Just in Time (A Tom Hiddleston Fan Fic)

Chapter 14: The Escape and Mystery Guest

I return to the hotel around midnight. I have at least a dozen voicemails and many more texts from Tom. I listen to and read none of them.

I sneak into my hotel room and begin to pack. I'm embarrassed about the way I behaved but my emotions are still raw. I just hope I can sneak out and go home. I already texted Hector as much, and he said he'd pass the word along to the others.

As I gather the last of my toiletries from the bathroom, there's a soft knock on my door. Holy hell! Can't a girl have a nervous breakdown in private, I think.

I look through the peephole and I see Hector. "Hi sweetie," he says when I open the door. I drag him into my room and hug him like I may never let him go. "Hi handsome," I finally say.

"What did you tell the others?"

"The truth. That you and Tom got into a cat fight, and he bitch-slapped you." I eye Hector.

"Just kidding," he says with a smile. "I told them you had a family emergency back in LA that you had to attend to."

"And Tom?"

"He went along with the story, though he seemed distracted the entire evening. He stepped away from the table several times I assumed to call you."

"He may have. I wouldn't know," I say, finishing up packing.

"K, you need to work this out."

I sigh. "I know I do."

"Have you told him?"

"Told him what?"

"That you love him."

I snort at Hector's statement. I turn to look at him, and his face is serious.

"It's...complicated." I say.

"Of course it is, honey. If it weren't, it wouldn't be true love," Hector says, walking toward me and kissing my forehead.

"Can I help you get your stuff to the car?"

"That'd be great. Thanks," I say, grabbing one of my bags and walking toward the door.

Tom's POV

I lie awake, still concerned about Kenni. I know the story that Hector told everyone. He was pretty convincing, though I know the truth. I went too far and I hurt my best friend.

When I hear Kenni in her room, I start to get up and check on her. I know she probably doesn't want to speak to me, but I need to make sure she's okay. Then I hear voices in her room, and I realize that Hector is with her.

I listen to their conversation, at first because I now realize what Kenni has had to endure the last two nights hearing Angelique and me. Then I hear Hector say something about love, then Kenni's snort and response that it's complicated.

Is Kenni in love? With whom? Do I know him? My stomach ties in knots at the thought.

I flop on my side as I hear Hector and Kenni exit her room. Angelique snuggles up behind me, and I move closer to the edge of the bed to escape. She sighs in her sleep and turns away from me.

How could I have allowed this to go so far astray? Kenni is in love with another man? I can't bear to think of it. I should have told her. I shouldn't have been involved with all these other dalliances. Kenni was right - I have been fucking women like it's an Olympic sport. But I've only been doing so because of my feelings for her. She drives me mad, and when I can't take it anymore I look for my next partner.

But Kenni in love? I don't know what to do about that. I want her to be happy, but the selfish part of me wants her to be happy with me.

As I know I'll no longer be able to sleep, I get out of bed quietly and go to the sofa. I open my laptop and begin reading and answering emails. It takes longer than usual because I can't get Kenni off my mind.