Chapter 9
Face walked back to the group who was waiting in the lobby of the movie theatre, waving four tickets in his hand.
"Starts in half an hour," he said, checking his watch before slipping his arm comfortably back around Amy's waist.
"Oh great, we've got time to get some popcorn. Come on, Murdock!" Courtney dragged Murdock away from Face and Amy. They chuckled at his playful complaints. Face caught Courtney saying something about leaving the two lovebirds in peace, to which Amy rolled her eyes at Face.
"The movie is nearly two hours long, so we can relax a bit," Face said, trying to reassure her. She seemed nervous again tonight, even with Murdock behaving. How had her day really been?
Face glanced around the lobby, checking where Courtney and Murdock were; using the cover of the crowded lobby, he stroked the hair off her face, smiling gently. "Courtney goes home tomorrow, and then it will be all over." Amy smiled back, and then, with a glance over his shoulder, her smile dropped and her eyes widened. She stepped away from Face, letting go of his hand.
Face turned to look. For a moment, he couldn't hide his shock.
"Uh..."
"Oh my God, you lying son of bitch!" A woman was fast approaching Face, clearly angry.
"Er, Cherise," he said, putting on his best smile. He nervously glanced for Courtney and Murdock. He was relieved to see they were busy at the concession buying the popcorn. He returned his attention fully to Cherise and how he was going to clear this up, quickly. Very quickly. Damn, Cherise really wasn't going to understand.
"Out of town, huh?" Cherise said loudly. "Had to go to work, right? Meet a client..."
"Er, Cherise. This really isn't what it seems..." Face tried to hush her. "Amy's a friend."
Cherise huffed in disbelief.
"He's right; this isn't what it looks like," Amy interrupted. "We're friends, just friends..."
"I can explain."
"Butt out of it lady. I don't care what you've got to say," Cherise snapped at Amy, and then returned her glare back at Face. "I suppose you're going to try and tell me she's your client, huh? More like your goddamn girlfriend! Does she know you've been sharing my bed the past few days, Temp?" Cherise arrogantly smiled at Amy.
"No, no, it's not like that," Face replied, nervously, glancing around. "Cherise, please listen to me." He really hadn't seen this coming. He hadn't intended to end it with Cherise, not yet – and this definitely wasn't the way to do it.
"Listen to you?" Cherise snapped, anger pouring out of her. "I know we'd only been together a short time, but damn it, Temp!"
"I know, I know... Cherise, honey, I can explain..."
"Don't call me honey!"
"Look, can we discuss this later?" Face tried to take Cherise to one side, out of the centre of the lobby. She was drawing too much attention. All he needed was Courtney coming back and the game was over.
"Don't touch me, you creep!" Cherise said, pulling out of Face's grip.
"Please calm down, Cherise. You're making a scene." Face glanced around again. Cherise's two girlfriends had come to watch the show now, not to mention a few bystanders. This was a scene he really didn't need. Nor did Amy. "I promise I'll call you. We can sort this out."
"Like hell we will!" Cherise said furiously, as she slapped Face hard across his cheek.
XXXXXXX
Amy gasped at the sound of the slap, and watched Cherise turn her back on Face, walking towards her two friends, crying by the time she'd reached them. Amy had instantly recognised her from the marina - not even a week ago. Her two friends were from the boat, too. So Cherise must have recognised Amy. Probably made it look even worse. Amy swallowed and quickly turned her attention back to Face as he groaned.
"Oh, shit, she must have caught you with her nail." Amy quickly rummaged in her purse for a tissue and held it just under Face's eye. "You're bleeding." He gave her a faint smile.
"Oh, Face, I'm so sorry. This is totally my fault." She could feel the tears well up in her eyes. The red mark of Cherise's hand across Face's cheek, the cut just below his eye, puffing up. She felt sick. This lie had gotten out of hand. Face had just lost his girl because of her and her lies.
If it's one thing she was sure of, Face didn't cheat. Oh, he might go through his women, but while he was with them, he treated them right – or at least that was what she was led to believe. He treated her right... but it was an act.
"Hey, there'll be another Cherise," he said, trying to laugh it off.
"That is not even funny," Amy replied sternly, still gently holding the tissue below his eye. She tenderly brushed her thumb over his cheek.
Face started to reply, then frowned. "Oh boy," he mumbled to Amy.
"What the hell?" Courtney came rushing over, astounded. "Are you two okay? I saw that broad slap Sam. What happened?" Murdock followed hastily, his hands full with two tubs of popcorn.
"It's okay, just an ex-girlfriend," Face replied, holding his hands up. Amy frowned at him, but she wondered what else he was supposed to say. If anyone could talk his way out of this, Face could, she'd take his lead. "She's been trying to get back with me..." Amy caught Murdock's glare at him. The kind that said 'I told you so'.
"Well, when you play with..."
"Murdock!" Amy glared back at Murdock. "This isn't Fa.. Sam's fault." It was hers. If anyone was going to take the crap, it was she. She didn't need to feel any worse by Murdock taking it out on Face. The shock of it all was now taking its toll on Amy; she could feel her hands shaking. She quickly tried to hide it.
"Hasn't she got the message yet?" Murdock added, hesitantly, looking from Amy to Face, backing up the lie, although his tone didn't seem that convincing. Amy could see Courtney glancing at all three of them. Had she worked it out?
"But are you both alright? Maybe you should call the police, or something. She attacked..."
"Courtney, please. There is no need to make a fuss." Amy didn't like her own tone - she was begging. "Sam's okay, aren't you honey?"
"Yeah, let's just go take our seats, shall we?" Face said. Putting the tissue in his pocket then taking Amy's hand, he led the way to the darkened theatre. Amy caught Courtney's puzzled look at Murdock, who just shrugged his shoulders and the pair of them followed.
