Slaying Goliath

Chapter 5

"Great show," Sam's statement was suggestive, "Your audience got good value."

Shut up, Josh signed with an extra gesture which wasn't official sign language.

"When do we get to meet this Belinda?" Drew was handing out the beers, "If she does that to you mate, I'm keen to be introduced."

Never, Josh narrowed his eyes at Drew, she wouldn't be interested in a man-whore like you.

"Woah," Drew put up his hands, "Them fighting words! The gloves are off. There's no need for you to feel threatened by my superior good looks and advanced love-making skills."

For that comment, Josh used both hands to emphasise the gesture.

"Seriously, Jay," Mark said thoughtfully, "I'd like to meet this woman too. Maybe she has some friends or a sister. If she can get you all worked up I'm keen to see what her sister's like."

You guys are dicks, Josh signed as he rolled his eyes.

"I'm pretty sure you're is the only one who noticed that fact tonight," Drew laughed, "The audience didn't, we might as well have been peashooters! Goliath doing a standing ovation, that's not an easy act to follow, mate."

"Yeah, with Belinda around," Mark grinned, "The Top-Hat dance might need to be added to the programme."

"Your date obviously went well," Sam smiled as the other men laughed, "She took it well?"

Josh looked away.

"You didn't tell her?" Mark's mouth fell open, "Are you kidding me? Still? How do you think this is going to end?"

"Jay, you have a full spread in 'My Woman' this month and the press are hotter for you than a bride-to-be on her Hen's night," Sam grimaced, "She's going to find out. It would be better if she heard it from you than seeing you spread naked on the racks of the local news agency."

Is that coming out this month? Hell, he ran his hand through his hair. He'd done a photo shoot for MW months ago and it wasn't PG. He'd done it with Desharvoo, who was currently in the charts with her latest album and was known for her lack of clothing and easy-going attitude. The pictures had been risqué but Deshar was a friend and they'd had fun while they posed all over each other.

I'll tell her, he signed.

"You had better," Drew took a drink from his beer, "I don't want to have to make the trip to Trenton to console the girl."

"I'll drive," Mark added quickly.

"I've got shotgun!" Sam laughed.

You are all dicks.

It was Sunday morning, too early, when he texted. He needed to see her, in a place where he could tell her. Somewhere where he wouldn't be tempted to kiss her instead.

Are you free this evening? I know that you have work tomorrow, so if you can't, all good. J

He sent the text and hoped that he didn't sound like an idiot. He had Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights off. All the other nights he was dancing. He could juggle, and arrange to see her after the show, but it wouldn't be ideal. He'd also rung his publicist and found out that the MW edition with the pictures in it was due on the shelves on Thursday.

He paced the floor. This wasn't how this normally worked. The women he dated all knew who he was. Belinda was right, his ex-girlfriends were models or women who were in the business of entertainment. They were happy to be seen with him but that was why they didn't last. It was all about the limelight for them. These women wanted people to see that they were dating Goliath. They craved the publicity and the sex, the rest of him was superfluous. His relationships all ended the same way, with him feeling used and exhausted.