“I’ll give you two a minute,” Brock said.
Verity hugged Adrian and kissed him on the lips. She put her head near his ear, “You’re going to be a great dad.”
“I’m so sorry. All the times I talked about starting a family, and having three children, I had no idea. I’m sorry, Butterfly.”
“Don’t be, Dray. It’s better for you to have someone who can be everything to you.”
“I could have changed. I would have given up being a dad for you.”
Verity shook her head, “No, that would be stupid. It’s your heart’s desire and you can’t just forget about it. I thought of all the ways, adoption, surrogacy, donors, but I can’t make them or hold them because Ray took that chance away from me. They didn’t tell me until two weeks later that they’d given me a hysterectomy because of the damage.”
“I want to cry for you, I do. It’s so unfair.”
“I would have never met you if my life hadn’t gone this way, so I don’t regret anything that has anything to do with me getting to know you and spending time with you. You taught me so much, and Brock is really grateful to you for that as crazy as that sounds. But that’s what kind of person he is and why I know we’ll be happy together forever. He really does want to get to know you, and be friends with you too. Would you be okay with that?”
“I would. I feel like I already know him with all I’ve heard about him over the years.”
“I know I’m being selfish, but I was devastated when I found out my mother wasn’t really my mother. I tried not to let it get to me, but it did. I want you to have babies with someone you love, and it can’t be me. I didn’t want you to have a baby with a stranger for me just so we can be a family. I want you to have children whose mother is someone you love, and for you to have children who you’re happy to see her in. I have no doubt she’ll be a blue-eyed blonde like you are, so they look like you, and I’m sure your babies will be beautiful. Do you understand now?”
Adrian nodded and hugged her again. “I love you, Butterfly. I was always hopeful every time we made love that one would sneak through.”
“I know you were. That’s why I couldn’t tell you, because I knew how disappointed you were going to be. I suck. I know. Brock and I are going to be really happy together because we’re friends who love each other and we are passionate about each other. Just like you and I are, Adrian, but in a different way. We’re going to be what we’ve always been, friends who love each other, with or without sex doesn’t matter. Food and underwear checks, help solving problems, just a ‘hello’. It’ll be the same but I’ll have a different last name and a whole heart. I’m going to miss you while I’m away,” Verity said, rubbing his head.
“Same here. Now go see your other guests,” Adrian said, gesturing with his head, “I’ll stay until the night is over.”
“Everyone is staying overnight if you’re up for it. Brock and I are making breakfast,” Verity smiled, “It involves bacon and beer.”
Adrian smiled and nodded, “I’ll stay.”
Verity and Brock spoke to everyone in the crowd and had some photos taken by the water. Verity laughed as Brock did cartwheels and kicked sand at her. They spun around in circles and she felt like she was recapturing some of her lost innocence. He was the laid-back young man she fell in love with and she knew that they would have a lot of laughs ahead of them. Brock would be able to happily sit and do nothing for a while, and take each day as it came, and love her no matter what.
As they led the procession up to the function centre, rain came down suddenly. Everyone hurried undercover except Brock and Verity, who casually strolled through the rain laughing and holding hands. Brock used to drag her out into the rain if it was a sunny day. His mother had always told him there was magic in a sun-shower, because she could never quite understand how it could be rainy and sunny at the same time. Verity and Brock smiled as they reached the awning of the function centre and looked at each other. Brock kissed some rain from her face and nibbled her earlobe, and she was mussing his beard.
When they walked inside, everyone had taken their seats at the tables, and Brock led Verity to the middle of the dance floor. “Would you care to dance with your husband?” he asked, with a bow. “The ability to dance is of course one of my many wonderful attributes.”
Verity laughed and kissed him on the lips, “Only if you lead.”
He spun her in a circle under his arm and held her close, “You said I was always running rings around you. You said it all the time, running rings around you academically, mentally, physically, emotionally. Let’s see if I can still dance rings around you too, Mrs Vale.”
Verity sighed happily, “I already know you will, Mr Vale, and I want you running rings around me forever.”
The End
Can’t get enough of Adrian? You’ll see him around the Ruthless Beings world. But for now, please enjoy a bonus chapter exclusive to this novel…
Bonus Chapter – Adrian
Adrian looked around wondering why he’d allowed himself to be talked into attending a single’s cruise. He looked over at the women lining up, and wondered which one of them the dating agency had concluded was a good fit for him. He looked at the tall woman with brown hair and massive breasts practically leaping out of her dress. He crinkled his nose. He didn’t see her as someone to want a serious relationship, based on the way she was dressed. He looked at the number in his hand. Whoever twenty nine was had better be worth his time. He probably could have got a lay from someone at the engagement party he’d just left, if that’s all they were here for. The match was supposed to be made based on the profile questionnaire completed by participants. Adrian hoped the matching was done by a computer and not a person. He sighed. He was already becoming cynical and he hadn’t even met her yet. Maybe he should leave now. He could go home and look at his photo books and have a drink.
He looked down the queue again, and someone caught his eye. She was blonde, and she had interesting legs. It was unusual to see legs like that. Women with legs like that often thought they had big legs so they hid them in pants and long dresses, and tried to hide them in bed. She was obviously comfortable with herself, which was good, because legs were legs and Adrian liked women who were the right kind of confident. He looked at the other women, wondering if anyone else stood out. There were some attractive women aged between twenty five and forty there, and they all seemed to be checking out the queue of men. Adrian didn’t need to look at who the men were. They didn’t get a choice about who they were paired with so they weren’t his competition.
“Twenty nine.”
Adrian looked at the ticket in his hand and looked across to the queue of women, wondering who was going to step forward. The women were looking at their tickets but not moving, so Adrian stepped forward. He smiled as the blonde with the solid legs stepped forward. They met in the middle and Adrian put his elbow out to her. She smiled and put her arm through his, “None of the other girls so far got an arm,” she said.
“The rest probably will,” Adrian replied, walking onto the gangway.
“Then maybe I have the only genuine gentleman here. I’m Gwen.”
“I’m Adrian.”
“Pleased to meet you,” she replied, “You have very firm arms.”
“Thanks.”
“I do too,” she said.
Adrian reached his right hand across and squeezed the bicep of Gwen’s arm that was through his. “Do you work out?”
“Not especially, it’s from work mostly, and I do rearrange the furniture in my unit quite a bit.”
Adrian smiled, “Why? Do you have trouble making up your mind or do you like the change?”
“I have too much furniture. I keep picking it up from the side of the road because I hate to see it wasted, but then I have to find somewhere to put it.”
“I’m a bit of minimalist myself. One couch, one bed in each room, nothing that I don’t need.”
“I wish I was that disciplined,” Gwen sa
id.
“If you genuinely don’t need it, you could give it to charity. They even pick it up sometimes if it’s worth it to them. It’s better than throwing it back out on the street.”
“That’s a good idea. I don’t know why they didn’t just do that instead of dumping it on the street in the first place.”
Adrian gave a little laugh and they arrived at the table marked with ‘29’. Adrian released Gwen’s arm and pulled her chair out. “Ever done anything like this before?” he asked as he sat down.
“No, this is my first time.”
“You’re pretty young,” Adrian said, “And pretty and young.”
Gwen smiled, “Thanks, how old do you think I am?”
“Twenty eight,” Adrian replied.
“I am. How can you tell? I’ll be twenty nine next month,” she said.
“I just can. How old do you think I am?”
“Thirty five.”
“I recently turned thirty eight.”
“That’s still young. You’re good looking. Are you divorced?”
“No, never married.”
“Got any kids?”
“No, do you?”
“No, but I have nieces and nephews.”
“I have three nephews,” Adrian said.
“What are their names?”
Adrian smiled. He wasn’t sure if she really wanted an answer or if she was just trying to make conversation. “Joe, Harry and Callum.”
“Harry, like the Prince? You don’t hear of many Harry’s. I have a nephew called Callum too.”
“Harry is short for Harrison, but I don’t think anyone has ever called him Harrison unless he’s in trouble.”
“Yeah, I don’t get called Gwendolyn except by my parents.”
“Gwendolyn is really pretty.”
“Thank you for lying,” Gwen said, “I know it’s a dorky name.”
“No, I mean it. It could be the name of a princess. It’s old fashioned, like Verity,” Adrian said. He sighed. He was a couple of minutes into his first attempt at an actual date and Verity was already on his mind.
“Princess Gwendolyn. I’ve never been likened to a princess before. And Verity is a beautiful old name too. I actually have a sister called Verity.”
“You’re kidding me?”
“No, I have a sister called Verity, one called Melinda, one called Francine, and one called Constance. I’m the youngest. Do you have any sisters?”
“No, I had an older brother, but he died.”
“That’s really sad. So your nephews don’t have a dad?”
Adrian smiled, “Their father is actually my cousin, not my brother, but they call me Uncle, I’m their uncle.”
“So how did your brother die? Unless you don’t want to talk about it.”
“No one has ever asked me that before,” Adrian replied.
Gwen shrugged, “Have you ever told anyone that you had a brother who died?”
“No. Actually I haven’t. I never really thought about it. I always just say I’m an only child. I am, but I wasn’t always. I’m not even sure why I just told you that. He’s been on my mind, I guess.”
“That’s probably why they never asked how he died, because they didn’t know he lived,” Gwen said, “I’ll ask, how did he die?”
Adrian thought that was a valid point. No one had asked because no one knew. “He died when I was nine, he was ten. He got hit by a car and I saw it happen. My brother was born deaf and my dad did the wrong thing. He was right there and he never had any consideration for my brother, or for me. I saw it coming but it was too late, there wasn’t anything I could do. I wanted to run and push him out of the way but there was no time.”
“I’m so sorry, that’s tragic. What was his name?” Gwen asked, studying Adrian’s face.
“Nicholas,” Adrian uttered, “Excuse me.” He stood up from the table and looked around for an exit. He grabbed a waiter by the jacket. “How do I get off the ship?”
“You can’t we’re moving.”
“Can I go out onto the deck?”
“Sure, don’t panic,” the waiter said and gestured Adrian to the exit.
Adrian walked out the door onto the deck. He put his hands on the rail. Nicholas was the reason his parents didn’t love him. Nicholas was the reason he was always alone. Nicholas was the reason he’d never be good enough. Adrian wished he hadn’t come. He was fed up with everything. He wanted Verity back and she was gone. He wanted to be loved but he felt unlovable. He was fucking things up left, right and centre. He looked at the water below and wondered what would happen if he jumped over the edge. Maybe he should go to the end of the boat and get sucked into the engine and it’d be over quicker. A tear ran down his cheek. Two people who made him cry. Verity and his brother Nicholas, and they were both on his mind. He’d talked himself down once from his balcony. He’d considered shooting himself. Maybe this was neater for whoever found his body. He put his foot on the lowest rail.
“Are you smoking?”
Adrian turned around and looked at Gwen. “No.”
“I’m sorry.”
Adrian shook his head and looked back over the edge. “It’s not you, it’s me. I don’t know why I came.”
“You regret meeting me?”
“Not yet,” Adrian said, taking his foot off the rail.
Gwen laughed, “Well, that’s something.”
“I just, I don’t know, Gwendolyn, everything in my life seems so screwed up right now. I shouldn’t be trying to drag another person into that when I currently don’t have my shit together. I normally do, believe me, I’m normally super organised and disciplined and I know what the fuck I’m doing, but right now, for the last little while, everything is fucked up.”
“I know how you feel. I stuffed up at work three times this month, and that’s not like me. I can’t talk to anyone in my family or anything they’ll think I’m useless and I’m so sick of hearing that. I go home alone to my unit, pig out, wish I could actually get horny enough to masturbate, and watch kiss flicks.”
Adrian smiled. “What do you pig out on?”
“Ugh, you’ll think I’m disgusting.”
“No, I won’t, tell me,” Adrian said.
“I pig out on pork.”
Adrian laughed, “Pork? Isn’t that hard to cook?”
“No, I pig out on piggy crisps, you know bacon flavoured biscuits, or pork rinds, or something like that, anything savoury but ideally bacon. Hot bacon if I cook it. Cold bacon if I have it.”
Adrian smiled, “I was expecting ice cream, or chocolate bars, or something.”
“Nah, I’m a beer and bacon girl.”
Adrian smiled, “I’m a beer and bacon guy.”
“So, you don’t think I’m gross?”
“Can you lick your nose?” Adrian asked.
Gwen stuck her tongue out and tried to lick her nose. She shook her head.
Adrian smiled, “I went out with a girl once, and only once, and she could stick her tongue up her nose.”
“That is gross, like all the way up her nose?”
“Enough to bring something out of it on the end of her tongue and eat it.”
Gwen laughed. “Charming.”
“Yeah, no.”
Gwen stood next to Adrian, and put her hand on his back, “So your job is hard?”
“I’m a Detective specialising in sex crimes.”
“That’s awesome. You’re so wonderful for doing that.”
“It’s not as glamorous as it sounds,” Adrian said, “I have to deal with some awful shit.”
“I know what that’s like. My dad is a Police Officer. He worked with the cadaver dogs for a long time.”
Adrian turned to look at her, “So you know what it’s like to have to deal with that shit all day?”
“Yeah, Dad always says it was hard work. He’s proud of all the boys in the Force. He made no secret of what sort of things the Police deal with and he raised us to have a lot of respect for the profession.�
��
“We do some good work,” Adrian said, nodding, “But there are some things that are really hard to deal with, and when you’re no longer proud of the job you do it makes it hard to get up and go there every day.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you about your brother.”
“I know. How could you know? I have a really good friend called Nicholas, too. He’s like a brother to me, or he was, but I’m feeling really pissed at him lately.”
“Did he do something to you?”
“Well, kind of, yeah. He’s six two, got a really handsome face and a thick head of hair, and he’s rich.”
Gwen laughed, “Sounds like the green eyed monster.”
“She’s not a monster, she’s a goddess.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing, that’s a whole other story. Everything is going so fucking well for him and my life is in the shitter. He’s two years younger than me and he’s got everything. I feel like I have fuck all. When his life was fucked, I was happy with that, we could commiserate. I thought I had my life made, I thought I had someone who I would get to keep forever and she’s gone. Now he’s happy and I’m not. He got the woman of his dreams, and I didn’t.”
“This is obviously tough. I know how you feel to a degree. I saw my ex this morning and he was looking really good. I haven’t seen him in years and I looked fat, I’ve put on weight since before, and then to top it off his girlfriend rocks up and she’s got really big tits. And he forgot my name. Despite the fact that we lived together, he forgot my name, and I wished the ground would open up.”
Adrian looked at Gwen looking overboard as she spoke. A thought entered his mind that surprised him, so he thought he’d voice it. “Would you like to have sex right now?”
“Yeah,” she replied.
Adrian gestured his head to a door way marked ‘stairs’. Gwen followed him into the stairwell and they looked around. Gwen stepped up a step and Adrian moved to her. He put his mouth to hers and their tongues collided clumsily. Adrian slid his hand up under her shirt and ran his hand over her breast as they kissed. “They’re not small,” he said. Gwen laughed and kissed him again. Adrian took a condom out of his pocket while Gwen kissed him. “Are you sure about this?”
Running Rings Page 37