Second Girl (Reece Bibby)

Chapter Sixteen

I woke up in Reece’s bed. He wasn’t laid beside me though. It felt odd to finally be open about my relationship with Reece. After we’d told the lads about our relationship last night, they’d gone out, leaving me, Reece and Charlie alone in the apartments. I got out of bed and grabbed Reece’s hoodie from the end of the bed. I pulled it over my head and grabbed my phone before leaving Reece’s bedroom.

Reece was sat on one of the sofas in the living area, flicking through music channels on the television. I sat down beside him and he put his arm around me. “How are you feeling?” he asked. “I’m better than I’ve ever been,” I answered, smiling from cheek to cheek. I checked my phone to see that I had no messages or notifications. “Babe, can I borrow your charger?” I asked Reece, noticing that my phone had eleven percent battery left. “Yeah, it’s in Barclay’s room. Just knock before you go in,” he replied. I got up from the sofa and walked towards the door that joined the two apartments together.

When I was in the second apartment, I crept towards Barclay’s bedroom door, not wanting to wake anyone in the quiet apartment. I knocked lightly on the door and heard a groan. I opened the door slightly and whispered, “Barclay, have you got Reece’s charger?”

He groaned again so this time I opened the door fully. As soon as I saw who was laid next to Barclay, I stumbled backwards and knocked over a pile of books in Barclay’s bedroom. “I-I’m s-sorry,” I stuttered before leaving his bedroom and pulling the door shut. “Charlotte,” Barclay called after me. I rushed towards the door that joined the two apartments together as I heard Barclay’s bedroom door open.

“Charlotte, wait, you can’t tell Reece,” Barclay said from behind me. I turned around to see him stood by the sofa, pulling his jeans up. “This is so wrong…he’s going to kill you,” I replied. “They’re not even together anymore,” he pointed out while fastening the button at the top of his jeans. “That’s not the point, Barclay. They broke up yesterday,” I told him before turning away from him. “Charlotte, please,” he begged but I didn’t listen as I went back into the other apartment.

Reece was still sat on the sofa so I rushed over to him. “Reece, B-Barclay,” I stuttered. He looked at me wide-eyed before asking, “What’s wrong?”

I turned to see Barclay rushing into the apartment. “Mate, I was drunk,” Barclay started. “What are you talking about?” Reece questioned. Barclay suddenly realised that I hadn’t told Reece yet and closed his mouth. “Tell him,” I told Barclay but he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t need to know,” he replied. I knew it wasn’t my place but it wasn’t fair on Reece. “Tell him or I will,” I spoke, my voice shaky. Barclay took a moment to compose himself before saying, “You have to understand that I was very drunk and I never would’ve done it if I’d have known what I was doing.”

“What did you do?” Reece asked, suddenly worried. “I slept with Claire,” Barclay answered before taking a few steps backwards. Reece got up from the sofa and glared at Barclay. “Y-you slept with my girlfriend?!” he suddenly yelled. His girlfriend? I thought that was me. “Mate, she isn’t your girlfriend anymore. And it meant nothing, I swear,” Barclay told him. Reece stayed silent for a moment, his muscles tense and his jaw clenched. I touched his arm with my fingers and he relaxed. Reece looked down at me, seeing the pleading and hurt in my eyes. “It doesn’t matter,” Reece said, returning his attention to Barclay, “She’s my ex-girlfriend. I don’t love her. It doesn’t matter.”

The three of us remained silent, trying to take in what Reece had just said. It was true but I never really thought about it until he said it out loud. Charlie’s bedroom door opened and he came out of his room. The only sound in the apartment was the television playing a cheesy pop song. Charlie rubbed his eyes and yawned while taking in the scene in front of him. He was wearing a navy blue t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms. His hair was a mess, adding to his I-just-woke-up look.

“What’s going on?” Charlie asked, stretching out his arms and bending and curling his fingers until they clicked. The three of us remained silent before Reece replied, “Nothing. Everything’s fine.” It was worrying how well he was taking this. Even if he hadn’t loved Claire, he’d cared about her so some anger would be expected.

“Alright then, does anybody want a cup of tea?” Charlie asked, strolling into the kitchen. “Please,” I replied as he filled up the kettle. I turned away from Reece, ready to go into his bedroom and get dressed. But Reece grabbed my hand, spinning me around so I was facing him. He didn’t say a word as he kissed me. The kiss was urgent, like he just had to have me and he was so happy that he finally did. I pulled away from him and smiled. “I love you,” I whispered. “I love you too,” he replied, kissing my cheek.