From Rome with love (Book 4)

Tom is in trouble

*Tom*
Oh fuck, I know I am in big trouble now, not only with Maddie who just stormed out of here, but also with Zac. I just have a feeling that he won't take this to well, when thrown in his face like that.

"You or my sister.. ? What is she..". His eyes blow wide. "Wait .. what ? You.. with my sister ? When ?"

"Zac, I need to go get Maddie okay.. it was a long time ago okay ? But I can't talk right now". I try stepping around him but he won't let me.

Dahlia and Shekinah shows up, both looking confused. Dahlia looks from me to Zac. "Uh guys, what is going on ? Why do people say that Maddie just stormed out of here ?"

"Well you could try asking Tom or maybe Shekinah". Zac is glaring at his sister now.

"Uh what ?" Dahlia looks like she is trying to connect the dots in her head, then she gasp. "Shit ! You two.. like.. you.. when ?"

Shekinah send my a very apologetic look. "Whoops this might be all my fault".

"Oh you think so ? You think telling her something we talked about in... confidence could have something to do with it ?" Okay my frustration makes me snap a little.

"Hey". Zac is snapping his fingers. "When did this happen ? And for how long, because if you told her secrets in... confidence, well then I am guessing more than once".

Shekinah glare at him. "Frankly Zac, it's none of Your business.. I am adult and so is Tom".

"Sorry sis, but .. you are my sister.. he is my friend, that is just off limits.. you don't do that Tom". Zac is glaring at me.

And I get him, I have sisters.. If he had.. Yup I get him. "I am sorry Zac, but I can't undo it, and right now I need to get to Maddie, she needs me".

"Zac, let him go.. Maddie must be so devastated.. he needs to go .. I don't know, try and make this up to her". Dahlia say placing a hand on Zac's arm.

Zac glares at me, then he step aside, pointing a finger at me. "I should kick Your ass back to last week for this. But I have a feeling that it has already given you more than enough problems".

"Oh it has.. I just hope I can make it alright again". I smile at all of them. "Sorry about this guys, this was not the time or place for this to come out".

"Go get her Tom, she loves you.. she will forgive you". Dahlia say, sending me a warm smile.

I hurry outside to get a cap, hoping beyond hope that she is right.

*Maddie*
I am laying on the hotel bed crying, when I hear the door being opened. I am not sure why I reacted so badly. I mean I am totally convinced this happened before me, before we were dating, maybe even a long time ago.

And I mean, I knew Tom had women before me. That he wasn't a virgin when we met. But somehow having it thrown in my face like that, especially with someone I know and have met and that we will see from time to time.. Well that kind of threw me totally off.

"Maddie ? Please listen to me baby". Tom's voice is soft and pleading.

"Go away Tom. I don't want to talk.. we are not good at talking". I mumble into the pillow.

I can hear him come closer, like he is trying to catch an easily spooked animal. "I can't do that love. We need to talk".

Shortly after the bed dips next to me and I feel his hand on my lower back. "Cookie please, I know I should have talked to you about all of this, both my.. troubled years and.. about Shekinah.. There is no excuse, but I was scared you would see me differently.. You always thinks the best of me, that I am better.. I was scared you would see I am just a normal man, I have made mistakes and judged badly".

"Tom I am not some innocent kid you need to protect. I love you, all of you including mistakes and flaws". I turn to look at him.

"I am so sorry Cookie. You are right. I haven't treated you as an equal. I have been an idiot. But I am honestly not used to this. To being this invested in someone. Please forgive me". His eyes are suspiciously shiny.

I can't help but reach out to place my hand and place it on his cheek. "Trust me Tom, trust in us. What we have is stronger than that".

He pulls me up into his arms, sobbing into my shoulder and how can I do anything but hold him and gently stroke his back. "It is going to be okay Tom. I just need to know.. when did it happen last ?"

First he shakes his head against my shoulder. His voice rough with emotions. "Is it really necessary ?".

"Yes Tom, No more secrets. I need to know or I will keep speculating". I feel my heart sink. This sounds bad. Can I forgive if it is something recent ? Do I want to ?

He sniffles a bit, then he nods. "Right after Rome, once.. I was in New York and she flew in.. I don't know why.. habit I think.. after I told her that I had met someone, someone I.. I thought might be the one and that we should stop".

I am in a turmoil of emotions.. I mean we weren't dating then. He hasn't cheated on me. But it was after we met, it is so close, to close. But did he just say that he had thought I was the one ? Before we were even dating. My heart is beating in a wonky way. Like it doesn't know what to do.

"Baby say something.. please say something". He is looking at me pleadingly. "I promise I haven't even talked to her after we started dating, not without you present".

"I don't know what to say Tom". I breathe out. "Right now I am very much confused".

He nods, breathing in slowly. "I get that.. you weren't supposed to find out in this way".

"I was not supposed to find out about it at all were I ?" I look at him, and he looks down, slowly shaking his head.

"I want to forgive you Tom, after all you didn't cheat on me. I want to just move on. But honestly I need some time to see if I can". I swallow. "I don't want to tell you that I forgive you if it turns out that I can't".

His lip start quivering and he nods, swallowing hard. "I understand.. all the time you need". He just sit there for a moment, clearly fighting hard not to break. "Do you want me to.. Call of the wedding.. postpone it ?"

"No.. don't.. just give me a little space okay ? A bit of time to turn this over in my head okay ?" I say softly. Seeing Tom like this.. Well I feel like I am kicking a sick puppy.

A small smile slide over his lips. "Okay.. I can do that".