Always Coming Back to You

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Hell erupted at six a.m the next morning. Both Miles and Alex's phones started ringing at the same time, waking them up. They were both exhausted. After making love yesterday, they had spent the evening in front of the TV, watching old James Bond movies until two a.m. and stuffing their faces with the Chinese takeaway they'd called out for.

They both slept heavily, and it came as a shock to be woken by phones ringing and buzzing. Miles awoke with a grumble and he nudged Alex who was half asleep and half awake.

"Al, wake up, our phones are ringing..."

Alex sat up, eyes still closed.

"Huh?"

"Our phones are ringing."

Miles picked his up from the bedside cabinet. It was Rupert Brown, his lawyer. What the fuck....?

"Morning Rupert," Miles yawned. "What's up?"

"Someone took a picture of you and Alex at the concert on Friday night."

"Yeah, I know. Al was posing with fans."

"No, a picture taken in the auditorium, the pair of you sitting together. It's fucking going viral."

"Everybody knows we were together."

"But Alex's press team have been playing it down that you were with a group of friends, including Alexa. This shows the two of you alone. It looks like you're on a date wearing matching jackets. We're trying to locate the original poster and get them to take it down. In the meantime, if any journalists approach you, just say no comment. Leave it to PR."

"What implications is this gonna have? Rosie seems to think I'll be fine."

"Well prepare yourself for a lot of hate online. Maybe stay off social media for a day or so. And don't answer any calls from people you don't know."

"I'm away anyway."

"Please tell me you're not with Alex."

"I am, yeah."

"For fucks sake, just make sure you're not seen. And have you got any compromising photos on your phone?"

"Of me and Al?"

"Yeah."

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Great. I was going to say delete them, just in case you get hacked. I will keep you updated."

Rupert hung up, but Alex was still on his call. He was sitting with his hand in his hair, trying to get a word in, but whoever he was talking to wouldn't let him. Miles wondered if it was Roxanne Cooper, his lawyer. She worked for the same firm as Rupert. They represented all of the Monkeys.

Miles could hear the tension in Alex's voice. He was getting more and more wound up. Miles knew what he needed and picked up his packet of Malboros from the bedside table. He lit one for Alex and gently tapped him on the shoulder.

Alex turned around, and on seeing what Miles had done, he kissed him on the cheek and took the cigarette.

"How can I be breaking a contract, Rox?" he said, inhaling deeply. "At what point did I say publicly, to anybody that I was on holiday with Louise? People saw her post and just assumed it. You can't sue somebody for going out with a friend, for fucks sake. Call me when you have something concrete."

He hung up and thew his phone to the end of the bed. He sighed and sat back against the pillows.

"What's happening?" Miles asked.