First I want to make sure that we’re clear, that you’re not going to tell anyone’ said Craig urgently. He had been reluctant to meet with Spike, but his need to keep his secret under wraps was too great. They were in the corner of the dog heads together.
‘Who like Sarah?’ laughed spike rolling his eyes. Crag stood up and looked as if he was about to hit him. He was outraged that spike could take this so dismissively. Spike was playing with Craig’s life in his hands, and could ruin it at any moment. And Spike knew it.
He felt John–Paul tug on his sleeve and he unwillingly sat down. He narrowed his eyes at Spike, who raised his hands in mock defense.
‘Ooh touchy are we?’ he said grinning. ‘And besides, don’t flatter yourself. Like I could be bothered with your stupid little secret.’
‘You seem bothered enough to have fun at my, at our, expense’ growled Craig but he felt John-Paul place a hand on his arm and he smiled slightly. He noticed Spike’s eyes staring at John-Paul’s hand thoughtfully a flicker of sadness in his eyes.
‘Yeah well, I’m sorry.’ muttered Spike, but Craig could tell by his tone that he didn’t really mean it.
‘Look,’ said John-Paul speaking for the first time. ‘I know you and Craig don’t exactly get on.’
‘You can say that again’ said Craig under his breath.
‘But please, do it for me, as a friend’ said John-Paul pleadingly.
Spike rose to meet John-Paul’s eyes.
‘I’m guessing that you two…got together… while we were still going out.’ Said Spike his voice breaking slightly.
‘I, er…’ said John-Paul said John-Paul who was suddenly at a loss for words. But he broke Spike’s gaze.
‘I’ll take that as a yes then.’ Spike said bitterly.
John-Paul wasn’t sure what to say, or what to do for that matter. He simply stared at his lap. He hadn’t expected this. He hadn’t even thought about how Spike might feel. He mentally kicked himself for not considering Spike’s feelings. But then Spike was speaking again.
‘You know what, I bet I can even name the day you two got together.’ He laughed hollowly. ‘It was around the middle of May wasn’t it? I remember because ever since then you were always so distant…’ here his voice trailed off.
Craig was conscious that the conversation was detouring on an unsafe route.
‘So do we have a deal?’ he said quickly.
‘You know he doesn’t love you, right?’ said spike almost conversationally, completely ignoring Craig.
‘And how would you know?’ said Craig angrily.
‘I actually know better then you think.’ Retorted Spike. He turned to John-Paul. Ï was with this guy right? I loved him, but he only ever thought of me as a mate. He had a girlfriend your see. Anyway one day I’m over at his house and well…well… anyway long story short we slept together. Anyway we kept on behind his girlfriend’s back; he kept saying he was going to break up with her and that he loved me. So I waited and waited but nothing ever came of it. In the end I told him I was going to tell everyone, I thought it was the only way. So I did, and you know what he did? He ran, and I’ve never seen him since.’
Craig did a mock yawn. ‘Heart-breaking story really.’ He said sarcastically. ‘But it hasn’t go anything to do with us, has it John-Paul? John-Paul?’
But John-Paul had fallen unnaturally silent. Spike’s story had scared him. It was weird hearing his own story told to him. Was that how he and Craig were going to be? Would it really end that way? He didn’t want to know. Craig waved a hand in front of his eyes breaking the spell. And he turned his face upwards where his eyes met Spike’s again.
‘Please John-Paul. He doesn’t love you.’ he said quietly almost as if he were begging.
Craig was suddenly hit with a wave of fury. ‘What, not like you do you mean?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘That’s what it is, isn’t it? You just can’t take it that John-Paul chose me over you! Well he has so Get Over It!’
‘That was out of order.’ Said Spike quietly, but Craig was still fuming.
‘That’s why you’ve been holding it over my head all week. I notice you’ve left John-Paul alone. You just jealous.’
‘Why shouldn’t I be? You look good together. That’s what we all want isn’t it?’ He said smiling but John Paul noticed that the smile didn’t quite meet his eyes, which looked full of hurt. Craig who hadn’t noticed calmed down.
‘So we have a deal?’ said Craig, finally getting the conversation back on track.
‘Fine, whatever.’ Said Spike.
‘Thanks’ said John-Paul relieved, ‘Really it means a lot’
‘Of course it’s only a matter of time before Sarah knows…’ said spike.
‘I know what?’ said Sarah who was suddenly behind them.
‘Sarah, I didn’t see you there.’ Said Craig kissing her.
‘See what I mean’ whispered Spike to John-Paul but Sarah broke away.
‘That I know what? That you’re cheating on me?’
‘W…w…why would you think that?’
‘More like why wouldn’t I? I saw Jack in the village, told me not to be embarrassed about being with you on Wednesday which I funny considering I wasn’t with you on Wednesday?
‘Look Jack got his facts mixed up? Seriously he’s getting delusional in his old age and why would I be cheating on you when…when…’
He bent down on one knee.
‘Oh my god’ said spike. ‘Is this what I think it is?’ but John-Paul had gone numb.
‘Sarah will you marry me?’ said Craig. ‘I know I haven’t got a ring or anything but I will and I swear I will and I’ll make you as happy as you make me.’
‘Yes, of course, yes’ said Sarah bursting into tears before throwing her arms round his neck. Craig saw John-Paul over Sarah’s shoulder throw him a wretched look of despair before running out the door, followed by Spike.
‘You know I love you right?’ said Sarah looking t him through mascara streaked eyes.
‘Yes, I do.’ Said Craig softly.
The end?
too many love triangles!!!
