Never Let Go

“Frank, where are you going?”

Jamia’s voice automatically caused Frank’s ‘tread lightly’ sensors to go off in his mind. His body went a little more rigid than normal while he fixed his hair. He didn’t stop to ponder why he was doing his hair. He just was. There wasn’t anything to it.

“Did I not tell you? Gerard and I are going to a gig tonight. Some punk band are playing, the guitarist is an old college friend of Gerard’s or something.”

Frank didn’t have to look at Jamia to know the current expression on her face. It was a mix of anger, hurt and concern. It killed him that he was making her feel that way as much as it annoyed the hell out of him that she was making an issue out of something that was clearly not an issue. So what if he was spending time with someone else? It wasn’t as though he was seeking company with another woman. She had pushed for him to get out more, to get back to the easy going, social guy he had been when they first met. Now that he was doing that, she seemed somewhat put out by the fact that he wasn’t around for her whenever she wanted. Now that he had Gerard to go to the bar with, or to go record shopping with, he was no longer sitting at home moping. She should have been happy, but lately he could sense that she was becoming more and more agitated whenever Gerard’s name was brought up. He dared say she was beginning to regret introducing the two men.

“Oh,” she said, without elaborating on what she was feeling. Frank knew it would only be a matter of seconds before she would let it out.

“You’re spending a lot of time with Gerard recently,” she ventured, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.

Frank held in the sigh. He knew she was right. They were spending a lot of time together, something that Frank would never have imagined when he first met the guy. They spent most Saturdays together, and during the week they met up at least once, if not more. Frank was still spending a lot of time in the studio, trying to make some contacts in the hopes that he would eventually get an opportunity to break into production, or even running his own label one day, which was the dream. He couldn’t blame Jamia for her concern; from a certain point of view, maybe it did look like Frank was just avoiding her, which was far from the truth. He loved Jamia; she was the perfect woman in his eyes. She loved him, and they both wanted to go the whole hog, with marriage and kids. It was a question of when, not if. He just wished she was more understanding of the fact that he needed to have more of a life outside of the two of them, and that doing so was not a bad thing. It should have been a good thing for them, it gave them the necessary space they needed so that they didn’t suffocate each other.

“Jamia, you wanted me to get out more. You were worried that I was sitting in too much, and you were right. I wasn’t adjusted to post-college life properly, and I had a hard time finding a balance. Now I have. Isn’t that a good thing?”

She nodded her head, but he knew there was no real feeling behind it. She just wanted to avoid the resulting argument if she pressed any further. Frank didn’t like being told what to do, and Jamia respected that, most of the time, anyway. Frank walked over to her and pulled her into his embrace, locking eyes with her and smiling.

“I love you.”

“Love you too,” she finally smiled.

He closed the gap between their lips, and licked her bottom lip. She gladly deepened the kiss, which turned heated.

“You think we got time for a quickie before you go?” she whispered hotly with a wicked grin.

“I think I can manage,” Frank smirked, before stripping Jamia of her top.

***

“Hey, baby, I was thinking maybe we could go to the movies tonight.What do you think?”

Lindsey’s voice infiltrated the bathroom, where Gerard was currently showering. Work had been a bitch, as it had been for the last couple of weeks since Owen had been called in for a disciplinary hearing. Gerard’s rant had only encouraged other people to come forward and make complaints about Owen, and his general mismanagement. The Boss was taking it seriously, something Gerard had hoped for, but not necessarily anticipated. Owen was now on a war path, and Gerard was in the firing line. He could handle it, though; he wasn’t going to let Owen intimidate him, or get under his skin. He was well able to deal with his childishness. That didn’t mean it wasn’t aggravating, and a night out with Frank was exactly what he needed. Lindsey must have forgotten that he had already made plans, and he braced himself for a less than happy reaction.

“I’m going out with Frank, remember? Shaun’s band is playing tonight.”

Gerard was met with silence, making him peak around the shower curtain to see if Lindsey was still there. He was met with a stony glare, one that would have made him quiver if he was anybody else.

“You’re going out with Frank again?”

“Is that a problem?”

Lindsey let out a sigh.

“Not at all. I’m just your girlfriend, after all,” she muttered, before storming out of the bathroom with a slam of the door.

Gerard finished his shower and dressed before he found Lindsey in the living room.

“Linds, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m fine,” she spoke, starting at the TV and refusing to meet Gerard’s gaze.

“Lindsey, I can’t fix it if you won’t tell me what’s bothering you. I’m not a mind reader.”

She muted the television and finally looked at him, a pained look on her face.

“Do you still love me?”

Gerard’s eyebrows furrowed, flabbergasted by the question, and more importantly, why she was asking it. He sat down beside her, taking one of her delicate hands in his.

“Of course I do, Linds. You know I do. Why are you asking?”

“It just feels like you’re pulling away from me. I don’t know what it is. I can’t explain it, but something feels different. I used to be so confident in your love for me, but now…”

“I’ve just been stressed with work, sugar.You know that. I’m sorry if you feel like I’ve been neglecting you. C'mere!” he pulled her into a bruising hug, kissing her hair and squeezing her tightly.

“I know.It’s why I didn’t say anything. I know you need to spend time with other people for a distraction, but …don’t forget I’m here too.”

“How could I ever forget?” he smirked.

Notes

Hey guys,

I know it's short, but things are gonna start picking up in the next couple of chapters. Thanks to all the readers/commentors/subscribers. You guys are awesome.

Lyra