Six Degrees of Seperation (Book Two in the Glen Power Series)

Chapter 8

The months have flown by. American people are so nice! I'm completely taken aback by how friendly they've all been to me, doing everything possibly to make sure I'm happy. They don't know how I feel, but they don't try to either. It's nice.

In between my time at work, I spend a lot of time in the studio. My producer, Adam, is an amazing guy. He understands exactly what I want to do with my music. He knows the emotions that I'm singing about, the stories that I want to say. He's managed to help me create a playlist of both acoustic and produced songs that mean so much to me. But at the same time, he respects my boundaries. The songs that I've asked to stay unproduced, the ones that hurt too much to sing; they've stayed that way. He isn't pushy. He respects me. And that's an amazing thing.

I've settled in here. My family sent over my stuff and I've now redecorated the flat how I like it. I've obviously respected Mark's ownership of the place, so I've not painted the walls hot pink with daisies. That would just be mean. And really horrible, come to think of it. The flat looks quite professional actually. Guitars on the walls, records all over the place, my DVD collection is stacked neatly on a shelf that Mark set up for me. I'm really quite proud of the place.

Since Rina is quite often at work nowadays, it's up to Mark to entertain me. Over the past few months, we've developed quite a friendship. Our sense of humour compliments the other's perfectly, so half of the time we spend together is bent over laughing. The rest we throw into music. It's what brought me here in the first place and what we bonded over initially. Jamming with him is incredibly soothing. He's so talented, and he knows exactly what should go where in a song. He's an amazing producer. I'm lucky to have him as the go-to guy. Even luckier to be living in his house.

But I miss Glen. I really, really miss him. We speak to each other on Skype every day. Seeing his face on that screen breaks my heart. I just want him to be next to me, holding me tight, spreading whisper-light kisses in my hair. I've almost forgotten the feel of his fingers on my skin. I have to close my eyes and concentrate hard to bring the memories back. I don't know how much longer I can go without seeing him. I know that this is all for us, but it's so difficult most nights.

Today is a particularly bad day. It's a Saturday afternoon and I started the day off on a low note. A particularly realistic dream made waking up to an empty bed torturous. The hoodie that Glen posted for me has lost his scent as well. No matter how hard I breathe in, I can't smell him any more. It's like a little bit of a my soul has gone along with it.

And to make it even worse, Mark has been here all day with a particularly annoying cheerfulness about him. All smiles and laughter and loud voices. He's really pushing my buttons the wrong way today...

“Cheer up,” he teases, prodding my in the side. “Your face might stick that way.”

“Shut up.”

“Ah, grumpy fucker! Look at the sun! Listen to the birds! Today is a fucking amazing day!”

“Why are you so happy?”

“Can't a man be happy on such a nice day?”

“No.”

“Miserable bitch.” He grins at me. I want to wipe it right off of his face...

“Can't you just go somewhere else?”

“Nope. You're stuck with me, I'm afraid.”

“Fucking brilliant.”

“Ah, come on. I'm a prick, but I'm not all that bad.”

“Prick is an understatement.” I just want to be alone... I catch him glancing at his watch. “Oh, I'm sorry. Have you got somewhere you'd rather be?” The venom in my voice is a little harsher than I wanted it to be. But I don't really care. I miss Glen, and hearing Mark's accent today is grating on me.

“Not at all. I'm enjoying your company, Little Miss Sunshine.”

I glare at him from across the room. He's lounging on the bean bag that I bought for our jamming sessions, grinning like a fucking Cheshire cat. What is it that's put him in such a good mood? I don't understand it...

His phone pings, and the grin widens as he reads the message he's gotten.

“Right. Get your ass up. We're off out.”

“Fuck off.”

“Shut the fuck up and move.” He's on his feet and moving towards me. “Don't make me move you myself.”

“You wouldn't dare.”

*****************

The bastard wasn't lying. No amount of sulking can stop a fireman's lift...

I'm now sat in the front seat of his car, sulking even more, whilst he's all the more smug next to me. If his head got any bigger, I would have to get out of the car and walk. It's unbearable.

“Where are we going?”

“You'll see.”

“You've dragged me out of my flat...”

“My flat.”

“...without any explanation and you expect me just to sit here and let you do that?”

“Hmm...yep. Yeah I do.”

“You're a fucker.”

“Yes. Yes I am.”

“Oh, don't be so smug about it.”

“Don't worry. I won't.”

Prick.

“If I told you where we're going, it would ruin the surprise.”

“Do I look like I want a surprise?”

“Of course you do. The sour look of hatred is definitely the indication of a woman just waiting to be surprised.”

“Why are you such a smart-ass?”

“I'm Irish. It's my job.”

“Too fucking right.”

We sit in silence for a bit. I haven't the slightest idea where he's taking. Not a clue at all. And that just makes me even angrier. All I want to do is sit in my room and try to remember the sound of Glen's voice in my ear. Try to recall the feel of his lips on mine. The scratch of his teeth on my jaw. Such a distant memory now...

“We're here.”

*****************

A/N - So where are they going? What's Mark all smug about? Can you guess? Leave your answers in the comments! Thank you everyone for your continued reading of this little story of mine. You're such awesome followers. Did you know that? Going through a rough time with this story, and I'm worried you're all going to get up and leave me. But I thought you should know now that there will be a third story in this trilogy. At least I'm pretty sure I'm going to call it a trilogy. How exciting! Hope you stay with me that long. Vote and comment guys! Much love x