The Babysitter

Chapter 13: A Steamy Exchange

The next few minutes that passed were a blur as I'd climbed multiple flights of stairs and found myself emerging onto the roof of the office block, and dragging in a deep breath. I braced my hands on the railing and looked over the side of the building at the city below me, watching the hustle and bustle of late night tourists and city locals going about their evening, clueless of what was going on four storeys above them. I was shaking and the salty tears i had managed to hold back from Miranda, finally rolled down my cheeks as I let out the softest of sobs.

Naturally I blamed myself for all of this. I mean it was my fault I was in this situation after all. I had wound myself up by teasing Tom by using Bradley and then encouraged Miranda to basically slaughter me in the bathroom. What was I even achieving here?!

I bowed my head, enjoying the cold night air as it caressed the nape of my neck and slowly moved the whispy parts of my hair in its soft breeze. I mentally encouraged myself to pull myself together, staring out across the London skyline.

As my thoughts began to compose themselves again, I heard the fire exit door creak behind me. I rolled my eyes and prepared myself for round two with Miranda, assuming that she had decided what she'd said in the toilets wasn't enough and she wanted to humiliate me some more.

"Ah! There you are" a soft male voice then filled the air behind me and I smiled softly at that simple re-assurance. Bradley. He must have come to see if I was ok.

He joined me by the railing and casually leant beside me, I envied his manor, how casual he was. He had it super easy with this situation.

"You ok?" he asked softly and placed his hand softly on my shoulder so I would look at him. I could tell just by the look in his eyes that he had immediately clocked that I had been crying. "I know I'm not the most mindful man in the universe" he started, making me chuckle softly. He was right there. "But even I noticed, Miranda was getting to you back there." He finished and I blinked back another tear at the mere mention of her name.

"Whatever Bradley" I retorted with a little smirk, trying to make light of the situation. "You were just hoping that I'd come up here for that 'good time' you were offering" I added and rolled my eyes when he looked away from me, as though he had been caught out. But what he followed it up with then, caught me by surprise.

"Ok... you may be hot! I'll give you that! But hooking up with women who are broken-hearted over my best friend isn't exactly my style... Even if they are one hell of a kisser" he chuckled and my eyes darted to him in shock, before I gave him a huge smile.

"I think you'll find you, kissed me!" I replied and he nudged me playfully with his shoulder.

"And you're very welcome for that!" He laughed and I couldn't help but shake my head, smiling away to myself as I did. But as quick as his humour came, it went just as fast and his face returned to a serious but friendly look. "But seriously though, if you want to or need to talk, I'm here, ok?" he asked as he took my hand and squeezed it softly.

I knew he didn't need a response from me in return, so I gave him a simple nod and stepped forwards, pulling him into a friendly hug, glad that I had someone other than Michelle to talk to about the situation I had got myself into. I felt Bradley rub my back softly and I was content for a moment, as if that night had never happened. It was nice.

"Things will get better Ally" he whispered and I really hoped that he was right. But he didn't know if it was true though, and that's why my stomach was still in knots. "You may not believe me right now, but you are a fighter.. Even in the short time we've been friends... I know you" he added, as if he knew what I was thinking.

He started to let me go, just as another creak came from the fire exit door opening, had the party suddenly moved to the roof?

"Seriously Brad? We literally spoke about this not even ten minutes ago!" Tom's voice filled the air then and my eyes widened. I hastily took a step back from Bradley then as it was clear Tom had got the wrong idea this time. "She is not one of your flings... I won't let you take advantage of her, just because she's upset" He growled and I looked up at Bradley's face as he rolled his eyes and then winked at me.