by Harley Reid
“That was a bit harsh.” Jamison appears from nowhere. He must have been eavesdropping around the corner. I groan, realising that I need to go and apologise and then make my way over to the girls.
When I enter the kitchen, Maddie is sitting on the counter swinging her legs and giggling while Mia holds a bag a frozen vegetable wrapped in a tea towel against the bump.
“Maddie, can I speak to Mia?” I ask softly as Mia turns her back on me. I'm a complete jackass.
“Okay daddy, but don't shout at her. She made it better.” She jumps down of the counter and skips off to her room singing.
“You want a coffee?” I ask, putting the kettle on and grabbing two mugs from the cupboard. “I shouldn’t have gone off at you like that.”
“Yeah, but you did.” She looks at me with those doe eyes and for a moment I don't know how to respond.
“She’s my girl, I can sometime be a little overprotective when her. I’m working on it.” As much as I don't want to get into this right now, I need to be honest. “When I lost Sam, my whole world fell apart and my girl was the only reason I was able to get out of bed in a morning. I don’t deal well with her getting hurt and it sometimes makes me a little crazy.” I pour the drinks and pass her a cup, both of us sitting down to continue the conversation.
“You crossed the line and I get it but kids play, and they get bumps and scrapes. You can't kick off with me every time it happens.”
“Like I said, I’m working on it.”
“Well try harder.” She stands up and walks away, turning to face me when she gets to the door. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“I assume that was supposed to be an apology?” She giggles and then disappears down the corridor.
This week has been a little better. Ever since Ethan opened up to me last Sunday, we've been getting on a lot better. I've actually been spending a lot more time on an evening out of my room and in the living room watching Netflix on the big screen rather than on my laptop. He's mainly in his study anyway, but he has made a few jokes at my movie taste as he's been mooching about.
He's out again today with Maddie, probably doing some more adventure stuff. I'm so glad they never invite me along, it sounds terrifying.
The messages from Elijah have kept coming, and he's asked me out on a date tonight. As I put a little makeup on and straighten my hair to within an inch of its life, I ponder what to wear. Lexi's advice was to go for something a little slutty but I'm not actually sure that I have anything in my wardrobe she would approve of.
Instead, I finger through my closet and pick out a little navy blue boat neck fitted dress with a bit of a ruffle down the side and pair it with my black heels. I examine myself in the mirror, and happy with how I look, I head to the courtyard and wait for the taxi to arrive.
This journey into town is awful, I love living out in the countryside but when you're single and starting to date again, it's hard to stay out of the city. It would be so much easier if I was still staying with Lexi. Even if the sofa bed absolutely ruined my back.
While travelling down the quiet country roads, we pass farm after farm before finally hitting the bright lights of the retail centre on the outskirts of town. We're almost at the restaurant and I'm so nervous. I haven't been on a date in so long and I can't help but lose myself in the enormous list of things that could go wrong that is currently occupying my brain.
“Here you go miss.” the taxi driver calls as I grab a couple of notes from my purse and hand them over before stepping out onto the pavement in front of the black and white restaurant front.
“Thanks very much. Have a good night.” I call back as I take a step towards the perky little platinum blonde host standing behind a wooden podium located inside the entrance.
“Good evening miss, how can I help you tonight.” She beams as I step inside.
“Erm, I have a date tonight but I'm a little early.” I reply, looking around to see if I can catch a glimpse of Elijah anywhere. “I'm not sure what name it would be booked under so is there any chance I can wait inside?”
“Of course, you're more than welcome to have a seat at the bar.” How is she this happy. “Our bartender has an amazing selection of signature drinks to choose from, so I would recommend trying at least one while you wait.”
“Thanks, I'll take a look.” I breeze past her, into the candle lit restaurant and continue towards the bar at the back.
After what seems like the slowest walk ever, I finally take a seat on one of the tall wooden stools topped with a red crushed velvet cushion and order a small glass of white wine. Looking around, the restaurant is absolutely packed out with couples, but one particular couple catches my eye and I can't stop watching them.
They must be in the seventies, both with a full head of thick silver hair, he's wearing a tweed jacket with a plain shirt and a pair of trousers, and she's wearing a gorgeous black dress with a gold bolero jacket that compliments the gold jewellery that she's draped in.
The two of them look so happy and seeing them together fills me with hope that someday, that will be me and my man.
I sit watching the two of them for what seems like an eternity and when I finally check my watch, I notice that an hour has passed. Elijah should have been here half an hour ago but there's no sign of him, so I head over to the host and showing her a picture, I ask if she's seen him. She shakes her head and reassures me that he's probably running a little late.
Stepping outside for some fresh air, I check my phone and try to text him, but it won't send. I can't find his profile on the app anymore either. What the hell is going on?
Hurt and rejected, I find a taxi and head back to the house, giving Lexi a call on the way.
“Hey sis! How's your date?” It's hard to understand her over the music in the background.
“He didn't show.” I can sense the taxi driver’s eyes on me, judging but it's not my fault. “Who just decides not to turn up for a date without saying anything. And now I can't contact him because my text's keep bouncing back, and he's deleted his profile from the app...”
“Ooh, sounds like he's ghosting you.” She interrupts, “Don't worry about it, come over to the NQ, and we'll find you a dirty little hook up to help take your mind off it.”
“I'm heading back to the house.” I sigh. Sometimes it feels like she doesn't know me at all. “You still coming for lunch tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I'll be there at around two-ish.” She pauses, “Mia, if a one night stand isn't negotiable, don't forget the housewarming present I got you.”
“You're disgusting. Goodbye Lex.” I hang up the phone and sit in silence for the rest of the journey.
When I am back in the house, I hear Ethan in the bathroom and as I get to my bedroom door, he appears ahead of me in the corridor. Judging by the grey towel wrapped around his waist and his glistening inked torso, he's been in the shower and instead of going to his room, he is walking towards me.
“You're home early tonight.” He smiles and my heart starts racing as my eyes explore his almost naked body, the little bit of ink I’ve seen poking up over his collar is actually a full chest piece — a mix of black and grey filigree surrounded by Egyptian patterns that also spread down his arms and are contoured to stop at the ‘V’ shape by his abs, disappearing under his towel. “I hope it's not because of what happened with Maddie last week.”
“No, just a disappointing night.” I sigh, not wanting to go into the details with him.
“Well, you shouldn't be spending a Saturday night alone so, let me throw some clothes on and you can come watch a film with me.”
“It's okay, I think I'll sit in my room and watch something. Thanks though.”
“Not a chance. Living room, five minutes.” He's not taking no for an answer as he turns away and heads for his room. “Oh, and Mia, if you're not there, I will come into your room and carry you to the living room myself.”
“Fine.” I huff, a little turned on by how forceful he's be
ing. That's new. “I'll just get changed and drop my bag in my room and I'll be right there.”
By the time I finish my sentence he's gone and I'm talking to myself. Grabbing my phone from my bag and putting it on my beside table, I notice a text message from Lexi.
Lexi: Hope you're feeling better. Remember women have needs too!
How are we even related?
Mia: I’m fine. Ethan invited me to watch movie so chilling for rest of night.
I hit send and immediately see the three little dots appear, followed by a ping.
Lexi: Ooh, sexy. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t x
I decide not to give her the satisfaction of a response for that one, so I drop my phone on my pillow, throw on some comfortable clothes and make my way to the living room where Ethan is sitting waiting for me.
Stepping out of the shower onto the floor mat, I towel myself off, wrapping the damp towel around my waist once I'm no longer dripping everywhere. As I step into the corridor, I see Mia walking towards me.
She's wearing a dark blue dress that hugs her body in all the right places and her hair is different. I prefer it when she wears it tied up off her face, but she looks pretty with it hanging straight, spilling over her shoulders.
Shit! Why is she home so early?
My room is directly opposite the bathroom but instead of entering, I find myself walking towards her. I know I should walk away and let her deal with whatever drama is going on in her life, but I can't bring myself to walk away.
What is it about this girl?
“You're home early tonight.” I smile at her, watching her eyes darting over my torso. “I hope it's not because of what happened with Maddie last week.”
“No, just a disappointing night that's all.” She seems upset and I don't want her to be alone if she is.
“Well, you shouldn't be spending a Saturday night alone so, let me throw some clothes on and you can come watch a film with me.”
If she agrees and wants to be stubborn, I'm possibly letting myself in for one of those shitty chick flick movies that she loves so much but hopefully she'll be in the mood for something different.
“It's okay, I'm just going to sit in my room and watch something. Thanks though.”
The company of someone who isn't a team-mate, or my seven-year-old daughter is something I didn't realise I needed until now, so I'm not taking no for an answer. I will literally drag her ass into the lounge if I have to.
“Not a chance. Living room, five minutes.” Without waiting for a response, I turn and walk to my room. "Oh, and Mia, if you're not there, I will come into your room and carry you to the living room myself."
She's not happy, but she agrees to it anyway, so I quickly pull on a pair of sweats and t-shirt before heading to the lounge to wait.
Standing in the living room, I pour two glasses of Whiskey and place them down on the coffee table and drape the throw over the cold leather surface, so the sofa is separated from our skin.
As I sit down, she walks through the door in a cute little matching shorts and t-shirt set. She's wiped her makeup off and for the first time, I notice the spattering of freckles concentrated on her nose and cheeks.
“So, what are we watching then.” She asks as she curls herself up on the opposite end of the sofa.
“Jamison recommended a film called Would You Rather. What do you think?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, she crinkles her nose and pouts her full, pink lips. “Okay, so what do you have in mind?”
I guess it's lady's choice tonight.
“Well, I've been meaning to check out Rebecca if you fancy it? If not, the other one should be okay, but I must warn you. I'm not amazing with blood and guts.” She gazes at me as if she's scared to disappoint.
“Rebecca it is.” I agree as her grin widens. “But next time, I get to choose.”
“You got yourself a deal mister.” She's so fucking adorable when she's excited.
Grabbing the remote, I start the film and pass one of the glasses to her before grabbing mine and taking a swig. I'm not sure what she usually drinks, but she takes a sip without spitting it all over me, so I guess it'll do.
I can't believe she's been living in my house for two weeks and I don't know anything about her.
About forty minutes into the film, I glance over at Mia and she's staring contently at the screen while nursing her first drink. I, on the other hand, am bored — this is no match for the Hitchcock version.
I reach for the remote, stopping the film and looking across to see her glaring at me in protest.
“Sorry Princess. That's about as much as I can take.”
“Fine but, I'm in charge of the remote when it's your pick.” Her face contorts like a petulant little kid and I can't stop myself from chuckling. “So, what do you want to do now?”
It's only ten o'clock and it doesn't look like she's in a rush to go back to her room, so I guess I could use the opportunity to find out a little more about her.
“Okay, since neither of us can agree on what to watch, how about we talk for a bit?” I turn my body to face her, and she contemplates her options.
This is the only proper conversation we've had since that first night when she moved in and even that was mainly superficial subjects like pizza toppings, hobbies, and other general chit chat.
“I guess it would be useful to get to know you a little, rather than just go off all the stuff I've seen on the internet.”
Oh shit, she's looked me up online. That cannot be good.
“What do you want to know?” I ask, immediately regretting it.
“Ooh,” Her eyes widen as she stares at me, “You have loads of photos of Maddie around the house but none of her mother. How come?”
Shit, this girl means business.
I rub the back of my neck nervously as I decide how to tackle this one. “It's... complicated.”
“Sorry, I didn't mean to...” her eyes widen, “I wasn't thinking and that was really insensitive.”
She covers her face with her hands and shakes her head before taking a drink. Noticing that both glasses are empty, I retrieve the decanter, return to my seat and pour us another.
“It's fine, it's...” I inhale sharply, then slowly release, “Things weren't exactly great between us before she died so it's not something I like to talk about.”
Reaching over, she gives my hand a squeeze and nods for me to ask the next question.
“Why the big obsession with romance movies?”
“Why not?” she chirps.
“Unrealistic expectations, false ideals, want me to go on?”
“Yeah, okay, I'll give you that. Maybe everything is romanticised but what person doesn't want someone to love them with everything that they have? Who doesn't want some grand romantic gesture that makes them feel like they are the most special person in the world?”
She drifts off into her own little world as she speaks, putting her case forward as I argue mine in a short debate, before politely agreeing to disagree.
Before we realise, two hours have passed, so I walk her to her room and say goodnight. We must have drank more than I thought because I can't resist the temptation of giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before walking away.
I've learned a lot about her tonight. Her overbearing, workaholic mother sounds like an absolute nightmare and I can't believe that her father migrated to New Zealand with his new wife after the divorce and hasn't bothered to contact them since. She has given me a complete run down of her sister's acting career, including making me sit through some of the various commercials she's been in, and then she filled me in on her scumbag, cheating ex and the reason she ended up interviewing for this job.
In return, I've kept the drinks topped up and told her all about my parents’ death, Sarah becoming my legal guardian and I even told her about the illegal, underground fights that I started out doing to make sure we had enough money to put food on the table and how that, with the help of Jamison, lead to me becoming a pr
ofessional fighter.
After saying goodnight to Mia, I continue down the corridor to my room, tear off my clothes and pull myself under the covers.
I have no idea why I thought it would be a good idea to give her a quick kiss on the cheek, but my actions were not my own in that moment.
There are so many reasons why it shouldn’t have happened. For one, she’s my daughter’s nanny. Secondly, I’m not looking to start anything, and even if I was ready, she really isn’t my type.
I like strong, confident women who know exactly what they want. Sam was ambitious, highly strung, always dressed to impress and even when we first met and she was a little more timid, she had this fire inside her that never let her settle for anything less than perfection.
Mia doesn’t have that. It’s obvious that she still hasn’t really figured out who she is or what she wants — other than a husband. She’s laid back, with a casual style that is more cutesy than femme fatale.
So why am I laid in bed thinking about how good her juicy pink lips would feel against mine? What would it feel like to run my fingers through her hair?
I need to snap out of this, no good can come from these thoughts.
Swinging my legs out of bed and pulling on the nearest pair of jeans, I distract myself by heading to the kitchen. Hopefully, a change of scenery and a drink will put me in a better frame of mind to get some shut eye.
Getting to the kitchen, I pour myself a drink, fire up my laptop and take a seat at the kitchen table. Opening a tab for YouTube I type in Ethan Brooks highlights and a long list of videos appears on the screen. I hit play on the top video and take a trip down memory lane when my first fight commences.
I get halfway through the video and raise my head when I hear footsteps to see Mia walking through the door.
“You couldn’t sleep either, huh?” She walks towards the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. Her hair is pulled back in a messy heap on the top of her head with strands hanging loose and her body is covered with a loose-fitting band t-shirt. She lifts up onto her tip toes as she grabs a glass from the cupboard and her top rides up slightly, revealing a small glimpse of her white panties.