Pop Tarts, Brand, and Her

Chapter 14: Confrontation

Chapter 14: Confrontation

Noel opened his door with a reluctant sigh. “Russell, I’ve had enough of your moping and threatening to steal Shannon away from me.” Noel’s eyes, narrowed in irritation fell on Russell’s grinning face and his own fell. “No…”

“Oh, no, not that.” Russell winked as he walked in and moved into the kitchen like he had so many times before. “I merely wished to hear your opinion on something.”

“On what?” Noel looked at him warily.

“What would you say to a favourite thing of mine?” Russell grinned wickedly.

“No. I have not, and will not take part in a threesome with you…ever!” Noel yelled.

“Ah, shame, I was so looking forward to you two double-teaming me.” Shannon’s voice made both men jump. When they turned to look at her, she was leaning against the far wall, arms folded defensively and eyes narrowed in annoyance. “The door was open.”

“Shannon…” Noel took a tentative step forward.

“No.” She pointed an accusing finger at him. “I trusted you! I heard your fight with Russell about the wager last week! I didn’t know how to confront you about it, so I went to the only two people I can trust in this bloody place!” she shouted, glaring daggers at both men. “Julian and Freddie are the only people I’m seeing from now on. You can both stay the fuck away from me!”

Russell and Noel watched in dismay as she stormed out of Noel’s home and slammed the door behind her.

***

Shannon wept into her pillow as she listened to the voice messages Noel had left her. So sweet, so remorseful, so…loving… but she wouldn’t fall for that again. She thought about the idea Russell had had…maybe it wouldn’t have been so bad…’No! No, Shannon! How very dare you think like that! You are a temple! And fool is the man who does not worship it! Well…that’s what Mum would say…’

Shannon looked at the photo she kept next to her bed through bleary eyes. “I miss you Mum…” Her phone rang in her hand and she half smiled as she looked at the caller ID…Julian. “Hey Jules,” she sniffled. “What’s up?”

“I’m outside your door…please come let me in…” Julian’s comforting voice was drowned out by the sound of his twin boys in the background.

First the first time in ages, Shannon actually laughed. “Sure, should I get the ice-cream out for the kids?”

“Us too.” She heard the smirk in his voice as she reached the door.

She hung up, pocketed her phone, dried her eyes and opened the door. She was immediately set upon by the twins and snuggled into their hugs as she smiled up at Julian. “I’ll put the kettle on.” She said as she stood. “Who’s for ice-cream?!”

“Me!” Julian and his kids cried in unison.

Shannon chuckled  as she gave the twins a bowl of ice-cream each and turned on the cartoon channel. She and Julian sank into her comfy sofa with steaming cups of tea and blankets and she sighed contentedly. “So…”

“You wanna talk about it?” Julian eyed her cautiously, concerned and very father-like once more.

Shannon sighed sadly. “Okay…where would you like me to start?”

“At the beginning,” Julian smirked as  he moved closer to hug her from the side. “Start at the beginning…”

***