by Blobel, Iris
Rachel stared at her and the big, red eyes seemed almost zombie like and frightening. Her breathing was ragged as she raked her hands through her hair. It didn’t take Sarah long to figure out that her sister had woken from a bad nightmare. Her shirt was soaked through, plastered to her skin. Sarah held her sister’s stare as she calmed down and her breathing became steadier.
“I’m okay,” Rachel whispered after what seemed a long couple of minutes.
“Want to talk about it?” Sarah asked.
Rachel choked back a laugh. “No. There’s nothing to interpret out of that dream. Monsters chasing me, spiders crawling all over me, and me drowning simply means it’s time to get my life in order.”
Tugging a strand of hair behind her sister’s ear, Sarah said, “Your subconscious is working through everything that’s happened the last few weeks. Give it time.” Ignoring Rachel’s raising a brow, she continued, “You can’t expect things to change overnight. Yes, there was a little hiccup with the police, but you’re healing well, eating well, taking long walks. I think soon you’ll be able to consider decisions about whether to go back to school or find a job.”
“You know I cannot afford to go to school. I—”
“Rach. I told you, you can stay here as long as it takes.”
Resignation spread over her sister’s face.
Letting out a long sigh, Sarah sat down on the floor. “I suppose when you told me that I was lucky because the guys have always been there for me, it sank in. I thought about it. Long and hard, believe me.” She shrugged. “As I said the other day, now it’s time for you to have someone help you out.”
Rachel wiped away another tear. “I’m scared.”
Sarah bit her lip and as she tilted her head, she said, “I know, but I know you can do it. You always succeeded when you set your mind on something.”
“Wasn’t always the right something, though, was it?”
They shared a laugh, and Sarah placed her arm around her sister’s shoulder.
“How did your conversation go with Markus? I heard you come home early.”
It wasn’t exactly what Sarah had in mind to distract her sister from her current situation. “All good. His neighbour, Mrs. Gibson made some yummy pumpkin soup. There’s some leftover in the fridge if you want some tomorrow.”
Rachel cackled. “Man, you’re bad when you want to avoid a subject.”
“Why?”
“Really? I ask you about Markus, who hasn’t been here once since I’ve claimed this room last week, and you turn the answer ending up with Mrs. Gibson’s pumpkin soup?”
Sarah shrugged. “We had a bit of a fight a few weeks back and slowly sorting things out. He’s off to Sydney tomorrow. Something like a job interview. We never got to talk about it though, because of Mrs. Gibson.”
Rachel laughed. “You two should really get your act together. I mean, everyone knows you’re meant for each other.”
And hadn’t she heard that before? It was like everyone knew or thought to know about them, but they themselves. Sarah wanted to agree and tell Rachel about the two weeks, but thought better of it. The last thing she wanted was to make her sister feel guilty. Not only did Rachel have a hard time to accept free accommodation, but the thought that Sarah was putting a possible relationship with Markus on hold would push the issue a little.
Or a lot.
“I know,” she said quietly. “We’re working on it.”
“Working on it?”
She leaned her head against her sister’s. “Italian men. They have a temperament.”
“Oh for God’s sake, Sarah. Markus has a lot of things, but not an Italian temperament. I mean he’s about the kindest, most caring, patient man I know. Not to mention sexy. God, he’s sexy.”
“Yes, he is,” Sarah admitted.
“Wipe that drool off your face and tell me the problem.”
The problem? What was it?
“Cold feet?”
“What?”
Sarah sighed. “We slept together the other week.”
Rachel moved out of her sister’s arms and stared at her. “Oh my God, you did what?” she nearly screamed.
Sarah blinked a couple of times, not sure she was following this outburst. “So you think we’re meant for each other, but when I tell you we had sex you nearly have a heart attack.”
“Out of excitement,” Rachel clarified, but then something seemed to click in her mind, and she narrowed her eyes. “He was a dud.” She shook her head. “No, he’s got Italian blood in him, he can’t be.” After a moment’s pause, she said, “He’s gay. Oh my God, Markus is gay.”
“Oh for Pete’s sake, will you stop it.”
“So, where’s the problem?”
Sarah looked down at her fingers and plucked some non-existing fluff off her PJs. “Well, there kinda isn’t a problem, except that we’re risking a twenty-something-year-old friendship. What if it doesn’t work out?”
When there was no reply, Sarah looked up into Rachel’s stunned expression.
“Tell me you’re not serious.”
Sarah didn’t understand.
Rachel took Sarah’s hand into hers and gently messaged her fingers. Sarah remembered how good Rachel was when it came to massages.
“Sarah, apologies for being blunt, but you’re nuts,” she said without taking her eyes off their hands. “That is movie crap, it doesn’t happen in real life. Well, it does happen, but—” She paused. “I understand you must be scared. You don’t want to lose him, but from the little I know or have seen, you two are already a couple. Except the sex.” She let go of Sarah’s hands and cupped her face. “Tell me he’s an Italian lover boy.”
Sarah snorted.
“I take it he is.” Staring into her sister’s eyes, Rachel added quietly, “Go get him, sister. You love him, it’s written all over your face. And I am confident that you can hold my hand at the same time.”
Sarah only noticed the tears falling onto her cheek when Rachel wiped them away with her thumb. Everything inside her was so unprepared for the conversation they were having. It was something so unfamiliar, but apparently something she’d been yearning for. She drew in her lips, unsure how to respond. The words, go get him tumbled around in her mind. She’d asked him for two weeks. Two long weeks. He only needed two days.
“I seem to finally have found my sister,” she whispered. “I don’t want to lose you again because of Markus.”
Rachel’s face creased into a sudden smile. “No way. I’ve learnt a lesson or two as well the last couple of days. One of them is that jealousy is an unhealthy emotion.”
“By the way, Rach. If you can’t think of anything what you’d like to do with your life, you might like to consider giving massages. You’ve got the magic touch.”
“D’you think so?” her sister asked with a smile on her face.
Sarah nodded. “Think about it. It’s been something you always liked doing. And that hand thingy you just did, felt really good.”
Rachel seemed to ponder that for a moment before she looked around. “I’d better let you get some more sleep. It’s been a rough day for both of us.”
They stood, and Sarah helped her sister back into bed. “Need another Panadol?”
Rachel shook her head. “No, I think I should be all right. I’ll put on a bit of music to dull me back into sleep.”
It’d been a massive twenty-four hours indeed. The police, Rachel’s emotional outburst afterwards, and the conversation Sarah had with Markus. But as she watched her sister head into bed, an inner calm spread within her, and at that moment Sarah felt a tiny flame of hope inside.
Chapter Eight
The alarm went off at six o’clock, and Markus slammed the snooze button straight away and closed his eyes.
Ten minutes later it beeped again.
Five minutes later his phone rang. And didn’t stop.
Cursing, he opened his eyes, looked for the phone, and raised a brow when the ID indicated it was Sarah.
“Babe?”
“Oh my God, did you have a party last night after I left?”
Party? He’d had a fight with his emotions most of the night. One of the problems was his excitement about their agreement to give their relationship a go, the other problem was his new sexy neighbour—Dakota. He hadn’t been able to get her face out of his mind. Her voice, and the way she’d stood at the window looking at him. For most of the night he’d tried to convince himself it’d been sheer coincidence, but some tiny little brain cell kept telling him that she’d watched him and Sarah. But what had that meant?
“Nah, just thinking about the pros and cons of that TV job.”
“You’ve never told me what the actual offer is.”
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked at the clock.
“Fuck.”
“Excuse me?”
He got up in one quick motion. “Baby. I need to get into fifth gear to get ready. What did you want?”
There was silence.
“Babe, don’t be mad. I’ve gotta catch the flight in a couple of hours and I’m still in bed.”
“I’ve rung to ask whether you need a lift,” she said hesitantly.
He stopped abruptly. “Can you be here in an hour?”
Another pause before she asked, “Seven-thirty?”
“Perfect. I’ll tell you all about the job on the way.”
He hung up and threw the phone onto the bed before heading into the bathroom. Even though a long hot shower was what he needed, he kept it short. He still felt confused, even more so after Sarah’s phone call. Hadn’t she asked for two weeks? What about her job? He cursed as he dressed, trying to focus on the day’s itinerary.
He skipped breakfast, threw some clothes into his bag, gave his manager a quick call to arrange a meeting point, and headed outside to move his car into the garage.
The little boy from next door greeted him. “Mark Dee-On.”
“Good morning, buddy. How are you?”
A big grin appeared on James’ face. “Mum’s taking me shopping for a bike.”
At this time of the day? He checked his watch and startled when he heard Dakota’s soft voice behind James. “I know. I thought the same thing, but we’re still waking early because of the jetlag. We might as well get him out of the house before Grandma reconsiders her offer to let us stay with her.”
He chuckled. “Jetlag is a—” He paused. “Bad thing.”
She laughed softly, probably more in appreciation of his choice of words.
“You’re up early as well.”
“Heading to Sydney.”
“Oh?”
The clock was ticking in the back of his mind. Why was it so difficult for him to tell her he was on a deadline? More concerning, though, was his hope that Sarah would be late.
“Job interview,” he said finally.
“Are you going to play for Sydney?” James asked.
“Oh God no. My playing days are over. I only kick the ball in the park or on the beach.”
“Will you take me one day?”
Markus loved James’ directness. It reminded him of his nephew Henry. “Of course, I can. Next time I take Henry to soccer training I’ll let you know.”
“Will you need a lift?” Dakota asked.
For a split second he wanted to say yes, but instead replied, “Thanks, but hopefully Sarah will be here any minute to take me.”
“Your sister?”
Was that question hopeful or was it his mind playing tricks on him?
My girl was on the tip of his tongue, but he heard himself saying, “Very good friend of mine.” And regretted it straight away. He let out a long, slow breath. “I’d better get the car into the garage before she arrives. I’ll see you around.”
“That’d be lovely. Perhaps you’d like to come over for a dinner when you come back.”
“Oh, I can’t say no to Mrs. Gibson’s cooking.”
The expression on her face changed, and he was sure he’d said the wrong thing. But instead of retracting his words, he gave a quick wave and got into his car. When he came back to the front, Dakota and James had left, and Sarah was waiting near the gate.
“Just in time,” he said as he placed a kiss on her cheek.
She looked a bit surprised, but he told himself to let this one go as well. He needed to focus on the day ahead.
Five minutes later, they were on their way to the airport.
“So tell me about this meeting.”
While Sarah zigzagged in and out the morning traffic to the airport, he filled her in with the information he’d been given by his manager.
She turned and stared at him. “Does that mean you’ll move to Sydney?”
Placing his finger on her jaw, he moved her head so she’d concentrate on the traffic again. “Nah, I don’t think so. Well, I suppose that’ll be part of today’s discussion.”
“Do you want to move?”
The question surprised him somewhat. Especially after they, in some awkward way, agreed to have a crack at a relationship.
“Baby. Are you looking for a way out or you’re honestly thinking I’d do that after that kiss last night?”
“What about the lack of a kiss this morning?”
That stumped him. “Beg yours?”
Her head snapped round.
“Keep those beautiful eyes on the road, babe.”
She sighed and looked out the windscreen again. “I’m sorry, Marky. It’s just…it…we keep talking in bits and pieces without having the chance to have a proper conversation.”
“You preferred the company of the pumpkin soup over me last night.”
Sarah snorted. “You know that’s only half of the story.”
He tucked a loose curl behind her ear, leaving the palm of his hand cupping her face. “I asked for two days. I’ll have more details tomorrow night. No, I won’t move to Sydney. I’ve only been back in Melbourne for about a year, but I’ve noticed how much I’d missed it. Missed my family. My friends.” Stroking along her cheek in a slow caress with his thumb, he added, “Missed you.”
Nodding, she gave him a quick smile. With ease, she parked her car in a small spot right in front of the departure entrance.
The usual rush started. They both got out of the car, Markus retrieved his bag out of the boot, and after only a few long strides stood next Sarah. He ran his free hand up her arm to her shoulder and lowered his mouth down to hers. It was a slow brush of lips first, but quickly turned into a passionate kiss.
When Markus broke the kiss, he whispered, “See you tomorrow, baby.”
With contentment rushing through him, he stepped into the departure lounge, heading towards the gate. He was supposed to meet his manager there.
The conversation he’d had with Sarah replayed over and over in his head. It felt as if they were moving one step forward and two steps back, and it frustrated the hell out of him.
He’d meant it when he said he had no intentions to move. And that was the truth. He hadn’t lied about that.
Living in England had been great. He loved the ability to travel to the continent over the weekend or for a couple of days during the week, when his training or game schedule allowed it. He remembered the week he’d spent with Sarah in Switzerland. One of the best times he’d had.
Melbourne was his home. Melbourne was where he had his family, and he was sure Annie would at some stage return to the Victorian capital, and Melbourne was where he had his friends.
He had no intentions to move, great TV opportunity or not.
***
Sarah had her whole body humming and her pulse throbbing. Dizzy with a sensual overload, she leaned against the car as she watched Markus disappear into the departure lounge.
“See you tomorrow,” she murmured.
Life had her back within seconds, though, when an impatient driver honked the horn and startled her so much, she needed a second to figure out what he wanted from her.
An hour later, she
sat in her office, trying to concentrate on her work when the phone rang.
“Tyson!”
“Hi, Saz. How are you?”
“Going well. When did you come back? How was it? How’s married life? How’s Katie?”
Ty burst into a fit of laughter, so she waited patiently.
Not too long, though. “Hello. Some people have to work hard for their money.”
“Sorry, sweetheart. We got home this morning. It was great. Great. And I think great again.”
“Think?”
“Can’t remember the sequence of your questions.” He laughed again. “Anyway, I’ll see you tomorrow at Oliver’s?”
“Most certainly. I’m so happy for him. Can’t believe, though, how sudden that happened. Can’t wait to hear all the news.”
“I can’t wait to hear your news,” he said with some cheek in his voice.
“My news?”
“You and Mark.”
She rolled her eyes, and if Oliver had been close, she’d probably punched him in his face.
“Well.” She hesitated. “That information was supposed to be on a more confidential basis.”
“I won’t tell anybody.”
She choked back a laugh. “I meant…Never mind.”
“Know where the lucky bugger is?”
“Oliver?” She could literally see him shaking his head and said, “Marky’s on his way to Sydney for some meeting with some guys from the TV.”
“Holy shit. I leave for a couple of weeks and look what happens.”
She smiled. “Tyson, sweetie. I’ve gotta go. See ya tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait.”
She disconnected the call and dialled Oliver’s number.
“’Ello?”
“That was confidential information I shared with you.”
“Sweet pea. How are you?”
“Don’t you pea me. I can’t believe you told Ty about me and Mark.”
“Hey, it wasn’t my fault.”
She paused, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. “Care to explain?”
“Not really.”
“You’re such—”
“A loving person. Thanks.” He laughed. “You know Tyson. He’s got a way to make you tell him things.”
“I know you,” she said through gritted teeth. “You were happy to get it off your chest.”