AllFreeNovel
Share Us
38
Dylan
There’s running from problems,and there’s killing yourself trying. I guess I crossed the line. Even without the support of the guys, I’m out of here. Why fool myself any longer? I need space. To breath. To be.
Sky. I hurt her again by letting her down. Knowing that the pain in her eyes when she walked into the room was partly due to me, sears the reality across my mind. I need to change.
No more running. No more hiding.
Getting away from the hospital, leaving behind the unimpressed medical staff and back to the hotel was a military manoeuvre. We timed my leaving out the back with Tina walking out of the front with a statement for the press, one quashing all rumours that I’d tried to kill myself. I’m suffering from “exhaustion” apparently, which isn’t far off the mark.
My head pounds and I feel like I’ve been hit by a semi-trailer, but I can’t stay at the hospital. Doctors were all over me about what meds I’ve been taking and when and how much. Too tired to deal with that, I flick them off promising I’ll address this when I get back to England. When the young doctor looked at me doubtfully, I grinned and said there’s this girl I know who’ll kick my backside if I don’t.
The curtains in the suite are drawn and the TV plays quietly. I adjust my eyes and see Sky lying on top of the unmade bed. I creep over and sit on the edge, stroking some hair from her eyes. Even in the dim light, Sky’s pale face matches mine, exhaustion pulling at her mouth and sitting below her eyes in dark rings. This isn’t all caused by me, but I haven’t helped. There’s no movement and her heavy breathing suggests she’s deeply asleep.
The other thing I saw in Sky’s eyes today was fear. I never doubted how deeply she cares for me, but always argued with myself I wasn’t worth the love she has. She once told me I pulled her into my universe, but she’s wrong. The moment I met her my world began to revolve around hers, our souls locked into the same orbit.
I carefully lay beside her, and encompass her with my arms. She’s cold beneath the air-conditioning, so I pull a blanket over us. My strawberry scented Sky is where she belongs, in my arms and as long as I have breath in my body, I’ll fight to make her mine.
* * *
SKY
The floorto ceiling window outside of the conference room looks across the Manhattan skyline and I stand nose practically touching the window. Scanning the tall buildings, I find what I’m looking for. The Empire State Building. One of my favourite movies isSleepless in Seattle, and I’ve watched the film numerous times, heart melting and tears flowing. As I look out, I picture Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
“Are you okay? You’re quiet.”
I turn to Dylan. “I was just thinking how strange it is to look out at somewhere I’ve seen in movies. From behind the glass, I feel as if I’m watching a movie.”
Today Dylan looks brighter, but his eyes are still shadowed in his pale face. This morning, he woke early and padded around the room before disappearing into another part of the penthouse. I found him watching TV when I woke up. He was distant, still not a hundred percent with me, and to be honest, I felt rejected. Half an hour later we’re here, waiting for the rest of the band to meet and decide what to do. Ten a.m. meetings aren’t very rock and roll; will Jem make it? Liam and Honey are here; Honey carefully placed on Liam’s knee, texting someone. Liam has a hand on her leg, but he’s gazing out of the window too.
“We can go out later, Sky?” suggests Dylan. “I know some good places.”
“I thought we were going back to England?”
“Sure, but I thought maybe you’d want to at do the tourist thing while you’re here?”
All I feel like doing is returning to the familiar and taking Dylan with me. Spending the majority of my time either at hospital or in the quiet of my flat, I don’t feel prepared for the onslaught to my senses likely from a trip into Manhattan.
“I’m shopping this morning. You could come?” Honey asks.
“Sounds like an idea, Sky?” encourages Dylan.
I stare at him incredulously. Okay, Honey’s finally being friendly, but I don’t have the energy. For shopping. Or her.
“I’m not in the mood, sorry,” I say, giving Honey my best apologetic smile.
“You don’t like shopping?” she asks, looking up from her phone.
“Treat yourself, Sky. Spend some of my money,” says Dylan.
“I don’t want to spend your money,” I retort.
Dylan looks at me curiously. “Will you ever agree to spend any of my money? Honey is happy to spend Liam’s.”
The undertone digs at her happily spending Liam’s money and embarrasses me, so I give Dylan a ‘be quiet’ look. Honey has returned to her texting and doesn’t hear, and Liam doesn’t respond, gaze still on the window. Is he worrying about the band?
“She’s allowed,” I inform Dylan in a low voice
