Sarah and I gossip as we wait for Mark, I'm doing everything I can to distract myself from Will. I refuse to turn around and get another look at what he and the brunette may or may not be doing. I can't stand the feeling of not knowing, but I wouldn't dare give him the satisfaction of catching me look either.
When Mark finally finds us, he's all fired up about some other band that's going to play first. He is not a fan. Big attitudes apparently. He's shouting and cussing about them for a solid five minutes as Sarah sits off to his side, silently laughing at me. He's giving me an overly detailed play by play on how much they suck, and all I can do is nod along.
I spot Adam and some other guy squeezing btw busy tables and saying hello to people and decide to take the opportunity to escape Mark with both hands.
"Adam!," I yell over the noice, "Do you guys wanna' sit here? There's some spare stools."
"That'd be great, thanks little Tully!," he says before placing his drink down on the table right between Mark and I. Thank god.
He takes a good look around, noticing the buzz in the atmosphere.
"This place is packed!," he says. "Are you guys sure you don't mind us butting in?"
"No! Not at all," I insist.
Sarah is literally wiping away tears from laughter. If looks could kill, I'd have her in a solid chokehold right now.
Adam introduces me to his friend Alex, he's the drummer for Small Edit. He comes across painfully normal for a drummer in a rock and roll band, I expected him to be a little wild judging by his looks.
He has a big tattoo that sprawls up his neck and disappears down under the collar of his shirt, it's not as chaotic as the ones that Will sports on his arms though.
His sandy brown hair is overgrown, but in a way that looks intensional and a little rugged.
It pulls my eye downward to his biceps, I'm not sure if drummer arms are a thing, but he has em' for sure. They're big and built. It looks like he could pick this whole place up. He mentions that he's getting married next year to a girl named Elenor who he met at a show a few years ago. They have a one year old already. Elenor is at home with their little boy now, but she'll be making her way in to see them play later he tells me. He doesn't go into too much detail, but from doing the math, it sounds like it was all a bit of a whirlwind for them. They sound happy though, the normal-ness makes a lot more sense to me now too.
I don't know what Will has or hasn't told any of these guys since he decided to oust me, so I stick to asking him questions about himself, avoiding my own life entirely.
Speaking of Will, himself and the brunette have noticed that everyone is at our table, so they made their way over just in time to see Marks favourite band as they start to play. I get a few sideways glances from both Adam and Sarah, I'm not sure why, it's not like I can be put out by the fact Will is with a girl that's actually available to him. I am, but I can't show it.
I now fully understand Marks aversion to this other band. They're cheesy as hell, and have a whole lot of dramatics going on. They're called 'The Plan' or something like that. I'm not sure what 'the plan' is, but it's certainly not to play good music that's for sure.
I suddenly jump as Mark somehow appears beside me again, yelling another ten reasons why he hates them into my ear. I swear, it's like he has some sort of personal vendetta going on.
He continues his torrent of abuse, forcing me to go along with it.
"They think they're going to be huge, and that they're doing us all a favour by being here," he fumes, "I hate that, I don't think they've ever even played another venue."
"You hate that they want to be bigger than this?" I ask confused.
"No, I hate that they act like they are," he clarifies. "Adam and the guys could play them under the table any day of the week, but they don't have a big head about it. That's what I like about them, the fact they're normal guys with no disillusions. They don't want to be anything other than what they are."
I never really thought about it, but even in his drunken rant, Mark is kind of right. It's admirable that Will and the others are content as they are instead of chasing something they might never get. I think they could be huge if they wanted to be, I've listened to some of their songs recently, but Will said himself that he had no interest in that life. I like that he just wants to be him. Even if I don't like him right now.
As the first song ends, the brunette Will is with starts to introduce herself around the table. Ashley. She is ridiculously gorgeous of course, and just as nice, it literally pains me.
I plaster on a smile as she shakes my hand, noticing Wills eyes bounce between us in my peripheral.
"What do you think of the band?" she asks me, smiling and pointing at the stage like they're the biggest stars in the world.
I'm not about to be rude to her, she's done nothing wrong here, but I'm also not going to let her fall victim to Marks ranting, so I nod along and say that they're half decent. It's lucky I do too, because she then mentions that the bassist is a friend of hers.
"I bet he is," Sarah mumbles to me sarcastically.
Subtlety is not Sarah's strong suit at all, and I can tell by the look Will gives her that he's overheard her, so I shut it down before he can get mouthy about it.
"Don't be mean Sarah," I say quietly,
"she seems alright."
Sarah shrugs her shoulders, not taking the hint.
"Maybe so, but would some more clothing have hurt? I can practically see what she ate for lunch."
Thanfully Will doesn't hear that, and I don't continue the conversation. I think this Ashley girl should wear whatever she wants anyway, although I'd prefer it if Wills hand wasn't on her ass while she does.
I'll have to explain that little moment to Sarah later, but I'm sure she won't mind that I saved her from a needless confrontation with Will anyway.
It's beyond hot in here, and I feel very aware of the sweat that's glistening on my face. I want to make sure my make up stays put tonight to avoid any questions, so I make my excuses to Sarah so I can go and touch it up.
"I'm going to find the bathroom, behave yourself!," I tell her.
The last thing I need is Will thinking that I've set my sister on his latest conquest, so I hope Sarah takes heed of my warning.
Finding the bathroom here is next to impossible. The place is like Narnia and I cant seem to remember where the heck it is. I follow a long corridor, passing the men's bathroom and some locked doors, but there's
still no sign of it. I trudge up a set of stairs, then round a corner in the hope of seeing the familiar little lady on the door, but instead I find a 'staff only' sign and nowhere else to go.
I have to of walked right by it. I turn around in confusion, but find myself slamming right into somebody. Somebody I should not be anywhere near.
"Ouch! Did you follow me back here?" I snap, throwing an accusing look Wills way as I rub my nose.
He, ignores my question entirely, firing one of his own instead.
"What was that about?," he asks.
"What was what about?"
"That thing with you and your sister. You told her to be nice to Ashley."
He eyes me suspiciously, his face laced with humour. This man has no right being this damn handsome.
"Actually, I told her not to be mean," I say. "I can't promise she's going to be nice, so you should probably go back out there and check on your girl instead of following me."
I make an effort to push passed him, but he blocks my path, putting his arm up against the wall.
"She's not my girl Isobel."
"Could have fooled me," I say, "could have fooled the whole bar actually. I didn't realise there was a pre-show."
Theres a bit of a bite in my tone, it only seems to widen Wills grin though.
"It's not me that's attached to somebody Izzy. I can do what I want, even if you don't like it. It's nice to know it made you jealous though," he says.
I scoff like that's the most insane thing I've ever heard, but he just keeps that stupid smug look on his face.
"Jealous of what?," I ask, "Your..." I wave my hand in a circle, unsure what to call her.
"My friend," he finishes for me.
"Right, your friend, you have a lot of those I hear."
"What do you mean by that," he asks, taking a step closer to me. There's a hint mischief in his eyes that I know won't be good for me.
I don't want to give him the pleasure of knowing that I'm jealous of not only Ashley, but all the 'Ashleys' that came before her too, so I brush over his question.
"What were you expecting me to do Will?"
I say. "Did you want me to be a bitch to her? Let you think you were worth a catfight? I'm not a teenager, and she's done nothing wrong other than have a friend in a really, really shitty band."
I glance towards the stairs that lead back to the bar, we can still hear them playing out there, and it's become nothing more than nonsensical screeching at this point.
Will clears his throat, trying to hide his laughter, but he knows I'm right, they're awful. He takes one final stride towards me, pretty much closing whatever gap there was between us.
"I gotta' say Izzy, I'm getting a bit tired of this game we're playing."
"What game?," I ask.
He moves his lips towards mine, freezing me in place. I can literally feel the heat from his breath on me, but he doesn't go any further.
"The one where we pretend that we don't like each other," he says.
His honesty is poignant as always.
"Who pretending?," I snipe at him.
He doesn't budge though. He's expecting more from me.
I throw my head back in frustration, taking a deep breath. He really doesn't want to make any of this easy for me.
"I dont know what you want me to say Will, I have a boyfriend. Isn't that your limit for the girls you mess with? Or have you ran though all the single ones here already?"
"There's that jealously again Isobel," he says.
"Im not jealous!"
He sighs then, his smile fading.
"It's insane to me that you can still call him that. Your boyfriend. Does it really not make your stomach turn?"
I step back from him, breaking up whatever moment that was and lean myself against the wall.
"I don't get how you can even like a guy like that Isobel," he says, "let alone how you sleep next to him."
"I'm not sleeping next to him," I say defensively, "…not right now anyway."
I've no idea why I bothered to share that, maybe in the hope that he doesn't try to make me feel like such an idiot.
Will matches my stance, pressing his shoulder to the wall.
"Really?," he asks, "are you back at the hotel?"
"No, he's sleeping in the spare bedroom."
Will paints a look on his face that literally asks me if I'm stupid without actually having to ask.
"Why even bother?," he says. "Sleep with him now, sleep with him later, either way it's gonna' happen isn't it?"
Wills voice is sharp, the direction of this conversation seems to have struck a nerve.
"I feel like I need some time," I say, shrugging my shoulders.
"I hate to break it to you Izzy," he says, "but he's going to fuck you the same way be it now or later. That time you need? It changes nothing for him."
"God almighty Will, are you always so one track minded? Maybe it's not about sex. Maybe I need to see if he can change! I need to know that I'm not wrong in choosing to stay before I can even consider any of that!"
Will rolls his eyes. I know he doesn't believe any of this will work out, but why does he have to be such a dick about it?
"Look," I say, meeting his stare. "I'm sorry that I'm not responding to all of this the way you wanted me too Will. I'm sorry I'm not who you thought I was."
"Yeah? You and me both Izzy."
I'm sure he doesn't say that to be cruel, and that he's simply being honest, but how I feel when I hear it is the same either way. Crushed.
"What was my alternative?," I ask. "What would you have done if you were me Will? Would you leave and forget that you love him? It's not so easy, I've tried! What would I even do anyway? Join your spinning corral of women? No thanks."
"No, instead you'll stay and be a punching bag. Wow you're right, thats so much better Izzy. Well done, good choice."
"That's not going to happen anymore."
"Oh fuck Izzy don't be so ingenuous," he says, "it really doesn't suit you. Jesus, wasn't it just last week that he was letting some girl he hired blow him in his office? Why would you be okay with that? Is there something wrong with how you do it? Is that it?"
I actually feel winded from shock. As soon as the words left his mouth it was like I could see myself kneeling in front of Jamie all over again, begging him to listen to me.
"What did you just say?" I ask.
"I'm just saying, are you lacking in that whole area or something? Is that why you don't seem to mind if he buys it somewhere else?"
Tears sting the back of my eyes. I try to stay calm, forcing myself not to absolutely lose it on him, but I'd lying if I said it isn't hard to control myself right now.
I step around him towards the stairs. I don't want to look at his gorgeous stupid face for another second.
I hear him curse under his breath as I walk away, and then a loud groan follows. It's the clear cut sound of the struggle he's having.
"I'm sorry," his voice echos behind me, bringing me to a stop at the top of the staircase.
"I shouldn't have said that, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Do I look upset?," I say, turning to look at him. I try to appear stoical, but I'm sure the tremor in my hands gives me away.
"Okay, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings then," he says.
"You didn't," I say, folding my arms over my chest, refusing to tell the truth.
There's no point arguing back and forth with him, there's no winner here anyway. We're both angry. I know I should leave right now and go home. I should try to forget all about Will and whatever this is. But I dont, I stay here, half mad at him and half pulled to him like a magnet.
A prickly silence covers us as we both sit with everthing we're feeling. Will shakes his head in some form of frustration.
"Why on earth did you have to come here like that Isobel?," he asks, letting his eyes fall over me again.
"I'm wearing more clothes than your little friend out there Will, maybe you should corner her back here and see where it gets you."
It's a cheap shot I know, but I feel so much better having said it.
Wills jaw clenches together like he's just about had enough of me. I expect some from other form of sass to come my way, but all he does is check behind him, noticing the staff only sign on the door above his head.
Suddenly, he reaches for me, taking me by surprise and quickly pulling me with him into the little room before he jams a wet floor sign under the handle. There's literally just about enough room for the two of us in here. We stand face to face, mere inches apart.
There's a moment between us where Will brushes his fingers against mine, and that alone is enough to send me into a spiral. I want him.
He looks at me like I'm some kind of delicate porcelain doll that he doesn't want to break. But I'm no doll, and right now I have no doubt in my mind that I want him to break me. Actually, I want him to ruin me.
"I hope you didn't pull me in here just to stare into my eyes Will," I say.
I don't know where this bravery is coming from, but it better stick around because I have no idea what I'm doing right now.
A low grunt crawls up Wills throat as he pulls me to him, gripping my hips like I've always belonged to him.
"That mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble Isobel," he says as his nose brushes my cheek.
His scent is like a magic elixir that I wish I could bottle. There really isn't a single part of him that I don't want to experience.
"You realise you may be about to cross your own line here right?," I tease as I wrap my arms around his neck.
He takes a few strands of my hair and twirls them in his fingers.
"I guess you're going to continue to be the exception then Isobel," he says.
My mind flickers to Jamie for a fleeting moment. Shouldn't I stop this? Shouldn't
I feel bad being in here with Will?
Not even a little bit.
Will leans in, trying to kiss me, but I'm not letting him off the hook that easy.
"Ah ah, I don't think so," I whisper as I feel his hands run down my sides. "You just had some girls tongue down your throat, and I am not interested in tasting her."
"I was trying to make you jealous," he says, then he pushes my hair out of his way and begins running soft kisses up my neck. My brain is already losing the battle of wits to the throbbing that's happening between my legs.
"Tell the truth" he husks between kisses, "did it work?"
"Yes," I admit, "but like I said, I'm not interested in tasting her… just you."
I slide my hand between us and quickly undo his belt, unbuttoning his jeans along with it. I can feel his antisipation with every breath he takes, and it only serves to spur me on.
I know exactly what I want to do here. I want to take back everything that Jamie tried to take from me. I want to be the opposite of everything he expects me to be. Maybe I'm still mad at him, or maybe I just want Will enough to risk everything, either way, I'm doing something well outside of my character here, but I won't pretend for a moment that I don't love it.
As I drop to my knees, Will quickly realises my intension, and grabs ahold of my wrist in his hand.
"Wait Izzy, I really didn't mean what I said. You don't have to do that."
He attempts to pull me back to my feet, but I shake his hand away. Staring up at him through my eyelashes, I feel a new found confidence take over.
"I wasn't doing anything because I have to,"
I tell him, "I'm doing it because I want to."
Before he can argue again, I slide his jeans down a little, quickly followed by his boxer-shorts, freeing him.
Oh. My. God.
I take him in my hand, stroking him as he drops his head back before letting a quiet moan slip through his lips. I could watch him enjoy this all night.
Little beads of pre-cum ball at his tip, and I flick my tongue over it to get a taste, making his whole body jerk in the process.
"What the hell are you doing to me Izzy?," he asks breathlessly.
I look up at him one last time with a menacing glare.
"I'm showing you just how wrong you were."
He watches then as I wrap my mouth around him, his eyes roll back and his breath catches in his throat.
"Jesus Christ Isobel," he says. I don't think I ever want to hear him call me by anything else.
His hand grips the shelf edge behind him, and I can feel him struggle to hold back. His panting gets louder as I work him over, the sounds of his pleasure driving me forward.
Will looks down as I swirl my tongue over him, doing my best to make sure there's a hell of a build up. I take my time, teasing him, I want him to remember this.
I slowly torment him, bring him to the point where I think he can't possibly handle anymore teasing, and then I take every bit of him into my mouth again. He grabs for my hair, gently balling it into his fist and moving me at the pace he wants.
My eyes water a little, and I try not to gag as he thrusts his hips. He's going to be sorry he ever suggested that I might not be up to this.
"Izzy, I'm not going to last much longer here," he says, "fuck, that's incredible."
He lightly holds the back of my head and moves in time with me as I continue to suck and pump him from the base with my hand.
"Oh god, Iz, keep doing that," he begs.
I move my hand a little faster, gliding my mouth over him until I feel him begin to spasm, his attempts to quiet his moans are pointless, I know he loves this.
Leaning into him, I take his length as far back into my throat as I can.
"Shit Isobel," he cries as he completely unravels. He buries his hands in my hair as he unloads into my mouth. I swallow it down, not something I usually do, but I want to savour every single drop of him.
Will continues to wither under my touch until he's completely run dry. When he's finished, I lean back and let him see me wipe at the corner of my mouth with my thumb, holding his eye and daring him to repeat what he said out in the hallway.
"Okay," he says, trying to catch his breath. "Point proven."
Taking my hand, he helps me to my feet.
"I don't even want to know where you learned how to do that Isobel," he says.
I give him a minute to tidy himself up while I try to smooth out my hair. That grip was something else.
"We should probably head back out," I say, suddenly feeling a little anxious, "Sarah is going to be waiting for me."
I dust the knees of my jeans down before reaching for the door.
"What? Not a hope in hell Isobel," Will says. "I'm not sending you out there all needy into a bar full of guys. I've seen how they've been looking at you Izzy, they've had their eyes all over you tonight."
"What makes you think I'm needy Will?"
"I guess I'll have to find out for myself won't I?," he says as he pulls me closer to him.
His insistance makes me giggle, but I really don't want to risk Sarah coming to look for me and finding the two of us here of all places.
"No really," I insist, "she won't be happy if she finds me with you like this, I better get back, your friends will be looking for you to start soon too."
I can't hear music playing anymore, so I can only assume the torture has ended.
"You really won't stay?," he asks.
His wicked smile almost tempts me, but one of us has to remain logical.
"I'll be here after the show," I tell him, "don't worry, you'll get your chance"
"I'm holding you to that," he says. "You're going nowhere tonight until we're even."
God I hope so.
Will plants a kiss on my cheek before we leave, I can feel it linger on my skin as we step out into the hallway, walking right into the path of the bartender that was serving earlier on. His gaze shifts from Will to me and back again.
"Will, c'mon man, again?," he says, raising his palm out like he's waiting for an explanation.
"Sorry Dan."
Will flashes him a smile, but the barman only seems to get more annoyed. He pushes passed us into the storage room to find whatever he needs.
Will then notices the look of horror on my face, and his smile quickly fades.
"Again?" I question.
"No no no, wait that's not what it sounds li-"
"You're an asshole Will," I spit.
I turn away from him in a flash and pound my way back down the stairs and through the corridor, finally spotting the women's restroom. I have no idea how I missed it on my way in.
I push my way inside, and then I hear Alexs voice call for Will from just outside the door. Will asks him to wait a second before he calls my name, but I'm not interested in his excuses, I want him as far away from me as possible.
"We can't wait any longer Will," Alex says, "We're up, let's go."
There's nothing but silence after that.
I stand there, with my clothing and make up dishelved, entierly mystified by how I fell for Wills charm.
I should have listened to Annie and Sarah. They warned me about the all girls he was with before, and somehow I still let him make me feel like I was special. What a colossal douchebag.
And what a colossal idiot I am for falling for it.