Page 84 of Rock Me

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Noémie

"Me or him," he repeats.

Like he needs to, as if it's a choice.

Him. Of course him. But it's not as easy as that, I open my mouth to tell him.

But it's too late.

"What's going on?" Chris is at the door, another gawdy bunch of flowers in his hand.

Jez walks toward him before I can stop him.

"I'm sorry, man. I don't mean to do this but... this is between me and Noémie." He turns back to me, his eyes bright, but he's smiling. He knows it's him. Of course it's him.

"Chris,” I say, looking past Jez. One thing at a time. I need to do this properly.

"What's going on Noémie?" He moves to me, and I have to remind myself who he is, and to be kind.

"I'm sorry, Chris."

"Sorry for what? Come on, let's get you ready to go."

"Me or him, Noémie," Jez repeats.

"What is this dickhead on about?"

"I'm asking her to choose, man,” Jez cuts in. “You or me."

“Jez. No.” I shake my head.

Chris look to me, then Jez then back again. A look of incredulousness on his face. "Wait. You're not seriously saying that you're going to choose him."

"I'm really sorry, Chris,” I say.

"This is total horse shit. You’re my girlfriend! Mine!” He says it like he owns me. And not for the first time I can’t figure out how I could have ever been with him. I guess that’s for past Noémie to know.

“Is she? She doesn’t even remember who you are, does she?” Jez asks him

“Does she remember who you are?” Chris spits back at him, his face slipping into an ugly mask.

Jez shakes his head and shrugs. “No, it appears she doesn’t. So, then it seems to me you and I are in the same boat. And she’s the only one who can choose. Noémie, who are you going to choose?” He grins, and I want to pinch him for being so cocky. And right.

“Chris, look, I’m sorry.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” He looks me up and down, contempt in his eyes. I feel dirty just standing near him.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m sorry if I hurt you.” I force myself to reach out to him. To know I never meant it to turn out like this.

“You little bitch.” He spits at me. “I know who he is. You’re just being a little gold digger. First freeloading off Paige, and now this loser.”

I’ve barely processed what he’s said when I feel Jez move, rushing towards him, his hand in a fist pulling back as if to punch him.

“Jez, no!” I pull back on his arm, holding as tight as I can.

He stops, but his face is red, his eyes hard, angry. Chris just looks right back at him, his eyes unreadable, slippery, grey.