Broken Strings (Prodigy: 2)

Warnings Signs

"Aren't you spending too much time with Madi?"

Locke glanced around as Jessica walked in.

"You look pretty."

"Thank you. You look undressed."

Jessica was dressed in a slinky midnight blue dress with her hair piled on top of her head. Locke was dressed in suit trousers and nothing else as he lounged on his hotel bed, hair loose and messy around his head.

"Thank you," he said and picked up his drink from the bedside table. "I'm relaxing."

"We're supposed to be going to dinner."

"I was just with Rich, I'm relaxing," Locke pressed and Jessica's lips pursed slightly and she took a seat.

"Have you showered?"

"Yeah."

"Zane's joining us, you know."

"I know. I was there when Rich invited us both."

"Are you going to be ok?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Locke."

"Jessy."

She let out a heavy sigh and leant back in her seat, crossing her legs, watching him as he took a swig of his drink. "So," she eventually said, "You like Madi?"

"Fucking hate her."

"I'm sure. You need to stop spending time with people you hate."

"There aren't that many people I like. I'd spend every minute of my day with you if I did that."

Jessica pointedly rolled her eyes at him. "So why Madi then?"

"She's a talent."

"She potential competition."

"She's not that much talent."

"You think?"

"Not yet. Besides, competition doesn't phase me, after this long, it's be a bit late to start feeling threatened now."

"I suppose. Are you looking forward to seeing Zane?"

"I just saw him yesterday."

"What's going on with you two?"

Locke looked at her as she swept a lock of hair back behind her ear and pulled out her phone to answer a text.

"What do you mean?"

"I was talking to Zane this morning, we went out for coffee. Everything was fine and then I mentioned you and he clammed up. We met up with Madi before we parted ways and while Zane was talking to someone else, we were chatting. Apparently he never discusses you."

Locke got up, grabbing deodorant before throwing on his shirt. "So?" he asked, running his fingers through his hair to pull loose the knots.

"Why doesn't he discuss you?"

"I don't know, he doesn't have to talk about me if he doesn't want to. Who cares?"

"Madi was just curious."

"It's none of Madi's business."

"You can't blame her for being curious. She spends time with both you of and it's obvious there's something going on there."

"And what do you think might be going on?"

Jessica didn't reply and he looked back at her as he finishing pulling his hair into its usual French plait. She was looking at the floor, quiet. He turned away and pulled on his waistcoat, buttoning it up.