Reveal (Love & Beyond #2) Read online

  “Damn you, Carl! I was having a great dream then.” I slither up from my sheets to sit up and Carl parks his butt next to me.

  “Darla and I, our too excited, its why we’re up to early.”

  “I’m excited, I’ve just got no energy; it’s been one busy week. Shopping in New York is mental.” We both lay back and start to talk about the plan of action for the day. Jared got the three of us exclusive Bon Jovi tickets, as he is playing, his last ever concert tonight; it is a one off thing. All though, Jared’s not coming. He said it’s not his type of music. Lame! Who in their right mind does not like Bon Jovi, he’s a legend.

  “It has been a mental week. Could you imagine back then, when we were kids, that we would be here today and how our lives had turned out. I would have never seen this coming. Well apart from our friendship, I always knew we’d be at each other’s hip till the day we die.” We both chuckle, imagining ourselves old.

  “Aww, are you feeling sentimental today? I get what you mean, who’d have thought you’d be married to one of your best mates, living your dream job and me being with someone like Jared and also having a crazy person wanting my head on a stick. Oh and finding out my dad, is not my dad, so there is a completely new part of me, I have no clue about. Yeah, what a life I could have wished for.”

  “No need for sarcasm, think of the bright side. Your with someone who loves you unconditionally, you have a job you love and let’s not forget an amazing family that would do anything for you and not forgetting about Darla and I and we are just simply amazing. You need to stop going through the negative and see the positive and stop being a douche. I mean that with much love.”

  “Fair enough, you’re right. I am lucky, and just for the record, we will be by each other’s hip until our last breath. We’re them old friends that will act childish together, even when we’re sixty.”

  “Always and forever baby girl.” He holds his fist out for me to bump it, so I bump back in return. “Hey, remember that summer in 2008, when Darla left me?”

  “Yes, how could I forget, you where broken. I never heard from her all summer, which pissed me off.”

  “Well, what I didn’t tell you was that, she left me to be with someone else.” My eyes widen with shock from this news.

  “Are you serious? Why are you telling me this now? And why didn’t you tell me back then?”

  “It’s been years since that happened and I didn’t tell you back then because she was your other best friend and no way in hell was I putting you in that situation, where you’d feel you’d have to choose between us both. Plus, we can’t talk after what we did. Anyway, I am going somewhere with this, so shut up and let finish. When she went off to University, we hardly seen each other, we went to different ones and when we weren’t in university, we were working. So, she got close to someone else who was in her classes. She got confused with all her feelings and she didn’t know how to handle them, so she broke it off with me. She said she needs time to work out her feelings between me and this other bloke, but she still loved me and she just needs to do this and try to figure herself out in the process. That was it, she got up walked.”

  “Right, and that’s when you came straight to me, well you where kind of hammered.”

  “Yeah, I went down the pub to drown my sorrows, to try and numb the pain, which didn’t work and I came to you and you opened your arms to me and said. ‘Everything will be ok; I’ll help you through this. I won’t let you go through this alone, stay with me and let me try and sort it.”

  “Well of course, it’s not like I was going to leave you to deal with all that by yourself, god knows what you would have done, there was no way I was going to let that happen.”

  “I know! That’s why I took your offer up and stayed with you. Not like, it helped at first because all I did was mope around and do nothing. I’d just sit there hardly speaking and bless you; you tried everything to get me out from that state I was in. When it slowly started working, we’d do stuff that we would’ve done when we were younger. Board games and pig out on junk food and watch some really bad films. Then we went out that night.” I hold my hand up to stop him for a moment.

  “Are you sure you want to get into this? We promised each other never to bring this up again.”

  “Yes, I do actually, it’s been years and Darla already knows.”

  “You told her? Are you crazy?”

  “It wasn’t you in the wrong Danni; it was me, so of course I told her. Anyway, shut up, I’m going somewhere with this. Like I was saying, then one night you decided to take me out for a bit of fun, you wanted me to hook up with someone, to try and forget the pain. Instead of forgetting the pain, we both ended up hammered. Suppose doing shots most of the night will do that to you. We scrambled back to your place, this was before Adam sold it. We scrambled in trying not to be loud, and we went straight to your room where we both collapsed on your bed and turned on our sides to talk. I told you everything. I remember the exact words. ‘Danni, there is something I’ve always wanted to tell you, you’re amazing, you’re fun, smart, a free spirit and you always see the good in people and you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever known, I love you, I’ve always have, it’s always been you. I just could never move past the friend zone.’ You then laughed at me and replied ‘shut up, you’ve drank far too much, you can barely keep your eyes opened, stop being silly.’ I remember this like yesterday. I then sat up a little bit and placed my palm on your face and told you straight. ‘It’s not a lie Danni and it’s not the drink inside me, it’s the truth. I mean, I love Darla too, but with you it’s always been something more.’ Then I kissed you, I thought you would have pushed me away but you didn’t, instead you kissed me back and we continued for a while and then we started stripping each other, that’s when you stopped. You said ‘you can’t do this, you and Darla our my best mates, we’re the three musketeers’ always and forever, what the fuck? We have drunk far too much, its clouding our judgment, your emotions are everywhere, you have no idea what you’re on about. Let’s sober up and forget about this. We’ll talk tomorrow. Then you kicked me out into the spare room.” I cringe at that memory, It was so long ago and it still feels mad.

  “Yes, that was not one of our best moments, I remember the next day, it wasn’t awkward. We sat and ate some breakfast and you turned to me and apologized. You said, ‘I’m sorry about last night Danni, but it wasn’t all a lie, I felt it when you kissed me back, it may not be love, but you felt something too. I know you would never want to go past that zone and you would feel like you where betraying Darla.’ I told you ‘it would be betraying Darla and not just that; I adore our friendship, which is more important to me than anything. I don’t want to lose you in anyway. I feel stupid for not realizing your feelings sooner, but you know we can’t.”

  “I’ve always respected you Danni, even more so after that. We hugged it out and everything was fine afterwards, and you didn’t hate me. I was confused though, after that, we were fine. Then when Darla eventfully came back and she said she made a huge mistake and wanted me back. I was really chuffed, but you went quiet for a while, how come?”

  “After that, I felt really guilty for what happened and even guiltier because you were right and I did feel something, but I knew it wouldn’t change anything. I wanted you in my life as my best friend and even though you said I was the one, I knew deep down it would always be Darla, you where just conflicted with what she did to you and then me being there and being compassionate confused your feelings, that’s why I went quiet. It’s mad to think of this after so many years.”

  “Well, I just wanted to say thank you, for helping me through that hard time and also thank you, for stopping us from making that huge mistake. I never thanked you for it, I was really grateful. Yes, what I said was true, but you never let it come between our friendship and you helped sort Darla and I back out. You will always be my baby girl and I never want you to change. Don’t let being with Jared and everything that’s going
on with you right now, change who you are, because who you are is amazing, strong, kind-hearted, beautiful person and it what makes you, you. Remember that.” He winks at me and puts his arm around me and we squish it out. I love this man, best friend anyone could ask for.

  We’re disturbed by knocking at the door, as they walk in its Darla and Jared. Darla says,

  “Hey, what’s going on here? I want some love.” She runs over to join us and Jared is standing in the door way laughing.

  “Do you want to join in with the love babe?” I ask,

  “No. it’s ok, foursomes are not my thing, carry on.” He smirks, I jump up from the bed and walk towards him and tip toe to press my lips to his.

  “If you’re not coming to the concert tonight, what are you going to do with yourself?”

  “Nothing, I am going to stay in and have some sister time with Julie and the kids. It should be fun. Phillip and Tye, will be escorting you guys tonight, you’ve got to be safe you know.” I nod agreeing.

  “Sounds it, ok, well, have fun. But I’m going to have to kick you all out so I can get ready.” Jared pulls me closer towards him and whispers in my ear.

  “How about they leave and I stay for a bit, we can have our own morning fun?” He grins, I know that grin, it’s his I’m Horney grin and he wants me here and now, you can see the greed in his eyes. I glare back at him and without moving my eyes from his gaze, I shout to Darla and Carl.

  “You two leave please, I need some alone time.” They snicker and leave straight away, so Jared can have his way with me.

  We walk backwards towards the bed as he starts ripping my nightdress off and before we reach the bed, he picks me up from my ass and I wrap my legs around his waist, while we are vigorously kissing. Instead of throwing me on the bed, he pushes me up against the wall, and starts to trail down with his lips on to my neck and chest, he holds me up with one of his arms while his lose hand starts un tying his belt. I start tugging his hair back so that he is facing me, he grins, he likes that, which makes me want him more. I force my lips to his neck and then start pulling his shirt of so I can leave trails of kisses on his firm tanned chest. Soon as his pants drop he teases my entrance with the tip of his penis. Once I am wet enough, he inserts in me, leaving me to jerk my back up against the wall. As he thrusts inside me fast and hard, my body starts to tremble, with the intensity of the pleasure I’m receiving, he’s moaning and grunting with every push, wanting more and more. He moves us from the wall to bed and throws me on wanting to finish the job properly. This time, when he reinserts in me, he doesn’t hold back. He slams his penis faster and harder, leaving me to moan as he hits my sweet spot, I don’t want him to stop, here it comes. I can’t keep my body still as the orgasm starts to take over my entire body. I clench my nails into his back, waiting for the explosion. Oh my god, I whisper as I cum. My head is spinning and I cannot stop grinning at this moment of pleasure, what a way to start your day of with a bang.

  I lay on his chest and we both lay in silence trying to catch our breath back, before we start are day, yes I’m guilty of feeling happy in this moment and I don’t want it to end.

  *****

  That’s the encore over with, that was amazing! He sang all of my favourite songs. He didn’t do the encore till after midnight, so we could all bring in the New Year. Amazing! Darla, Carl and I are heading towards the entrance to meet with Philip and Tye. They’ve had to wait outside all this time; it must have sucked for them spending their New Year like this.

  “That was epic, I’m glad we got to witness his last ever show. What a dream.” Darla say’s

  “I know, I’m wired right now, I need to come down. The excitement has filled me up.” I reply,

  “Me too, baby girl! Shall we head somewhere else? Somewhere is bound to still be open as it is New Years after all?” Carl suggest

  “Best not, I told Jared and my sister and Adam we’ll come back straight after and have a little drink with them, even if it is just one before bed.”

  “You’re a spoilt sport, but ok, that’s good enough.” He says, as opening the double glass doors to head back outside. It is teaming it down with heavy rain. I’m going to get soaked; it wasn’t this bad when we got here. I hope that the car is not far. As we get outside, Tye and Phillip our standing there waiting for us.

  “How was the concert Miss Shaw?” Phillip asks,

  “It was extraordinary; I loved every part of it. Is the car far? I don’t fancy getting too soaked.” I laugh,

  “No, it’s not far, they was no parking spaces left in this car park so we found another one around the corner. It is only about a five-minute walk, we can cut through the ally way over there. I nod not liking the sound of that idea, it seem off. But that’s just my paranoia kicking in. I rub it off and we start to walk ahead.

  As we’re approaching the alleyway, it looks like it’s something of a scary movie, pissing down with rain, black ally, cobble stones, a few dust bins around and smells of rubbish and piss.

  “Is there any other way we can go? I don’t want to go down there.”

  “Miss Shaw, you’re safe, no need to worry and there is no other way.” I turn to Tye.

  “Was this your idea or his?”

  “Was his mam, we couldn’t find anywhere else to park.” Before I reply, Darla interrupts us.

  “Damn it, I’ve left my bag at the arena, I need to go back.”

  “Ok, we’ll all go.” I offer,

  “No, it’s ok, carry on, I’ll catch up.”

  “No babe, we’re not leaving you to go back by yourself, don’t be stupid.”

  “I’ll go with her, you two go with Phillip, back to the car and just wait for us to come back, it shouldn’t take us long, it is only over there.” Tye offers,

  “Good idea, Tye! Come on you two.”Philip demands, Tye and Darla head back, and Carl and I follow Phillip, as he’s walking ahead. I try to stop Carl on our travels.

  “Carl, I don’t like this, there is something fishy going on, this is not right. We should head back with them.”

  “Baby girl, stop worrying, nothing is going to happen. We’re with Phillip; he’s one of Jared top men, you’ve got nothing to be scared of, come on.” He grabs my hand to carry on walking and I stop him and pull away.

  “I can’t help this feeling, I don’t want anything to happen to you, we shouldn’t split up, my heart is pounding. We’re walking back this way.” He huffs in defeat and I grab his hand and start to walk back the other way, but before I can, we’re stopped and I look over my shoulder and Phillip is behind Carl with his huge arm around his neck and the other hand on the side of his head. His eyes has deepened, it’s a look I’ve never seen from him before, and right before my eyes he twists and all you hear is the crack of Carl’s. “No!” I shout, he’s snapped his neck and I watch Phillip let go of his lifeless body and it falls to the ground. Every part of me is breaking, I can’t breathe, my whole body has gone numb.”You bastard.” I run towards Carl’s lifeless body and fall to my knees. I place his head on my lap and stroke his face, it’s still warm. The alley way is filled with the agony of my screams. “Someone help, please!” Carl, my Carl you can’t be dead, joint at the hip remember. You cannot leave me. The tears are running down my face, falling on to his shaven head. I feel like someone has torn my heart out and shredded it to pieces. I feel sick and empty inside, I look back up at Phillip, my eyes are blurred through the tears and the rain pouring down over me. “Why did you kill him? Why Carl? He was harmless.”

  “I’m sorry, pet! I was under orders.” Phillip, is just standing there over us, I can’t breathe, orders?

  “Jared would never order you to do this.”

  “Not Jared, pet! Sabrina.” My jaw widens more, realizing that we’ve been betrayed. “I’m sorry!” He actually sounds sympathetic. He runs of and I’m left with my best friends’ body lying on me, praying he’ll wake up, it’s a dream he can’t be dead, not Carl. He is harmless. No, just no. The blood in my veins is runn
ing cold, I can’t stop hyperventilating, we’re suppose to grow old together and still act stupid, and now we can’t. Am staring down at his closed eyes wishing he would just open them. I’m frozen solid, as every part of my body wants to die with him. I hear footsteps running. Darla see’s us on the floor.

  "Danni, what happened?" The voices echoed over, and over again, as I shook my head trapped in this nightmare where my friend is dead. Tuning them out again, I turn around, looking at him and feel guilt and sorrow eating away at my soul and I begin sobbing into his head, touching my forehead to his, chanting "Sorry, I'm so sorry..."

  “What, no, no! Carl! She screams. The whole alley is filled with our cries, for our fallen friend, lover.

  “It was Phillip Tye, he betrayed us all, he’s working with Sabrina.”

  “What? Oh no! I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I need to make some calls.” I nod my head in denial. This has to be a dream, please wake up Danni, wake up. I’m pinching myself wanting to wake up but nothing, this is real and I’ve just lost my life time friend, it was only this morning we were talking about getting old, how could this happen? And know he’s gone, my best friend has gone and it’s my entire fault. What I’m I going to do, I want him back. I place my head onto his, crying my heart out not wanting to leave his side. I grab Darla’s hand and squeeze, she not looked over once, she screaming into his chest, like me. She lost her soul mate; I’ve lost my brother, that’s what he was like, my brother. Why Carl? He was harmless, kind, caring, loves and would do anything for anyone. This can’t be real. I keep whispering to him over and over again, wanting a different outcome. However, it’s still the same. I carry on saying the same words in hope this will turn out to be a horrendous nightmare “Please come back, Carl! Please, the three musketeers, always and forever.” I pull Darla towards me and she throws her arms around my shoulder, she sinks her head into my chest and I hold her tight. We can’t speak, we just scream our hearts out, we were a team of three and now it’s two, we’re not complete without Carl. He was our rock and now he’s gone. How are we going to live without his smile? I think of his smile, which hurts more and more. We are never going to see it again. They will pay, they will all pay for what they have done I promise.