Chapter Eight

Was it really wrong for Elvis to feel so happy? He knew that everything about this situation was wrong. He wasn't just cheating on Debbie, he was cheating on his daughter too, more importantly.

Georgie was like an exotic, yet poisonous flower. He knew that being close to her was bad for him and wrong but he just couldn't seem to stop himself.

He walked along the canal side that led back to where their cars were parked. He could feel Georgie's hand gripping his tightly as she walked by his side.

Georgie had fell silent in the past few minutes, which was a quieter side to her that Elvis was not used to. She had spoken non-stop all morning. Not that he minded. He could sit and listen to her all day.

Except, that wasn't possible. That would be in the ideal world and this was the real world.

He suppressed a disappointed sigh when they reached Georgie's blue mini. He led her round to the driver's side and opened up the door.

"So…where do we go from here?" He asked softly, hoping Georgie might have an idea because he bloody well didn't.

Elvis' eyebrows furrowed in concern as Georgie lifted her head, her eyes suddenly appearing red and watery.

"Christ Georgie. What's wrong?"

Georgie balled her fists into her eyes and dried them furiously.

"What's fucking wrong? Everything. This whole situation is fucked up Elvis. That's what's wrong!" She pushed the car door closed and leaned against it. Elvis did the same beside her. He wasn't exactly sure how to deal with this emotional outburst. Elvis never really saw tears from Debbie. She always cried away from him.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, "I didn't mean to lose my rag. I'm not angry with you. I'm furious with myself. I'm not a weak person. I'm not a deceitful person. This isn't me…"

A silence settled between them again. Georgie had dried her eyes with a tissue she had found in her pocket and was now anxiously twisting and shredding it in her hands.

Elvis didn't know how to comfort or calm her. He didn't know her well enough yet. But he didn't want to leave Georgie like this. So, he just stood beside her. Waiting for Georgie to speak.

And she did, eventually…

"Elvis…that day in the hospital when you found me again. You said you wanted to explain things. I asked you that first night to cut all ties. We were never meant to see one another again. Not like this, anyway."

Treating Laura as a patient had obviously put a spanner in the works.

Elvis wasn't sure why, despite using that a reason to see Georgie again, he didn't really want to talk about everything else. But, avoid it as he might, he knew he had to. She deserved that much.

"It's complicated with Debbie and I. Our relationship, it's pretty volatile... Nothing like that." Elvis rushed to explain, when he saw the shocked look on Georgie's face. "We fell out of love a long time ago. In fact, I'm pretty sure she's with somebody else. Anyway, I know what you're thinking, why are we still together?"

Georgie gave a little shrug but nodded her head in agreement.

"I can't leave her because if I do, that means leaving Laura too. And I can't risk that. I was fine enduring the home life I have. Debbie and I stay out of each other's way as best we can but we are Parents together because we have Laura's interests at heart. I never thought I would meet someone else and fall for them like I have with you. I just wanted you to know that. That I'm not risking breaking up a supposedly 'happy' family of three because I've met someone else. I'm not that kind of person. But I do feel like our paths have crossed for a reason Georgie. You can't deny that we have something between us?"

They stared hard at one another.

The moment broken by the vibration of Georgie's phone.

She opened the car door again and sat in her seat. Elvis pushed the door closed and as the window opened, he leaned his elbows on the edge of it so that he was eye level with Georgie once more.

"Can I have some time to process this? Look, you have Laura, I have-"

"A fiancé"

"Yeah…" Georgie murmured, glancing at her ring finger that was gripping the steering wheel. "The drive will give me a chance to think things through. I will call you though alright?"

"Yeah." Elvis nodded in consideration, "We've both got things at stake here…I'll talk to you soon Georgie." He said, standing up and backing away to the kerb to allow Georgie to drive away.

Elvis' final statement didn't quite sound definite. To Georgie it sounded like a question. One she wasn't quite ready to answer yet.

-OG-

Only when Georgie pulled up outside of her flat did she look at her phone and read her message from Jamie.

JAMIE~ I'm out tonight Babe. Will's leaving so going for food and drinks in Shoreditch. I'll be back later. X

Georgie took advantage of the place to herself. She threw her keys onto the worktop and draped her jacket across the sofa. She drummed her fingers on the table surface as she wondered what to do next.

Just over an hour of driving had really given Georgie the chance to clear her head.

Was it possible to want two very different things? Two very different people?

Spending the day with Elvis had been pretty amazing. Sure. But could she handle the relentless pangs of anxiety and stress each time a stranger came along. Georgie didn't just fear seeing Jamie but what if they bumped into Debbie with Laura?

What made her think that she could even do that? Have both men in her life. What kind of alternative universe did Georgie think she lived in where she could marry one person and sleep with another. It what world did it allow somebody to do that with no repercussions or turmoil or drama?

Right now, it was too soon for Georgie to make a decision about the situation. There was too much at stake.

She sent a quick text to Elvis:

Can you talk?

Instantly her phone begin to buzz with an incoming call. He had obviously been waiting to hear from her.

"Hi. I didn't want to leave you hanging Elvis."

"Where is your head at Georgie?"

Georgie closed her eyes and bit her lip. This was the thing that she liked about Elvis the most. He never made it about him, it was always about her. What she wanted, how she felt. She didn't get that from Jamie, not really. Hardly ever, in fact.

"I'm not ready to end whatever this is, yet. I know that."

There was a sigh of relief from Elvis on the other end of the phone.

"But…"

"This isn't just a fling anymore is it?"

"No Elvis. It's not. I know we haven't got the other side of our lives sorted. Jamie, Debbie, Laura. But, can we at least take things slowly? I've not done this kind of thing before."

"You think I have?" Elvis said with a laugh. "Listen, I'm fine with that. We'll just see how it goes. Our lives are pretty hectic, you know? Your shifts. My shifts on the police force. Laura's birthday is coming up in the next fortnight so I need to focus on that."

"…Sure." Georgie murmured, surprised at the disappointed feeling in the pit of her stomach at the fact she would be seeing Elvis at a later date than she imagined.

"Can I stay in touch with you? Are texts allowed in this... arrangement?" Elvis was winding her up, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yes. Texts are allowed. You're under a code name anyway."

"Code name eh? I hope it's something dark and mysterious."

Georgie snorted in laughter, "Hardly. You're under the name, Ariya. Don't ask."

"Fine. Right, I've got to go, I'm cooking dinner for little madam before I head out on the night shift."

"Okay Elvis. And thank you. For understanding. I just feel way I'm over my head at the moment and I need time to process."

"It's fine Georgie. I should have known the whole 'no strings attached' thing doesn't exactly apply when it comes to either of us. It's just not possible. Take care alright?"

They hung up and Georgie exhaled slowly. She wandered into the living room to do some yoga, hoping it would relieve some of the tension in her shoulders.

It would be better than nothing.

However, one thing was for sure...she knew it wouldn't erase any of her guilt.

So there you go. I hope there's a little bit more explained. Your comments always influence the next chapters so feedback is greatly appreciated. I've been off the grid again with a busy life schedule. I'm trying my best to update as soon as I can. Enjoy and let me know what you think :) Lauren x