by Jessop, K. L
“You alright, babe?” Adam asks, finishing his lunch and retaking my hand in his again.
“He’s such a dick.”
“I know, but unfortunately I can’t choose my family.”
“I’m so glad you didn’t turn out like him.”
“Me too. Just try to ignore him, babe.”
I sigh, collecting my coat as Adam signals to the waitress for our bill before we head out of the restaurant and I go off to meet Mum.
I never liked the way Jamie had always tried to influence Adam into getting into trouble. While family life at his home changed and he had to fight to get attention from his parents, it resulted in him causing trouble throughout the town in order for that attention to be noticed. Only it was the wrong kind he was craving. Jamie—in mine and Adam’s eyes—was his parents’ top priority because the boy had forever had the police at the door.
The morning after the first time he’d got arrested, I’d found him down by the lake, crying; he’d said he wanted to change but didn’t know how. I’d known more than ever that I couldn’t let him go, so I’d taken him by the hand and have held on to him ever since.
“I love you more.”
“I love you forever.”
I smile at his words as he grabs my arse in his hands.
“Now my brightest star, go and be happy.”
3
Adam
I knock on the door and wait, feeling physically sick. My palms are sweaty, and my heart is racing so fast I’m finding it hard to control my breathing. Taking a few deep breaths, I know I need to get my shit together before I speak.
“Adam.” Everly’s dad greets me with a warm smile. “To what do I owe the pleasure? You do know Everly is out shopping with her mother?”
“Dress shopping for New Year’s—yeah I know.”
“And you do know that when Helen and Everly go clothes shopping they are out for more than a couple hours?”
I nod. “Yeah. I wanted to come and see you while they were out for a while. If you’re not busy?”
“Of course not. Come in.”
I enter the house and wipe my shoes on the mat before taking off my coat and scarf. “There’re not that many shops to browse in yet they still manage to spend a day amusing themselves.”
“Christmas sales—say no more,” he jokes. “Helen also has a treat for Everly. She booked a nail appointment for them both ready for New Year’s.”
“Are you and Mrs B still planning on seeing the New Year in in Wales?”
“Yes. As you know we like to go down there as much as we can so this year we thought we’d spend it there. Tea?”
I nod with my reply and follow him into the kitchen, the warmth of the open fire and Mr Braithwaite’s presence settling my nerves. Sitting at the kitchen table, I watch him prepare us both a hot cup of tea.
“So, what brings you here, Adam? You don’t seem your usual self,” he says, bringing the tray of tea and biscuits to the table.
I frown, wondering how I am acting and if he knows something. “I don’t?”
He pinches the material of his trousers at the thighs and sits next to me. “No son you don’t. You know, whatever it is that is on your mind, you can tell me.” He pauses. “I’ve heard of the trouble that was brought to your door over Christmas.”
Shit.
Is that going to change this whole conversation? My nerves start to get the better of me once more. “I know I can talk to you about anything, which is why I’m here but it’s not about my family. It’s Everly.”
His brows rise. “Oh.”
“Mr Braithwaite, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, but for goodness sakes boy, please call me Robert. You’ve been in our lives for years now.”
I nod in response but the nerves that have suddenly hit my stomach take over everything I am planning on saying.
“What was it you wanted to ask me?”
“I… um. I…” I shift in my seat. Shit, this is not starting off well. I sit forward and sip on my tea, wishing it was something stronger. I look at him. “First of all, I just want to thank you for being the man that you are. Both you and Mrs B have allowed me into not only your home but your daughter’s life, and I will be forever thankful for that.”
“You’re a good young man, Adam. Everly is lucky to have found someone like you.”
“I think I’m the lucky one, I will do anything for her. I love her and want to spend my life with her. Which…” Here goes. “Which is why I wanted to come here today and ask you for your daughters’ hand in marriage.”
Jesus, I said it.
Only now I wish I hadn’t when I hear the prolonged silence and see the way he is studying me.
“You want to marry my daughter?”
“I do. Everly is everything to me. I love her very much and this is not something that I’ve thought of lightly. It’s been on my mind for the last year and I am serious in my question, but I respect your decision if you feel it’s too soon.”
Without a word, Mr Braithwaite stands and leaves the kitchen, leaving me sitting on a chair with my heart in my throat and my stomach in knots.
I’ll take that as a no.
Fuck.
Returning a few moments later, he places two crystal glasses on the table along with a bottle of whiskey.
Thank the lord for small mercies.
Once he’s poured us both a shot, he retakes his seat. After another few seconds that feel like a lifetime, he looks at me with a smile. “Adam, it would be wrong of me to say no because you are both adults, not only that, I married Everly’s mother at just eighteen myself. But things were different back in our day, relationships were stronger and marriages lasted forever back then. You understand that, right?”
“Of course.”
“Everly is very special to me—to us—and I’m very proud of the fact she’s kept her feet on the ground and knows where she wants her life to lead. She’s found a perfect gentleman in you and I love watching the two of you together because her smile gets wider and her eyes sparkle with so much love it fills my heart with pride. I can see the strength in your relationship. Therefore, I would be honoured for you to become my son-in-law and take her hand.”
I blow out a breath I never even realised I was holding. “Thank you.”
He sits forward. “You can ask her by all means, but my only suggestion is that you wait until you’re both out of University before you fully make that commitment. Get your qualifications and start your careers before you think of the planning?”
“Yes, sir, absolutely. I had that it mind anyway.” Containing the excitement that is now racing through my body is hard. I want to jump to my feet and run around Keswick screaming at the top of my lungs that I’m about to propose to my high-school sweetheart.
“Do you have a ring?”
“Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first before I got one.”
“Don’t get one. I have her grandmother’s; she wanted Everly to have it, and I know Everly herself adores it. You can have that right after I polish it up for you.”
I know Everly adores her grandmother’s ring: she’s showed me in the past and I know it will be perfect for her. “Thank you so much, Mr—”
“Robert,” he interrupts me.
I smile and nod. “Robert, right. Thank you. I really appreciate it, I truly do.”
“You’re welcome. You are a good man, Adam. There are not many young men in Keswick like yourself these days. I know you will look after my daughter.”
“I will. I promise.”
He takes my hand tightly and shakes it, smiling a smile at me that tells me not only is he happy for us but that says he believes in me. I’ve not told anyone why I’ve come here today. Mr and Mrs Braithwaite are the only two that need to know, and I’m glad it’s gone in my favour. I was right in what I said, I’ve not thought about this lightly, it’s not something that popped into my head when I woke this morning, I’ve been thinking about it constantly for over a
year and it’s been in my thoughts on and off for many years before that. I want my life to be with Everly. Now I just need to ask that very question.
Mr Braithwaite raises his glass and toasts. “To you and Everly.”
4
Everly
“Wow. You look beautiful,” Adam smiles as I enter my living room. It’s New Year’s Eve and we are going to the party in the Social hall, an event that happens every year so the locals can see in the new year with those they love. The only part that will be missing is my parents as they are away for a couple of weeks. I want them to enjoy their much-needed break because they work so hard, but I wish they were here with us too.
“Are you sure it’s not too much?” I ask, running my hands gently down my red cocktail dress as I step into my new black, glitter heels that Adam bought me for Christmas. This year, for the first time, the party came with a black-tie dress code. I’d been thrilled at the idea of wearing a posh dress and all the glam Adam on the other hand had groaned at the thought of having to dress up. He doesn’t do formal wear, which is a shame because, standing across from me in his black tuxedo, he looks fucking spectacular.
“It’s perfect.” He comes in close, handing me a glass of champagne and kissing the corner of my mouth as I inhale his manly scent of Calvin Klein. God, he smells divine. “My lady in red.”
“This lady in red can see herself taking her heels off before the end of the night and walking home barefoot.”
“I’ll carry you.” He takes my hand and twirls me around, so my dress flows out while I try not to spill my drink.
“Not after a couple drinks you won’t. I don’t want to start off the new year with broken bones and a bruised face, thank you.”
He smiles. “Then I’ll take mine off and we can walk barefoot together.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, smiling. “Aww, you’re so adorable.”
“As are you.” He tucks a lose curl behind my ear and looks into my eyes as though he’s seeing me for the first time. That look of wonder, excitement and devilment is there, just like it was when he first looked at me when we were fourteen, only now it’s mixed with desire, love and everything Adam.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I whisper.
“I’m just making memories. And I wanted to thank you.”
“For what?”
“This past week. Giving me a Christmas to remember. Everything you’ve ever done in the time we’ve been together. You’re the sexiest woman in Keswick and you’re mine. I fell in love with you the day I saw you walk into the classroom and I’ve loved you more every day since. You’re like a drug, I can’t get enough.”
“Ditto.” I kiss his lips.
“I want you all to myself. Do we have to go tonight?”
“You might not want to go, but I do so grab our coats and let’s go make more memories.”
He pouts his bottom lip playfully before kissing my forehead. “Okay. Let’s make tonight amazing.”
* * *
My face that was battered by the cold wind on the walk here is now tingling from the warmth of the social hall that’s hit us on entering. Fairy lights illuminate every corner of the room while gold and black helium balloons are the centre pieces for the tables that are covered in white cloths. The atmosphere has the vibe of celebration, joy and what’s yet to come as children dance around in circles and bounce balloons frantically in the air. Butterflies gather in my stomach with happiness and excitement. It’s classic, romantic yet family-oriented, and I think everyone in Keswick is in here as it’s swamped with people laughing, drinking and dancing the night away.
“Impressive.” Adam says, holding my hand at the side of me. We’d taken a little longer to get here because we’d stood for a few minutes, looking up at the stars in the crystal clear night, talking about our Christmas together and how much it meant to him, me, the both of us. I think it was a true eye-opener to him and showed just how little his family think of him and how much my parents do. Not only had Mum and Dad welcomed him with open arms like they always have, they also kitted him out with all the camouflage clothing he would need for wildlife photography.
“This looks beautiful,” I reply to him, not taking my eyes off the people in the room. Everyone is dressed to impress. “Aww, Mr Delaware looks so cute. Don’t you think?”
We look at the frail man holding onto his wooden walking stick like it’s his life support. Fredrick Delaware is one of the oldest men in this town, a war veteran who never goes a day without wearing his medals on his suits and a man who never goes a day without walking the streets of Keswick with a proud smile on his face as he holds his wife’s hand. He reminds me of the B.F.G: grey wispy hair, big ears and wrinkles on his face where each one tells a story.
“For a guy that is heading towards his ninety-sixth birthday he looks damn fine in his tux,” I smile.
“Yeah, and is wife thinks so too with the way she is flicking her skirt at him when she twirls on the dancefloor.”
I laugh when I spot Mrs Delaware trying desperately to gain her husband’s attention. “Do you think we will be like that at their age? Still very much in love and enjoying life?”
“I don’t think, I know.” He kisses my head and squeezes my hand as I picture in my head the two of us old and grey looking at the stars. “Come on, let’s get a drink.”
“Well if it isn’t the cutest couple in the town,” Mrs Collins says, lifting her champagne glass as she greets us when going past. “Happy New year to you both. The next year will be the greatest.”
“You too.” I smile.
“Babe, have we come to the right party? Everyone in here seems to be over the age of sixty. Sure it’s not some spruced up bingo night?”
I chuckle. “We are at the right party; it just makes you realise we are the youngest in the town.”
“No shit.”
“Relax. Petra and the girls are over at the bar and Callum is there too.” Our group of friends from Uni are propping up the bar like it will fall if they depart from it. Petra, who is in my class, is wearing a sexy black dress and her chocolate hair is shiny in loose curls down her back. I envy her hair. I would never look right with dark colouring, but Jesus I want her shine. “Hey guys.”
“Wow, Everly, you look stunning.”
“Thank you. What’s everyone drinking?” I ask, while scanning the menu.
“Drinks are on me. Callum and I are on the cocktails. You want one?”
“Lord, no. I want to wake up tomorrow and start my new year feeling fresh, not like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards. I’ll have a Martini and Adam will have a beer.”
“Jesus, that’s such an old ladies drink,” Petra laughs, and I respond with an eye roll.
Like Adam, I’ve never been much of a drinker either; I don’t like the feeling you get when it makes your arms feel heavy and your head spin. After catching up with our friends and talking about our plans for the coming year, it’s not long before I take Adam’s hand and lead him to the dance floor for the rest of the night. I love to dance. Adam always protests to start with as if it’s not his thing, but what he doesn’t realise is that once he gets moving, the smile never falters from his face. He secretly loves it and it’s proven now as he’s grinning from ear-to-ear.
“Have I told you that you’re the hottest woman in the world?” he says, taking me by the waist and bringing me closer to him, whilst holding my hand as if he’s preparing to do the Waltz.
“You tell me every day but usually I’m the hottest woman in Keswick.”
“Well, I’ve just promoted you.”
“Oh, I’m honoured.”
“You should be, I don’t tell everyone that.”
“I’ll bear that in mind,” I laugh as he twirls me around and around and around before I squeal at him to stop because I’m giddy. “Adam, stoooop!”
He pulls me into his hard chest, fists my hair at the back of my head and kisses my neck in laughter while swaying us from side to s
ide. “I love hearing you laugh.” His soft playful kisses on my neck soon turn to hot, hungry ones on my mouth, his tongue darting inside like he’s waited years to kiss me. All I can focus on is the strength of him holding me against him. My knees are suddenly weak and my body feels like it’s floating. Our hearts beat as if they’re one. This. This right here is everything.
“Jesus, Everly. I could kiss you all night, but I think we should stop. I kinda forgot that we are in public,” he pants, catching his breath. I feel him hard against me. He’s awakened my desires that need to hold off for a while longer.
“Yeah, there are way too many fragile hearts in here tonight. Wouldn’t want any cardiac arrests.”
He grins. “Thank God the music has slowed so I can keep you against me.”
I rest my head on his chest as we sway slowly, and closing my eyes, I let myself slip into a world of peace as his heart beats against my ear.
“What’s up, fuckers?” Our little bubble of contentment is soon dented when we hear Jamie approaching and Adams body tenses against mine. He’s being followed by Mrs Andrew’s who is trying to catch him up.
“Excuse me, sir, it’s formal wear only; you can’t be in here—”
He turns to look at her and I see her cower instantly as though she is afraid. Mrs Andrew’s isn’t an elderly woman but it’s still wrong that he’s making her feel threatened.
“Look it’s New Year’s, and I couldn’t give a fuck what sort of wear it is. I’m dressed—at least that’s something. Now run along and prance around someone else.” The man has no respect; it drives me wild. I feel the tension coming from Adam immediately. He’s trying to contain his anger.
“Take it easy, babe.” I whisper in his ear. “Don’t let him spoil this night,”
“He won’t if he’s gone within thirty seconds.”
I don’t know exactly what was said between the two of them the other day, but I know it was enough to have Adam in outrage when he got to the cabin.
“Hey, Ad’s. Looking good, bro. Never new you scrubbed up so well.”