“Again, I’m surprised you know so many big words.”
“You won’t distract me this time, Barlow. Go on, own it.”
“Why?”
I felt him shrug. “Sense of freedom. Humouring me. Relieving yourself of the truth. Take your pick.”
“Fine. I might like the way you look.”
His arm tightened around me momentarily. “See, that wasn’t hard was it?”
“Just because you’re attractive, doesn’t mean you should expect people to fawn over you.”
“Firstly, I don’t expect people to fawn over me because very few people do. Do you know how many times I’ve been hauled to the police station just because the cops assume I’ve just done something bad by existing?”
“Can they do that?”
“It would appear they can. Secondly, you just admitted you thought I was attractive.”
“No, I was making a generalisation.”
“A generalisation that includes you.”
“It does not. How many times have you been arrested?”
“Eighteen. And, it does include you. Go on, Barlow. Try on some honesty for once.”
I rolled over to look at him. “Eighteen?”
“Seven times actually charged. Hauled in for questioning a lot more.”
As usual, I liked his honesty. But, I didn’t know that I needed the reminder of the kind of guy he was outside those holidays.
“Would you be so forthcoming if I asked you how many girls you’ve hooked up with?”
His eyes narrowed like he was thinking. “Will that have any bearing on you admitting you think I’m hot?”
“For now, let’s just assume I’m curious.”
“Quid pro quo, Clarice.”
“What do you want to know in return?”
“How many guys you’ve been with.”
I felt my cheeks burn again. “Not nearly as many girls as you.”
“All right, let’s make it easier. How many guys have you kissed?”
I breathed in as I thought. “Five?”
“You don’t sound so sure…” he teased.
I frowned. “Five.”
He nodded. “I would guess I’ve been with…” He looked at me. “You really want to know, Barlow?”
I paused before I nodded, wondering if I did really want to know the number. But, what did it matter to me? Whatever we were doing here wasn’t likely to last once school went back. Even without adding to Roman’s notches, I was sure he’d get bored of me and I’d go back to pretending I was all right.
“Yes, I want to know.”
He sucked on his lip for a second. “Close to thirty, I think.”
Holy shit. “Now who doesn’t sound sure?”
“I don’t exactly keep a list or anything.”
“And, this was kissing? Sex? What?”
He looked at me. “I don’t have sex with all of them.”
I rolled over onto my back and looked up at the stars.
“Barlow?”
“Lombardi?”
“To be fair, you knew I was a slut.”
I chuckled and sat up. “I did.”
He sat too, somehow encasing me with his body as he did so. He lent his arm on his bent knee by my right side and I could feel his other leg and arm behind me. I felt was warm and secure, even though my insides were a tumult of opposing feelings.
“I can’t apologise…”
I shook my head. “Firstly, I’d just think you’d been abducted. Secondly, what the hell do you have to apologise for?”
“Being a slut?”
“Why would you possibly have to apologise to me for that?” I asked.
“Because I was looking forward to hearing you admit you think I’m hot.”
I turned at the humour in his voice and I couldn’t help but smile. Our noses were close to touching, but again no one made a move forward.
So, yeah. I did think he was hot. Even subjectively, I thought he was hot. He’d been hot the week before. But whatever side of him he’d been showing me the last few days, it just made him more attractive. I was pretty sure I could admit it without losing anything.
“Of course I think you’re hot, Roman. Anyone with eyes thinks you’re gorgeous.” I was starkly reminded of my conversation with Hadley the week before. “You are, objectively, beautiful and I am not ashamed to admit I am a woman with eyes.”
He smiled softly. “Is that so?”
I nodded. “Hadley shouted it last week because she was trying to get me to admit it.”
“You and Hadley were talking about me?”
“Yep.”
“What sort of stuff?”
“Well she thinks I’m your Everest,” I ticked them off on my fingers, “she expects Mason would fuck like a pro but you’d do it better, she thinks you’re the hottest guy in school, says you make any girl wet just looking at another, and if she lived next door to you that she’d be banging you on the regular.”
He smirked. “Really? And, I’m wasting my time here with you because…?” he teased.
“Very funny.”
“What’s an Everest?” he asked, nudging my nose with his.
I snorted, remembering Hadley’s ridiculous theory. “You know, Mount Everest? Unscaleable and all that. She thinks I’m the one girl you want but can’t have.”
“And, that’s funny?”
“It’s absurd.”
“Is it?”
I looked at him again, my chest getting all fluttery. “Isn’t it?”
He shrugged. “Well, you’re certainly the one girl I could never have.” He paused, then went on in a much lighter tone. “Mind you, she’s not wrong though.”
My heart tripped over itself. “Not wrong about…?”
“I fuck far better than a pro.”
I looked at him for a moment, wondering if he was being serious. Of course, he was. I couldn’t help but laugh and he joined in.
I couldn’t remember a time when I’d laughed so hard and so often as I had in the last few days with Roman Lombardi of all people.
Chapter Ten
hOw dO YoU fLiRt?
I pulled my clothes out of the washing machine and loaded the dryer up.
“Isn’t John missing you?” I heard Mum ask with a chuckle.
I jumped and turned to face her. She’d obviously just walked in; she was still wearing her pencil skirt and suit jacket. I smiled at her.
“I’ll get back to him. I just figured doing some washing might be helpful.”
“Thanks, darling. It is helpful. Very unlike you, though…” Mum seemed waiting for me to explain something.
“What? Oh, no. I just had some pent up energy, felt like I should do something more than watch John all day and think about homework.”
Mum nodded, but I was pretty sure she didn’t believe me. “Has this got anything to do with the fact that you were humming when I walked in?”
I blinked. “Sorry?”
She smiled wider. “Humming. I haven’t heard you sing or hum in years.”
“Probably because I am the world’s worst singer.” I grinned.
“That never used to stop you and it shouldn’t now.” She ducked in and kissed my head before heading back out. “I’m going to go change. Back in a bit.”
And she was right. I hadn’t sung or hummed in… I couldn’t even remember. Well actually, I sung in the shower now and then when I had a particularly annoying earworm. But, no one could hear me in there so I considered that safe. The fact I was unintentionally humming, well… It was a little south of odd.
I turned on the dryer and wandered out to the living room.
Dad wasn’t home yet so I turned the kettle on to make Mum and me a cup of tea. As I got cups and tea bags out, I realised I was humming Katy Perry. I shook my head with a smile and suddenly wondered what Roman was up to.
Given the time, he was probably helping Carmen deal with Madd
y and dinner.
“Why do you even know that?” I muttered to myself.
A week ago I would have had zero ideas what Roman was up to at any given time, even if I could physically see him. I would certainly never have assumed he was at home playing family duties. I’d have guessed he was out looking for his next notch or getting publically drunk and probably arrested for the nineteenth time.
I shouldn’t know that, either.
As I was pouring milk into the cups, Mum walked back in pulling her hair up into a mess of a bun that made me proud.
“You all packed for Saturday?” I asked.
She laughed and pulled herself onto the barstool across the bench from me. “I think so. I mean, it’s only a few days. I don’t even know where we’re going.”
I grinned at her. “Dad is nothing if not a closet romantic.”
“You know, don’t you?” Mum asked as I passed her the cup. “Thanks.”
I did know. I knew almost everything Dad had planned for their twentieth wedding anniversary getaway. But I’d also sworn to secrecy, so I couldn’t tell her that. I gave her my best Roman-blank-stare impression.
“No. He didn’t tell me anything.”
“Lies!” Mum chuckled, then waved her hand. “Fine. You two lie to me then.”
“It’s called a surprise, actually. And, you’ll find out in a few days!”
Her smile dropped and she looked at me. “You going to be okay here by yourself?”
I nodded. “Sure. The place is stocked. I’ll even put your breakable trinkets away before I throw the raging party.”
The corners of her eyes crinkled and she nodded. “Funny girl. Funny. But, I’m serious.”
“So am I. If I need anything…” I’d been going to say Roman was next door, but that was ridiculous, “Carmen’s next door and you know she’ll fuss over me worse than Gramma on my birthday.”
Mum smiled widely. “Oh, yes, Carmen’s next door.” She winked and I threw her some shade.
“She is.”
“So is her son.”
“I thought you were drunk the other night?”
“Oh, I was – don’t drink, stay in school. But, don’t think I don’t remember you walking in here with a smile larger than I wore the day I had you.”
My frown deepened. “You were in labour for hours. Like hours.”
“And it was still one of the two best days of my life.”
“Roman is not one of the best days of my life.”
Mum shrugged. “No, ‘course not.”
“Okay, enough. We’re just two people hanging out!” I chuckled.
“Of course. Mason’s your John Cusack.”
I nodded. “Mason’s my John Cusack. Mason’s lovely, he’s nice, he’s the romance.”
“All right. I won’t say any more about Roman then.”
I looked at her. “Okay.”
“Except to ask if you’re seeing him tonight.”
I rolled my eyes. “We don’t make plans, Mum. We just…” I shrugged. “We sometimes find ourselves in the same vicinity.”
Mum nodded slowly like she understood some unspoken words she read between the lines. “Of course. Simple. Easy. Playing it cool.”
I crossed my arms and glared at her. “Mum, I love you. But, there is nothing to play here, cool or otherwise. We’re at most friends. We just…live next to each other.”
“Because of Mason.”
I shook my head. “No, not because of Mason. Because Roman is not the kind of guy you look to for a relationship and he’s barely capable of even friendship with Rio.”
“Who’s Rio?” Mum asked.
The only guy who’s been brave enough to fight Roman at school in the last year or two.
I waved a hand as I turned to the kettle and turned it on again. “Some guy in our class. They hang out.”
“And, they’re not friends?”
“No, they are. It’s just. I don’t know. Roman’s… Soon, he’ll once again just be a guy I don’t talk to, I’m sure.”
“Honey…” Mum started. “You know, Carmen talks–”
But, I never got to ask what it was Carmen talked about because Dad’s voice came from the front door loud and proud. “Daddy’s home!”
Any mood I’d been feeling about our conversation dissipated as I shared a knowing smile with Mum.
“In here, babe!” she called to him.
He stuck his head into the kitchen and smiled at us. “There my girls are.”
“How was your day?” I asked.
“Good. What are you two gossiping about?”
“Nothing,” I answered quickly as Mum pretended to flick her hair back all cool and said, “Boys.”
I groaned as Dad laughed. “Well, I know when I’m not wanted. I’ll go and change and let you finish up.”
“Thanks, babe!” Mum called happily as he walked out.
“No! Dad! It’s fine… We’re done…” I sighed, but he was gone.
Mum laughed and I shot her a look.
She held up her hands. “Don’t worry, honey. Your Dad knows better than to even ask me later. Your secrets are safe with me.”
“I don’t have any secrets, Mum,” I whined.
“Not even Mason?” she cooed, batting her eyelashes.
“No, trust me. Everyone knows about Mason.”
“Ah, but does Mason?” she asked.
That question hit me.
Hadley had spent so much time telling me he liked me and that it was only a matter of time before he asked me out, that I’d just assumed that she knew somehow. Like he’d told her or something. Maybe she’d also been right in asking me if I was encouraging him enough. I’d thought so, but maybe not… Maybe Mason hadn’t asked me out yet because I wasn’t…flirty enough.
God, that didn’t help.
I didn’t know how to flirt any better.
hOw dO YoU fLiRt? I felt like that Spongebob Squarepants meme.
“Piper, honey?” Mum laughed.
“Uh, I think so…” I said slowly, my brain still having no idea how you flirted anymore.
I pictured Mason and… Nothing.
No witty quips. No knowledge of what to do with my eyes or my lips or my hands.
“Okay, well good. I hope it all goes according to plan.”
I threw her a smile as I went through the motions of making another tea.
“Me, too.”
“About Roman, though…” she said.
I turned to her with an exasperated glare. “What about Roman?”
“I don’t know him very well. But, there are good stories about him as well as the bad ones.”
I watched her carefully, not entirely sure I understood what she was getting at.
“So, who wants to hear about my day?” Dad asked as he came back in.
Mum and I shared a look I felt was heavier than the situation maybe called for. Then she turned to Dad with a big smile.
“I do!”
h
I’d got to a point where I had to tell myself I’d been hoping he was going to come, but that maybe he wasn’t. I was annoyed with myself for expecting it and by how disappointed I was that he hadn’t showed. But, that’s really what I should have been expecting.
It’s not like we’d made plans. But, he had asked ‘see you tomorrow?’ when he’d parked his truck in his driveway the night before and I’d said yes. What should I have expected after so much sex talk? He probably preferred to go and let off some steam rather than deal with my whiny arse again.
I wrapped my arms around myself and actually thought I’d just go back home and re-watch something like 10 Things I hate About You instead of sitting there by myself on a Thursday night in the holidays. Then, I turned and saw him jogging over the rise, a smile growing on my face. Only, it wasn’t the sight of him per se that had me smiling, but what was on his head.
He stopped in front of me and noticed my grin. “
What?”
I held back a laugh. “What are you wearing?”
He looked up as though he could see it. “Maddy refused to let me out of the house unless I put it on. And turns out it’s warm, so I decided not to take it off.”
I covered my mouth so I didn’t laugh out loud. The pink beanie sat on his head comically. It was obviously too small for him, and the idea that he’d worn it for Maddy was far too sweet for me to handle. So, I ignored that fact.
“It is very cold tonight,” I agreed, failing to stifle my smile.
He nodded once. “It is.” He was far better at keeping his composure than I was.
“I really should have brought my own.”
“You should have.”
“Although, some guys would offer theirs to a lady in need.”
“Some would, true.” He grinned ruefully.
“But, they’d be considered pussies.”
“They would.”
“Or even worse, gentleman.”
“The horror.”
“Some girls might just nick yours.”
“They wouldn’t dare,” he gasped. “My niece forced this on me at toy-gun point!”
I snorted a laugh and went to snatch it from his head. I think I surprised us both when I managed to grab it. We both looked at it in my hand for a moment, then I saw the look in his eyes and I took off at a run. He chased after me and we laughed as we ran across the lakeshore.
“You bring that back, Barlow!” he laughed.
“I will not!” I giggled.
“Damn. You’re faster than I expected.”
I dodged out of his grasp far more nimbly than I’d have expected from me. “Or are you just slow, Lombardi?”
“I’ll give you slow!” he chuckled. “Come back here!”
“No!” I squealed as I dodged him again and he laughed.
He finally caught up to me, his arm going around my waist, both of us breathing hard amidst laughter. I looked up at him and found his face was just there. My laughter half-died on my lips, but my smile grew.
His face was just so open and carefree and warm. And, the way he was looking at me made my heart stop for a moment before it started beating harder in my chest. My stomach fluttered and I felt weird. I found myself wanting him to kiss me, actually wondering what it would be like. Until I remembered it was Roman Lombardi, and I thought I’d gone mad.
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