His fans and trolls have torn every part of her to shreds, from her looks, to what she wears, to her career. I don’t think I could handle that. It’s even making me question whether I made a mistake last night in saying I’d be Alexander’s boyfriend.
But then I remember how happy I felt today being with him. Waking up next to him. The way he reached for my hand and held it as we walked down the street to get brunch when no one was around. How he fed me some of his avocado toast, and laughed when I spat some out because the hot sauce hit the back of my throat. Then he tried to convince me to join him in the toilet, not just to clean up the mess on the hoodie, but to make our own mess.
Alexander lifting my chin up to kiss me goodbye when the car pulled up at my sister’s apartment to pick him up and takehim to the O2. I haven’t felt like this since Ryan, and maybe not even then.
The ping of my phone distracts me, and I reach for it, seeing a message from Stephen pop up.
Stephen
Cheeky drink or three in Soho later, before I head to Ireland and your sister’s big day tomorrow?
I could really murder a drink or three right now, and if I don’t see Stephen tonight, I won’t see him again before I return to LA. But I need to get this speech nailed. Plus, I’ve got that bloody dinner.
I’d love to but I’ve got the welcome dinner at the hotel my mum’s insisted on doing tonight.
Stephen
Well, if you get bored, or finish early, we’ll likely be in Circa. X
I guess if the dinner ends at ten, and Alexander said he won’t be back until midnight, I could pop into Soho for one drink, maybe two.
Right. No more distractions. I throw my phone down on the table, pick the pen up and return to the pad. I writeWedding Speechat the top of the page and underline it twice.
Maybe I’ll start with the time three-year-old Kelly decided to marry her rabbit.
I flick the pen up and down between my index and middle finger.
A ring of the doorbell, followed quickly by a knock, distracts me and instantly makes my blood boil.
Ugh.
Can’t housekeeping see the Do Not Disturb light that I left on for them?
“One sec,” I say, swinging my legs around and heading toward the door.
“Oh, thank God,” Kelly says, immediately pushing past me. “Mum’s driving me insane already and we haven’t even gotten to the rehearsal dinner yet.” Her cheeks are red and she’s clearly flustered as she pulls her hair up, removes the hairband from her wrist, and ties her hair into a ponytail.
“Don’t mind me, I was just thinking my personal space felt too respected.” I close the door behind me and make my way back into the room. Kelly puts her hands on top of her running shorts, pursing her lips. She’s unimpressed and unamused.
“Why do you think I avoid her like the plague?” I ask, as she heads to the window.
“It’s a lot easier for you to do when you live on the other side of the world. I’m stuck here with her. It’s like she’s got nothing better to do than sit around and complain.” Kelly pulls at the curtains to look out at the road below before turning her attention back to me.
Shots fired.
I clutch my chest, pretending to be hit, and fall to the bed, laughing at her.
“It’s not funny, Chris.” She kicks my leg as she rolls her eyes.
“Well, where is she now?” I push myself back up.
“Where do you think?” Her hand returns to her hip as she heads to the desk.
Of course. The bar.
She’s likely with other members of the family, downing a drink or three.
“You still haven’t written your wedding speech?” She lifts up the pad and waves it at me, her head cocked to one side.
