My Cutthroat Romance

Chapter 19

As consciousness started to return to him, aided by the fact that it was now daylight, Gerard attempted to bury himself further in the duvet and go back to sleep. It wasn’t working; he was just waking up more. He rubbed his eyes and opened them, waiting for everything to come into focus properly. When it did he checked his watch; nearly five in the morning. He should get back downstairs. He pulled the duvet off him and stretched, yawning as he got up and trudged over to the door. Upon entering the barber shop Gerard noticed that Sweeney had indeed slept, and was still asleep, an empty bottle hanging loosely in his fingers. He took the bottle and set it on the dresser with the other one. His head was beginning to hurt now. He didn’t particularly want to wake him, he didn’t want to face him, but he had no choice.

“Mr. T…” He said quietly, nudging the barber’s shoulder.

The sleeping man frowned, shifting a little.

“Mr. Todd, wake up.” Gerard said a little louder, nudging him again.

He fidgeted this time before rubbing one of his eyes and yawning.

“Time?” He demanded, opening his eyes.

“Nearly five.” Gerard replied a little reluctantly.

“Right. Thanks for waking me…but you should probably....you know.” Sweeney said, standing up and nodding towards the door.

“Yeah…”

There was another awkward moment before Gerard left. He yawned on his way down the stairs, rubbing his eyes.

“GEE!” A female voice squealed at him.

“What?”

He turned around only to be engulfed in a hug. Two of his and Anthony’s friends, also sailors, Zacky and Cari-Leigh Vengeance happened to be inLondon. They also happened to have another friend with them, and a lot of things for Gerard to catch up on.

“Cari what’re you doing here?” Gerard laughed, hugging his friend.

“Does it matter? I can go where I want now.” She grinned.

“What are you on about?” Gerard asked.

He glanced at her twin brother’s grin, and then the man swaggering over behind them both.

“We’re not sailors anymore. Well…we are…but without laws.” Zacky hinted.

“You’re not pirates? You’re joking!” Gerard laughed.

“Actually mate…they’re not.” The other bloke slurred a little, grinning over their shoulders.

“Okay…and you are?”

The man in the hat looked offended.

“I’m Captain Jack Sparrow.” He said indignantly.

“Nice to meet you.” Gerard smiled.

“Where’s your mum Gerard?”

“I wouldn’t know pet, I just got downstairs.”

Gerard yawned again.

“Downstairs? Has someone moved in up there?” Zacky frowned curiously.

“Yeah.” Gerard grinned.

Cari-Leigh caught onto what was behind the innocent-looking expression.

“Oh, I see.” She said slyly. “Come on then, what’s his name?”

“It’s not like that, honestly Cari.”

Gerard’s grin stayed as he turned around, firstly to open the door and let everyone in, secondly to hide the fact that his cheeks had grown very pink.