It was like some weird stare-off was taking place in the cafeteria. I glanced at Reece who looked worried. “B-because she’s…uh…she has a boyfriend,” Reece told James. “You do?” James questioned, looking at me. I stayed quiet for a moment before replying, “Yeah.”
Chris let out a humourless laugh at my answer. “I’m sorry, is there something wrong?” I asked him. He didn’t say a word as he stood up and walked off. Reece and I hurried after him. “Mate, what’s your problem?” Reece asked Chris. He turned to look at us and frowned. “I know you’re just a little girl with a dream of working as a producer or something, but Reece is in a serious relationship with his girlfriend,” Chris told me. Reece butted in before I could say anything, “Chris, Charlotte is my girlfriend…but you can’t tell anyone. It has to stay between us. The media would go mad for it if they were to find out.”
Chris looked at Reece as if he’d just slapped him. “You’re expecting me to lie to your girlfriend?” he questioned. “Chris, please, you have to. I love her,” Reece answered. Chris hesitated but nodded earning a hug from Reece. “So how about that date then?” James asked, walking over to us. I glanced at Reece before smiling and nodding. I knew this would make Reece angry but I was angry at him for hiding our relationship from the world.
“Great. We can go after rehearsals,” James told me. “Sounds good,” I replied before walking off, leaving the three of them alone. “Wow, you’ve managed to create drama already,” Charlie laughed as I sat down at the table beside him. “I guess so.”
As the day went on, I began to feel guilty about agreeing to go on a date with James. I was making Reece feel how I felt every day. Reece having a girlfriend didn’t change the fact that he was still my boyfriend and I shouldn’t have agreed to go on a date with James. But it was too late to back out now.
“Ready to go?” James asked when the band finished the final set list run through of the day. “Uh…yeah, I’ll just grab my jacket from the dressing room,” I replied, flashing him a smile before walking off down the corridor. The dressing room was empty when I arrived. I searched around the room for my jacket and found it on the sofa, underneath some of the lads’ coats.
When I turned around to leave the room, Reece was just shutting the door. He locked it before walking towards me. I allowed him to pull me into a hug then kiss me. “Come home with me,” he whispered, “Claire’s going out tonight so the lads and I have the apartments to ourselves. Tom’s cooking tonight, you’ll love it.” I really wanted to go back with him. But I wanted to go on a real date whether that was with him or someone else. “I can’t. I’m going out with James.”
This seemed to make Reece angry. “You’re my girlfriend, you’re meant to be faithful to me,” Reece snapped. “Oh, you mean like you’re faithful to me?” I asked annoyed. He stayed quiet for a moment before saying, “It’s difficult. You know I love you. But there’s so much pressure with the media.”
I nodded. I had to understand. I loved him and I couldn’t lose him. Someone pushed down on the door handle which meant we were out of time. “Hopefully James will bring me back to your apartment so I can see you. I love you,” I told him before kissing him once again. The kisses I gave Reece were always full of longing and love. I knew I loved him more than Claire ever could, or anyone else for that matter.
Reece unlocked the door to reveal Chris and Barclay. Chris glared at me as I slipped past him then rushed along the corridor. I found James in the staging area and as soon as he saw me he gave me a hug. “Ready to go,” I told him. The two of us left the studios and got into a taxi.
“So what was going on with Reece earlier?” James asked me when we were sat in the back of the taxi. I tried to act like I wasn’t bothered by the question but it did bother me. Because I couldn’t tell James that I was head-over-heels in love with Reece Bibby. “Nothing important,” I answered. James didn’t press it any further, knowing that it wasn’t his business.
The taxi rolled to a stop and we both got out of the car. “This is where we’re going?” I asked James as he led me towards a restaurant. James nodded and smiled as we went inside. The hostess at the front door only had to look at James once before leading us to a table. She was quite clearly familiar with him.
James was a true gentleman throughout the night. He even pulled my chair out for me when we sat down. He didn’t pry into what was going on between Reece and I which meant he probably had no clue I was in a relationship with Reece.
“Do you want to come back to the apartments for drinks?” James asked me as we left the restaurant. I nodded and replied, “Sounds good.”
We took a taxi back to the apartments and when we got inside I was overwhelmed at the sight. The apartments were glamorous and they clearly cost a lot of money considering the enormous size of them. “You like the apartments then?” James asked as he took his jacket off. He must’ve seen me looking around in awe. “Yes, they’re incredible,” I replied while taking my coat and shoes off. I didn’t want to be the guest that mucked up their floor.
“I’ll grab us some drinks. If you just go round the corner, some of the lads will be sat on the sofas,” James told me before disappearing into another room. I followed his instructions and walked round the corner to find Reece, Charlie and Barclay sat on the sofas. Reece’s face lit up at the sight of me and I tried to contain myself as all I wanted to do was jump on him.
“Sit down,” Reece told me, flashing me a warming smile and gesturing towards the empty space on the sofa beside him. I didn’t hesitate in walking over to him and sitting down. I half expected him to put his arm around me but then realised he couldn’t. Charlie and Barclay didn’t know about the relationship.
James soon returned with drinks and handed me one. “Why is it that all lads are obsessed with FIFA?” I asked them all as I looked at the television Barclay and Charlie had their eyes fixed on. “Not all lads are obsessed with FIFA,” Reece replied. “Just most,” I added and winked, making him laugh. Flirting with Reece came naturally but I knew I had to tone it down while we were in the presence of other human beings.
Charlie paused the game of FIFA on the television screen before turning to look at Reece, James and I. “FIFA tournament,” he said. And we all agreed. Reece and I had played FIFA tons over the past few months so I was more than alright at it.
YOU ARE READING
Second Girl (Reece Bibby)
Fanfiction"I can't be second best anymore, Reece," I told him. Reece shook his head as if he was dismissing what I'd just said. "You have never been second best, Charlotte, I love you."
