Heart & Soul

by Sienna Grant

  “Daaad, you’re squashing me.”

  “I got a job for you later.” I whisper.

  His head snaps to mine. “What?” he asks eagerly.

  “Want to help wash the car?”

  “Yeaahhh.”

  “After breakfast then and we’ll do it.”

  “Okay.”

  He focuses back on the telly again as Dale brings me a cuppa in. I take it from him after pulling myself up to an upright position.

  “So, what did you two do last night?”

  “We played a board game annnnd we played FIFA.”

  “Did you beat Uncle Dale?”

  “Yeah he did!” Dale whines frowning. “I’m usually good.”

  “I’m not the only one who’s rubbish then.

  “Oh no. He’s better than you Dad.”

  My eyes widen with apparent shock and Dale bursts out laughing at Cam’s innocent but scathing remark.

  “Thanks.”

  “Right then Cameron,” Dale says still laughing, “shall we get Dad cooking breakfast ooor, do you want to go out for breakfast?”

  “Can we go out?”

  “I opt for cafe, saves me cooking.” I clap my hands to get Cam moving.

  “Right then, up you get. Let’s get this put away and us dressed and we’ll go and grab something.”

  Cameron jumps up and runs back upstairs. Within record time he’s dressed and back downstairs before I’ve finished my drink.

  “Cam? You have had a wash and brushed your teeth, yeah?” Looking sheepish, he nods.

  “You haven’t have you?”

  My raised eyebrows at his guilty face answers my question, “go on back upstairs and do it. I’ll be waiting for an inspection when you come out.”

  Huffing, he wanders back up the stairs, I listen out until I hear the door shut and the lock turn. He can’t outdo me I was the master of doing things like that when I was a kid.

  “Chip of the old block, huh?”

  Giving Dale the evil eye, he laughs and goes into the kitchen while my head shakes in disbelief at just how much he really is like me.

  Once breakfast is done and we’re back home I start filling two buckets of soapy water and take them outside to the car while Cameron brings out the sponges.

  “You do the bottom and I’ll do the roof and stuff, okay?”

  Nodding, he dunks the sponge into the water and starts his job while I do the same. Once my side is done, I dip the sponge again in the water creeping around the car.

  “Cam, here.”

  He looks but can’t see me, I can see everything from my crouching position at the front. Walking towards me, I jump out on him covering him with the suds from the soap on the sponge. Dale laughs from the front door but calls him over. I go around making sure he hasn’t missed anything and do both windscreens when water hits my back.

  “Oh shit! That’s cold.”

  Spinning around Dale and Cameron have the hose and it’s pointed right at me. The water hits me smack bang in the face and my chest soaking me from head to foot. I try to open my eyes; the water is dripping from my hair into them and my t-shirt is sticking to me like a second skin. Shaking off some of the water, dithering, I turn back around and pick up one of the buckets and walking closer to them. Cameron runs away from Dale, so I go after him first.

  “You ready?”

  “You gotta catch me first.” He laughs. He goes one way, I’m mimicking his moves to stop him, but once he’s grounded to the spot still wondering which way to go, I attack. Throwing the whole contents of the bucket right at him, he moves just as most of it hits him, covering him from head to toe at the front soaking him too. He giggles but jumps up and down because it’s cold.

  “You’re lucky that waters warmer, I had the hose, buster.”

  “Yeah, but it was funny seeing you scream like a big girl…”

  “Oh, was it? I’m glad you enjoyed it.” I chuckle. “Come on get this soap rinsed off the car, then we can get changed and get you home.”

  Wiping the droplets of water from the face of my watch I see it’s almost four now.

  “Oh, do I have to go home?” Cameron grumbles.

  “I’m afraid so and anyway your nan will be coming to pick you up.”

  “Ugh, but it’s boring. Can’t I stay here again?”

  “Not tonight bud. I have to work and Dales going out tonight.”

  I don’t have to work, and I hate lying to him, but Cassidy will kill me if I break his routine, plus I need to spend some time with Cass tonight.

  “Another night you can.” I ruffle his hair then grab the other full bucket while Cam grabs the empty one.

  “Let’s get Dale, yeah?”

  He nods excitedly trying to stifle a laugh. Walking towards the front of the house Cameron calls for Dale to come outside. With the bucket behind me, he walks out and around the side where he’s gone to hide. As soon as he’s away from the open door I throw the water at him getting him square in the face.

  “Gotcha!”

  Cameron laughs loudly until he’s holding his side with stitch for laughing so much.

  “I should have seen that coming.”

  Tapping him on the back of his wet t-shirt I just wink at him with a smirk, walking on past him into the house.

  An hour later once we’re changed again, I’m pulling up outside Cassidy’s. Cameron jumps out of the car as soon as I’ve cut the engine and runs towards the door, straight into the house. A car I don’t recognise is sat at the kerb. Walking past, I look at the white Mercedes S class, fifty-seven plate wondering whose it is. I walk straight in just tapping the door as I walk through it and into the front room. Sitting on the couch looking towards the doorway with the normal scowl on her face is Cassidy’s Mother. The She-Devil herself.

  “Mrs. Summers. What a nice surprise.” I grin.

  “Still around then. So, how are you going to break my daughter’s heart this time?” She fires back.

  “If it hadn’t have been for you I wouldn’t have left that day. I have a second chance to fix that... can you turn back the clock and not deceive your daughter? I don’t think you can.” I smugly tell her.

  “Okay guys that’s enough.” Cass says from the other side of the room, with a smug look on my face and an even deeper scowl on hers, Cameron runs into the room.

  “Mum, guess what? We went for breakfast this morning at the café, we washed Dads car and then we had a water fight!”

  Cassidy can’t get a word in edgeways as he shouts everything out without taking a breath.

  ‘Mature.’ Cassidy’s Mother whines out. My eyes stare daggers at her. Cass doesn’t hear it, or she chooses to ignore her...

  “Wow. Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “Yeah and Dad said I can stay another night.”

  “That’s great.” She hugs him and touches his wet hair. “Get a towel, rub your hair up again and change your clothes so you can go with your nan.”

  I smile at him as he runs towards the stairs shouting ‘alright’ as he gets to the top. I sit back in the chair, relaxing.

  “I’ll go make you a drink.”

  I point a smile at Cass as the enemy narrows her eyes at me and Cass walks out. Knowing it really pisses her off I smirk and wink at her.

  “It hasn’t taken you long to get your feet under the table has it?”

  “I don’t know what you mean. They’re my family and no one will come between us again. I won’t let them. So, have at it and try again because it won't work.”

  “Really. Well maybe when she’s realised what a waste of space you really are then I won’t need to say anything. I told you ten years ago, you aren’t good enough. You weren’t then and you’re not now, even more so as a failed rock star. Pfft, rock star…”

  Instead of replying to the evil bitch, I let her have her moment and let her degrade and mock me because I know who’ll come out on top.

  “If I have anyt
hing to do with this Cassidy will have the sense to send you packing before anything even starts between you. I intend to make sure of that.”

  “Wow. Is that a threat?”

  “It’s a promise. Your Mother isn’t here to save you anymore Elliott…”

  My foot taps wildly on the floor as my knee bounces, the feeling in my stomach making it churn. I feel my nostrils flare as my mother’s name is mentioned… I’ve never hated a person more than that nasty bitch.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Cassidy

  Elliott and mum’s voices are filtering through the doorway but from the kitchen they’re muffled. I stir the spoon in Elliott’s cup and walk down the hallway as quiet as I can until I can hear their voices more clearly. I really wasn’t looking forward to this day of those two being in the same room again especially after everything, but it’s happened - only because Mum was early. My hand smacks against my forehead and I close my eyes. Mum speaks up again, I hear my name mentioned. I leave it another couple of minutes until I hear her threaten him. My patience are starting to wear thin with her and I’ve just about had enough. She speaks up again but this time mentioning Elliott’s Mum. That’s the last straw.

  With the cup of coffee in one hand, I try not to charge into the room all guns blazing because I don’t want to spill any. Seeing the small nest of tables I put the mug down.

  “I want you to leave now.”

  Straightening up, I spin around and glare at my mother, her face a picture at being caught. Cutting my gaze from hers to the stairs I shout up to Cameron to hurry up because they need to go, when he doesn’t answer I shout again. “Cameron.”

  “Cassidy, look…”

  Looking at her with what must be total disgust I fire back. “Don’t Mother, because you’ve overstepped the bloody mark.” Waiting at the bottom of the stairs with his overnight bag, he bounds down the stairs.

  “You’ve got the wrong end of the stick sweetheart.”

  “How?! You brought Elliott’s Mum into this and you had no reason to. I’ve let you go on and on about Elliott and me, we haven’t even made any kind of arrangements or know what we’re doing yet, but we will. I love him.” I add on a whisper. I don’t want Cameron to hear us.

  From the corner of my eye I see Elliott stand and walk past me and straight to our son. His lips are tight together as he passes in a grimace rather than any kind of smile.

  “Come on bud, let your Mum and Nan talk for five minutes and we’ll wait outside by the car.”

  He follows his Dad out of the door, looking back over his shoulder at us. I smile to ease him, but he knows we’re arguing. Once the door shuts I go on the attack.

  “How dare you. What right do you think you have sticking your nose into my business? Was ruining my life the first time not enough for you so you thought you’d try again.”

  “You ruined your own life by getting pregnant.”

  My eyes widen, and my mouth gapes open with shock.

  “You really are a nasty piece of work aren’t you. That’s your grandson you’re talking about….”

  “I didn’t mean it like how it sounded. You’re putting words into my mouth now.”

  “I doubt that, I could never be as nasty as you! You are so lucky Cam is here right now and just outside because it’ll stop me from telling you what I really think about you. But I will say this this, you haven’t got a patch on Elliott’s Mum, at least she cared about us both. Whatever Elliott has done in the past is in the past and I know without a doubt if it wasn’t for you spreading your hate and vileness like a disease, he would have stuck around, and things would have been so different now.”

  Taking a deep breath in through my nose, I blow it out slowly trying to calm myself.

  “I want you to leave, and because I have work and I have no other babysitter and the fact that Cameron already thinks he’s coming to yours, I can’t say no. He can come but I’m done with you. You can have your relationship with your grandson but for now that’s it as far as it goes. I can’t even look at you, you actually make me sick. Whatever happens now between Elliott, Cameron and I is our choice and you’re not involved.”

  My anger is palpable, I’m absolutely raging. My hands are shaking, and my heart is racing as it pounds against my chest. She looks at me in disbelief as if I’m just going to let this go. No chance she’s gotten away with far too much up to now. I’m not letting it happen anymore.

  “Cassidy, will you let me speak please.”

  “Nope, you’ve said enough. Now your grandson is waiting for you.”

  “There’s no talking to you when you’re in this mood is there? I’ll be off then.”

  “Arrrghh!”

  My hands scrub over my face rubbing my eyes.

  “Are you kidding me? Just GO.”

  With a sigh she leans on the handle to open it and walks out telling Cameron to come on stopping his and Elliott’s play fight on the small patch of grass outside the house.

  “Go on dude, I’ll try and get to see you tomorrow once you’re back home.”

  “K, bye Dad.”

  My heart warms to see them together and how quickly they’ve become friends. I never would’ve bet on how this could have worked out. Cameron walks over to me as she gets in the car. He throws his arms around my waist and rests his cheek against me.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?” He nods but doesn’t look up or answer.

  “Cam? You okay sweetheart?” He looks at me with big eyes that resemble Elliott’s,

  He nods. “Are you upset Mum?”

  “A little sweetheart. Nothing for you to worry about... just adult stuff. Us adults are silly sometimes.”

  Bending down I place a gentle kiss to his head pressing my lips against him as he hugs me tighter. He runs off to the car, turning to wave before getting in.

  Elliott stands beside me with his hands in his pockets as we watch her pull away. I wish I could’ve said don’t bother having him or I don’t want you to have him, but it would have opened up a whole new hornet’s nest. I would have had to explain to Cameron what was going on, I’m going to have to put his mind at rest now but he’s pretty resilient, he tends to shake stuff off. Elliott’s slips his arm around my waist as the car turns the corner.

  “Come on, let’s go inside.”

  He walks in before me and sits down. Stopping at the living room door, I rest my back against the doorframe tilting my head back and closing my eyes.

  “Open your eyes...”

  They flicker open slowly, Elliott is standing right in front of me.

  “Come with me.”

  Taking me by the hand he pulls me towards the couch and we sit down. He holds his arm open and I fall into him, snuggling my cheek against him.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Raising my eyes up to look in his.

  “I’m thinking my Mother is a nasty, vindictive cow. I don’t know how I didn’t see it all those years ago.”

  “Hey that’s the past, let’s leave it there.”

  “I’m so sorry for what she said.”

  My head lifts to chance a look as his chest rises and falls with a heavy sigh before speaking. He shrugs.

  “Maybe she was right, who knows. My mother always stuck up for me, no matter what, everyone knows that. I could’ve murdered someone, and she still would have seen the good in me.”

  “It doesn’t make it right though Ell, she had no right to mention her. The woman’s gone for god sake, she could have more respect.”

  “It’s me, she doesn’t care for. Maybe she’s right about me. You are too good for me…”

  Springing up from my comfortable position I face him. I’m not letting that cow get inside his head and start knocking him down. Leaning up on my knees, I shuffle across and throw one leg over his until I’m straddling him.

  “Listen to me Elliott Chase.”

  Using my hands, I take him by the cheeks and tilt his head b
ack to look at me.

  “I’ve known you since I was fifteen years old and not once have I ever seen your confidence rocked and you’re not going to start now, not because of her.”

  Our gazes meet, desire and fire in his as he stares at me, a yearning starting in my tummy, a craving that has never settled. He wants me back and I don’t think I can deny him anymore. The soft touches here and there, the little kisses, they make me crazy for him, but I don’t want to admit that to him like this, a quickie on the couch. Twice we’ve had sex now since he’s been back and both times have been quickies. Leaning in, our lips touch but this time a tingle travels down my spine creating goose bumps all over my body. My body shivering with a small shudder, I go to move off him, but he stops me with his hands on my thighs.

  “Where you going?” Pulling me closer, his lips kissing my neck.

  “Not like this Elliott.”

  “Ah Cass. You’re going to make me go out with a raging hard on? Really.”

  His eyes wide making me snigger as he takes my hand and uses it to cup his dick.

  “I’m sorry, I want to, but since you’ve came back it’s just been quickies just confusing us even more. I want no more confusion between us but the next time we have sex I want us to be a couple.”

  “So, what’re you saying? Are you saying you want us to get back together?”

  “What do you think?” I smile.

  “That’s what it sounds like to me, but what about Cameron?”

  “We can talk to him together if you like?”

  “If I like?”

  A huge grin from ear to ear pulls at his lips making me smile.

  “Lift up?”

  He shuffles to the edge of the seat; his hands covering my bum and stands with me in his arms.

  “You Cassidy Summers are the love of my life. I don’t need or want anyone else... only you and if I can’t have you then I’ll become a sad grumpy old man with five dogs to keep me company, cause no one else makes me feel like you do. You’re everything but you know the main thing…. you gave me my boy. So, to say I’m happy is a fucking understatement!”