Just in Time (A Tom Hiddleston Fan Fic)

Chapter 13: The Run and Angry Tom

I wake in the morning with a slight headache, but none the worse for wear other than that. We're supposed to meet at 11:00 for an early lunch then work until early afternoon. Then, Tom has arranged cars to take us to a local winery for tastings and dinner. As I have about two hours before I have to meet the group, I decide to go for a run to clear my head. After all, last night was eventful.

I think I managed to sleep through (read passed out) the first romp of the evening in Tom's room. The next one around midnight was a little harder to ignore. Finally, there was one this morning that took place about an hour ago, and it was almost more than I could take. For a moment, I thought about pounding on the wall, yelling, "Some of us are trying to fucking sleep here!" 

I ready for my run and head out the door. As I'm sure they're both in a lovemaking-induced coma, I think of doing a ding-dong-dash as I walk past their door. Be the fucking adult here, Kenni, I think.

I put in my earbuds and crank the most rocking music I can find on my phone. As it's the angriest music I know, I find some great 90s grunge to pound the pavement to. I round the corner of the resort, heading onto a garden path as I hear someone call behind me. I take a peek over my shoulder. Great, I think, it's Tom, the Wonder Schlong!

I press harder into my run, acting as if I didn't hear him. I can hear him gaining ground, so I turn up the music and turn on the steam. When Tom finally catches me, I'm in a full-on sprint as if I'm being chased by zombies, or French models, whichever run faster. As he reaches out and touches my shoulder, I slow my pace until I stop completely.

"Didn't you hear me calling you?" Tom asks, as out of breath as I am. "Sorry...had the music turned up..." I say, bending at the waist to catch my breath. "You should watch that, Kenneth. That's how one suffers hearing loss." "You couldn't have told me that last night?" I say under my breath.

"What's that?"

"Never mind." I turn from him and start walking the path further into the garden.

"What's going on, Kenni?"

"Nothing. What's going on with you?"

"Don't be like that."

"Like what?"

Tom grabs my arm so that I have to stop walking. I turn to face him, and I'm on edge.

"Kendall, why are you acting this way?"

"Oh, I don't know, Hiddles. Maybe it's the fact that you parade your new girlfriend before me, and you seem to have forgotten that I'm your...friend. No hugs, no time for us to catch up." I know these are not the real reasons I'm upset, but they're close enough. Besides, Tom hates (correction: immensely dislikes) being called Hiddles.

"Kenni..." Tom says, stepping toward me to give me a hug.

"No, Tom!" I raise my voice. I take a breath to calm a bit before going on. "No. I'm not...not you're pity party. I don't want you to suddenly acknowledge my existence because I've brought it to your attention. I'm no one's second choice...not a consolation prize," I say, standing my ground and staring at Tom. He fidgets a bit and finds it hard to look into my eyes. "That was never my intention, Kendall," he says, looking at his feet. "Well...maybe next time...you'll know better," I say, straightening my posture and walking past Tom toward the resort. "Maybe we can have a cuppa?" he asks as I pass him. "Not today, TW. Not today," I say continuing to walk away from him.

I return to my room and shower for our meeting. As I step from the bathroom to dress, I hear a conversation through the walls. And it's not a good conversation. I can make out Tom apologizing (as usual) and Angelique throwing things. Then things calm a bit. I hear French, then I hear the bed creak. Yep, she talked him out of it, I think. How many times has Tom broken up like this? Though I've heard about it after the fact, I've never witnessed it directly. Still, this is pretty much as Tom has described it. But I don't know of a time when a woman has been able to stop the course of Tom's breakup. What if she's the one?  My mind betrays me while my heart breaks a little.