Heart & Soul

by Sienna Grant

  Tearing my eyes away from the adorable sight laid out in front of me, I take the fleece throw that I keep over the back of the couch and I gently let it fall over him and wait to see if he wakes up, he doesn’t.

  Leaving the blanket at his waist I step away, his arm that’s underneath his other begins to slide from underneath as he lifts it and places it above his head. My body freezes but his eyelids still don’t open. What I do see makes my breath stutter, my heart skips a beat as I see the black band. The one I gave him before he left. I remember it like it was yesterday. Tears prick at my eyes knowing he kept it all this time, but I’m sure he hasn’t had it on before - I’m sure I would have seen it before now. Still, he’s wearing it. He still has it. Emotion overload clouds my eyes as they fill with water a little more, helping me to come to the decision I’ll ask him in the morning.

  Instead of waking him I turn out the lamp light and pull the door of the living room to a close, grabbing a glass of water and carry on up to bed. I never expected him to be asleep, I expected them both to still be awake and playing on his guitar or on the PlayStation….

  Peeping through Cameron’s bedroom door, I see he’s flat out too, lying on his stomach with the duvet thrown off him. My face pulls into a soft smile as I watch his back gently rise and fall with soft even breaths. Reaching the bed, I pull up the duvet and cover him over then kiss the top of his head, careful not to wake him and walk out pulling the door to. Opting out for a shower, I get changed and go into the en-suite bathroom, brush my teeth and have a quick wash, change my clothes then jump into the coolness of the bed, lying there until the memories take over me and send me into a restful sleep.

  “I’ve got something for you.”

  “Oh yeah. You don’t have to give me anything.”

  “It’s just something small. Silly really but I wanted you to have something to remember me by.”

  “It won’t be forever, Cass, honest.”

  Pulling out the wrapped gift from my back pocket of my jeans I hand it over to him. He rips the paper off and looks at me.

  “A bracelet?”

  “It’s a leather bracelet, it’ll make you look sexy when you’re on stage. All the rock stars have them.”

  “Sexy? You mean I’m not already?” He smirks.

  “You know I think you’re sexy, but it’ll make you look sexier.” He pulls up his t-shirt to uncover his tort stomach and pecs and throws it to the floor.

  “Okay then, a lot sexier,” I laugh.

  “Yeah, you know it.”

  He hovers over me, rubbing his nose against mine before our lips are touching in a heart melting kiss.

  Breaking our contact, I look into his gorgeous dark eyes.

  “Elliott, what if you meet someone else while you’re away?”

  He leans back an inch and frowns.

  “What? That could never happen.”

  His head shakes with a grin.

  “How do you know that? It could.”

  “Nope, I know. There’s only one name that’s etched to my heart and that’s yours. Cassidy Summers owns me.”

  He shrugs not caring what he’s just admitted.

  “You say the sweetest things.”

  I suck my bottom into my mouth to stop it from trembling. He takes the band from the clear packet and rolls it onto his large hand until it’s sitting at his thick tanned wrist.

  “I love you, Cass.

  “Always.”

  Waking up, the sun is streaming in through the light-coloured blinds making the bedroom lighter than what it should. Looking to my left squinting at the green luminous numbers which read six am... my eyes close on a sigh, one from being awake so early but two, at the vivid memory that’s just invaded my dreams. So many conflicting thoughts are running through my mind but the biggest one of all is lying downstairs on my couch. That’s the one that doesn’t leave me no matter what distraction techniques I try.

  Knowing I’m not going to go back to sleep, I throw on my robe and slippers and go downstairs. The door to the front room is still closed so I head straight into the kitchen. The kettle boils so I grab two mugs from the cupboard above and start putting the stuff into the them, my head fuzzy with tiredness.

  Turning with the drinks in hand, I see Elliott walking up the hallway towards me. His hand rubbing over his hair making it mussed up even more and his eyes barely open, just enough to see where he’s going.

  “Morning.”

  He looks at me with a tired smile.

  “Did you sleep okay? I didn’t want to wake you, you looked so peaceful.”

  “Good morning beautiful.” He greets as he nears me making my heart expand a little more, licking his dry lips before kissing my cheek, his hand gripping my hip bone causing a shudder inside me.

  “One of those mine?” nodding, he takes it from me, his sleepy eyes shining.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I sent Cam up to bed when I saw him falling asleep on the armchair.”

  He puts the coffee on the table and pulls out the chair sitting down, so I do the same. Cameron’s room is over the front room, so we won’t wake him talking.

  “It’s fine, don’t worry. I got home about twelve-thirty. I didn’t want to be that late, but you know what they’re like they have to make that last pint last forever it seems.”

  “It’s ok.” His warm palm covers mine over my cup. He removes his hand from mine and places it back on his cup, feeling the loss instantly.

  “I sent Cam up about eleven forty-five. I must have lay down and was gone the minute I got comfy.”

  “So, when I was putting the blanket over you last night I noticed something.”

  “You covered me up?”

  “I did. I didn’t want you to get cold in the night.”

  My hand lies flat on the table as I watch his lips cover the edge of the cup taking a drink. I pick up my mug with the other hand and do the same.

  “You should have woken me up…”

  “Why?”

  “Because with Cameron asleep I may have got a goodnight kiss or at least a snuggle.”

  Our eyes not leaving the other as we stare at one another. “So, what was it?” Elliott questions.

  “Huh?” I’m transfixed by his soft gaze and the way he’s looking at me I almost forget what I wanted to say.

  “Ohhh. That yeah. Well, I noticed a tattoo first of all.”

  Reaching across and pulling his hand towards my side of the table I lay his hand flat. At the juncture of his hand and arm I trace over the words with the tip of my finger and look at him again. His eyes full of something I can’t quite grasp. I decide not to mention the bracelet yet. Right now, isn’t the time or the place especially with Cameron upstairs and could get up at any minute, so I decide to keep quiet.

  “That was probably one of my first tattoos after the three-month tour. The guys were all getting tattoos and asked me to have one. You were constantly on my mind, so I wanted to have something that reminded me of you. Without tattooing your name all over my body that was the next best thing.”

  His hand reaches towards mine as our fingertips touch, his hand inches closer until it’s covering mine. His eyes are searching, delving into my soul, I can’t look away though. I want him so much, but I have to be sure first it’s what he wants. I can’t afford to be wrong, I have our son to think about not just me. His thumb smooths across my knuckles, soothing the mounting emotion that’s building.

  “I’d better go.”

  “You sure you don’t want to see Cam first?”

  His head shakes slightly. “It’s best if I don’t. It might confuse him.”

  Swallowing past that lump that seems to have taken up residence in my throat every time I see Elliott. I just nod in agreement.

  “I’ll just use your bathroom and I’ll be out of your hair.”

  Squeezing my hand beneath his, he pushes out of the chair and stands, tipping the last dregs down the
sink and runs the tap to swill out the mug, leaving it in the empty sink. His hands rest on my shoulders and he kisses the top of my head as he walks past, my eyes dropping to half-mast. I don’t know why but every time he does that, it comforts me, making me feel wanted.

  Placing my elbow on the table and leaning my chin on my hand, I watch him walk away. His arse is looking damn good in those jeans. He goes into the front room and come back out then walk up the stairs not making a sound.

  Standing from the table, I grab my own cup and take it to the sink leaving it with Elliott’s to wash up later. Turning around I see Elliott by the door picking his keys up from the table and his guitar from the floor he waits until I reach him. I let him out.

  “I’ll see you later then.”

  He nods cupping the back of my head and pulls it forward to meet his soft lips as he kisses my forehead.

  “I’ll see you later. Around six maybe?”

  “Yep, that’s good with me.”

  Lifting my hand in a wave as he walks to his car. Closing the door my back rests against it, I let out a contented sigh and head back to the kitchen after watching him leave.

  Standing outside Cameron’s door, I listen for a minute to see if he’s awake, when no sound comes from his bedroom I head into my bedroom. Walking straight into the en-suite I start the shower to warm up while I grab a towel. Turning back to the bed a I catch a glimpse of something white like a note on my pillow.

  Picking it up I read the three words:

  My heart…... Always.

  Turning it over, a photograph of Elliott and I jumps out at me, we’re in his garage with his guitar. With my hand on my heart and my stuttering breaths from my racing heart, I look hard at the picture until it goes blurry from the tears that are clouding my vision. I hold the picture against my chest as my knees go weak and I drop to the bed.

  Whatever Elliott Chase is trying to do…. it’s working! My heart is filling and it’s getting ready to burst.

  Chapter Thirty

  Elliott

  I haven’t heard from Cassidy all day. She’s left me in limbo wondering if she’s found the photo or not, I’m sure she has. I wonder what she’ll think or say?

  “You look deep in thought. Everything good?” Dale strides into the room after a day at work, questioning me as he dumps his briefcase down and slumps onto the couch.

  “Hard day?”

  “Nah not really, just long. So how was Cam last night?”

  “Good.” I nod.

  “How was Cass?”

  “Good.” I nod again.

  “Not on much on talking today?”

  Shaking my head, my thumb and finger pulls at my bottom lip. “I’m thinking.”

  “Dangerous. What about?”

  “About a blonde woman, with a gorgeous arse, great personality, beautiful features, has my kid and how I really want her back. Of course, the child, doesn’t know how much I love his mother and he’s just accepted me as his dad. How the fuck do I make him understand?”

  “I’m taking that you and Cass have talked about this?” He smirks.

  “Not really. I’m on a mission. I’m doing it subtlety.”

  “Subtle? Are we talking about the same Elliott, my brother?” Dale laughs, shaking his head at me.

  “Yes, me. What you mean?”

  “Do you remember how you asked Cass out?”

  “Yeah, that was subtle…”

  “Oh yeah it was you’re right. You serenaded her, pointed at her and said you and I are going out on Friday.”

  “What was wrong with that?” I can feel my forehead pulling into a frown as I ask him.

  “You could have asked her instead of telling her?”

  “Did she go out with me?”

  “Yes. Why I don’t know!”

  “Because I’m charming, I can sing and play a guitar. I think that’s the only reason. Then I blinded her with my charm. I’m not sure it’ll work a second time though.”

  “What? I’ve seen you two together at work and around Cam. I know she still loves you Elliott, you just need her to admit it. As for Cameron, I don’t think you have much to work on there.”

  “You don’t?

  “No,” he shakes his head. “Trust me! I’m off in the shower before my nephew comes.”

  He stands and walks forward, patting me on the shoulder as he goes. “I think you’re doing just fine bro.”

  Smiling, I watch him walk away then run up the stairs. I think that’s the nicest thing he has ever said to me.

  Getting up from the chair, I can’t keep sitting here - I think too much. I look around the room, I know it hasn’t been hoovered for a few days - my Mother would kick my arse if she could see this place. It’s not dirty but what man hoovers every day? Pulling the hoover out of the cupboard I pull the lead out and plug it in. In legendary male style I go around everything until I get to the door and see two pairs of shoes standing in the doorway. I look up slowly, dragging my questioning gaze up the slim pair of jean clad legs standing in front of me, slowly twisting around I switch it off.

  “Ah Elliott, you know you’re giving that man card up…. first washing up, now hoovering? You’ll be in a frilly pinny soon, now that would be one for the family album!”

  Her smiles broadens until it’s stretching across her face.

  “I never claimed to be macho.

  “Really? That isn’t the Elliott I remember…”

  “Is that right?” I smirk. Leaving the hoover on the floor, I step over it and walk towards her until I’m in front of her, her breasts soft against me as I press forward.

  Before I can get any further ideas, Cameron enters walking around us.

  “Hi Dad.”

  Backing away from Cass, Cameron greets me with a hug as he wraps himself around me.

  “Hey Son.”

  Picking him up I lift him high and put him on my shoulders as he grips onto my head with his arms.

  “Why don’t you go and see if your Uncle Dale’s out of the shower but knock first.

  “Okay.”

  Walking him to the stairs I lift him off and place him on the stairs then go back into the living room.

  “So, you think I’ve given up my man card, is that right?” I ask prowling towards her again determined to finish where I left off.

  “Weeelll, not completely. I’m sure there’s still a little bit of that alpha male still there, maybe I’ll have to look a little harder to find it though.”

  She steps forward as we stand toe to toe, her finger resting on my chest, dragging it down my t-shirt.

  “There’s a lot to be said for a domestic man. It’s very sexy.”

  The lids of her eyes drooping as she bites on her lip. I take her hand and move it down, placing it over my hardening dick, getting up close in case Cameron walks in the room unexpectedly. Hers eyes widen on a smirk; a grin also plasters itself to my face.

  “You are a bad, bad girl.”

  Picking up the hoover, I walk past slapping the cheek of her arse with my free hand, her body jumping with a small squeak. Smirking to myself as she rubs her arse.

  “So much for losing my man card. You just wait,” I mumble as I throw a wink at her and put the hoover away.

  She still hasn’t mentioned anything, I’m sure she’s doing this on purpose. Making me go crazy was always her speciality. I palm the keyring in my pocket and wonder how I’m going to put the next stage into action. Maybe I can drop it inside her bag when she’s not looking. Yeah that will work.

  “Are you hungry? “.

  She looks up from her cup at me, her big blue eyes staring at me.

  “Yeah a little and I’m sure Cam is.”

  I get up to stand at the bottom of the stairs. He’s been up there over an hour now, ever since he got here.

  “Dale, Cameron. We’re getting food, want some?”

  Cam comes running to the top of the stairs.

  “W
hat are we having?”

  “What would you like?”

  “Can we go to the chip shop?” His eyes wide open as he asks.

  “Yep, wherever you want. Do you want to come with me?”

  “Yeah.” Shouting back eagerly.

  “Get your shoes on then.”

  I hear him tell Dale he needs to pause the game while he comes with me, making me chuckle.

  “I see Cameron has no issues with getting his feet under the table.” Still chuckling to myself as I tell Cassidy.

  “He couldn’t wait for today. He kept asking if he could stay off school today, so he could come around this morning. He was so excited when he got up.”

  He comes running into the room with his trainers on and grabs hold of my hand.

  “Fish and chips, Cass?” She nods and smiles as we walk out. Cameron swings my arm as we walk to the car, getting in the passenger seat and places his belt over him as I start the engine.

  After waiting in the chip shop for around twenty minutes for fish to be cooked, we finally walk back in the house.

  “About time. I’m starving!” Dale exclaims, probably over exaggerating though. I pass him and Cameron theirs, as they sit on the couch with it on their lap. Cass and I though, do exactly the same thing. We opt for the floor both of us sitting with our backs against the furniture and chip paper in between our spread-out legs.

  “Same old Elliott.”

  “Hey, I remember doing this as our first date.” I smile reminiscing. “Can you remember. She nods smiling back.

  “I can, every part of it.”

  Everything we do takes us back to another time, another place, another era. It’s time we made new memories.

  Dale puts the telly on for Cam, finding the kids channels, putting Pokémon on for him. Once Cameron is engrossed in his cartoon I shove across a little until I’m a little closer. Our fingers linking and resting on the floor between our legs as we eat with our other hand, out of chip paper - the way chips should be eaten.

  When I look at Cam again he’s staring at us. His questioning eyes flitting between us. “Dad?”