Pelvic Flaws (An American in the UK Book 2)

by Nikki Ashton

  “Doesn’t that make them a pretty useless tattoo artist?” Katie asked.

  “No, they’re amazing tattoo artists, they just always use a stencil. To be honest, me and Jethro inking free hand freaks a lot of people out. They think we’re going to mess up.”

  “I’d freak out just having a tattoo, it wouldn’t matter whether you used a stencil or did it free hand.” Katie shuddered.

  “Maybe I’ll change your mind someday,” I said in a low voice.

  This time her shudder was an almost imperceptible shiver, but I noticed it. The fact that her nipples were suddenly visible underneath her thin, silky shirt, kind of gave the game away anyway.

  “The point is,” I continued, letting her off the hook, “that means either me or Jethro have to be around for consultations, and there can be three or four a day, which have to be fitted in with appointments, which means we’re pretty much pulled out most days. Isaac helping with consultations and designs would benefit us, a lot. You see I’m a stickler for consultations, I don’t allow anyone to walk in off the street. No one gets inked unless we’ve talked to them first and discussed all their options and they’re given at least a week’s decision time. It’s just something I believe in.”

  Katie’s eyes were shining with gratitude as she reached for my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “Thank you so much, Dex. You have no idea what you’re offering to him.” She realized that she still had hold of my hand and quickly pulled hers back.

  “Hey, don’t misunderstand me, Katie. If he messes up or is late or gives me shit, he’s out. I don’t care if I’m dating his mom.”

  She almost choked on the wine she’d taken a sip of.

  “Pardon,” she said, putting a hand to her chest as she coughed.

  “I think you heard me Katie. So unless you’ve had a shit evening, this won’t be our last date.”

  “Oh no,” she replied, shaking her head. “I’ve had the best time.”

  “Well that’s good.” I reached out and took back her hand that was still resting on the table. “Now, how about we get another drink?”

  Katie

  By the time Dex pulled up outside my house, it was almost eleven-thirty and I’d had the best night I’d had in a long time. He was funny and charming and he actually listened to what I’d had to say. I could have stayed in the bar longer, but when the place started to empty Dex decided we should go. I had to admit, I was a little disappointed, but short of asking him to stay the night, which was not happening, I had to leave him at some point.

  As he turned off the engine, my stomach did a flip.

  Would he kiss me?

  If he kissed me, would it be a proper kiss, or just on the cheek?

  Should I kiss him?

  “So, here we are,” he said, turning in his seat and resting his forearm on the steering wheel. “Looks like they’ve all gone to bed.”

  I peered through the car window to see all the lights were off, except for the dim glow of a lamp from Annie’s room.

  “Yes, looks like it. Isaac is probably in his room playing on his PlayStation and Annie will be reading some entrepreneur’s autobiography.”

  “Hence why she wants to do a business degree.”

  I grinned in the darkness. He’d actually remembered what I’d said about my kids. That had to be extra points for him.

  I looked at the house and then back to Dex. “Would you like to come in for a coffee? Unless of course you need to get home, I guess you’ve got to be up early for work tomorrow.”

  “Nope, not too early. A coffee would be great.”

  “Great,” I said, trying not to sound too excited.

  Stuff that I had to be up at half past six in the morning, I could grab a snooze in my car on my lunch break.

  As we walked up the drive, Dex tapped the roof of my car.

  “This all okay now?” he asked.

  I smiled at him over my shoulder. “Yes, it is. Although Barry doesn’t think it will get through its next MOT without a lot of work being done to it.”

  Dex didn’t say anything but nodded.

  “I have told Carl and he’s going to start looking for another car for me.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to explain to Dex, or to even stick up for Carl. The car was crap and Carl should have put more effort into getting me something decent.

  “He paying?” Dex asked, as I put the key into the lock.

  I froze. I hadn’t even thought to ask, I’d just asked him to look out for something for me.

  “I don’t know,” I replied, turning the key. “He bought that just as we were splitting up, but I’m not sure I should expect him to buy the next one.”

  I knew if I was Sophie, I wouldn’t want him to be buying his ex-wife a new car every time she needed one.

  “If it’ll help, I’ll ask Barry to keep a lookout for something good at a reasonable price.”

  I opened the door and turned to look at Dex, whose jaw looked a little tight for some reason.

  “That would be great, thank you. Well, come on in.” I moved up the hall into the lounge, flicking on the lamp by the door. “Take a seat and I’ll sort the coffee out.”

  “Instant is fine, darlin’,” he said.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. It’ll take too long to make the real stuff.”

  I gave him a tight smile and left.

  Shit, I thought, as I spooned coffee into two mugs, he doesn’t want to hang around any longer than necessary. I doubted he even wanted to come inside in the first place. He certainly didn’t look too happy about it.

  As I waited for the kettle to boil, I heard my phone ping. I reached inside my bag and pulled it out. I’d got three text messages, the one that had just come in from Mandy.

  Mandy 23:35: Hope it went well. Ring me ASAP in the morning. I need details X

  I smiled and read the other two messages.

  Carl 22:00: Annie said you were out so just to let you know, took Charlie home at about 8. He said he didn’t feel well and wanted to come back. Tried to get him to stay, but he wanted you.

  My heart started to thump wildly. Charlie had been ill and Carl hadn’t thought to call me, but just sent a bloody text. What the hell was he doing letting him come home anyway? I wasn’t here, Carl should have made him stay there. The bloody idiot.

  I quickly scanned the next text as I made my way to the kitchen door.

  Annie 20:10: Mum, Charlie came home. Got stomach ache. He’s fine in bed now asleep. Will call you if need you to come home xx

  How the hell had I missed the messages coming in? It was quite a noisy bar, and my bag was on the floor by my feet, but I should have been more alert. What the hell was I doing, going on a date at my age, especially when I should have been here with Charlie.

  The coffee forgotten, I went back to the lounge to tell Dex that we’d have to call it a night – well a day really. I couldn’t see him again, he didn’t need to be ‘dating’ someone who had to do school runs, and football practice, or be home by ten to make sure her kids had done their homework. I was bloody forty-five, I had responsibilities, what on earth had I been thinking?

  The ten or so steps to the lounge didn’t give me much time to prepare a speech, but by the time I pushed open the door, I’d pretty much decided what I was going to say. As soon as I went in, every single word went from my head.

  Dex was sitting on the sofa and Charlie was next to him, wrapped up in the throw from the back of the armchair, and Dex had a hand to Charlie’s forehead.

  “Okay, buddy,” he said in a calm, soothing voice. “Your mom will be back in a minute. You feel warmer now?”

  As Dex pulled the throw further around Charlie, my boy nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

  “That’s good. Anything hurt, your head okay?” Dex now sounded a little anxious, as he tilted his head to survey Charlie.

  I was sad to see my baby feeling ill, but the sight of Dex caring for him felt like a punch to the stomach – it took the wind right from my lung
s.

  “Hey,” I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I just got the message from Dad. Where does it hurt, sweetie?”

  Dex’s head lifted up, and his brow furrowed as he studied me. Averting his gaze, I moved toward Charlie.

  “Mummy,” Charlie’s voice broke as he saw me and tears started to form in his eyes.

  “He came down while you were in the kitchen,” Dex explained, moving along the sofa to let me sit next to Charlie. “I didn’t want to leave him in here alone. I knew you’d only be a few minutes.”

  I flashed him a grateful smile. “Thank you Dex. Thank you so much.”

  As I fussed with Charlie, feeling his head and cradling his face, I expected Dex to get up and leave but he didn’t. He did get up, but stood in front of us.

  “Anything I can get? Does he need a drink or something?”

  “I could do with the thermometer,” I said a little cautious. “I’m sorry to be a pain, but would you mind?”

  “Hey, no, of course not.” He turned towards the door. “Where is it?”

  “Kitchen, right hand drawer next to the sink.”

  With that, he disappeared and I went back to focusing on Charlie.

  “Annie said you had a tummy ache. Does it still hurt?”

  “No, but I don’t feel right.”

  “In what way?” I asked, brushing his shaggy hair from his face.

  “I feel sick.”

  “Okay. Well, I’ll get you some Calpol and you can sleep in mum’s bed tonight, okay?” He nodded, his eyes drooping with tiredness. “Don’t go to sleep yet, sweetie, let’s get you upstairs.”

  “Okay, Mummy.”

  I kissed his clammy forehead and sighed. I missed him calling me mummy; it was usually mum these days, unless, like tonight, he was ill.

  “Here you go,” Dex said, passing me the thermometer. “I brought him a glass of water too.” He put it down on the coffee table.

  “Thank you. I’m going to get him upstairs into my bed. I’ve got some medicine up there in the bathroom cabinet.”

  “You want me to carry him?” Dex asked, glancing at Charlie. “He’s pretty much passed out.”

  I looked and saw that Charlie was indeed fast asleep.

  “Oh God, would you mind?” I pulled my hair from my face and groaned. “I’m so sorry, Dex. This was probably not what you expected on a first date.”

  Dex grinned. “With you darlin’, I’d expect anything.”

  As he stooped to pick up Charlie, my insides got a little warm. He was everything a woman could want, on first impressions at least. Handsome, charming, and kind, but I couldn’t possibly keep him.

  With my son in his arms, snuggled against his broad chest, Dex had only walked a couple of steps when Charlie reared up, his eyes wide open and his chest rose.

  “Oh God, Dex, he’s going to be sick!” I cried. “Give him to me.”

  “Mummy,” Charlie said and then let out a groan and puked all over Dex.

  “Oh shit, no.” I looked around for something to catch the next lot in, my eyes landing on the throw that Charlie had wrapped around him.

  “Okay, buddy,” Dex soothed, not moving. “Get it all up.”

  I held the throw in front of Charlie as he started to retch again. The smell was awful and I started to gag. Dex, to his credit, held Charlie firm, positioning his head away slightly and sucking in his lips.

  “Any more?” he asked on a slightly strangulated moan, as though he’d been holding his breath.

  “You finished sweetie?” I asked, cupping Charlie’s vomit splattered cheek.

  He nodded his head. “I’m sorry Dex,” he whimpered.

  “Hey, you’ve nothing to be sorry for.” He turned to me. “You want me to take him up to the bathroom?”

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?” I asked, looking at his puke covered shirt.

  “Not at all. Where am I going?”

  “Top of the stairs, right in front of you.”

  He nodded, and carrying Charlie left the room. I gingerly carried the throw into the utility room and threw it into the washing machine, before running up the stairs.

  “What happened?” Annie appeared in her doorway.

  “Charlie’s been sick,” I replied. “Don’t worry, you go back to bed.”

  She huffed and rolled her eyes. “I told Dad he should have stayed there.”

  “It’s fine sweetheart, I’d rather he be here with us anyway.”

  “Okay, but if you need me, give me a shout.” She turned to go back into her room and then suddenly stopped. “Oh, I forgot to ask how the date went with Mr. Hot Old Man.”

  I pinched my eyes closed and groaned, pointing to the bathroom. “He’s in there with Charlie.”

  Annie giggled. “Sorry,” she whispered. “Tell me about it tomorrow. Night, Mum.”

  “Night.”

  Dreading looking Dex in the eye, but having no choice, I went into the bathroom. A bath was running and Charlie was sitting on the toilet seat, with Dex kneeling down in front of him.

  “When your mom gets here, you need to get out of those pajamas, you feel okay to do that?”

  Charlie nodded. “Sorry I barfed on your shirt, Dex.”

  Dex waved him away. “No worries. It’ll wash. It might need a couple of washes to get the smell out, but it’ll be fine.”

  Charlie giggled. “It does stink.”

  “It sure does.” Dex high-fived him. “You feel better though, now that’s all up.”

  “Yep, much better. I think it was Sophie’s Shepherd’s pie, it was a bit gross. Not as nice as Mum’s.”

  Dex chuckled and ruffled Charlie’s hair and that was when my shriveled old ovaries sprang to life, did a little dance, and exploded to a fanfare of fireworks and music.

  “Hey,” I said, clearing my throat. “It’s a bit smelly in here. I think it might be coming from you two.”

  Dex stood up and held out his arms. “What, you think I smell? You’re joking right.”

  Charlie started to laugh and I knew instantly that he was feeling better. There was color back in his cheeks for a start.

  “Come on then,” I said, indicating for him to stand up. “Let’s get you in this bath.”

  “I didn’t put any bubbles in or anything,” Dex said. “I wasn’t sure if he was allergic.”

  If he hadn’t been covered in sick and Charlie hadn’t been there, I may very well have kissed him at that point. I don’t mean a peck on the cheek, but a full on snog, he was just that adorable.

  “I know I keep saying it, but thank you.”

  “Hey, no worries darlin’. I’ll just leave you to it.”

  “Do you want a T-shirt or something? At least let me wash this for you.” I said, pulling on the arm of his once pristine shirt.

  “Honestly, it’s fine. I got the worst off with tissue and flushed it when we came up here.”

  “Okay and I am sorry.”

  Dex grinned and went to kiss my cheek and then pulled back, glancing at Charlie. “I’ll call you,” he said and ruffling Charlie’s hair again, left.

  “He’s really nice, isn’t he, Mum?” Charlie chirped, sounding much brighter.

  “Yes sweetie, he is. Really nice.”

  As Charlie snored away beside me, I couldn’t help but think about Dex and the lovely evening we’d had. It was just a pity it would be the one and only time. It didn’t matter that I didn’t think I could see him again, after my son puking all over him, he wouldn’t want to see me anyway and I doubted that he’d call me ever again.

  My heart felt heavy and anxiety clawed at my stomach as I thought about it. I wanted things to be different, because I really liked him. The kids all seemed to like him – not that a couple of meetings was anything to go by, but my kids weren’t stupid and were pretty good judges of character. It was just a pity that for various reasons it wasn’t going to work.

  As I turned over and stroked Charlie’s cheek, my phone beeped on the bedside table. It was probably Mandy remembe
ring some question she’d meant to ask about the date, or maybe even Carl checking on Charlie. Both could wait, so I snuggled down next to my baby boy and tried to sleep. When after ten minutes I was still awake, I reached for my phone with a sigh, deciding I might as well read the message if I couldn’t sleep.

  I almost squealed when I saw it was from Dex.

  Dex 01:10: Hey darlin, hope Charlie is okay now. That kid sure can puke lol. Just wanted to say I had an amazing night, puke included, and can’t wait to do it again, puke not included. I know what you’re thinking, so don’t. You WILL be going on another date with me – maybe even multiple if I’m lucky. Don’t even think about trying to change my mind. I like you and I like everything you come with. Sleep tight darlin’. Mr. Hot Old Man xx

  “Oh my God,” I gasped, staring at the screen. “If I’m lucky.”

  I read the message over and over and my heart did a little dance. In fact, if Charlie hadn’t been asleep, I think I’d have done a little dance too. He wanted to see me again, even after going home smelling rancid because of my poorly son. Even after I’d talked periods and contraception with him over dinner. He knew what I was thinking and he wasn’t worried that I had three children who needed me, who were my first priority.

  “He’s a bloody miracle,” I whispered up to the ceiling. “Thank you God.”

  Katie

  I’d kept Charlie off school, just in case he had something catching. However, he looked so much better after being sick, I was beginning to think he was right and it was Sophie’s dodgy cooking – well that’s what I wanted to believe anyway. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to believe that. I liked Sophie, I actually did, I was just a little bit jealous of her, I supposed. Had I mentioned she was twenty-six with perky boobs?

  As Charlie and I watched Bargain Hunt, curled up on the sofa, the front door bell chimed out.

  “I’ll go,” Charlie said, evidently wanting to escape the viewing of two middle-aged women bartering for an eighteenth century piss pot.

  “No you won’t.” I pulled him back down. “What have I told you about answering the door? Anyway, you’re supposed to be ill, what if it’s someone from school?”