by Maddie Wade
We pull up outside the pub and I turn into the car park at the back. I set the handbrake and get out of the car, crossing around the bonnet and taking Ashley’s hand in mine. It’s crazy how right it feels to have her beside me. We are like chalk and cheese in so many ways, I’m wearing dark jeans and a dark blue polo shirt, she is hippie chic in her gypsy skirt. But we work in so many ways, not least of which is in bed. But it’s not that, she is sweet and clever and kind and so damn brave that it makes my heart twist.
When we walk in the pub, we stop to look around before we spot Taylor in the corner with Corey. She waves, and we make our way over to them. The pub is what you would call a classic British pub. The floor is dark wood, as is the bar. There are hundreds and hundreds of beer mats displayed around the top of the bar and around the top of the architrave on every wall. Dried hops are woven along the top header of the bar and the brass on the optics is shining. It’s crowded and noisy and I love it.
“Hey Jackson,” Corey says and holds out a hand to me, I shake it and greet him.
Taylor moves in for a kiss on the cheek from both Ashley and I. I have noticed that she is very demonstrative, but not in a bad way.
“What’s everyone drinking?” I ask
Everyone places their drink order and I go to the bar, “Wait up, I’ll help.” I hear, and Corey joins me leaving Taylor and Ashley talking.
We shoulder our way to the bar and wait as the harried barmaid finishes with the guy next to us.
“So, Jackson, any news on this weird stalker?”
I shake my head. “No, it’s so frustrating and I hate that she is scared. I’m trying to stay with her as much as I can.” I go to tell him about my mate Brian, but I catch a glimpse of someone familiar and a big grin crosses my face.
“Jake,” I call out and my brother twists around. He and Sadie are at the other end of the bar. They both wave and I see them making their way over to me.
“Hey, Jackson,” Sade says and kisses my cheek.
“Hey, bro,” Jake says and punches me on the arm, “what you doing in here? Where is Ashley?”
“We’re here with her friends Taylor and her fella, Corey,” I say as I turn to Corey.
“Corey, this is my brother Jake and my sister-in-law Sadie. Sadie, Jake, this is Corey.”
They exchange greetings and just then the barman takes our order.
I buy Jake a pint of his favourite Old Spiked Hen and Sadie a tonic water. They follow us over to the table to say hi to Ashley and Taylor.
“Sadie, Jake,” Ashley shrieks and jumps up to hug them both. I make the introductions and we all sit as Ashley and Taylor insist on them joining us.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the company is fun, and I can't remember the last time I felt so content. The night continues in this vein, with giggles and relaxed chatter as the evening draws on. Ashley and Taylor are getting tipsy and Corey is looking a little pie-eyed. We order some pork scratching’s and crisps as the girls get the nibbles and Sadie pounces on the scratchings like a carnivorous animal that hasn’t seen anything other than kale for a month.
Everyone laughs and then Taylor turns to me a serious look on her face. “Jackson, it’s time for the most important question of your life. The answer to this will determine if your relationship with Ashley can continue,” she says.
I shoot Tinkerbell a bemused look. “Okay,” I answer slowly, wondering what the hell she is going to ask me as Ashley just smiles as she sips her Mojito through a straw. I’m momentarily distracted by the way she is rolling the straw around her tongue. Tipping her head she winks at me as her tongue comes out and flicks the end. The little minx is doing it on purpose. A hand bangs the table and I turn to Taylor again.
“Stop mooning and listen,” she says in a slightly slurred voice which causes me to grin. God, I wonder if this would have been easier if I was pissed too, but I hate drinking on a work night.
“So, the question is which team do you support? And remember if you get this wrong, it’s all off. No nookie for you ever again from my girl here,” she giggles and cuddles up to Corey. “My baby got it right didn’t you moo?”
Corey rolls his eyes at her. “Yes, baby I got it right.”
“Team?” I ask in confusion. I glance at my brother and Sadie for help. Jake shrugs and Sadie shoves another pork scratching in her mouth.
“Yes, team,” Taylor says as if I’m an imbecile. “You know, football team.”
“Ah, I see,” I say and smile a nervous smile. Football is such a big thing and fans from opposing teams can have a rivalry that is intense and sometimes nasty.
London was no different with Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham, and Crystal Palace to name just a few. I wondered who the wrong answer would be, then decided that with so many options I just had to be true to my team.
“Well there is only one isn’t there?” I ask and sit back as I slip my arm around Ashley. Her eyes get squinty as she tries and fails to give me a scary look.
“There is,” Taylor says and looks at me with a challenge. I feel Tinkerbell hold her breath as she waits for me to answer.
“I’m a gunner,” I say.
Taylor slaps a hand over her mouth and Ashley laughs and throws her arms around me. “Oh, thank goodness, it would have had to be over, if you were a Chelsea fan,” she whispers in my ear. I tilt my head and catch her mouth in mine. I break away when people start catcalling.
“Fuck off Jake,” I say and give him the finger. “Just because you’re the black sheep of the family and support West Ham.
“West Ham,” Taylor squeals in outrage. “How can you be married to this, this person,” she stammers to Sadie and looks at Jake in horror, who just laughs, rolls up his sleeve and kisses his West Ham tattoo on his bicep.
“Urgh,” Taylor snorts but it’s all in fun and I know there is no real malice just friendly banter.
They continue to banter as Tinkerbell leans in and kisses my ear. “I have a Gunners shirt at home if you want to see me in it…… and nothing else?” she purrs.
I feel my blood start to heat at the suggestion the in her voice. “Let’s go,” I say and pull her up out of her chair. She giggles and turns to her friend and with a seriously bad stage whisper says to Taylor, “Jackson is going to get his reward for being a gunner now.” Everyone starts laughing and Jake punches me on the arm again. Fuck that hurts.
“Get in there kid, she might be Gunner, but she’s a keeper.”
I change my mind about hitting him back and decide to let it slide as I grin at him.
We glide out of the car park and I floor it home, well not home, but Ashley’s place, which is beginning to feel like my second home.
Chapter 18
Ashley
“You know, I don’t think I’ve told you how beautiful you look today,” he says as he starts kissing my neck.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I tell him, as we drive along the street. Leaning towards Jackson as we stop at red light and look over the road at a couple fighting, and they are making sure that everyone can hear them.
She is yelling at him about catching him kissing another woman. “You kiss someone else behind my back, I’ll make sure that you can’t have sex in a very long time.” I tell Jackson as the lights change.
“The worst thing is, that has scared me to even think about it.” He starts laughing and I look over at him. “Why would I want to kiss someone else, when I have the most beautiful girl in the world anyway,” Jackson adds with a beautiful sexy smile.
I look through my bag for my keys as he pulls up to the shop. “I would ask if you want some coffee, but you seem to be living here at the moment.” I look at him standing behind me. “Need to find my Gunners shirt.”
He wraps his arms around my waist. “I think you in your Gunner shirt sounds so much better than coffee,” Jackson whispers in my ear, as I open the door.
Walking straight to my bedroom, Jackson takes his jacket off. “Can I put this is the closest?” he asks.
“Sure,” I say taking my shoes off.
“Tinkerbell?”
“Yeah?” I ask.
“What is this?” Turning around I look at Jackson holding up a sex doll. I can feel the heat moving up my face. “Are you blushing?” he asks. Yes, yes, I am blushing, I totally forgot to hide that.
“That is Ed the sex doll,” I reply.
“Yes, I see it’s a sex doll but why do you have one?” Jackson asks.
I decide to just tell him the truth, Jackson will find the funny side to this. “Well, you see we have a friend, and he was having girl trouble, so Taylor and I taught him what women want in the bedroom.” Having to tell him is one of the most embarrassing things that I think I’ve done. Jackson starts smiling as I tell him the story about me and Taylor helping Ethan.
Laughing at me Jackson takes the sex doll and lies in bed with it. “So what things did you teach him, and where is the box of vibrators?” Jackson asks opening the bedside table drawers. “Come on give me the details. I think I need a lesson too. You can use props.” I bite my lower lips wondering where Jackson is going with this.
Pulling me on top of him, his hand starts moving up my leg. “I’ve always wanted a threesome,” he says and gives me a wink.
“Well you can keep dreaming about that then,” I tell him hitting his shoulder.
“Not with another person, but I do think you have a name for him, BOB. So, where are they?” Jackson asks again, and I look over to the shoebox in the closet. He rolls me off him. “Get ready to have some fun.” Jackson gives me a wink, as he walks over to the closest.
I’m always ready for some fun. Taking my top off I look at Jackson looking through the box. “So what are we going to do first?”
Putting the box on the bed, he pulls me closer to him, his hand on my lower back and my body tingles with excitement, because I know this is going to be one good night.
*~*~*
I’m late waking up the next morning, well I would say morning but is ten o clock. The only reason I’m not mad is that I know that everything is ready for the shop and I don’t have to make anything. The only thing I don’t understand is why my alarm didn’t go off.
I walk into the kitchen to the smell of breakfast, and the best part is that it’s a full English breakfast. Last night was a record for me and Jackson. If my body wasn’t so tired after the fourth time, I could have easily done it all again. I have no idea what it is about Jackson, but one thing I do know is how happy he makes me, how safe too.
“Morning, Tinkerbell.” Jackson puts a plate of breakfast in front of me.
“Did you turn my alarm off?” I ask, as he brings his plate over to the table too.
He gives me a look which tells me he did. “I’m sorry, thought I would give you a lie in. I should have asked you if you had any bookings. Sorry,” Jackson says quickly thinking that I’m annoyed with him. I’m not, but he’s right he should have asked to see if I had to get up to do some orders or anything.
“It’s fine,” I reply pouring some maple syrup on my pancakes. “You busy at work today?” I ask him.
“Yeah, I have a new person to train.” Jackson pulls the chair out and sitting down he pours me some orange juice. “Do you have a busy day today?”
“Yeah, I have a few orders to deliver, though I would also like to get a start on planning our trip too.” I smile I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve not been, and I already know that it will be so much fun.
“That’s great, if you need any help let me know,” Jackson says, walking over to answer his phone. I watch him talking to someone, and it sounds like the person he has to train, as all I’m hearing is, ‘You don’t do that, you have to do this.’ This is the first time I have really seen Jackson at work, but thinking about it, I don’t even know which building he works in.
Putting the phone back on the counter, he doesn’t seem happy about something. “I have to get to work early, something’s happened.” Leaning down to give me a kiss. “But let me know what you come up with for our weekend away,” Jackson says grabbing his jacket off the chair.
“I’ll send over things, We’ll chat later,” I tell him getting up to put everything in the dishwasher. I have so much to plan with Disney. I also need to get a dress for this charity event and that is scaring me a lot more than it should. I have never had to go to these types of things before and I’m not ashamed of my look, I mean I choose to have rainbow hair and tattoos, but I have to think about how that will look in front of people that Jackson works with.
Walking down to the shop, I give the customer a smile as Taylor rings them up. I go in the back to get started on some of the orders. Putting my apron on I hear Taylor walking through the door.
“I saw lover boy leaving, you had a fight?” she asks, taking the chocolate out of the fridge and starts breaking it for me.
“No, something happened at work and it doesn’t sound good,” I tell her, putting the strawberries into the bowl. “Going to start planning our Disney trip too,” I say taking a fork and mashing them up ready to mix with the melted chocolate. I could talk to Taylor about what I’m thinking for the charity event, but I can already see her not taking the conversation very seriously, so I think it’s best that I do this one on my own.
“And I can help plan that.” Taylor walks out as the door beeps letting us know that someone has walked into the store. I continue to break the chocolate bars. “Ash, get out here it’s for you,” Taylor shouts from the door.
Walking out to the front of the store, I look at the delivery man with a box, and I take the little device from him to sign for the item. “Thank you,” I say as he hands me the parcel.
“Open it then,” Taylor says, as I continue to look at the box. I already have a bad feeling about this.
Opening the box, and slowly lifting the card I start reading.
He doesn’t see you the way I see you. This to show how sexy you are, and I hope to be the one to see you in it.
I hand the card over to Taylor, pulling back the tissue paper I hold up a very sexy back lace piece. Throwing it back into the box, I start biting my inner cheek, wondering if this is something I should be telling Jackson about or not.
“Leave your cheek alone, and yes you should be telling him, so here,” Taylor says taking my phone out of my back pocket and handing it over to me.
“I don’t know, he’s already having a shit day, I don’t…”
“I don’t care.” Taking the phone off me, she takes a picture. “I’ve sent it to him, saying call me.” Just as she finishes her sentence my phone starts ringing.
“Hello,” I say walking into the back room.
“So, is that what I get to see you in tonight?” Jackson asks, and I can already tell that he is smiling.
“That’s the thing, I didn’t buy it,” I tell him, not really sure how to tell him that the creepy stalker has sent it to me, playing with the card in my hand.
“Please tell me you’re messing with me?” Jackson asks.
I tell him about the card, so that he knows what the stalker is thinking too, and the more I speak the angrier Jackson gets. In the end he gives me two choices, moving into his apartment or he moves into mine.
Yes, I’m freaked out. I mean I gave him a key to come and go when he wants, but moving in together is a big step, a much bigger step than I’m ready for. I moved around the question and tell him that a customer has walked into the store to talk about an order and quickly hang up, just so I can get my head around it and think about how I want this conversation to go between us.
*~*~*
It feels like I haven’t sat down all day. I think I spent about five minutes in total in the front of the store because I had that many orders to get done. Corey took the last few orders for me, which was so nice of him. Soon as I came upstairs without even thinking about it I went straight into the shower, I needed to relax a little.
Sitting on the couch, I pour myself some wine, Jackson sent me a message s
aying that he had to work late because he was not having a good day, I’m a little scared to ask him what’s happening, but I will.
Snuggling up in a blanket, I start looking through the Disneyland Paris website. I want to stay in the hotel which is based at the park, but I need to ask Jackson about that though as it will cost more. I don’t think Jackson will mind. Looking through the hotel rooms I’m loving them more. Without even realising it I’ve booked the room for us. I’m not sure if I should tell Jackson right this moment, it’s our first holiday together we should have booked this together. I’m going to let him book what we are doing in Paris. I’m so excited for this holiday together, I can’t believe I’m already going away with my boyfriend. I’ve only been away with a boyfriend once and that ended badly, I think we fought every day, and things that I used to think were cute, were not. They were very, very annoying. The moment we got out the airport, we both went our separate ways, so going on holiday with Jackson is a little scary.
Looking at the time when I hear the lock being opening, I see it’s eleven. Jackson did send me a message to say that he was going to be late, that something had happened at work, but I didn’t think he meant this late. Throwing his keys on the table, he looks tired, even a little tipsy. Sitting on the couch next to me he gives me a kiss on the lips his head drops onto my lap.
“Hello to you too,” I say, running my fingers through his hair.
“Never been so pissed off with someone so much in my life. I mean how hard is it to listen to the rules?” Jackson says, and I can hear the annoyance in his voice. This would be a good time to ask more about his job, but there is a small part of me that is saying not today, he’s not really in the best mood about work as it is.
“I booked us a hotel, and I’m looking at flights now,” I tell him, hoping to brighten his mood just a little.
“That’s great, Tinkerbell,” Jackson says in a whisper.
I lean over to see his face, and he is fast asleep. Leaning back on the sofa, I keep running my fingers through his hair. It’s so soft maybe I can use his shampoo, I smile to myself at the thought. Sliding out slowly, I put a blanket over him, kneel down next to the couch I give him a kiss on the cheek and for a moment I just stare at him, who would have thought that I would be dating this guy, not me.