Unknown Number

by Victoria Hyder

  "The videos are saw online were amazing!" Cavan beamed. "I’ll have to ask him if he still has his guitar, although he seemed to prefer to sing, from what I saw."

  "I’d be amazed if he did, most people don’t tend to hang-on to instruments they don’t play anymore," Camilla frowned. "Sophie showed me some videos but I'd never seen the band before."

  "There's a fair bit about them online."

  Leaning forward his mama gave him a cheeky look, "You're smitten with him, aren't you?"

  "M-maybe." Why was he blushing so much? "I really want you guys to meet him. Get to know him. I know the age gap is scary but he's such a good person, Mama."

  "Well what would you prefer?" Camilla asked with a bit of a sigh. "Dinner at home or going somewhere a little more neutral? Like a nice restaurant?"

  "Well if we go to a restaurant, it'll be too loud and we probably won't get to talk too much," Cavan shrugged. "Dinner here is fine, I just want Dad to try and behave himself."

  "How about this Sunday?"

  Cavan nearly dropped his fork. So soon? "Um I -I can ask and see if he's free. He'll have lessons the next day, though, so he won't be able to stay too late."

  "That's fine, love, we have jobs too, you know."

  His cheeks hurt from all the blushing. "I'll let him know later on then."

  Camilla smiled. The matter was settled. "Good now, are you finished eating?" Cavan nodded, placing his knife and fork on the plate. "Okay, I'll sort these out and you can grab the dessert from the fridge."

  "What is it?"

  "Cheesecake."

  "Mama you're the best!"

  Friday PM [Later]

  [CAVAN CALLING]

  Lucas raised his eyebrows in surprise as he swiped his phone off the coffee table. He'd just been catching up on the latest news updates online with a documentary on quietly in the background. Muting the TV completely, Lucas answered the call.

  "Hey squirt, you can't miss me this much?" he drawled, reclining back along the sofa. A kink or two cracked back into place and he felt some tension ebb out of his muscles.

  Cavan chuckled down the line, "Well naturally I miss you. I also wanted to say that dinner with Mama went well and she's agreed to having you come over for dinner."

  Lucas tensed all over again. "Will your father be there?"

  "... Yeah, but I've warned Mama that the instant he gets rude, I'm leaving."

  "That'll upset her."

  "I know. She knows, too, but she's prepared for it."

  He sighed. "So, when will this magical evening take place?"

  "Is ... Is Sunday too soon?"

  Lucas pressed his lips together and squeezed his eyes shut. It wasn't his ideal Sunday night before a Monday morning facing dim-witted children. However, this was for Cavan. The sooner the peace was made with his family, the easy everything else would be. If Cavan's home-life was smoother, then he wouldn't end up feeling like a teenager needing to run-away from home. "Sunday is fine," he finally said. "Did you get any work done on your dissertation?"

  "Yes, sir," Cavan quipped. "I worked on it for a full two hours before dinner."

  "When is it all due in?"

  "The end of August. I know it's still a long way, but I need to start using the facilities at campus again."

  "Well, whenever you're there working later, let me know and I can come and pick you up."

  "You don't have to do that," Cavan simpered, clearly grateful for even suggesting the idea. It really was the little things that made this kid appreciate life, and that was one of the reason's Lucas enjoyed spending time with him.

  "I know I don't have to, Cavan. I like being there for you."

  “You’re just … it’s such a long drive.”

  “Only an hour,” Lucas said. “Besides, what about if it’s a Friday? Then you can just come to mine for the weekend.”

  There was a pause. "Lucas?"

  "Yes, Cavan?"

  "You're ... you're wonderful."

  "Enough of that," Lucas couldn't help but smile. "So, if I'm to meet your parents officially on Sunday, then I think we need to arrange an official time for you to meet my friends."

  "About that ..." Cavan hedged. Lucas kept quiet, patiently waiting for the young man to follow the thought through. "Um ... I know you don't speak to them but ... I don't know ... Would there ever be a reason for me to ... um ... meet your parents?"

  That caught Lucas off-guard. "Not that I'm aware of," he finally managed.

  "Oh ..."

  "Cavan, my friends are as close to family as I've gotten in years. They're the ones who you need to impress," he added a teasing note at the end of the statement, hoping to soothe the tension he could feel emanating from the phone.

  "I guess."

  "It's not that I wouldn't want to, kid," he sighed. "It's just ... Difficult."

  "I get that, I do."

  "Sorry to disappoint."

  "Oh no, it's fine, I get it!" Cavan insisted. "I mean it's going to be hard enough dealing with mine, without adding another set into the mix."

  Lucas hummed, not trusting himself to speak.

  "Do you ... Still want me to meet your friends?"

  "Of course I do, brat."

  "Oh ... good."

  "So, what're you doing right now?"

  "Well ..." There was some shuffling. "It's nearly midnight. I don't really plan on doing anything right now."

  "No movies? No skype with your sister?"

  "Lucas are you trying to get rid of me?"

  "No." He ground his back teeth together. He had an appointment tomorrow; one he hadn't told the kid about. However -it was on the tip of his tongue to ask the kid to come along. The words weren't coming out. Did he want him to be there? It wasn't urgent so ...

  "Lucas?"

  "Hm?"

  "You went quiet ..."

  "Sorry."

  "Is something on your mind?"

  "I just had an errand to do tomorrow, nothing major. I was wondering if you ... If you'd like to come with me?"

  "Wha-a-at is it?"

  "A tattoo appointment."

  "WHAT?" Cavan's voice was nearly piercing. "Why didn't you tell me you had something like that booked?"

  "It's just a touch-up appointment, that's all," Lucas back-tracked. "It won't be as bad as the other's, but it'll keep me occupied for a few hours."

  "So ... You want me to keep you company?"

  "If you have no others plans."

  "I'd love to!"

  Cavan's enthusiasm released the pressure in Lucas's chest. He hadn't realised he'd been holding his breath until that excitement hit his eardrums. Glancing down at his lap, he saw his fingers tightening into a fold of his trousers. He unclenched his hand and willed himself to relax. Cavan was coming with him. That was okay, that was fine, he was old enough and it would be great to have someone to talk to rather than the two or so hours of silence and the buzzing of the needle.

  "Lucas?"

  "Hm?"

  "You went quiet again."

  "Sorry." He sighed, "So will you be able to get here for 10AM?"

  "Is that when the appointment is?"

  "Well it's at 11AM but ... I'd prefer to get everything sorted out properly beforehand."

  "Lucas?"

  "Hm?"

  "Are you nervous?"

  "I've been shot three times Cavan, but yes, NEEDLES make me nervous," he bit out.

  "Lucas ..."

  "I'd just prefer your company, kid," he groused. "Let's not make a big thing about it."

  "Okay."

  He could hear the smile in Cavan's tone but decided not to argue about it anymore. Swallowing thickly, he said, "We'd best get some sleep. Don't be late tomorrow."

  "Yes sir."

  "Brat."

  "Grumpy."

  Lucas smirked. "Night kid."

  "Goodnight Lucas."

  Saturday AM

  Cavan bounced on the balls of his feet, the cool air making his limbs quake with the cold. He was waiting fo
r Lucas to meet him outside the train station. His train had gotten in early, so he wasn't surprised that the older man hadn't arrived yet. Within fifteen minutes he saw the familiar jet-black buzz-cut from down the road. The military style coat covered the lower half of Lucas's face, making it hard for Cavan to read him. He smiled regardless as he stooped a little to hug Lucas tightly against his chest.

  "Hey you," he hummed into Lucas's ear.

  "Hey brat," he quipped back, the deep rumble of his voice making Cavan shiver pleasantly. "Did you get here okay?" he asked as he pulled away.

  Cavan nodded, "Yeah I've been here about ten minutes. Train was early for once."

  Lucas twitched a small smirk before jerking his head towards a downward-winding road. "It's just down this way. It's about a ten minute walk."

  "That's okay, it's not so bad out today."

  Lucas directed him down a road that drooped in a rather steep decline towards the high street. They walked briskly side-by-side. They weren't pressed for time, Cavan knew that, but he reasoned that the older man may very well be a bit on edge. They made it to a rather generic looking tattoo parlour and went inside. The interior was like the outside, painted in shades of red, white and black, with black leather seats, a reception desk and a doorway that led through into the back. The distinct sound of a buzzing needle could be heard in the background.

  A blonde girl with a strong nose and bright blonde hair came down the hallway and stopped when she saw them. She eyed them both and went to seat herself behind the computer. Lucas unbuttoned his coat and went over to the counter.

  "I'm here for my appointment with Bruno, Amy. I don't want to be kept waiting again."

  "Bite me, Lucas," the blonde girl said in a bored tone.

  Nevertheless, her fingers tapped on the keys.

  "I can see why you keep coming back here," Cavan stated drily, eyeing the blonde girl over the counter.

  Lucas shot him a look. Tossing his coat onto the chair he sat down and motioned for Cavan to do the same. Sinking down into the chair, Cavan shrugged out of his own jacket and raked a hand through his hair. His leg started jiggling a little as the seconds ticked by loudly. Ten minutes ticked by before a broad-shouldered man with a short fuzzy beard and bald head came out of the room. He wiped his hands on a rag and recognition sparked in his eyes when he caught sight of Lucas.

  "Hey Lucas right on time as always."

  Lucas smirked, "Do you expect anything less of me?"

  Bruno smirked right back. "Alright smart-arse, room down the hall on the left, shirt off." He paused and frowned. "Who's the kid? Is he yours?"

  "Fuck off," Lucas bit out as he stood up. "He's coming in with me. He's thinking about getting some ink but wants to see it done. I figured this was as good a time as any."

  "Whatever you say man," Bruno shrugged. He walked over and extended his hand towards Cavan. "I'm Bruno."

  "Cavan."

  "Nice to meet you, kid. Now come on, I ain't got all day."

  Cavan grabbed both of their coats from the chairs and held onto them tightly. Lucas frowned but didn't object as he followed Bruno down into the familiar studio on the left. Cavan trailed behind him, his body humming with hot energy that had no real release. The small studio was dark with what looked like a dentist-light hanging over the chair. There was a lot of gleaming equipment that made Cavan's skin crawl. He sat down in a vacant chair and felt a prickly heat rush over his thighs. Lucas had his back to him and was pulling his shirt up and off over his head.

  His throat ran dry.

  It was true that whilst in Lincoln he had caught glimpses of the black ink on the older man's body, however there was a difference seeing it in such bright lights. On the front, left side of his chest there was a bullet-hole like shattered glass right under where his heart was.

  Where his lung IS.

  The thought made cold sweat slick his skin.

  How bad had the damage been? He hadn't ever asked Lucas the sheer extent of his injuries. Witnessing the effects of his lack of sleep, no doubt thanks to the nightmares, was answer enough. As Lucas turned to shoot him a look over his shoulder, Cavan caught sight of more black ink peeking out from the base of his back, just to the right.

  'The other one is on his leg,' his brain supplied. He flushed and ducked his eyes away.

  The leather squeaked as Lucas slid over it and leaned back, tilting his head back so he was staring at the ceiling.

  Cavan hadn't realised he was holding his breath until the buzzing of the needle stopped over an hour later. Lucas had barely hissed or twitched at all during all that time, but Cavan hadn't had the courage to look up and see that needle jab-jab-jabbing away at his alabaster skin. The squeaking of the chair as Lucas slid to the end of his seat so he could stretch his back muscles drew Cavan's attention up again.

  The lines of the tattoo were bold and thick, looking raw against the angry red skin that out-lined it. Yet somehow it just added to Lucas's good looks. Another little nod towards his rebellious days. Lucas caught him gaping at his chest and smirked at the younger man.

  "Like what you see, kid?"

  "I uh ... Wow."

  "Is that all you have to say?" Lucas chuckled, a small hiss as Bruno swiped a cleansing wipe over the raw edges. Cavan nodded dumbly. Lucas quirked an eyebrow but said nothing as he stood up towards the tall mirror to inspect the work done. He admired it from an angle, and then the other, and nodded his approval. "You've not lost your touch, Bruno. Good job."

  As Lucas took his shirt and was pulling it on over his head, Cavan took his phone out and snapped a quick photo. There was no way he could describe that tattoo in words to his sister. Not in any way that would do it justice.

  "Take that damn thing off, Lucas, and bandage it properly. No use getting an infection over a touch up."

  As the two bickered in heated tones like old friends, Cavan tried to suppress his sudden burst of hyper-tension and tapped a quick message to his sister on his phone.

  [CAVAN SENT A .JPEG 13:24PM]

  'My view right now. Jealous yet? :P'

  [SOPHIE 13:31PM]

  'I HATE YOU SO MUCH. FML!'

  Cavan snickered and tucked his phone away.

  Lucas crossed the distance between them, a white bandage poking out from the collar of his shirt and motioned for his jacket. Cavan handed it to him, gave a polite nod and a wave to Bruno, and then followed Lucas out to the receptionist desk where Amy leaned over it, chewing on gum and tapping away at her phone.

  "You done?" she asked, not looking up from the screen.

  "Yes."