“Sorry. I’m not laughing at you, I promise. I’m just laughing at the idea of me and Amy. I’m one hundred percent definitely not with her, Luce. Bloody hell, even if we weren’t related I don’t have a death wish. She’s absolutely lethal, and she’s my cousin.”
“Oh…” Well now I feel like a right tool. In my defence though, how the hell was I supposed to know that? I guess it kind of explains why they looked pretty close, but surely anyone who doesn’t know them both personally is bound to think that they’re an item. They look like a flaming good item, but I guess most of that is down to the good genes that have been passed down to them both.
“You know you’re not the first to think it though,” Jake says after a while. Since his little confession and my shocking outburst, I’ve been stunned into silence. When I still don’t say anything, he continues. “I guess I’m just used to it and maybe I should have picked up on it and said something last night, but to be honest it never really crossed my mind.” I think we just see past it. We’re the same age and we grew up together. Plus, our mam’s are twins and they’ve always. I think our closeness was passed down to us. But no, if you’re wondering, I’m definitely single.”
“That’s good… I guess… I mean…” I can’t help stumbling with my words and I know that I’m looking more and more stupid by the second. “Well, if you’re out here all summer at least you won’t have anyone to miss while you’re out here, will you? No nagging/needy girlfriends.” I know as I say the words that I would most likely end up being a nagging/needy girlfriend and he’d just end up growing to hate me for it.
“Aye, that’s true. But what if I do miss someone? What if I miss you?”
“Don’t be daft…” I start. Are these words that I am hearing actually real or has my frazzled brain suddenly switched to an only hear what you want to hear Lucy filter?
“Who said anything about being daft?” Jake nudges his shoulder slightly against mine and I’m forced to look at him. “Ever since the other night I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I can’t get you out of my head and no matter what I try to do to shift it, the image of you just won’t budge. Talk about leaving a first impression.”
What the hell am I supposed to say to that? It’s everything that I have wanted to hear from him, but now when I need them to, my mouth and mind don’t want to function properly.
“Look, all I’m saying is that I’d really like the chance to get to know you a little better. What do you say?”
“Erm…” I pause for a moment, before continuing, “I think that sounds like a really good idea. I’d really like to get to know you a little better too.” I watch, surprised as his whole face lights up and a megawatt smile dances on his lips. Oh, he looks amazing. His cute little dimple is on display and he looks so carefree. “Way to go Lucy. You sound and most probably look like a complete dork.” I think to myself. But on the other hand, I can’t deny the feeling good knowing that it was little old me who has him smiling like that.
“Are you working tonight?” Jake asks.
“Yeah, as always. It never ends, you know.” I warn him, but he doesn’t seem phased at all. I’ll give him a week until he cracks.
“Aye, but just think how much more fun it will be with me around. You’ll never experience entertainment like it again.” He smiles and throws me a wink and I suddenly go all funny on the inside again.
“Oh, are you working too?” I mentally pray that he says yes as I’m not quite ready to let him disappear just yet. I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but I really can’t get enough of the way I feel when I’m around him.
“Aye, like you said, it never ends right? I’m gonna have to see if the guys will let me hire out an apartment for the rest of the summer, otherwise it looks like I’ll be living it up at the beach.”
“Will you be okay to afford one on your own?” I ask and instantly want to slap myself. His financial situation has absolutely nothing to do with me. Once again, it’s like I’ve got no filter whatsoever when I’m around him. “Oh my god.” I shout out. “I’m so sorry, I know it’s got nothing to do with me, but rent out here really isn’t that cheap, what with the money that we’re on, especially when you deduct the cost of living.”
“Oh yeah? If I didn’t know any better Luce, I’d say you were offering me a place over at yours.”
“Erm…” I stutter, unsure what I should say. Does he really think that’s what I was secretly implying? Hoping he’s just pulling my leg, I rush out “No, no. That’s not what I was asking, plus I’ve got a pretty strong suspicion that I’d be known as the world’s biggest hypocrite after my showdown with Fran this morning.”
“Nah, chill out. I’m just messing with you, but I love seeing how easily embarrassed you get around me. You look pretty cute.”
“Piss off.” I laugh while I playfully push him to the side, happy that things didn’t just get awkward between us. It feels really good to be around him. The more time that I spend with him, the more I seem to like him.
“Seriously though, I think I’ll manage. I’ve got some savings wasting time in the bank, so I can always dip into them if I need to.”
“How long have you been out here for?”
I slowly pull my eyes away from the kaftan that’s caught my attention and focus my gaze on Jake. We’ve been browsing all the little boutiques and gift shops on the strip for a couple of hours and this is the first thing that has really jumped out at me, screaming at me to buy it and give it a new, loving home. Since I’ve been out here, I’ve found that these little beauties are amazing to stock up on for my summer wardrobe without making too much of an indent in my purse.
“A few months now and I really don’t want to go home just yet. I wish I could stay our here indefinitely.”
“You and me both.”
“So did you originally come out here on holiday then?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Aye. I flew out to see Liam originally. He works…”
“…At Poison?” I cut him off, knowing exactly what he was going to say. Bloody hell, now I’m finishing off his sentences.
“Yeah.” He laughs. “I’ve grown up with him so I thought, sod it, why not stay out here with him for the summer. And then when I met you the other night I guess it kind of sealed the deal for me.”
“Wow, I guess I should take that as a compliment, then?” Inside, my heart is going wild in my chest, frantically beating against my ribcage. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. After making an absolute arse out of myself, here he is, stood in front of me, telling me everything that I have wanted and thought I would never hear from him. It’s unreal. He’s still here, and he’s actually making the effort to spend time with me.
Please tell me that I am not dreaming and this is actually happening.
Without either one of us mentioning it, we soon find ourselves outside on the terrace of McDougal’s. My absolute favourite place on the whole Island. No matter what my mood, this place really cheers me up, no end.
“What do you fancy?”
“Mmm?” My mind’s all over the place, causing me to be completely lost in thought which leads me to miss what he’s just said.
“What do you fancy?” He laughs. “Food, drink or both?”
“Oh, erm… I’ll have a cheese and ham toastie and ask Roger to stick some crisps on the side. He knows which ones I like.”
“Roger?”
“Yeah, he does the lunchtime rush and his toasties are amazing. Get one and try it for yourself. I promise you will not be disappointed.”
“Looks like I’ll have to take your word for it. I’m a growing lad and I’m gonna need something a little more filling than that, like.”
I watch him as he retreats towards the bar to order our food and his back muscles protrude through the thin material of his t-shirt and he looks utterly breath-taking. I’d love to know what they’d feel like against my touch, as my fingers gently trace the outline. I take in a long, deep breath as I
try to compose myself. No one has ever had this effect on me. No one. It’s all too foreign to me and I can’t help but feel lost.
When I actually stop to think about it, it’s all pretty scary. If I’m feeling this way about him now, I dread to think how I’ll feel in a few weeks, even months and when it’s time to head back home. Jesus, scarp that. It really isn’t worth thinking about. I’ll be an absolute wreck, that’s for sure.
I look over to my right and spot Jose messing around inside the DJ booth, most likely setting up some background music for the guests to enjoy while they eat. Tall, tanned, well built and full of charm, he’s probably the sole reason why most girls travel back home completely heartbroken.
Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really nice guy, but he doesn’t exactly waste any time when it comes to moving on to his next lady of choice. I’ve witnessed it first hand and my little shoulders have soaked up plenty of undeserved tears.
“Hola, Lucy.” He shouts over the speakers as soon as he catches me watching him from afar and a megawatt smile creeps onto his face. I wave my hand in return and smile back at him, and I can’t help but laugh as he dramatically blows me a kiss. Like I said, bloody full of charm, this one.
“Looks like someone’s got an admirer.”
The sound of Jake’s voice startles me. I didn’t even hear him arrive back at the table. If he carries on the way he’s going, I’ll end up being carted off in an ambulance after he’s given me a heart attack.
Finally plucking up enough courage to look at him, I see that he’s already seated and I haven’t got the foggiest as to how long he’s been watching me. “Who, Jose? Nah, been there, done that.” I laugh and his eyebrows shoot up, almost touching his hairline.
“Oh right. Well, I guess there’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition.”
“What?” Oh shit. I suddenly realise how that must have sounded to him, but It came out so, so, wrong. “Oh god no, not like that. He tried it on when I first arrived here, like he does with every other girl and I declined his very forward advances. Plus, he’s not really my type.”
Fran on the other hand demolished him on the first night and I hardly saw her. They hit it off for a few weeks, but then it kind of fizzled out. Obviously they’re both as bad as each other and get bored pretty quickly. Both of them love nothing more than to sample the latest talent that rocks up every week or two. I really don’t know how either of them do it.
“What is your type, Luce?”
Oh the sound of my name on his lips makes me feel all dreamy and causes me to go dizzy. It’s such an abrupt and personal question that I struggle to answer him. However, on the inside, I’m screaming, “You, bloody you, goddamit.”
“I don’t know. I’m not really that sure if I actually have a type. Not a particular one anyway. What about you?” I instantly regret asking the question as soon as the words leave my mouth, but I really need to move the focus away from me for a little while. I can’t lie to him and what with me blushing every five bloody minutes, it keeps giving me away.
“Fun, easy going and not afraid to take the piss out of herself. I love a girl who knows what she wants, even though she tries to hide it at all costs behind her beautiful and perfect features.”
“Wow. That’s pretty deep Jake.” I laugh nervously, while automatically pulling my arms up and wrapping them around my body.
“You cold?” The concern on his face causes me to go a little dizzy as the blood rushes to my head. Oh, he’s just too much, way too much for me to handle. I’ve got no experience when it comes to situations like this and it’s driving me crazy.
“No.” I answer him as calmly as I can. I feel completely exposed, naked and laid bare for everyone, including him to see. It’s as if he can look right into the very depths of my soul and I’m not sure that I like it. “A little.” I lie as soon as I notice the goose bumps that begin to spread over my body, yet the light breeze has nothing to do with them.
“You want my shirt?”
“Uhm, no I’m good, but thanks.” I’m bloody roasting and Jake removing his shirt will only cause me to heat up and become even more flustered than I already am.
“Here we go, Gracias.”
“Gracias, Roger.” I smile at my favourite chef and I know that I’m going to enjoy this. Not as much as he’s going to enjoy the questions that he’s bound to bombard me with the next time I see him when I’m alone, but still.
The hot spray makes its way down my body, slowly working its magic on soothing and releasing the tight knots that have built up over the past twenty-four hours, while also clearing my overworked mind as it constantly wanders back and forth over today’s events.
I actually had a really good day with Jake and I’m really, really enjoying getting to know him a little better too. If I’m being completely honest with myself, I wasn’t ready for it to end. I’m not sure what it is yet, but whenever I’m near him, I can’t help but crave more and more.
He’s definitely turning out to be an unhealthy addiction.
Maybe it would actually make more sense if I knew what today was. Granted, he just turned up out of the blue and thankfully rescued me from a colourful showdown with tash-man, but I’m still none the wiser and it’s driving my little mind insane.
I mean, was it just lunch, a date? It’s not like I can just rock up to him and ask him, is it?
No, I definitely don’t think that we have quite reached that point in our friendship/relationship just yet. Plus, I’m not all that fond of rejection either. Although Jake seems like a really nice, genuine guy and my stomach automatically flutters frantically at just the sheer thought of seeing him again later tonight, I just don’t want to look into things too deeply. One thing that I do know, is that I need to protect myself from whatever this is, because I know that if I don’t, then the higher the fall will be when I’m forced to come crashing back down to reality. All I can really do is make the most of it while I still can, plus what’s the point in rocking the boat if the ocean’s calm?
The apartment is still quiet when I exit the shower, which leads me to believe that Fran must be pretty occupied elsewhere with tash-man. Unless she’s finally woken up and sent him on his jolly bloody way and decided to take that much needed trip to the chemist.
I really hope that it’s the latter because I can’t help but worry that the longer she leaves it, the worse the outcome may be for her.
“Bloody hell.” I shout out on a frustrated scream. It would be just my bloody luck that the air-con decides to pack in now while I’m here by myself. Every other day this thing has been packing in for and now it’s becoming a joke. Even though I’m fresh out of the shower, I can feel myself getting all clammy again from the heat. It’s so humid right now and I can’t help feeling a little self-conscious and worrying about those horrible, pesky, unwanted and unsightly damo sweat patches that takeover your clothes and don’t stop until they’re sure everyone has seen how much of a sweaty horror-bag you really are.
“Oh what the hell.” I moan. The place is empty so I may as well take advantage of this rarity. I step back into my room and pull off my towel and decide to wander around in just my underwear. There’ll be bloody hell to pay if anyone comes back while I’m relaxing like this though.
I’ve got a couple of hours spare before I need to head to Poison ready for my shift to start and I could do with having a little moment, a slight breather to collect my thoughts before I have to jump back into work mode tonight.
“Oh, a whole night working alongside Jake.” I think to myself and smile. Just the thought of being close to him once again fills me with butterflies and sends chills of delight running through my spine.
Bloody hell. Here I go again, allowing my wayward thoughts to wander off in all kinds of crazy directions. I need help. Serious help. No way will I be able to concentrate around him if I can’t control myself now when he’s nowhere in sight.
Deciding what to do with my very rare me time, I grab a clean towel a
nd my sun cream and head out onto the balcony. If I’m going to work abroad for the summer, I at least need to try and look the part. No one wants to look like they’ve been locked in a cupboard for the past six months, do they? This girl needs some colour and it’s about time that I finally got some. The only problem is; I could be here for a while as I really don’t tan all that well.
I haven’t got a clue as to how long I’ve been here, but I’ve never felt so content and relaxed, at least not in a long time. The heat of the sun’s rays shining down on me fills me with sheer happiness. Now this right here is what it’s all about.
“I always knew you had a fine body, but shit, you’re something else.”
I shoot up, trying to cover myself at the sound of that voice. Okay, I guess it’s just the same as laying here in a bikini, but knowing that I’m lay here in my small, skimpy underwear is a little embarrassing. As soon as I’m sure most of my modesty is covered, I look over towards the balcony next door, the very one that’s been empty since we moved in here, only to find Jake casually sprawled on a chair in nothing but his shorts.
“Um… hey. What are you doing here?” I ask, while pointing to the balcony as if it’s about to explode any minute.
“Just catching a little bit of sun, like you.” My mouth automatically drops open at the sight of him and he laughs. “I’ve got to say, the perks of this place are way better than I imagined.”
“You know what I mean, Jake. That place has been empty for months.” I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I enjoyed it that way. It meant Fran and I had all the privacy that we needed and no moaning neighbours to worry about whenever we decided to make it a late one.
“Aye, but not anymore. I moved in a couple of hours back, but if I knew how good the view was then I would have snatched up this place ages ago.”
“Oh piss off.” He knows that he’s embarrassing me right now and I can tell that he’s loving every bloody minute of it.
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