The Cheating game

Coming to the resque.. again

*Cassidy*
"Cassidy what do you think of those rumours and the picture ?" Someone is shouting at me, as I try to get from the car to Tom's house.

I ignore them.. the paps.. they have been camping outside Tom's house for the last three days.. ever since the story broke.. ever since that snake woman decided to ruin him.. another one shouts. "How can you as a woman stand by him after this ?"

"Is he beating you to Cassidy ? Are you afraid to leave him ?" Someone yells from behind me, making me flinch..which they will probably totally misread.

This is to much.. they are nothing but vultures, wanting to pick at the carcasses of Tom's life and career.. Tom haven't left the house since it happened, he is totally heartbroken and don't know what to do.

I had chosen to go out and get a few things, so we don't have to put even more onto Luke's shoulders.. the poor guy is already working day and night to try and control this.

But I regret going outside right now.. it seems almost impossible for me to get back inside and to be honest I start getting a little scared.. then I hear a car break behind her and a door slam.

"Get the fuck out of my way". I don't think I have ever been so happy to hear any voice as I am to hear Zac's voice right then and a moment later he has an arm around my shoulder shielding me.

I look up at him thankfully and he sends me a warm reassuring smile back. "What are you doing here Zac ? This is not the place to be seen right now.. it will only give you problems.. you should be home with Alli".

"Cass I couldn't really care less.. I am here to see how you and Tom are keeping up.. your sister is worried out of her head.. and to show my support.. those idiots can write whatever they like about that". He answer softly.

It is logically a lot easier for Zac to get through the throng of people.. mostly he just have to glare at them and they instantly move aside letting us through.. the angry look on his face combined with his towering height makes him quite intimidating.

"Zachary how can you support what he has done ?" Someone shout as we reach the stairs.

He whip around, his voice laced with anger. "I support my friends even when they make a mistake, Cassidy and Tom are and will always be some of my best friends.. family.. also maybe don't believe everything you're told before getting both sides".

We hurry up the steps and I unlock the door for us to go inside. I quickly close and lock the door and turn toward him. "Thank you Zac.. I don't know how I would have gotten through without your help".

"Don't think about it princess, you know I will always be there for you.. but how are you feeling ? This can't be easy for you either". He looks at me, worry in his eyes.

I shake my head slowly, feeling the tears threatening to come again. "I am okay.. this is much worse on Tom.. he is completely broken because of this".

"How much of it is truth Cass ? What really happened ? I mean beside the things I already know" He look at me for an answer.

I bite my lip softly and sigh. "You better let Tom explain himself.. I think he is in the living room".

He nod and we walk into the living room.. I was right, Tom is sitting on the couch, his head in his hands and he look like a broken man.. someone close to giving up.

I walk over to him.. I hate seeing him like this. "Hi handsome, I am back again".

"Is it still the same outside Cass ? Did they treat you okay.. I have been so worried about you darling". Tom look up and almost jump with surprise when he see Zac step in behind me.

I go to sit beside him on the couch. "Well luckily for me Zac showed up..without him I don't know if I could have gotten through".

"Thank you Zac.. but you shouldn't be here.. I don't wanna cause you trouble too". Tom look at him with a sad smile.

Zac just shake his head and sit down on the chair. "You should know me enough by now to know that I don't give a fuck Tom.. I won't let my friends down, but I would like you to tell me the truth.. the whole truth".

"Yeah I guess I kind of owe you that much.. Cass could you please make us some tea darling ?" Tom look at me and I nod, and kiss him before going to the kitchen, leaving them alone to talk.

*Tom*
I sigh, to be honest I have never felt this bad about myself before.. not even back when all that with Alicia happened.. hadn't Cassidy been by my side right now along with my friends.. Well I am not sure I could have made it through this.

"I truly fucked up Zac, and I know it,..I was in a black hole at that point and I let me lure into a trap.. I went to far and I did something not easily forgiven and she saw a way to either break me or get attention.. maybe both". I tell him.

Zac nod slowly. "So the picture are real I take it ? Seriously Tom.. you are my friend, but that is truly fucked up.. I thought you crossed the line that time with Alli, but this is a whole other league".

"I know, I know, and believe me I am not usually like that.. I don't really go around hurting people, but she kept pushing me.. calling me pathetic.. she laughed in my face". I really hate talking about it, but I know I can trust Zac. "I didn't hit her.. but I grabbed her face, I left that mark.. but she laughed at me and asked if that was the best I could do".

I can see Zac's mind is on a rabbit trail, his thoughts running wild.. something that often happens with him. "So what you are saying is, that she provoked you to be that hard on her, practically forcing you to go to far ?"

"Well yeah..I still know I shouldn't have done it, I should have realised she was up to no good, you've met her, so I guess you know how stupid I was getting involved with her again". I say shaking my head slowly.

Zac chuckle and sends him a crooked smile. "Yeah I met her, and yeah you should have stayed far away.. but to late now".

I feel stupid for falling for it. "I think my brain shut off. I had to much hurt and self-pity bottled up inside, and she just pushed all the wrong buttons.. I had no control doing it, and I felt really bad when I realised, but she seemed to actually like it".

"So you think she lured you into a trap ? Did it to use it against you ?" Zac ask.

I nod. "Well something like that.. she contacted me a short time ago, saying she wanted to see me again, and I told her I wasn't interested.. that I was now in a committed relationship, and less than a week later.. well this went down".

"To be honest, and I always am.. you went to far Tom, no matter what she said to push you, you have to use a lot of force to leave marks like that.. but that said, I know that is not you, and it sounds like you have been fooled again". Zac shake his head.

He is no doubt right, I know it to well and I still can't fully believe that Cassidy has stayed with me through this. "I know Zac and apparently I am really naive when it comes to women".

"No matter what, you will get negative reactions and some bad press, but this isn't fair". Zac's mind is clearly on a rabbit trail again, I can almost see the wheels turning.

I sigh. "Thank you Zac, at least I have wonderful friends.. Chris and Ben both called to tell me they have my back and Cass has been wonderful".

"I got an idea Tom, I know it is a bit  far out, but I think it could at least help somewhat or I might just get myself into hell and hot water, but then you won't be alone at least". Zac say grinning. "I just need to clear it with Allie first, or she might kill me".