After the FIFA tournament, Charlie put on a movie and eventually the lads fell asleep, leaving me and Reece alone. “How was your date?” Reece asked me. I looked up at him before replying, “I guess it was alright. I would rather it was you though.” Reece smiled, obviously happy knowing that I was his. He leaned towards me and pressed his lips against mine.
“Claire’s here,” Chris said as he came into the room. Reece quickly pulled away from me and stood up from the sofa. “As pleased as I am to be stuck with the knowledge of your secret relationship, I’d prefer it if you were more careful,” Chris told us, the sarcasm evident in his tone. Reece didn’t reply as he rushed past Chris to see his girlfriend.
“I’d leave if I were you,” Chris said as I stood up and I nodded. I shouldn’t have agreed to go back to the apartments but I had to see Reece. Reece returned with the girl I recognised as his girlfriend. Of course, I’d never met her before but Reece had shown me pictures. She looked at the sleeping Charlie, Barclay and James then at me. “This is Charlotte,” Chris piped up, “She’s working with us at the studios.” Claire smiled at me and said, “It’s nice to meet you.”
In all honesty, it killed me seeing her hand in Reece’s. “I was just on my way out,” I told Reece and Claire. Reece looked at me longingly and I flashed him a smile before slipping past him. “I’ll see her out,” I heard Reece say before he appeared next to me. He made sure no one had followed him before placing his hands on my cheeks and kissing me. “I love you,” he whispered as he pulled away. “I love you too,” I replied before pulling on my jacket and shoes. Reece gave me a hug and whispered, “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I left the apartments and headed out of the building. I would’ve liked to stay with Reece and spent the evening just talking to him. But of course, Claire always came first. I was always second best. I hailed down a taxi and got inside. “Are you okay, Love?” The driver asked me as he turned to look at me. I hadn’t realised how upset I had become while thinking about Reece and Claire. “I’m fine, thanks,” I told him before wiping my tears away and telling him my address. The taxi journey cost a bomb because of where I lived but I really didn’t care. I just needed to get home.
When I arrived back at my flat, I unlocked the door and walked inside. My dad was sat on the sofa with a glass of red wine in his hand. The smile on his face faded when he saw that I’d been crying. Before he could say anything, I rushed into my bedroom and slammed the door shut. “Charlotte!” My dad yelled after me. I didn’t say a word as I leant against the door and allowed my silent tears to fall.
Why was I letting this get to me? I knew from the moment I found out about Claire that I’d always be second best. And I deserved more than that but I was so in love with Reece. I couldn’t leave him. My dad had no idea I had a boyfriend. He just assumed I was out with friends or at college all the time. “Charlotte, open the door,” my dad told me. I didn’t want to. Because he’d ask so many questions and I couldn’t tell him about Reece. It’d go one of two ways. He wouldn’t understand and he’d probably take the protective father role. Or he wouldn’t believe me. I mean, how ridiculous does it sound? My boyfriend is a member of one of the UK’s newest uprising boy bands.
“You don’t have to tell me why you’re crying. Just let me give you a hug,” my dad said through the door. I finally gave in and stepped back from the door. I slowly opened it and looked up at my dad. As soon as I saw his concerned face, I let out a sob. My dad pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back soothingly. I don’t think I’d ever cried in front of my dad before. I often kept to myself and I barely saw him as he was busy with work. “Listen,” my dad spoke, lifting my chin so I was looking up at him, “Whatever it is that’s upsetting you, just know that you’re going to be okay. You’re strong like your mother. You’ll get through whatever battle you’re facing.”
I gave my dad another hug before he left me alone. I took my phone out of my pocket and called Sara. She answered the phone after two rings. “Hey, how was your evening with lover boy?” she asked in her chirpy voice. As soon as she mentioned him I let out a sob. “Woah, woah, what’s going on?” she questioned, her tone completely changing.
“Nothing. Everything’s fine. I just…” I trailed off. “What babe?” Sara encouraged. I shouldn’t have called her. But I needed someone to be there for me. I knew I shouldn’t but I had to tell her about Reece. Besides, I trusted her. She wouldn’t tell anyone. “Can you come over?” I asked. “Of course I can. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Sara arrived shortly after she’d hung up the phone and my dad sent her straight through to my bedroom. As soon as she saw me she pulled me into a hug. “Oh, Char,” she whispered as she sat down on my bed. I sat down beside her just as my phone buzzed. Before I began to explain to Sara what was going on, I read the text message I’d received from Reece. I’m sorry about tonight. I wish you could’ve stayed. I can’t wait to see you again. I love you.
The text message only made me cry even more. “Babe, come on, tell me what’s happened,” Sara told me and I nodded. I wiped away my tears with a tissue before I began. “You have to promise to keep this to yourself, okay?” I questioned and she nodded without hesitation. “You know the guy I’ve been seeing?” I asked and again, she nodded. “It’s Reece Bibby from Stereo Kicks.” She stared at me for a moment but I think she knew by my current state that I was telling the truth. “Okay…uh…I’m pretty sure he has a girlfriend,” she replied and I nodded. “Why do you think I haven’t told you until now?”
“So he’s cheating on his girlfriend with you?” Sara asked. She made me sound like such a bad person. “It’s not like that. He loves me,” I told her. Sara gave me a sympathetic look. “How do you know he’s not just using you for sex?” she questioned. I looked at her as if she’d just slapped me. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s not that type of person. He’s only with Claire because he’s trying to protect the band’s image. But he loves me. And I love him,” I explained. Sara didn’t look convinced but said, “As long as you know what you’re doing. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I loved Reece more than anything and I knew he wouldn’t hurt me intentionally. I lived for the moments I got to spend with him. I’m sure that one day we’d be able to be together like a normal couple. But for now, he had me.
YOU ARE READING
Second Girl (Reece Bibby)
Fanfic"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."
