But for now, erotic thoughts of my boyfriend wouldn’t do because I had a long overdue call home to make.
I had spent weeks fielding calls and texts, so I had to bite the bullet and speak to my mother before she called the pilot to fuel up the jet.
Taking a deep breath, I hit the call button and heard the international dialling tone before the click as she answered.
“This is a nice surprise, darling.”
I’d missed hearing her voice and should have called long before now. Guilt stabbed at my selfish heart, but I had been ensconced in the game of love with little time for distraction, family or otherwise. “Hello, Mother. How are you?”
“Oh, how far away you sound, Edward.”
“About five thousand miles is all.”
“I know that, you naughty boy.” She chuckled. “Tell me what has kept you so busy there hasn’t been time for you to answer my many calls and messages.”
“Studying is all.” I didn’t want to go into the whole Milo drama with her now or ever. Not that she would judge per se, but if the day came that she and Milo were to be introduced, I wanted it to be with a clean slate.
“Are you making friends with the locals?”
This place was hardly a small fishing village. “The neighbours, or one in particular can be difficult, but I’ve made a few friends from college.”
“Oh, good! Suitable people I hope.”
“Only the best, Mother.” I realised I sounded like a petulant child but her idea of suitable was no longer mine.
“Before we get into the nitty gritty, tell me, are you coming back to Cambridgeshire for Christmas?”
“Yes, probably on the twenty-third.”
“Wonderful. If you confirm the date, I shall send the jet for you.”
“I can book a flight home so there’s no need to send Captain Marshall all this way when I am more than capable of getting there without your involvement.”
“Nonsense, darling. We bought the jet to use, not to sit on the tarmac gathering dust.”
If Milo could hear this conversation, he would run for the hills. Who in his world travels on a private jet? “Thank you, but I’ll book my own ticket, then if you wish to come back with me so I can show you around, we can fly back on the jet?” There was no way my parents would fly any other way. Reputation mattered in our world, and flying budget airlines would hit headlines nationwide and instigate whispers of financial difficulties.
There was a moment’s hesitation. “Around that Kissing Hills place, you mean?”
I was aware of her opinions on where I lived, but the gated community I called home was the best of a bad bunch as far as she was concerned. “No, Mother, not here exactly, but Texas.”
“Oh, well, yes, darling, if that is what you want?”
“I’d love to spend more time with you.” The devil inside me would also love to introduce my mother to Deidra Warren.
“Then that is settled. You come home for Christmas, and I shall return to Fort Worth with you for a little while.”
“I miss you.”
“Oh, darling, I miss you, too, but the day my babies flew the nest was one I had been dreading, and here it is, for one of you at least.”
“How is Flick?” I would never admit it, but I had missed my sister Felicity the most.
Sparring with her was fun. There was a huge amount of love between us, even though we pretended otherwise. But with that love came sibling rivalry.
“Positively murderous, darling.”
“Oh, no, why now?” My sister had a flair for drama. Her life was dull and muted without it.
“That insufferable boyfriend of hers. Now, what is the terrible name his parents lumbered him with? Gerhardt Kerplunk…something weird, oh I don’t know to be honest and could care less.”
Sometimes I wondered if her brain resided in another body. “I think you mean Eberhardt Plunkett.” I was dying to laugh because Kerplunk was a board game we used to play as a family years ago. She would always lose, which was perhaps why she associated Eberhardt with something negative.
“Oh, yes, that’s the one. Eberhardt Plunkett. Such a moron, darling.”
I sniggered, amused by my Mother’s use of the word moron. “What has he done this time?”
I could hear rustling on her end of the line. She was obviously making herself comfortable, relishing this time to jangle. “Well, you know I’m not one for gossip, and don’t repeat this because your sister will pitch a fit if she thought it was public knowledge but…”
I perched myself on the edge of my sofa. “I’m dying here, Mother.” I hated the way she dragged out her stories. “Spit it out.”
“Fanny Forbes-Frobisher apparently spotted Gerhardt cosying up to Bunty Farquarharsen in Cirque Le Soir.” Her intolerance over him was evident by her refusal to use his correct Christian name.
Fanny Forbes Frobisher, what a nightmare of a creature she was. “And she wasted no time in calling Flick and stirring the pot I suppose.”
“Precisely, darling, and you know your sister, whoosh, up she went like a rocket.” She paused for effect. “Positively ranting and raving she was, but of course Gerhardt denied it all and said Fanny must have been squiffy after quaffing one too many glasses of champagne.”
“Well, that is entirely possible knowing her.”
“I would have said the same, darling, if Fanny hadn’t had the good sense to take a picture on her mobile thingy.”
“Oooh.” I was riveted and annoyed. I had missed the action, again. “I’d love to have seen Flick’s face.”
“Felicity’s reaction was far from ladylike and not what I would expect from one who has dined at Buckingham Palace in the presence of Her Majesty.”
“What did she do?” I knew my sister well enough to know nobody humiliated her and survived to tell the tale, royal connections or not.
“She concocted a tall tale, you know, the urge to go boating on our lake.”
“Oh, God.” I knew what was coming. The lake was huge, and deep. God knows what lurked in there. I suspected eels, which was why I had never been brave enough to go wading, even in the shallows. “He’s afraid of water, isn’t he?”
Mother laughed wickedly. “Quite ingenious, darling, but she got him into one of the boats, a lifejacket securely fastened of course...” Her words tailed off. “…we don’t want a murder charge, do we...”
“Is he still alive, or has she had Jago bury him somewhere on the grounds?”
“Don’t be silly, darling.”
“Tell me, please.”
“She threw him overboard...” I burst out laughing. “...and left him there, bobbing up and down in the lake squawking like a big baby.” Her giggles told me how tickled she was at the memory. “Poor Daddy had to take another boat out and drag him safely to shore.”
I wondered if any of it was caught on CCTV. I must find out when I go home for Christmas. “I bet Father was furious.”
“Yes, he was, but with Gerhardt. Daddy told the silly boy another indiscretion and he would drop him in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, but without a lifejacket.”
“Whoops.”
“You know your father, Edward. Easy going, anything for a quiet life, until you mess with family.”
“How is Flick now?”
“In mourning.”
A fly on the wall documentary series with Felicity as the star would make TV executives a fortune. “So, the LBD and matching veil has been dusted off again?”
“Exactly but give her a few days, and somebody else will take her fancy.”
“She is never short of admirers.”
“I wish she would settle down with somebody suitable.”
“You know Flick, she is too independent to be tied down to anybody.”
“I dream of weddings, darling. And grandchildren running about the place…” My mother had recently turned forty-three. Why did she want to lump herself with a houseful of tiny terrors? My father was a year younger. I guessed his idea of
hell would be grandchildren.
“Well, don’t look in my direction.” I had no desire to marry, or to have children for that matter.
“And why not? You can get married and have children as any straight couple would.”
I thought of Milo right then. My world was so far removed from his. How would he ever fit in? And would he want to? “I don’t think that life is for me, but if I ever change my mind, you can throw me your dream wedding.”
“I might hold you to that if Felicity refuses to play ball.”
I glanced at my watch. “I’m sorry to cut our chat short, Mother, but time is ticking by and I invited friends for drinks…”
“Oh, darling, you best go and prepare yourself.”
I knew tardiness was unforgivable, but this was a casual thing. “I will call you again in a few days.”
“Make sure you do, and if you change your mind about the jet, please call me. It really is a phone call to Captain Marshall.”
“Thank you, but I don’t think so.”
“Very well, call me soon, toodle-pip, darling.”
“Bye—” Typical. My mother rarely sat still and, by now, she would be formulating Christmas plans in her mind.
“Shit,” I said, realising how behind I was.
Dialing Milo’s number, it rang until his voicemail kicked in. I didn’t bother to leave a message as I suddenly recalled he was fixing a truck. He would be elbow deep in oil and grease by now with little time to indulge me in idle chit chat.
Rushing into the kitchen, I pulled open the larder fridge. Thank God for Hilary, because I could not survive the hurly burly world of socialising without her. Upon the realisation the fridge was fully stocked, I made a mental note to give her a pay rise. Beers, wine, vodka, Jack Daniels, and soda of every description sat on designated shelves making it appear I had a problem with alcohol. Well, it would to a stranger opening my fridge. Booze well outnumbered food items.
Usually, I would find a reputable firm and offer catered food, but pizza was my guests’ food of choice. It suited me because there was less for me to worry about. Perhaps I would dine on salad tonight. I had become tired of constant stodge, my body in need of essential nutrients.
Seth was first to arrive. It was good to see him. He looked well, a healthy glow about him. Following our customary hug, I ushered him through the house into my sprawling back garden. Drinks were already laid out on a small table.
“Wow.” He looked around. “This place is huge.”
“I rarely use it, but it’s too nice to sit indoors.” I’d only ever sat out here with Logan but hadn’t seen much of him this last week or so. I wondered if he had met a guy.
“Beats being stuck indoors. I wish I had a garden.”
“Come over here anytime you wish.” I enjoyed his company, and sometimes it was easier to talk to Seth than Milo. He wasn’t as guarded.
“You might regret that offer.”
I gestured for him to take a seat. “I won’t, but honestly, feel free. Use the pool, relax, whatever.”
“Milo is one lucky man.”
“Make sure you tell him that when he gets here.”
“Where is he?” Seth checked his watch, “I thought I was late.”
“He was fixing a truck earlier, so it’s probably a bigger job than he mentioned.”
“He’s so good with his hands.”
“Tell me about it.” We both laughed. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Beer is good for me, please.” I grabbed a bottle of beer, cracked the top off and passed it to him. There was little point asking if he wanted a glass because it wasn’t the Texan way. I’d gotten used to the taste of beer, too. But I wasn't at the stage where necking it from the bottle felt comfortable. To Milo’s continued amusement, I couldn’t even eat pizza without a knife and fork. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
“So, how are you and Milo doing?”
“It’s been great, honestly, but I still feel hesitation from him.”
“You’re the first dude he’s ever been with, so give him time and he’ll be good.”
“I know, and I feel shitty even mentioning it, but I’m used to living my life out and proud, and a part of me feels closeted again.”
“Once his mom knows about you, there will be a difference in him, you’ll see.”
“Do you think his mum will take the news about me well?”
“Milo’s mom is the best. I don’t think she’ll care who he loves as long as he’s happy.”
“I hope so.”
“Trust me, Sandra isn’t the problem, it’s Clay, his dad you need to worry about…”
As we were getting to the crux of Milo, he walked through the patio doors. “Hey, Seth.”
“Hey,” Seth replied.
“Hello, handsome.” I jumped up and grabbed him a beer. Swooping in to kiss his perfect lips, he rested his hand on the small of my back and quickly took hold of my bottom lip between his teeth. A throaty growl sent shivers down my spine.
“Sorry, I’m late.”
“It’s fine. I was running late myself.”
“Oh?”
“I was on the phone to Mother.”
“How is she?”
“Same as always.” That meant nothing to him because he knew nothing of her. “She is coming to Fort Worth with me after the Christmas break, so you will finally get to meet.”
“Oh, God.” He necked the beer. “That’s too much pressure.”
“Meeting the parents,” Seth teased. “How formal.”
“Stop it, you.” He had a wide smile across his face. “You will get to meet her, too, Seth.” Far more comfortable in his own skin, he took the news in his stride.
“Deidra will love it.” Milo grabbed another beer. “The chance to tell your mom how badly behaved I am.”
“Mother will make mincemeat of her.”
Seth laughed. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how y’all talk over there.”
“Wait until you meet my mother. If you think I’m posh...”
“I shall be on my best behaviour, Sir Edward.” Seth put on his best attempt at a British accent and failed miserably.
“Epic fail.” It was my turn to tease him. I turned my attention back to Milo. “So, did you get the truck fixed.”
“Yeah, it was harder than I thought it was gonna be, but I got there in the end.”
“Are you hungry?” I had suddenly morphed into a Stepford Husband, the perfect host. All that was missing was a pinny. “I ordered pizza, but there is freshly prepared salad and a roast chicken in the fridge.”
“Who’s eating that?” Seth asked. “I thought you didn’t eat meat?”
“Correct! I cooked the chicken for you carnivores.” The very idea of eating meat turned my stomach. “I fancied the healthier option, so the salad is for me.”
“Healthy-ugh.” Seth pulled a face. “I’ll pass, thanks.”
“My diet has gone downhill since moving here.” I opened a bottle of my favourite white wine and poured it carefully into what I called a drag queen glass, intent on topping it up with soda water.
Milo tapped me on the arse. “You look good, Edward.”
“Only because I live in the gym when we’re not together or at college. If I didn’t, my arse would be slapping the back of my knees.”
Seth broke into uncontrollable laughter.
Milo rolled his eyes. Something or somebody sat heavy on his mind. I knew him too well and would corner him when we got a moment together. “I’ll have some chicken salad with my pizza.”
“Piggy.”
“You know me, ravenous.”
We took our seats and idled the time away with finance chatter.
The ringing doorbell caught my attention. “Pizza is here.”
“Good,” said Milo, rubbing his stomach. “I’m starving.”
“You stay there. I’ll bring it out.” I rushed inside and pulled open the door, but it wasn’t my usual pizza delivery guy, but L
ogan holding four large pizza boxes.
“Hello, stranger, I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Uninvited guests, particularly this one, were my idea of hell. I hadn’t told Logan about Milo and me yet. Now his arrival was certain to set the cat among the pigeons. Nerves aflame. I wondered how I would explain to Logan I had omitted to tell him something so important about my life when he had been an open book where I am concerned.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I slipped through with the delivery guy. All paid for and smelling delicious.”
“Oh, no, not at all. I’ll give you the cash for the pizzas now.”
“If you let me have a slice or two, they’re on me.”
“I have guests already here.”
“I kinda guessed that you wouldn’t eat four huge pizzas, but I’m okay with it if y’all are.”
“Of course, I am, please come in.” Damn my parents for instilling manners in me. How would Milo take this intrusion? To avoid unnecessary awkwardness, I hadn’t socialised with Logan while Milo was about. It seemed weird, but Logan’s impromptu visit would put an end to that. He stepped inside. “I’ll grab the chicken and salad from the fridge first, then we can head into the garden.”
“So, who is company tonight?”
“My friend Seth, you know, the guy from Nick’s, and Milo.”
“Ah!” He appeared surprised.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah!”
“Then what was the ah for?”
“Small world is all.”
“How so?”
“He fixed my truck this afternoon.”
I was flabbergasted. Milo hadn't mentioned it was Logan’s truck he was taking care of, and if Logan knew about us, he hid it well. Why the secrecy on Milo’s part? Was he so ashamed of us? I had questions that required answers, but I wouldn’t embarrass my guests by raking over my suspicions in front of them. “Ah, right. He never said, but why would he?” A nervous laugh escaped. “Come through and make yourself comfortable.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Milo
“What?” Seth sat with a ridiculous smirk painted across his face.
Seth stood and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “You’re a different sort around Edward. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Shattered Beliefs Page 17