Best Friends

44 She Did That

Tom hadn't spoken to anyone since he came back. It didn't take a genius to figure out something big had happened in there. I couldn't sleep because I was stressing too much and I knew if I didn't get up I'd end up disturbing Dom. I did end up disturbing him but with a quick kids to the forehead and a few gentle words he was fast asleep. I heard someone else down there but didn't bother since i could easily make up a reason why I was there. I approached the kitchen door deciding on my way down that it would probably be best to get a hot drink. I opened the door slightly and saw Tom in there. He didn't notice me at first but since he was shirtless I noticed the scratched and the large bruise forming on his side. It wasn't weird. He always slept without a shirt but I knew for a fact he didn't intend for anyone to see the state he was in.
"She did that to you?" He jumped and turned around to see me
"You don't need to worry about that"
"You said she wouldn't hurt you. Has she ever done that before" it wasn't that bad. Not as bad as it could have been. It was more so the fact that she'd actually physically hurt him.
"No."
"Honestly?"
"Yes honestly. She doesn't hurt me. Ever. She wanted to hurt you."
"Why didn't she then?"
"Dunno." I didn't have anything to say so he turned back around and finished stirring his drink "You want one. Kettles just boiled" I nodded forgetting he couldn't see me "lex?"
"Uh. Yeah sure. That's what I came down here for." He made another drink in silence and took a deep breath before turning back around with them both in hand
"Can I talk to you about it?" He said sounding like he thought he was bothering me
"Yeah. Of course. Always." He nodded and walked into the living room with me following rather obediently behind. He set the drinks down on the coffee table and I knew they'd end up getting left there "Is she the reason you're afraid?" I sat down next to him making sure to keep distance incase he suddenly got upset or decided he wanted me to leave
"Afraid of what?"
"Afraid of showing affection. Or just in general showing your emotion."
"Kind of. She used to say it was stupid if I got emotional over stuff. And hugging people I wasn't in a relationship with was weird. She'd even get jealous over me and Dom hugging. He flirts with everyone."
"She's wrong. You know that right?"
"I'm not a fucking idiot."
"Never said you were. But I just want you to know that youre not under her thumb anymore."
"She would just randomly go off at me. That's why I was always staying round here for days at a time. It was never physical but it still hurt."
"I get it. All I ever got growing up."
"Shit. Sorry I didn't mean to bring it up i-"
"It's fine."
"I can stop"
"Do you think it will help? Talking about it. What she did." He nodded "Then I'm here to listen."

"Thanks" he mumbled. I was lay down on the couch with him lay on top of me his head resting on my chest. He was curled up awkwardly since he was taller than me but I didn't mind and neither did he. We'd slowly moved into that position and neither of us complained so we just stayed there
"It's alright. Feels good to be the one who listens for a change."
"We should probably go back to bed soon"
"I'll end up disturbing Dom if I go back. Then he'll start asking questions. Plus I don't wanna move yet"
"I'm tired though."
"We can just sleep here."
"But what if the boys see?" I sighed in frustration. I guess the whole conversation about what happened and how it's okay for him to show his emotion was useless "I'm sorry. I know you tried your hardest"
"It's alright. We should probably go to bed you're right"
"No. I'm comfy here. Fuck them"
"You sure?" He tightened his grip on me making me smile "Yknow if you let this out Dom will cuddle you to death" he laughed a little
"I'm willing to take that risk. I'd do anything. For any of you."
"Thanks for taking that hit for me" he didn't say anything and I thought he'd fallen asleep for a second since he had his eyes closed
"Like I said. Anything" he smiled adjusting his head to be more comfortable "I can't fucking sleep like this" he sat up and got off the couch making me squeal when he picked me up "Shh. The boys are gonna think I'm killing ya."
"How do I know you're not?"
"Alright. Someone's getting a bit cocky" he turned around and sat down still holding onto me "That better"
"But now you're cuddling me" I protested
"I'm returning the favour" I chuckled and closed my eyes "Night"
"Night Tom"

Dom's POV
I woke up and still no sign of lexi. It didn't worry me though. I knew something must have happened at Tom's place yesterday because she seemed off as soon as she came back. She told me the bare minimum: that she wasn't best pleased to see him and that she'd lied and said they were together so Tom didn't have to make up a more complicated lie. I didn't want to get out of bed but after noticing the time I figured if I didn't get up now it would soon be rolling into the afternoon. The house was strangely quiet which usually wasn't the case because at least someone was awake playing music or watching TV. As I walked downstairs I heard whispering and then I saw both Adam and Mikey sat on the bottom step talking quietly
"Why are ya out here?"
"They're asleep." Adam said standing up and motioning for me to do the same. I squeezed past Michael and peered into the living room where Adam was pointing "Look" Tom was fast asleep on the sofa with Lexi sat across his lap resting her head on his shoulder also out of it
"That's a new one."
"Tell me about it. Did you tell Lexi about the interview?"
"No. Not yet. She deleted social media a while back when it started getting to her. So she doesn't even know that the BHC knows. I told ally not to say anything either"
"It's tomorrow Dom. You need to tell her. Or you could just tell em where to stick their stupid interview."
"What? And have the press up my arse? Fuck that." I must have spoken a little too loudly and Lexi whined a little
"Shh" Tom said sleepily as he stroked his hand up and down her back to soothe her back to sleep "Go sleep darlin'" I cracked a smile at the two of them and slowly backed out of the room when they both fell back to sleep.
"When did he get so..."
"Soppy?" Adam offered
"Wasn't the one I was looking for but it works."
"I dunno. Just happened. Now all who's left is Mikey" we both turned to him
"What?"
"Well we all caved. And next it will be you."
"Never."
"We will see."
"Shut up ya dickhead you don't know what you're talking about" he followed us into the kitchen
"Like I said" I smirked at him ''we will see"