Chapter Ten-

I walk down the street quickly, glancing warily over my shoulder at Bette as she struggles on behind me. T, stop! She shouts, the confused look on her face making my legs move faster. I slip through passers-by mumbling my apologies. T would you just… Her voice grows closer, the bustling sounds of the street fading into silence. …would you just stop! I reach my apartment complex, Bette barely inches away from me. If youd just tell me what it is Im supposed to have done wrong She asks, climbing the stairs behind me. I fumble with the key in my pocket, my chest rising and falling as I unlock my door, Bette leaning against the door frame an eyebrow raised. So what are you going to do just shut the door in my… I close the door behind me, leaning against the door and sliding to the ground. Tina! She exclaims.
Ill… I clear my throat. …Ill call you tomorrow Bette
What? Tina what did I do?
I need to think. Please Bette, Ill call you tomorrow
No way I dont care how long you make me wait out here Im not going anywhere
I rest my forehead against the door, sighing with frustration. Ok I whisper, standing up.
What? Tina just give me… I open the door to find her hand raised, her mouth opened as her sentence disappears from her mouth.
I turn my back on her, leaving the door wide open as I head into the living room. I sit down on the sofa, pretending not to watch as she flicks on a lamp. She sits down next to me her worried gaze spreading warmth through my body. I dont understand She sighs. I thought we were having a good time?
I look away from her cursing myself as my eyes fill with tears. We were I reply, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand.
Tina? She holds my face in her hands, cradling my cheeks with her soft fingertips, tracing the outline of my lips with feather light gentleness. Whats wrong? She whispers. I close my eyes her lips brushing against mine, her hands leaving my face to hold me close to her. I thought you liked Alice
Its not Alice I dont like Her brow furrows in confusion.
Jean? What did she do?
When you left to the fetch the drinks I knew that I should have came with you. I knew she didnt like me from the beginning but I never thought… My voice cracks with emotion and Im starting to realise how much I want Bette how much I…
She rubs my shoulders. What did she say baby?
She told me that the only reason you want me is because I was unavailable, that youll never stay with me because you never stay with any of them. I dont want to believe her Bette, but I cant help it. I couldnt stay there while she laughed at me
She strokes my cheeks, wiping away my clinging tears. She lowers her head, and I brace myself for the worse. Some people would say that Jeans description of me was pretty accurate. But thats only because Ive never been with somebody that I clicked with enough for me to stay with them. Girlfriends always turn into friends, it happened with Alice I guess Jean hasnt ever really gotten over the fact that it never happened with her. Sometimes I cant tell whether its me shes jealous of or Alice She rubs her temples. But shes not important right now, Ill get to her later I watch her eyes change, her face become hard. Is it bad for me to be glad that Jean is really going to get it? She turns to face me holding my hands, her thumbs lightly caressing there palms. Tina the second Eric told me you were together I told myself that I wouldnt go near you, that I couldnt be interested in something that complicated She smiles to herself, her smile bringing out one of my own. But there was something about you, something about the way you looked at me and the way I felt when you were around me that made it impossible not to kiss you She grasps my hands tighter. I wouldnt hurt you for anything T She whispers, and Im amazed to see the blush rise in her cheeks. Not for anything I nod my head, biting back my tears.
I believe you Bette I throw my arms around her, burying my face against her soft neck, the scent of her filling me with relieve. She strokes the small of my back comfortingly as I clutch her to me. When I pull away my hands are cupping Bettes face. I look into her eyes for any lingering signs of doubt but find none. I stroke her cheeks, kissing her gently, our lips touching and then parting. Our tender, gentle touches become almost anxious as our bodies, our mouths, our tongues, all seem to fight desperately for attention. I climb onto Bettes lap with a groan as she presses butterfly kisses across my chest. She holds me, panting into my ear, her own urgency mixing with mine. Im falling in love with Bette, and I just dont care anymore. I dont care what it means, I dont care what it makes me, all I care about is her.
Bettes phone vibrates in her pocket and I leap from her knee in surprise. I feel like the way I feel for Bette is written all over my guilty face, like all she needs to do is look into my eyes and shell know, shell discover how quickly Ive fallen for her.
Where the ***** are you? I overhear Alice shout down the phone.
Hello Alice Bette answers calmly.
You could have at least said good bye
I had to find Tina
You just left Jean sitting there by herself, you know she thinks you dont like her
Bette chuckles. Are you still at the coffee shop?
Yes some of us actually have manors
Alice in all the years Ive know you, you have never had manors. Give me ten minutes and Tina and me will explain everything
Ten minutes! Alice exclaims. I cant wait that long
Do me a favour Alice
Do you a favour? She snorts.
Ask Jean what she thinks made Tina run off like that Bette ends the call, shaking her head sadly.
I dont want to go back there Bette
We have to, I want Jean to apologise to you. If it wasnt for her tonight would have been incredible, I cant just let her get away with what she said to you She reaches for my hand. After all… She says as we walk towards the front door. …I have to defend my woman She winks at me and I pretend to swoon.
Im your woman? I ask, knowing all too well that Im grinning like an idiot.
Absolutely