by Owen, L
“Don’t worry about it. Just apologize to your ears when you have to listen to us.”
“You could always say no.” Easier said than done. He doesn’t know Beth.
“No one says no to Beth. Come on,” I say, taking his hand.
The karaoke bar is quaint; there’s a small stage on one side, and rows of tables in front. I spot Kiaya waving from a table with the other guys. Giving Kiaya a hug as we join them, I sit next to Ethan.
“So, Caitlin. Why aren’t you up there? You got stage fright or something?” mocks Roman.
Beth hits his arm. “I’ll have you know, we don’t get stage fright. We are brilliant.”
I’m taking a sip of the drink Asher brought over, and at hearing her, I nearly spit it over everyone. “Beth, I know this is your thing and you love it, but even you must realize we’re far from brilliant.”
Beth sticks her fingers in her ears and begins to hum in between saying. “I’m not listening to this again.”
I turn to Ethan who’s amused. “See?”
He pulls me closer and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure it’s not that bad.” Poor thing has no idea. Roman’s now laughing at me. Right, I’ll teach him.
“Beth, did you know Roman just loves karaoke. He was saying he’d love to sing a duet with you.” Beth may have a signature tune with me, but when she gets the chance to sing a duet with a guy, she has another signature tune. In fact, she has signature tunes for every situation. I know what she’ll want to sing with Roman, and it’ll be hilarious. If he likes her like I think he does, then I know he won’t be able to say no. Well, that’s the plan.
“Really Roman?” Beth asks, her eyes hopeful. Everyone’s looking at Roman, and he’s beginning to look uncomfortable, to say the least.
“This is a cruel, but brilliant idea, babe,” Ethan murmurs in my ear.
I chuckle. “Glad you approve.” I’m not letting Roman get away with it, so I shout, “You wouldn’t want to let Beth down now, would you, Roman?”
He narrows his eyes at me, and I nearly lose it. Beth repeats, “You wouldn’t want to let me down, would you?” She bats her eyelashes at him. He looks toward his brother for help, but Ethan’s on my side, and he just shakes his head and laughs.
Then Kiaya and Asher say together, “Go on, Roman,” trying to contain their amusement, too.
Roman glares at me then looks to Beth. “I wouldn’t know what to sing,” he says, trying to find a reason to get out of it.
“Don’t worry; I know the perfect song. I’ll go request it now.” Beth jumps up, clapping her hands. “This will be so much fun.” Then she runs over to the guy on the stage.
Once she’s gone, all of us burst into laughter. Well everyone except Roman, who’s glaring at me again. “Very funny, Caitlin. What did I ever do to you? Just wait until we start training again.”
Crap, this plan may have just backfired. Oh well. I have a feeling it’ll be worth it.
Beth comes back to our table, sits in Roman’s lap, and wraps her arms around him. “This is going to be so great.”
Looking at me, he winks and says, “Yes, I think it will be.”
Beth leaves Roman’s lap, and we order some food. “Beth, Caitlin, I know you always sing together, but can I join in with you?” Kiaya asks.
This is a great idea to me. The more the merrier, as it will help drown out my voice. “Yes of course you can,” answers Beth.
“What songs are you going to sing?” asks Asher.
“That’s a secret,” Beth says, tapping her nose.
“But don’t I need to know?” queries Roman.
“Nope.” She shakes her head. “The words come up on the screen. It’s a famous song, so you’ll know it anyway.”
Our food arrives, and I’m glad; I’m starving, and the wine is starting to go to my head. But I need all the wine I can get, as I know we’ll be singing soon, and I need some liquid courage.
Not long after we finish eating, the karaoke starts. Beth watches as if every performer is a professional singer, clapping and whooping when they finish. We’ve had to endure some bad songs before, but some old man’s rendition of Baby Got Back has to be up there with one of the worst my poor ears have ever heard.
“You weren’t joking; she really does love karaoke?” Ethan says, just as our names are called.
“Yep,” I just manage to say as I’m pulled to my feet by Kiaya and Beth. I pull back long enough to take Ethan’s face in my hands and give him a kiss. “Just in case you dump me after you hear this.”
“It’s going to take more than bad singing to scare me off, babe. You’re welcome to kiss me like that whenever you want, though.” He gives me a playful slap on my arse.
“Good to know,” I say, laughing as Beth shouts for me to hurry up.
Once we’re on the stage, Ethan, Roman, and Asher wolf whistle to us, and we all take a bow. The music to “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper starts.
“Yay,” Kiaya says. “I love this song.” I, on the other hand, have sung it so many times that I do not.
As usual, Beth and I sound bloody terrible, but, I have to say, Kiaya’s really good. Luckily, with her help, I think we sound a bit better than we normally do. When we finish the song, Roman stands up and shouts, “More!”
Beth gets that look in her eye, the one that says it’s a good idea. I grab her hand. “Don’t even think about it,” I threaten as I drag her from the stage. Kiaya laughs behind us.
Once we get back to the table, I turn to Roman. “You wait until it’s your turn, buddy.” He now has the common sense to shut up and sit back down.
I turn to Ethan and squish up my face. “So, am I still your girlfriend?”
“GIRLFRIEND!” Kiaya squeals, but everyone else has knowing grins on their faces. Kiaya says to Asher, “You knew?”
“Of course, you didn’t?” He shrugs.
“No,” Kiaya says, glaring at me. Then she says, “It’s obvious they’re into each other, but I didn’t know it was so serious.” “Well, it most definitely is,” says Ethan as he pulls me to his lap.
“You told the guys already? When did you get the time? We only made it official a few hours ago,” I ask.
“They knew I was going to mention it and assumed you’d say yes.”
“I’m so happy!” Kiaya says with that dreamy look in her eye, making me chuckle. Before anything else can be said, Beth’s and Roman’s names are called.
Beth jumps up grabbing Roman. “Come on, let’s go.” Roman stands up shaking his head but smiling. He follows behind her and holds her hand. I can’t wait to see this.
The music starts and everyone at the table bursts into laughter. “Sonny and Cher?” Ethan asks me in surprise.
“Yep,” I say. Roman’s fierce gaze is fixed on me again, but I only wave and smile. Beth starts singing first, swaying her hips. When it’s Roman’s turn, he’s late coming in, and it’s more like he’s saying the lyrics rather than singing them. But halfway into the song, Roman gathers more confidence and sways with her. When he sings the line “then put your little hand in mine,” he takes Beth’s hand, and her face lights up. It’s cute as hell but still hilarious. They finish, and Beth jumps up onto Roman, wrapping her legs around his hips, and kisses him! In return he grabs her arse. All of us at the table drop our jaws wide open.
Ethan says to no one in particular, “Roman was right; it was definitely worth it.”
EIGHTEEN
Caitlin
Everyone goes back to Ethan and Roman’s apartment after leaving the karaoke bar. We have fun, staying up until the early hours of the next morning, drinking more wine, and chatting until Asher takes a very inebriated Kiaya home. Beth and I stay the night.
Saturday morning Ethan tells me he’s coaching kids’ baseball and has to be there at nine. He offers for us to stay, but I think it is better we go back to my place. So eventually, we drag a very hung-over Beth out of Roman’s bed, and I promise to cook Ethan and Roman a roast
the next day. We stay in our PJs all day because neither of us is feeling well.
Me: Really sorry, but can you get the ingredients for tomorrow? I can’t leave my bed!
E: Yes, of course. Do you want me to join you?
Me: I would love you to, but Beth’s here and she’s snoring.
E: Kick her out.
I laugh and maybe a snort or two slip out as well.
Me: I can’t do that. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow. x
E: You better. I’m going to enjoy thinking of ways you can make it up to me. x
Me: Well, I’m cooking for you, so I thought that would do.
E: You were doing that already. Don’t worry. You’ll enjoy making it up to me.
I end it there by sending a list of ingredients because if we carry on, I’ll be kicking Beth out. And after her flying this far, it would just be rude. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m tempted!
***
Sunday afternoon arrives, and we’ve spent hours preparing the roast and a pudding from scratch. When I say we, I mean Ethan and me. Beth’s in the living room with Roman, so Ethan came in the kitchen to help me. If I’m honest, he’s much better help than Beth anyway.
I’m carving up the biggest joint of beef I’ve ever seen in my life when Ethan asks me, “You remember how I mentioned coaching kids’ baseball?”
“Yes.” I nod.
“Well, Donnie helps too, and he really loves it. Do you want to come and help out next week?”
I stop carving and turn my head to him. “Really? I’d love to, but I have no idea about baseball.” We don’t play baseball in the UK, but even if he coached football, rugby, or cricket, I would still have no idea.
Smiling and wrapping his arms around me from behind, he says, “That’s okay, you can just watch if you like.” He begins to nuzzle and nip at my neck. The knife crashes to the counter, and I bring my hands to thread in his hair. Ethan moans into my neck and grinds his hard length into me. The feeling is driving me crazy before I hear bloody Roman!
“Hey! That’s not hygienic around the food.”
We groan in unison. “That’s gross, and I’m starving,” whines Beth.
“Well, why don’t the both of you finish up in here, while Caitlin and I take a break?” Ethan snaps, trying to pull me into the hallway.
“They’ve kind of ruined the moment.” I do try to look apologetic.
Roman’s finding this all too amusing. “You wait, Roman. Next time you bring a woman back here, let’s see how far you get,” snaps Ethan.
“Excuse me.” Beth bolts from the room.
“Nice one, bro,” Roman grits out as he follows Beth from the kitchen.
“Shit, I didn’t mean it like that, babe.” He directs to me and rubs the top of his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset her.”
“I know.” I walk over and wrap my arms around him while nestling into his chest.
“Babe, as much as I love this, I’m not enjoying being this damn frustrated.”
I can’t help but chuckle at his pained face. Pulling away to whisper in his ear, I say, “I’ll make it up to you tonight, I promise.”
With a low growl, he says, “You better!”
The food is laid out across the table, and my mouth is watering. I love a roast. It’s good to see that Beth and Roman seem to have sorted out their problem as they sit down hand in hand. When Beth had come back in earlier, Ethan tried to say sorry, but Beth put her hand up and said she’d overreacted and not to worry about it.
The dinner seems a great success until Roman opens his big mouth. “So as Beth’s here this week, we can start training with Nicola next week, if that’s okay?”
Beth continues to eat, but Ethan and I don’t, looking towards Roman instead. “Nicola? Do you mean Topless Nicola?”
Roman laughs. “Topless Nicola. Why would you call her that? Ohhhhh!”
“Yeah, Roman, oh. Why in the hell would you want Caitlin to train with Nicola?” Ethan’s furious. “What were you thinking?”
Beth’s looking among us all. “Who’s Topless Nicola? Ohhhhh!” Now she’s in fits of giggles. “Your new training partner is the girl you interrupted giving Ethan a lap dance?”
Still looking furious, Ethan snaps, “She was not giving me a lap dance!”
Beth dismisses Ethan with a flick her hand. “Nice one. That was good thinking Roman.”
“So what?” Roman states. “She only likes Ethan. You’re both adults.”
“What the fuck Roman? You know what she’s like,” Ethan jumps to his feet and challenges Roman face-to-face. “And she’s been nothing but a bitch to Caitlin.”
I jump at his aggressiveness. Beth notices and grabs my hand in silent support. “Ethan, lose the tone. Not all of us can deal with that type of anger,” she hisses out.
Ethan looks at me and sees me shaking. “Shit, babe.” He walks around the table and drops in front of me.
“I’m okay,” I say, placing my shaking hand on the side of his face.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“What the hell is going on? Why would that scare her? We argue all of the time.” Roman is obviously puzzled at my reaction.
Beth looks at me. “Can I tell him, please?”
I look to Ethan. “It’s up to you, babe. You can trust him; you know that.”
“Trust me? Of course you can trust me.” Softer this time, Roman directs to me, “Caitlin, what going on?”
I nod to Beth. “Okay, you can tell him, but only about Stephen.” Beth shakes her head while the guys shoot me puzzled looks. My comment soon seems to be forgotten as she starts to explain my situation to Roman. It’s uncomfortable to listen to, so I look at my hand as I twist a ring on my finger. I feel Ethan’s hand still on the arm he was rubbing as she describes my injuries the night I turned up at her door. I’d never gone into detail with him, so this must be hard for him to listen to as well.
Beth finishes, and we all sit in silence. After a short time Ethan stands, takes my hand, and silently walks me to his room. Sitting on his bed, he pulls me down next to him. He can’t look at me. “It was a lot worse than you made out.”
I shrug looking to the floor. “It’s hard to talk about.”
“I get that.” He takes my hand, and we entwine our fingers while sitting in silence for a while.
Eventually, I gain the courage to admit to him, “I don’t like to remember how weak he made me feel; it was awful. I wouldn’t need to do anything wrong to make him cross.” Ethan doesn’t interrupt me, so I continue. “After the beatings, he’d get off on choking me. Sometimes I’d be lucky enough to pass out. Later, I’d wake up battered and alone on the floor where he’d left me. But on the other occasions when I wasn’t so lucky, he’d lock me in the spare room and leave me without food, water, or even a toilet for up to a day.” Finally admitting this in detail to someone other than my counselor is strange. I feel liberated, but humiliated, all at the same time.
As I finish describing my abuse, his eyes dart to mine. There’s pain written across his face, and his grip has tightened. There’s no pain, only strength and his support. There’s nothing he can say; his reaction says it all. I have him, all of him, and what happened with Stephen, Ethan will never allow to happen to me again.
I’m not sure how long we sit there, but after a while there’s a knock at the door. Ethan answers it, and Roman is standing there. “Can I talk to her?”
Ethan looks to me, and I nod. “We’ll be fine.”
“Don’t upset her, Roman,” Ethan states before leaving his room.
Roman sits down where Ethan had been just moments before. “Well, Beth’s shit at telling stories.” I laugh while he looks at me with a small smile and bumps my shoulder with his. “I haven’t known you long, but I’m pretty fond of you.”
I wipe my cheek as a tear I’d been trying to keep at bay escapes. “I’m fond of you, too.”
“I’m sorry about the Nicola thing. Don’t worry, I’ll sort something
out, train you separately or something.”
“No, Roman. You’re too busy for that. You were right; I’m an adult. As long as Nicola agrees, it’s fine with me.” I need to toughen up; it’s about time.
“Okay, I’ll talk to her and make it clear she’s not to give you any shit. I’ll let you know what she says. Come on, let’s go have some of that Banoffee pie you made.” He pulls me to my feet.
We walk into the living room, and I announce it’s time for pie. Beth follows me out saying she’ll help. Beth never helps, so now I’m suspicious of her intentions. As I try to open the fridge, Beth stops me. “Did you tell him everything?”
“Beth!” I hiss out, grabbing her arm and pulling her away from the door. “Keep your voice down.”
She crosses her arms. “That’s a no then.” I can tell she’s disappointed in me.
“Don’t start,” I mutter.
“Don’t start? It’s not something you can just brush under the carpet. All it would take is a Google search of your name.”
“Beth!” I say a lot louder than I intended. “Please drop it. I can’t yet. Everything is so good, and once he knows, that will be the end.”
“Please, give Ethan some credit. What will end your relationship is if he finds out, but not from you!”
She’s right, and I know it. “I will, but not yet.”
Shaking her head and letting out and exasperated breath, she struts out of the kitchen and leaves me to dish up the pie alone. Typical! I eat far too much pie that evening, but it’s worth it. The pie was good, even if I say so myself. At the end of the evening, Ethan and I excuse ourselves from Roman and Beth, who are content being cuddled up on the sofa. I walk into Ethan’s room first, and as soon as I’m inside, I hear his door lock. I whip around to see him stalking towards me, removing his t-shirt as he goes. The sight of him alone has my knickers melting right off. He gently rubs his nose down the side of my face and along my jaw, placing kisses on my neck. He whispers in my ear, “Time to make it up to me.” That does it; we’re frenzied, pulling at each other’s clothes until there’s nothing left between us. Ethan kisses me, and his tongue teases at my lip so I let him in. This kiss is as hot and as intense as the man doing it to me.