to the elevator door, it was clear she couldn’t wait to see the Big Man. That girl was asking for trouble because it was obvious she really liked him but the Big Man was taking a break from woman and although he had admitted that he and Fran had been arguing on his balcony about them both having feelings for Stacey I knew deep down that he wasn’t really in love with her, he seemed really mixed up and I was glad he was in therapy, but there was no way she was going to have a fairytale relationship with him. I turned back to Fran and he looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Come here honey give me a cuddle and tell me what's really wrong, because I'm not buying what you’re selling!" He gave me a small smile and sat next to me on the sofa, I wrapped part of the blanket around him and stroked his face "tell me what's wrong Francis” I said as I rested my head on his shoulder but he just shook his head "I'm fine" he said and looked away "you’re not fine, you've been weird since before we went away on tour, you know you can tell me anything" he was just quiet again, he didn't want to talk and I had to respect that " ok honey" I kissed him on the cheek and started stroking his hair. "take your time, you know I'm always here for you, I love you Fran" he finally looked up to meet my eyes, he gave me one of his half smiles "