Masked Heart

Chapter Eleven

The ride up in the lift was silent and tense. Bret still had hold of her hand but he didn't really look at her until they were alone in their hotel room. And then his gaze was so intense that she looked away.

"Did he hurt you?" Bret asked straight away, his eyes searching her arms. Rain shook her head, sitting down on the end of the bed. "What the hell was he doing grabbing hold of you like that? I saw you push him away. Does he not understand no?"

Rain glanced up at him, but all she saw was concern for her in his expression. Bret sat down beside her on the end of the bed and put an arm round her shoulders. She sighed deeply and rested her head on his shoulder.

"He was just drunk," she finally said. "He wanted me to go and dance with him, but we were talking and it's been so long since I caught up with the girls. When I said I didn't want to he just wasn't listening. That's when you saw him putting his arm round me and trying to get me up. Lita told him to back off and he got real confrontational with her. That's when Rey came over."

"Right, so he was drunk?  But you're ok?"

Rain nodded, mutely. She could remember back when they were friends that Joe had liked a drink and sometimes something stronger. It was another reason why Marc had despised him. Marc didn't drink; his body was a temple was his mantra. It was one of the few things she had really respected about her ex husband. Bret however was somewhat relieved it had just been a case of Joe having had too much to drink; he'd seen plenty of boys do that on the road and he could forgive that.

"We can go back down if you want," Bret said, sort of regretting pulling her away from everyone but he had been worried about her. He knew she didn't like being grabbed and hadn't been sure if she'd been hurt or not.

"No it's ok. I'm pretty tired anyway. I'll sort something out with the girls for another time," she replied, wearily. "You go back down if you want though. I don't mind."

Bret shook his head.

"I think I'll call it a night too. Do you want a warm drink or anything?"

"Just my usual water thanks," she said, giving him a smile. Bret grinned and opened the mini bar, taking out two bottles of water and handing one across to her. She drank it down and discarded the empty bottle in the bin and then headed through to the bathroom. Once she was alone, Rain brought a hand to her mouth to cover her sobs and stared at her reflection in the mirror.

"I've always wanted you Rain. There will never be anyone else for me. One day you'll realise that we were always meant to be."

The words he had murmured in her ear before trying to drag her onto the dancefloor with him.

"I thought you were my friend," she whispered and then sank to the floor, weeping silent tears.

***

"Hey Bret,  no Rain this morning?" Trish slid into the chair opposite him and Bret looked up from his coffee. He'd been to the gym early and come straight for breakfast after his shower, leaving Rain working in their room. She had a few bits to tie up before their flights later that day and told him she'd order a breakfast basket from room service. Bret explained this to Trish and then looked round her, noticing that the others were sat at a table across the way, chatting together.

"You ok?" asked Bret.

"I'm more worried about you and my girl, Rain. I think that prick really scared her last night. Sorry, I know he's her friend but seriously? He was a bit too grabby for my liking. She told him several times she didn't want to dance and she was with us but he wouldn't listen. I think if Rey hadn't appeared when he did Lita would have kicked his butt."