True To You

Chapter 20

George woke up that following morning by the sound of paper being turned besides him. He groaned and rolled onto his stomach to hug his pillow as he rubbed his face into it and slowly started to open his eyes. He stretched out his body with another groan, before slumping back into the warm and comfortable bed.

"Oh look. Sleeping beauty is finally awake, too." George scoffed and blindly kicked his foot into the direction of his voice. He chuckled as he heard an "ouch" come from besides him, followed by a playful hit on the back of his head. He groaned and rolled over onto his side, facing the other man besides him. Paul was sitting propped up on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard, watching him with a worried, yet amused expression. He smiled at him as their eyes locked.

"Slept well?" He asked him and George shrugged.

"Eventually." Paul nodded and closed the book that had been lying on his lap. He put it onto his bedside table and moved to lie back down, facing George, who followed his movements with his eyes.

"Are you alright?" Paul asked him softly, looking worried again. George knew he should have expected that question, but he still didn't have an answer ready and if he were honest with himself, he didn't know exactly. He felt a lot better than yesterday evening and he wasn't feeling exactly sad or angry, but not happy either. He just felt sort of numb. Perhaps a little disappointed. He didn't know what he was supposed to do next now he had broken up with Ringo. He wasn't sure how to act or what to feel. He didn't know what he wanted. His silence must have answer enough for Paul, for he sighed and asked something else instead.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." George replied, his voice suddenly tight and his body tense. He was confused by his own reactions, but he had to admit that he was right. He didn't want to talk about it. Honestly, he wished he could just... just... he didn't know. What did he even do before Ringo had been around? He felt something prick behind his eyes, but he wouldn't let himself cry again. He had done that more than enough yesterday.

"George? Please tell me. Maybe I can help?" Paul gently pressed on and George opened his mouth to say something, but he didn't know what. It was all a bit much and confusing. Paul was still looking at him, smiling encouragingly and nodding to let him know it was alright.

George swallowed thickly and slowly started to explain to Paul what had happened, leaving nothing out and telling him how he had felt when he had realised Ringo had been lying to him and tried to control him because he thought he couldn't trust him. How many times he had asked if Ringo was okay with what he did and the many times Ringo had assured him it was fine. Paul stayed quiet all the while George told his story, occasionally nodding or humming to let George know he was still listening and reaching out for himself when George was on the verge of tears again.

"I loved him, you know. I really did. But he betrayed me. He lied to me and he doesn't trust me and he obviously doesn't want his friend or co-workers to know I'm a stripper! You know I can't deal with that, Paul. Not again. I promised myself back then that I wouldn't give into that anymore and that I'd make my own choices. I don't want that anymore. Not again." George finished, his body shaking slightly. Paul gently lay a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, making George look up at him. The soft look on his friend's face made him feel calmer almost right away.

"George, I know and I don't want you to go for any less than that, but look at it from Ringo's perspective. I doubt he ever had a boyfriend who had such a job and it's not easy having to watch your boyfriend strip in front of other men, for all those other men." Paul told him gently.

"Jane doesn't seem to have much trouble with it, does she?" George remarked and frowned when Paul started laughing.

"Jane?!"