Noah gapes, his face goes through a few emotions before he gasps, “Seth let you do that to him? Please tell me that is the permanent thing that happened?”
I go to grab the phone away, but he edits the photo, cropping Seth out of the shot and then sending ‘me’ to his own number. “That makes up for not seeing the rose one,” he winks before his eyes light up. He frantically starts swiping the photos on my screen. “Noooooo!” I yell and go to snatch my phone back. He holds it up laughing. I jump on him ignoring the pain searing through my side, but he’s too strong and too tall.
Arrrghhh... Hold on a second. I’ve never done this before, but I’ve seen Dell manipulate Angus with her face. Problem is I don’t know how to look sexy. Puppy dog eyes... yes. Sexy... no. What the hell. I school my face into something resembling Dell’s when she gets her way.
Noah’s eyebrows draw in over his eyes as his laugh falters. His chin seems to push back into his neck as he frowns, his gaze moving up and down. “What in God’s name are you doing?”
Great.
“Nothing,” I huff.
“Yeah, you were,” he grins lopsidedly.
“I’m not telling you,” I snarl, taking advantage of his inattention to grab my phone back.
He just chuckles.
“Scratch my arm or walk home,” I snap, glaring at him sideways, locking my phone. Nathan would be pissing himself now. “That way,” I point to where the sounds of waves crash against the rocks sound the loudest.
Gentle hands take my arm, and fingertips start their languid trail down my skin, slowly mollifying my annoyance.
I’m not embarrassed, I’m just out of my league here. Dad always says it’s best to get back on your own territory when that happens, but the hell is my own territory here? Amber, yes. But what will that achieve?
“So did the girl give you permanent hair stuff?” Noah asks after a few minutes of repentance scratching. One hand moves to my hair. Mmmm.
“Yes,” I huff. “We didn’t know until the end though. When he got wet. Sam finally spoke up and called him an electrified blonde microphone. His hair just went… crazy.” I turn to grimace at Noah who’s balled up in silent laughter. “Scratch or walk, mate.”
He pulls me down next to him “I just love you, Avalon Smith!”
My heart falters for a second, something fluttering in my stomach before I realise that he means because I stuffed up Seth better than he ever could have. Seth loves his hair... a lot. Way more than I anticipated. He was yelling that it was part of his image, among a lot of other things. Even when he was driving the boat away, he was screaming obscenities at me. Thank God, he came back a few minutes later. He threw me out halfway home then returned even angrier to haul me back aboard like a wet dog, and tell me he was never talking to me again.
“His hair... I’m not sure what in the world of revenge the girl put in it but when he got wet and then used a towel on it. It just... detonated. It’s the only thing I can think to describe it. Sam reckoned it was twelve times bigger than Michael Jackson’s when he was in the Jackson Five group. And it was in a big tight ball too, so it looked really, really ludicrous. He didn’t know and we filmed the last bit of the show. He found out because he demanded to know what the hell Sam was wetting himself over, so he replayed the video. He went nuts!”
Noah tenses up, “Did he hurt you?” His voice is a growl.
I scoff, “Get real, I actually had to give him a jab to stop him losing the plot. That’s when he just glared at me big time, kicked the sand and lost his mother load. He got everything and threw it into the boat like a lunatic, including Sue! He picked her up, stormed over and manhandled her into the seat. He left me there, of course, ranting and raving but he came back. It was really hard to stop laughing because he was in full tantrum mode, but he looked ridiculous in his rag loin cloth thingo and electrocution hair. He went off way worse when I said he was really getting into the character. Sam filmed everything so the final video is going to be so funny.”
I felt bad for Seth, so I didn’t show Noah the pic of Seth, I didn’t think it was fair, so instead I opened the tent and crawled inside, my mind replaying the whole, ‘I love you, Avalon Smith!’ thing in my head. My mind just wouldn’t let it go. Part of me wished it were true, the other half felt scared at that thought.
Noah dowsed the fire and crawled inside, still chuckling. He laid down beside me, not touching. I wanted so badly to move my hand to touch any part of him. The need was overpowering. Just like I do with Nathan, I inch my hand until the tip of my pinkie is against his back. He doesn’t react and I finally feel that I can close my eyes and sleep. I’m not sure when it was but it felt like hours later that he turned and enclosed my hand in his, whispering to the darkness. “Thank you, Avalon.”
You’re hot and you’re cold
Noah
5.15am. I blink again at my watch, then rub my eyes trying to clear some of the dust that’s collected on my lashes. Getting up early isn’t the thing that has me grinding my teeth, riding a motorbike isn’t the worry either.
It’s me.
If I had to answer anyone truthfully right now about the mental state I’m in; I’d have to say, ‘Ask the three-year old kid, whose discovered my fucking hot and cold taps and is manning them ruthlessly.’
After yesterday, I was unbelievably happy, and kissing her? Shit! That was like heaven. But then my father’s words came worming back into my head, clamming my body uptight, controlling me. Reminding me that she was leaving, reminding me not to give in, reminding me not to feel. Nightmares gripped me relentlessly, her face shoved on the image of what Dad had said they would do. The way I woke up, covered with sweat and my heart beating so rapidly I thought I was having a heart attack, it was a long climb for my mind as it struggled desperately to separate reality and nightmare.
I look at her. How the hell can I not?
“You alright?” she smiles down from Amber whose big brown eyes are set on the cattle moving in front of us. She prances, thoroughly annoyed at me for holding her up. “You want to borrow my eyebrows and beard?” Avalon points to the hairy creations still stuck on her saddle cloth.
I’m sometimes not sure how to answer, part of me, the side that would just give up everything for her wants to be playful, the other side that still is haunted by those nightmares wants to turn and run from this girl that plays havoc on its dominant standing. And that’s the foreseeable problem right there, the amicable melding of the two.
When she spoke about Seth yesterday, I wasn’t overly happy when she said she liked him… to be truthful I almost lost it. There is no way in hell, if he’s near her, I will cope. I desperately want to cement this relationship in stone but in doing that, I know, that if people have thought I was dangerous before it will be nothing on what I will become to keep her in my life.
That’s why I hesitate to ask her to be mine... because I’m dead serious about her and no one will take her away from me if I can help it. The only person that could stop this steam train is her, and the only person that has the chance to stop me from having her. I will try to walk past Seth, but if he even smoulders at her ... games off. If she’s mine, I will be beyond brutal.
I’ve gone from not feeling to possessing this desire to protect the one that makes me feel all while trying not to feel. A strange and painful combination of wanting and pushing away. I’m insane.
“Will the beard help me with what we’re going to be doing later?” I return her smile, longing to get off the bike and kiss her. To make her mine for good. If she says yes, I’ll follow her anywhere.
Avalon thinks about the question for a second before laughing evilly. “It may help if the victim likes a bit of a tickle.”
That came out full of innuendo, something Av is not completely versed in. Last night I wasn’t sure what she was doing but thinking back over the moment later in the tent, I realised Av may have tried to pull a ‘sexy’ look with me. I’d already do practically anything for her, the thought of h
er plying me with those looks... hell, things would escalate to ‘intense’ and complicated extremely quickly. I’ve never had the urges for any other girl like the ones that are starting to hit my body.
“God? Why did you make women so cryptic?” I take my hands off the handlebars, trying to think of anything other than Av giving me sexy looks. The more she does things like that, the more... confused and insane I become.
The other thing is, if we get together, I’ll have to spill my life. Another fear gets added to my extensive list, rejection. What if she validates the thoughts I’ve had whirring in my head for years?
Av chuckles, making me glance up at her. Amber whirls around clearly desperate to get to work on chasing cows. This morning the ride was more leisurely, Av rode next to me chatting away. That’s the one thing I really enjoy about Avalon’s company, she just treats you the same, even though she can see you are struggling internally.
Her brother interests me, the one she told me she wouldn’t stay here for. The one that she would never live anywhere without. She said he was coming soon. I’m not sure what to feel about it, on the one hand, the guy sounds like wicked fun, but on the other, he somehow holds the girl I love in the palm of his hand. The last thing I want to do is lose it with him but what if he tries to ply her from my life?
I take a moment to calm down at the thought.
No one I know has a relationship that strong with someone in their family. She said that her bond with Nathan is hard to describe, that without him, life wouldn’t be life. I guess if Av thinks he’s that great then I’ll like him. It’s him liking me that may be the problem.
“Since some utterly, amazing women have found their own kickass muscles and therefore not in need of a hunter type man in their lives, we have to talk cryptically to find out the smartest father for our offspring,” she gives me a fake grimace. I’m hoping it’s fake. “Yup. Sorry, mate.”
That’s it, just the thought of her with someone else provokes me into action like nothing else. I reach up and pull her down to me. Her sharp intake of breath advertising her surprise. My lips find hers. I can’t help but moan when her hand wraps around my neck, when she doesn’t resist but readily kisses me. Amber moves around, her nose snuffling in my pockets for the green frogs I don’t have, inadvertently taking Avalon from my arms.
Amber ramps it up, getting pushy, nipping at my shorts. “I don’t have any, girl.” I murmur stroking her head with a wry smile. Glancing up I see a strange, pinched expression on Av’s dust-covered face.
“You okay, Thornie?”
She shakes whatever it was off and smiles. “I’m fine. Stupid periods, talk about women not evolving. I reckon we should have a number to call. ‘Hello, ready to have kids now, bring ‘em on.’ ‘Hello? Finished procreating - turn them the hell off!’” her voice turns to mirror her nickname, full of real thorns and edges.
“Righto, then,” I manage, I’m not experienced in that arena at all.
“What?” Av crosses her arms. Amber prances on the spot, nostrils blowing out short hard bursts of air. “I’m bloody serious...” she stops and chuckles. “Stupid pun. I hate them!” her eyes rack my body from head to toe, her gaze becomes something other than annoyed. Electricity seems to crackle between our gazes, making my breath shorter and my body start shifting blood. “Ugh. I also detest ovulating!”
With that she’s off, leaving me standing in even more dust.
“Be gentle when you slide in,” Av encourages me. I look at her twice. “She won’t notice... much. Wait until you see a bull’s pizzle, you’ll understand then.”
Flea and Harry snigger from the other side of the crush. Harry, bloody old bastard, can’t stop grinning. They are loving this.
The arm length glove feels hot and clingy against my skin as I raise it. It mimics the feeling squerling in my stomach. Flicking a wry glance toward Avalon, I say very, very quietly. “Big payback. B.I.G.”
Instead of showing any form of fear Avalon looks thrilled. Times like these make me feel out of my league with her but also alive, like I’m swimming in a sea of sharks.
“Have your hand like this,” she demonstrates as she pulls the victim’s tail to the side. My hand follows her movement and hesitates at the... entrance.
Av laughs, “Are you like waiting for a moment to happen between us like on that movie Ghost? You know with the pottery wheel? Dell loves that movie. I’ve heard the beginning of many renditions of how she and my brother attempt to make one of those moments... but preg testing cows hasn’t made the cut to date. And believe me, if they can’t make it happen, there’s no chance for anyone else. Although, if you’re dead keen, I’ll suppose I can have a hit out.”
“I’ve never seen Ghost, what happens?” I ask stalling the oncoming sensation I’m sure that no guy apart from a vet wants to remember. I can’t help but smile when Av turns beet red. I have seen it, well that part anyway, I just didn’t think Av would ever say anything like that. I must ask her. My minds made up.
She mumbles something about an octopus and then raises her now fierce eyes to mine. “Do it.”
It’s hot, not the cow testing but the way she feels she can boss me around.
“Now.” She commands.
My stomach turns as I sink my hand in what feels like a tunnel surrounded by... I’m not sure how to describe it. But it’s not nice. The cow tenses up around my hand and goes to move forward.
“Yay, you’re in, baby,” Av grins, cheeky bugger. “Keep it there, she’s cool.”
“Right, now remember what I talked about when I did it?” Not really, I was in la-la land listening to her voice, staring at her eyes and face and half not believing this is what she associated with Banana Mooves. “You kind of have to push downward with your hand and search around for something that feels like a rope or mega sausage. Keep moving down when you’ve found that.”
Harry chuckles, although apparently this morning the results haven’t been too promising. I’m surprised that I find this stuff fascinating and not something I’ve ever thought about before. The amount of feed it takes to keep cattle in a healthy breeding state, how it’s not viable economically to keep a cow that doesn’t fall pregnant. I asked what if it’s the bull? I nearly fell over when Av talked about the prices charged for some bulls. Hell! Harry is selling his bull and getting a new one. All the empty ones will get a second chance. Usually, they wouldn’t. The other freaky fact that makes me doubly glad I’m wearing this glove is that cows also get STD’s!
“I umm, err... okay. I’m at a bit that kind of feels like the turkey necks Jarrod feeds his dogs,” I swallow uneasily.
“That’s the ticket, now put your hand around it and kind of lift it up a bit,” she watches very intensely as I do it. It feels weird, but curiosity has now taken over the grossness factor. Av tells me she does this the most at home, most places have to get a vet out with an ultrasound thing, but due to their isolated position, they learn to do it themselves. “Right, just to get a feel kind of...” she does a movement with her hand. “You won’t be able to tell if it’s weighty or not this time so move your hand down some more to it kind of spreads out.”
I nod, a bizarre sound emanates from my throat as I push further in, finally feeling a water balloon-like thing. Av rewards me with a smile that makes me want to preg test all the cows, how she does that is crazy.
“First thing you’ve got to do now is to rub your hands over the horn and see if you can find bumps over it.” She waits. They all wait.
I think I feel them. Using the other hand, I gesture, “Are the bumps about this big?”
Av smiles and claps, “Yup. Next thing is you just kind of play with it, bump it around and see if you can feel anything but fluid. She may be too early but just check.”
I move my hand as Av shows me to feel fluid and a tiny... thing. “I feel a… thing,” I exhale as I find her eyes. I’m kind of in wonder. It must show.
“It’s cool, isn’t it? You’re almost touching a baby in a co
w’s whizz,” she winks at me with a grin.
“Way to dampen the thrill of it for him, Av,” Harry deadpans.
“Is she pregnant?” Suddenly, I feel as though I have a vested interest in this cow now. I want it to be pregnant.
“Give me a squizz, I’ll check,” I pull my arm out, immediately and very ginger-like pull off the glove. Av throws on a new glove, smears it up and without hesitation slips her arm in. After about thirty seconds she smiles, slipping her hand out to point at me while grinning at Harry and Flea “I give you our fertility charm, gentleman.”
She turns those wicked blues on me, “You have to go around now and kiss all the remaining girls on the nose.”
“What?”
Harry and Flea join in the pestering.
“Avalon,” I warn her. I stand there and allow the deathly cold face to slide across my features.
The three of them don’t react to my warning.
“It’s an Aussie tradition,” she shoos me, tiny bloody terror, she comes closer the gross glove’s fingers waggling closer and closer to my mouth. “You’ll be saving the farm.”
I tilt my head on the side and give her my best as if gaze. There is over one hundred head left to do. This must be a joke. Av stares back at me. I can’t believe how beautiful she is.
Fricken putty.
“Grrrrr. One, I’ll do one. If...” I finally sigh just to shut them up. I’m not used to giving in, it feels strange. “If you go out with me tonight, Av.” There’s no way I’m not making this girl mine officially. A face-splitting grin wrecks my face at her quick nod and the thought that this little tyrant will be in my life pulling the rug out from under my feet for good. I just hope I can keep my darker side in check.
I search around for a quiet looking one, deciding on a pretty big, heavily muscled one that seems really docile in the other crush. I hesitate when it swings its massive head to me, its eyes clocking my approach. I start laughing and look skyward, I risk a glance back at Avalon who has her arms wrapped around her waist, mine instantly want to take their place. I scratch the back of my head and think, who cares if it’s a joke? May as well get in on it.
Avalon Expandable Heart: The Wild Heart Series Page 10
