Under the Influence

Chapter 9

Over the next few weeks, Noel helped Val in the studio. He played bass, guitar, and even suggested adding strings to a few songs. John was not happy to have him there at first, but had to admit that Noel knew a thing or two about recording music. Noel stayed with Val at her house and she absolutely loved it. They went out to eat, stayed in and watched TV together, and had great sex pretty much everyday. It was like they were a real couple. Val tried to keep the reality that he had a wife back in England waiting for him out of her mind. One night Noel and Val were laying in bed when Noel's phone rang. He reached over and got his phone from the night stand.

"Ello? Yeah, I'm fine. I think I may need to stay a couple more weeks. No. Of course. What for?"

He sighed and glanced at Val.

"There's nothing for you to do here love, you'll just be bored. Ok, fine. Yeah, ok see you tomorrow."

There was a pause and Noel looked at Val then away.

"I love you too, bye."

He laid his phone back down and sighed.

Val felt extremely jealous to hear him tell her that he loved her.

"Wife?"

He looked at her.

"Yeah, she's flying in tomorrow, she says she misses me."

"Do you miss her?"

"Val, don't."

"What? It's a simple question Noel. Do you miss her? Do you think of her while you're fucking me?"

"Stop."

Val took a deep breath.

"You're never going to leave her, are you?"

He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders.

"I dunno."

Val turned onto her side facing away from Noel.

"Good night.'

"Good night."

She felt hurt and angry and laid there trying to fall asleep. After a few minutes, she felt Noel turn onto his side and he wrapped his arm around her. He kissed her bare shoulder then spoke quietly.

"It'll be alright. I'll figure everything out."

She felt a little better and eventually fell asleep. She woke up in the morning and Noel was gone. She got dressed and ate some breakfast then headed to the studio. The guys were already there when she got there, but there was no sign of Noel. She tried not to let it bother her and went to work. They worked on a song then took a break for lunch. They sat at a table eating.

"Where's Noel?" John looked at her.

"I don't know."

"Call him, we need him to play bass."

"He's probably busy."

Probably fucking his wife as we speak. She thought then quickly pushed that idea out of her head.

"Busy? Just call him."

She sighed.

"Fine, I'll call him."

She walked outside and dialed his number. It rang a few times then went to voicemail. She didn't leave a message. She waited a few minutes then called again. She was caught off guard when his wife answered.

"Hello?"

"Uh, hi. Is Noel there?"

"He's in the shower, can I take a message?"