Tears, Mistakes & Heartache

Chapter 8 - I'm Sorry, I Can't

I chose to ignore the fact that Finn is trying to demand my attention and instead of going to see Jada and Halle as I had planned, I find myself stood at table six between Titan and Kelly.

With a deep breath I interrupt their conversation "Would you mind if I join you?" my comes out with a stutter as I suddenly panic that it might be awkward for them all

I am greeted with five smiling faces, but Hero's isn't one of them, I don't feel right sitting if he isn't comfortable even though he deserves it I just don't have it in me to sit and watch him squirm right now

"Hero" I see him freeze before quickly regaining him composure and lifting his head to face me

"do you mind if I join you all?" I ask him

A shake of Hero's head and a smile on his beautiful face with the bonus of his dimple peeking through is all the confirmation his brother needs as he rises to his feet "here Emme take my seat"

I thank him as I take the seat next to Hero watching him move around to the other side before leaning down and whispering in Hero's ear

Hero checks his watch and with a small groan joins Titan on his feet "excuse us" Ti says as Hero sculks off behind him.

I turn my attention back to the table to find them all watching Hero exit out of the marquee with his brother

"Something I said?" I question them

A shake of heads telling me no but the silence making me feel differently

"he needs to take a break that's all" Freddie tells me, but his tone is unconvincing, and I know there is something else

"Oh" is all I reply with, confused as to why he checked his watch if he just needs a break

Sensing my disappointment Kelly places her hand over mine "hey Em its ok he just he just has to take his tablets that's all.

Anton follows her up with his own "I'm sure Ti just wants to take a minute to check everything over to"

"The brain injury?" I question watching their stunned faces as they nod up and down "Portia mentioned it earlier"

"Oh great" Freddie groans "he will be pissed off with her gossiping about him as if he doesn't already fucking hate her enough" Freddie cusses

I sit quietly as they all discuss how he is going to lose his temper and I get the feeling this won't be a good thing if Hero finds out, for some reason I feel the need to stop this all form blowing up, I'm not sure if it's for Hero's benefit or Portia's but I find myself interrupting them "Hey, I can pretend I don't know if that's easier" the relief on their faces confirming it's for the best.

I change the subject quickly, asking them what they got up to over the summer hoping the change in subject will ease the tension and that I will finally stop feeling like an outsider with my closest friends.

I listen as Kelly and Anton tell me that they did a few road trips up north to see if they could make a relationship work, their words take me by surprise as Kelly was so determined they would be done once she left for university, they then fill me in on all the parties and barbeques they have had at the weekends with the Mboys.

"I spent some time at home just chilling out" Natalie says as she takes Freddie's hand in hers "Then this romantic whisked me away to a little cottage down at the new forest for a few days" she gushes as she rests her head on his shoulders

Freddie's face breaks into a smile before he finishes the conversation off "the rest of the time since we got back has been split between Hampshire and London enjoying the peace and quiet during the week and then heavy partying at the weekends"