I don't wait for the news to sink in. I run out of the room and take the stairs to the lobby. My hunch was right. Nick is propping up the bar. "Vodka and coke" he says to the barman as I walk up behind him. "Hold the vodka" I say quickly. The barman nod and pours Nick a coke before walking away. "Guessed you'd be here" I say, pulling out a seat. He snorts. "Guessed you'd be the one she sent to find me" he retorts. Wow. He's bitter. "Calm it Nick" I say softly. He looks at me quickly, rage evident in his eyes. "Did you know about this?" he asks finally. I shake my head and hold my hands up. "I swear" I say. "I knew nothing until she text me." He nods slowly. "Ok" he says. "So what does the great Lora Good suggest I do?" "Get your ass back upstairs obviously" I say. He shakes his head quickly. "I can't do that Lora" he says quietly. "God knows I want to, but I can't. I don't trust myself. Not yet." "Trust yourself?" I ask. He nods. "I don't trust myself not to end things" he says. "Nick" I say. "I get that you're scared, I really do..." "Scared?" he asks. "Lora, I'm not scared, I'm fucking furious! I feel trapped!" "Wait a fucking second here sunshine!" I yell, not caring who hears now. "You think she trapped you? If you didn't want this Nick maybe you should have put something on the end of it! Cos from where I'm standing, you've trapped her too." I jump down off the stool and make my way to the stairs.
"Well?" Denise asks hopefully as I walk back into the hotel room. I shake my head slowly. "I'm sorry" I say quietly. She nods, eyes filling with tears as I watch. I start to walk towards her when there's a quiet knock on the door. "I ordered food" Jon says. I nod and open the door, shocked when Nick walks in. "I'm sorry" he says quietly. "You're telling the wrong person Nick" I say, stepping out of his way. Denise looks up at him, and as soon as he sees the state she's in he runs to her. "I'm so sorry" he whispers, picking her up. She says nothing, sobbing into his shoulder as he carries her next door. I close the door behind them and lean against it, sighing. "Well done Lor" Jon says, walking over to me and hugging me. I smile. "That could be us one day" I say. He shakes his head. "I'd never run from a situation like that" he says simply. "Never say never, Jon" I warn. He shrugs. "But I wouldn't" he says. I smile and step away from the door as his food finally turns up. "I'm gonna take a shower" I say. He points at the plate and I shake my head. "Not hungry just yet babe" I say, kissing his head. He shrugs and eats my food too. I grin and head for the bathroom.
"Denise just called" he says as I walk back into the room. "Wants you to pop around when you've got five minutes." "Ok" I say, walking straight past him and heading next door. "Wasn't expecting you this quickly" Denise says, stepping back to let me in. "No time like the present" I say, perching on the edge of the bed. "What's up?" "I just wanted to thank you" she says quietly. "Whatever you said to Nick, it worked." "You wouldn't thank me if you knew what I said" I say, smirking at her. "Besides, you've fixed my marriage more times than I can count, I figure this is just one off the owed list." She smiles. "Will you travel to the arena with me?" she asks. "I mean, if you're going with the guys, don't worry..." I shake my head. "Of course I'll go with you" I say. "Denise, is something else wrong?" She shakes her head quickly. "I just, well, I'm scared of how people are going to react" she says. I smile. "Fuck them" I say. "This isn't about them, this is you, Nick, and mini show off in there, ok?" She grins. "Mini show off" she says, absently rubbing her stomach. "I like it." I grin. "Glad to be of service" I say, standing up. "I'd better go get ready and break it to my husband that I'm travelling with you. I'll give you a knock when it's time." She nods. "Thanks again Lora" she says. "De nada" I say, waving and leaving her to her thoughts.
Jon is snoring on the bed, hands on his stomach. I smile. "Hey piggy" I whisper in his ear. He grunts and pulls me down with him, holding me tightly. It's not long before he's snoring again. The wonders of a full stomach. I lie awake and listen to him, knowing that by the time I fall asleep my alarm will be going off. "I love you Lora" he whispers in his sleep. I smile. How could I not? He's asleep and still thinking of me. I turn over and rest my head on his chest. "I love you too, you sap" I whisper back.