“In two weeks.”
Damn. I wonder how often I’ll get to talk to her once she’s there. How many guys will she meet? The words shoot out of my mouth before I get chance to think about what I’m saying. “Stay with me for a few days before you leave?”
Her eyes widen. I’m afraid to breathe, afraid she’ll say no. I watch as she bites down on her lip. Please say yes.
“I only got back today.”
I frown. My sense of time must be screwed; it feels like ages since she left. I sigh. “I know, but we didn’t get to spend much time together, and I’d like to see you before you go to uni.”
She twirls her hair around her finger. “There’s no way my dad will be willing to drive me all the way down there.”
There’s a thudding in my chest. She didn’t say no. She wants to see me. “Get a train. I’ll pay your fare. You can sleep in Jo’s room, or mine, and I’ll sleep on the sofa if you want me to.”
She chews on her pink lip. “Will your mum be okay with that?”
Bisley strolls across my keyboard, and plonks himself in front of my screen. He purrs at Pia. I feel like purring at her too. Her lips break into a grin, and her voice rises in pitch as she speaks to Bisley, telling him he’s cute and adorable. I’ve never been jealous of a cat before, but damn, I wish she was as pleased to see me as she is him. I sweep my hand, and knock him off my keyboard. He lands on the floor and stares up at me, looking hurt for a second, then he dips his head and licks his paws.
“Why did you do that?” she asks.
“I don’t want cat hair all over my keyboard,” I lie. “I’m sure I can persuade my mum and anyway, she’s probably sick of my company.”
She runs her fingers through her hair, and my dick gets hard as I imagine her on top of me, my fingers roaming through her long hair.
“Well, I do kind of miss the place. Can I bring Fay with me? She’d love it.”
I shift in my seat. “I’d rather it were just the two of us.”
She’s looking down and I hear the click of her keyboard as she types. A frown line appears between her eyes.
“I’ve just looked it up, it’s a three and a half hour train journey. I don’t fancy making that long a trip alone.”
Oh hell. Both of them, or neither of them, some choice. Mum’s going to be pissed but it’s a no brainer. “Okay, how soon can you get here?”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Trey
I slice the sponge cake and spread strawberry jam over the bottom half before topping it with the whipped cream. I hear the sound of the TV coming from the lounge; Mum must have got out of bed. I switch on the kettle to make her a cup of tea. While the tea brews I mix up some icing and spread it over the cake. I spoon some pink icing into a piping bag and use it to write ‘Happy Birthday Mum’ on my masterpiece. It’s not a work of art. Cake decorating isn’t my thing, and it’s only a small cake because I know Mum will only eat a small slice. Still, it should taste good. I add milk and sugar to her tea, and pop a candle on top of the cake.
Mum is slumped in the armchair; a blanket covers her legs. She’s staring at the TV but I can tell she’s not watching it. I place her tea on a coaster, and kneeling down beside her I light the candle on her cake. I hold it out towards her and sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ She doesn’t look in my direction; she continues staring at the TV. I feel stupid, but I’ve started the song and feel compelled to finish it for some strange reason.
“It would be a happy day if Jowal and your dad were here.” She clutches the blanket.
I let out a sigh. “Blow out the candle Mum, make a wish.”
She tugs at her hair and twists it around her finger. “What’s the point? Wishing won’t bring them back.”
She’s right. Wishing don’t bring shit. If it did I’d have a life and a job, my mum would be better, and my dad would care. I blow out the candle, and cut a small slice of cake. I sit on the arm of her chair. “At least eat some cake.” I hold the slice out to her. She just shakes her head. I flop down on the sofa and shove the cake in my mouth. I chew it but I don’t taste it. Bisley jumps onto my lap, I stroke him behind his ear and he purrs. Listening to his contented purring make me feel a little better. I drum a beat on my knee with my fingers. There’s never going to be a good time to bring this up, so I may as well just come out with it. “Mum, do you remember Pia? The girl I introduced you to at the beach?” She doesn’t answer, just rocks back and forth still gazing at the TV. I suck my bottom lip into my mouth. “Well, she’s going to be staying here for a few days; she’s bringing her friend with her.”
She snaps her head towards me. “I’m not having strangers staying in my house. They can stay at a hotel.”
Bisley sharpens his claws on my sweatpants. He turns around in a circle, and plops down on my lap. I stroke his fur. “She’s not a stranger, you’ve met her, she’s nice. Hotels are expensive, and we have a spare room.”
Mum stands up; her blanket falls to the floor. “They are not sleeping in Jowal’s room. How can you be so heartless?” She’s scowling at me and her hands are fisted.
I stare down at the carpet. “I’m not heartless Mum, but Jo isn’t coming back and they can’t sleep in my room, it’s too small.”
She starts to cry. I close my eyes and squeeze the bridge of my nose. Dammit, I didn’t want to upset her, not today. I lift Bisley off my lap and put him on the sofa. I put my arms around my mum and rub her back. “I’m sorry Mum, but I like her, and once she starts uni I don’t know when I’ll get to see her again.”
She presses her fists against my chest and pushes me away. “I don’t know why you’re bothering, they never stay.” She goes into her bedroom and slams the door. I rest my head in my hands. I feel like a complete shit but I had to tell her. I can’t risk her freaking out because she didn’t know they were coming. I need to see Pia. My life is better when I’m with her.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Trey
The station platform is empty. I glance up at the clock; her train arrives in fifteen minutes. I buy a coffee from the kiosk, and sit cross legged on an empty bench. I look up at the sky, it’s clear blue and not a cloud in sight. The sun feels warm on my skin. It’s a beautiful day. Soon she’ll be here, in my arms, in my home. I let my mind drift off to the day we went to the theme park. She looked so damn cute wearing that cowboy hat, and giving me that cocky smile when she beat me at shooting. I shake my head. I can’t keep the silly grin off my face.
“Hi.”
I blink, pulling myself out of my daydream. A girl who looks about fifteen is gazing at me, smiling. Her cheeks are flushed. Oh hell, she must have thought I was smiling at her. I can’t ignore her so I say hello, then I glance at the clock. In just over five minutes she’ll be here. The platform starts to fill up with school kids on their way home, and people pulling suitcases. I sip my coffee, and flinch as it burns my lip. They always make it too damn hot. I’ll save it, and drink it in the car. I’m putting the lid back on the cup when I feel someone sit down beside me.
“My name’s Becky.”
It’s the fifteen year old. She’s stretches her long legs out in front of her, her skirt is way short. If I had a younger sister I’d kick her ass if she wore something like that. She leans towards me. “What’s your name?”
Ahh shoot. Pia will get the wrong idea if she sees this; she already thinks I have a harem. I look down at my coffee cup. “I’m….waiting for someone,” I tell her, just as I hear the train pulling in. I glance up and see Pia sitting in the carriage right opposite me. She’s looking at me through the window. I see her gaze flick between me and the girl. Dammit. I leap off the bench and stand by the train door, which takes forever to open. When she steps out my eyes rake over her. I’m sure I look like a drooling pervert but I can’t help myself, she looks amazing. Her tight, faded denim skirt rides high on her thighs. The hem of her pink t-shirt ends just under her boobs, and I want to drop to my knees to lick and kiss her bare stomach. I reach down and adjust my
self. She’d be even more beautiful if she had a smile on her face, instead of the glare she’s now giving me. I reach out and tug her long braid. “I like it, it’s cute.”
She links arms with a girl who is standing beside her. “This is Fay,” she says. Fay looks nothing like Pia. She’s about four inches taller; she has black Doc Martin boots on her feet, and way too much black eye make-up. She looks kind of scary. As I reach out to shake her hand she throws herself at me, almost knocking me off my feet. She flings her arms around my neck. She’s wearing some seriously powerful perfume; it makes me catch my breath.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Loverboy,” she whispers in my ear.
“So, are you going to introduce us?” Pia asks.
Fay releases me from her hold, and grabs the handle of her suitcase. I frown; I thought we’d already done the introductions. Pia raises her eyebrows and nods her head towards something over my shoulder. I glance behind me to see the girl still sitting on the bench. I take the suitcase from Pia, and slip my hand in hers. “I’ve no idea who she is, I’ve never met her before.” I head out towards my car, pulling Pia along behind me.
As we walk into the lounge my neighbour gets up from the armchair. I thank her for taking care of my mum; she says Mum has been asleep the whole time. I take their suitcases to my bedroom, and tell Pia she can sleep in my bed. Fay can have the spare room. As Pia bends over to unzip her case her skirt rides up, and I catch a flash of her red panties. The blood instantly leaves my head, and travels straight to my dick. Still bending, Pia turns her head to look at me. “Where will you sleep?”
Tumbleweed rolls around in my brain as my gaze remains fixed on her ass.
“Trey. Hello, is anyone there?”
I swallow a mouthful of saliva. “Erm…Err…” I finally remember how to speak. “On the sofa.” But I’d rather sleep with you.
Fay clambers over my books, and tries to open the door of my closet. It only opens halfway before it hits the end of my bed. “You need a bigger room Loverboy, or you need to collect less crap,” she says.
I pick up my books and pile them on my desk. “Books aren’t crap, don’t you ever read?”
“Only if I’m forced to.” She roots around in my closet. “You’ve got a boring dress sense. Do you ever wear anything besides black and white?”
I glare at the back of her head. “Feel free to come in my house and insult me why don’t you.”
“Lay off him, Fay.”
I turn to glance at Pia just as she bends over again. I grit my teeth, but I can’t stop the growl that comes out of my mouth. Pia and Fay both turn to look at me. I place my hands over my junk. Fay giggles. “You’d better straighten up, Pia, before Loverboy takes you from behind across the bed.”
Shit. I feel my face burning up. I turn to leave my room; Fay is still laughing at me. I hear Pia call out. “Where are you going Trey?”
“To shove a bag of ice on my nuts,” I mutter, as I head for the kitchen.
I feel her soft hand on my shoulder. She moves to stand in front of me. She’s smiling, and her eyes are sparkling. She slowly strokes her hands over my biceps, and I shiver. “Don’t take Fay seriously, she loves to tease.” She slides her arms around my neck, and presses her body against mine. My dick throbs.
“Not helping Pee Aitch, not helping.”
She licks her glossy, pink lips and places her hand over the bulge in my jeans. I can feel the heat from her palm, and if she don’t stop I’m going to take her right now on the sofa. The corners of her eyes crease up as she grins at me. “Ooops, sorry.”
I watch open mouthed as she heads back to my bedroom, her cute ass sashaying. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to keep my hands off her.
As I’m willing my dick to go down, and seriously considering raiding the ice box, Mum’s bedroom door opens. She pokes her head around the door. I lose my erection as I catch the glare she gives Pia and Fay. I hear them say in unison, “Hello Mrs Baker.”
Mum ignores them. She folds her arms across her chest as she walks into the lounge towards me. She stops inches from me, her eyebrows are creased together. “Where are they going to be sleeping? They’re not sleeping in Jowan’s room.”
Pia and Fay are standing in the doorway of my bedroom, watching us. I look down at Mum, and speak quietly. “My bed isn’t big enough for both of them.”
I flinch as Mum shouts, “That’s not my problem, I didn’t invite them.”
My cheeks burn as I glance towards my room. Pia is chewing on her thumbnail. They both go into my room and close the door. I grit my teeth. Mum has made me look like a bloody fool. “He’s gone. You can’t keep the room as a shrine forever; it’s not going to bring him back.”
Mum screws her face up. “I hate you.” She storms into her bedroom and slams the door.
I look down at the carpet and sigh. I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I open my bedroom door. Pia and Fay are sitting on my bed, and they both glance up at me. I stare at my wrist, and fiddle with my bracelets. “Do you guys want something to eat? I can fix us some snacks, and we can watch a movie or something.” I chew on my lip as I wait for them to answer.
“Are you sure it’s okay for us to stay here?” Fay asks.
I force myself to look at her, hoping my face doesn’t look as embarrassed as I feel. “Yeah, she’ll get over it.” I don’t think she will but I want them to stay. Fay raises her eyebrows; I don’t think she believes me.
Pia stops biting her nail. “Perhaps we should go out, give your mum time to cool down,” she says.
Fay stands up. “Good idea. Let’s go hang out at the beach.”
My shoulders sag. “I can’t. I need to stay here, she might do something stupid.”
Fay links her arm through Pia’s and tugs her up off my bed. “Come on then Pia, you can show me the beach, and introduce me to some local talent.”
Talent? I grit my teeth and gaze at Pia. She looks from Fay to me, and shrugs. “Maybe it would be a good idea to give your mum some breathing space.”
No. Please stay. I open my mouth, then close it again. “Okay, have fun.”
I pull a beer out of the refrigerator as I hear the front door close. I crack it open and take a long swig. I managed to persuade her to come down here all the way from London, and yet I’m still spending the evening alone. My life is so messed up it isn’t funny. I finish up my beer and crush the can in my fist. I head to my bedroom, and grab my tatty sweatpants from the drawer. I may as well be comfortable; I can get changed before they come back. I tug off my t-shirt and toss it into the laundry basket. As I spread out on the sofa, Bisley jumps onto my bare chest and butts my chin with his head. I close my eyes and listen to him purr. Images of Pia in her tiny bikini flip through my mind, and I get hard as I imagine her body wet with sea water. Did she bring the bikini with her this time? Is she wearing it now? My eyes spring open, and I jump off the sofa. Bisley meows in protest as he lands on the floor. I pick up my phone and lie on my bedroom floor to get a signal, then I text Ash.
Where you at?
A few seconds later I get a reply.
At the beach.
Fuck. I pick my jeans up off the floor, and am about to pull them on when I hear a tap at the door. Sighing, I open the door to find Pia standing there but I can’t see Fay. I frown. “Is something wrong?”
She gazes up at me, and smiles. “No. We met up with Ash and the others. I figured Fay will be fine with them, so I’ve come back to keep you company.”
I can’t keep the stupid grin off my face. She wants to be with me. My heart beats harder as I notice her glancing at my bare chest. Then my gaze falls to my shabby sweatpants. Shit. I look like a bloody tramp. I rub my hand down my leg. “I was going to…”
She runs her finger down my chest between my pecs, I shiver, and forget what I was about to say.
“We can watch that movie if you want,” she says, not taking her eyes off my chest. All I can manage to do is nod my head. As she squeezes past me I realise
I’ve been blocking the door. She has her back to me and is looking through the DVD’s that I have on a shelf. Her hair almost reaches her butt. It looks shiny and soft, and I want to run my fingers through it. She looks over her shoulder at me. “Are you going to close the door?”
I snap out of my trance and kick the door closed. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m behaving like some love struck virgin. She turns back to the DVD’s. “Why don’t you get us some beers and snacks while I choose a movie.”
I grab a bag of tortilla chips from the cupboard, and some sour cream dip from the refrigerator. I also put a bag of butter popcorn in the microwave because you can’t watch a movie without popcorn. When I return with the snacks and beer, Pia has kicked off her shoes and is curled up at the corner of the sofa, surrounded by cushions. I roll my eyes, another cushion lover, but she looks cute. She nods towards the TV. “I thought we could watch Overboard. I’ve seen it before but it’s funny.”
I toss some of the cushions onto the floor and sit down next to her. “Sure. I’ll watch whatever you want.” I’d rather look at you anyway. I gaze down at her bare feet; they’re tiny compared to my size twelves. Her toenails are painted in a light pink, which probably has some special name like bubblegum pink or something. I lift her feet and place them on my lap as she hits the play button on the TV remote. Her feet look soft, not ugly like mine. I stroke my finger lightly across the sole of her foot, she gasps and tries to jerk her foot away from me, but I grasp her ankle and hold it in place.
“Are you ticklish Pee Aitch?” I ask, as I run my fingernails across the top of her foot and toes. She giggles, and I feel her body tense. She lunges for my wrist, and tries to wrestle my hand away from her foot. I bust up laughing at her feeble attempt, and tickle her some more.
“Ugh, will you stop that?” she says between giggles. “Let’s see if you’re ticklish.” Her hands land just under my ribs; she digs her fingers into me. It’s painful rather than ticklish.
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