by Shaw, Vicki
I follow him out the doors and come to a stop when I look up. It looks like I have just stepped out onto someone’s private porch. There are outdoor lounges in little groups with tables in the middle, potted palm trees around the whole of the outside and fairy lights running around the roof and through the palm trees. There are even fans on the roof that are on a slow speed to circulate the air. “This is amazing,” I say as Matt leads me over to a table. He hands me my beer and we sit down. “Yeah, it’s a great space. During the day, we open them bi-fold doors to open up the space and on Sunday afternoon we have a band out here.” I take a sip of my beer while I look around some more. I could see coming here on a lazy Sunday having lunch and listening to a band for the afternoon. “Do you work here?” I ask as I’m still taking in the space. “Yeah you could say that.” I’m waiting for him to add more to that statement but after a few seconds I realise that’s all he's going to say.
We stay out there just chatting about nothing too important when Carly came wondering out, well stumbling out might be a better way to put it. “There you are. I thought hot stuff here kidnapped you. I wouldn’t mind being kidnapped by him.” My chin hit the floor. I can’t believe Carly just said that. She sits, well falls into the chair next to Matt. “So hot stuff what’s your story?” Oh, My God, Carly is flirting with him. It’s lucky that all I ever see Matt and I being are friends. There is not one bit of a spark on my end, and I’m pretty sure Matt feels the same way. That makes me think of Martin and if I will ever find another person to feel that spark and connection with. I may not be ready right now for the whole relationship thing, but I would like it one day. I shake my head to clear it. I don’t want to think about Martin or relationships.
I look at Matt and mouth “sorry” to him. “Ok, Carly I think it must be time to go. Where are Nikki and Sarah?”
“They went home that’s why I came to find you.”
I stand up and go over to help Carly out of her seat, but she wouldn’t, or maybe that’s couldn’t stand up. Matt gets up and comes around to where Carly is sitting and scoops her up. “How are you two getting home?” he asks as he carries Carly towards a set of stairs. “We got a cab here, so I guess we are getting a cab home. I’ll just call one to meet us out the front.” “No, I’ll drive you home. You might need some help with this one.” He nods towards Carly in his arms and it’s at that point I see she has fallen asleep. “That would be great. Thanks. I don’t know what has gotten into her tonight she isn’t normally like this. I’m so sorry.” Matt looks over his shoulder at me with a grin on his face. “It’s fine we all need to let our hair down sometimes and besides she’s cute when she drunk.” He chuckles.
We come to a stop next to a new black 4wd. Matt fumbled around in his pocket while juggling Carly in his arms. He presses the button to unlock the doors and as soon as I heard the locks I open the back door for him. He placed Carly in the car and reached over to do up her seatbelt. I climbed in the front seat while he walked around to the driver’s side. “So where is home for you lovely ladies?” “It’s not my home it’s Carly’s. Well, it’s her boss slash boyfriends, companies house. I’m just staying there for a bit until I start my working holiday. Wow, that just sounded so confusing.” I laughed. I gave him the address, and he put it in his GPS.
“So Carly’s boss slash boyfriend lives there with her?” he asks not in a noisy way, it sounded more intrigued, so I didn’t see any harm in answering.
“When I first got here a few weeks ago, he was always around you would think he lived there but over the last week or two I haven’t really seen too much of him. Come to think of it I haven’t seen him at all over the last week.” I frowned as I tried to remember when it was the last time I had seen Max. It would have to have been a week and a half ago since he was last at Carly’s and when I walked in I felt like I was interpreting something. Carly wouldn’t look up, and Max didn’t say much. I didn’t stick around long because I was on my way out.
“I’m such a bad friend.” I groaned. “I should have known there was something up with Carly. She hasn’t been herself the last couple of weeks, but I’ve been so caught up with all my stuff I didn’t see it.” I let out a heavy breath and put my face in my hands. “What do you think is going on?” he asked while he looked at Carly in the rear-view mirror. “Well they have either broken up or are having major problems is my guess. Ggggrrrr I should have seen something was wrong. I am so angry at myself. Carly has been my rock all my life but more so the last few weeks, and I have been too selfish and focused my me and my problems.”
I let out another heavy breath. I am such a shit friend. But I’m also a little angry and hurt that Carly hasn’t come to me to talk about what is going on. We have been friends forever and tell each other everything. Why wouldn’t she come and talk to me? I know I’ve been caught up with dealing with my stuff but still she should know I would still be there for her. Matt broke my train of thought “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about maybe he is just out of town or something and Carly is missing him. And from what I have seen tonight Carly knows you’re a great friend and are here for her.”
I don’t say anything back. I just look out the side window lost in my thoughts. Maybe Matt’s right, maybe Max is just out of town on business. I’m still lost deep in thought when Matt announces we are at Carly’s. Before I’m even out of the car, Matt has gotten around to Carly, taken her seatbelt off and is lifting her out of the car. She snuggles into his neck, wraps her arms around the back of his head and let out a sigh. I quickly ran to get in front of them so I could unlock the door. I dropped mine and Carly’s purses and the house keys on the table next to the door and gave Matt the directions to Carly’s room. “I’ll be there in a sec to get her into bed I just really need to use the bathroom and get these bloody shoes off,” I tell Matt as I head towards my room. When I get to my room, I kicked off my shoes and head to the bathroom. I should have gone before we left the club. It was like heaven when I finally emptied my bladder. I finished up, washed my hands and splashed some water on my face. I went down to Carly’s room to see that Matt had taken her dress off and put one of her oversized t-shirts on. He had a wet wash cloth and was wiping her face free of the makeup. “You didn’t have to do all that. I would have just taken her shoes off and left her,” I couldn’t help but laugh at the look he gave me. Damn now, he does think I’m the best friend from hell. I quickly add. “I’m only joking. I would have got her changed out of her dress, but I wouldn’t be wiping her face.” Matt just gives me a smirk over his shoulder. “I think she is going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow.”
“I’m glad you made me dance or I would be in a worse state than she is. Then we would have been in trouble.” I laughed.
“Have you got a pen and I will give you my number. If you or Carly need anything, let me know. Maybe we can all go out for lunch tomorrow if Carly is up to it.”
“There’s a pen and paper downstairs you can use. I’ll see how Carly is tomorrow when she wakes up. Thanks for all your help. It was nice of you.” I said as we walked down the stairs to the front door. I gave Matt a pen and paper and watched as he wrote down his number. “Remember if either of you need anything let me know.” With that, he gave me a peck on the cheek and opened the door. He walked out to his 4wd and just before he got in, I called “Thanks again Matt.” With a wave, he got into his car and drove away.
Bang bang bang. I rolled over and pulled a pillow over my head. Who the hell is making all that noise at this time of the morning? Bang bang bang. “Carly stop bloody banging it’s too early for god’s sake,” I yell as I roll over putting my face in the mattress and pulling the pillow tighter over my head. “It’s not me, I think someone is knocking on the door.” I look up, and Carly is standing in my doorway, looking like hell. Bang bang bang. “Gggggrrr are you going to answer that?” I ask as I start to get up. “Who the hell would be here at this time of the morning?” I grumble as I get up and make my way to the stairs. “Are you
expecting Max to come over?” Carly doesn’t answer and just follows me. I throw her a ‘We are going to talk about this’ look over my shoulder. Bang. Bang. Bang. “Ok ok, we’re coming man hold your horses.” I swing the door open; Matt is standing there with a bag in his hand. “Uhm Hi, Matt. What are you doing here so early?” I pull the door open and step back and motion for him to come in. “Early? It’s 11 o’clock. How are you feeling Carly? You were pretty out of it when I put you to bed last night?”
“What the hell, you put me to bed? Did you change me as well?” I get the impression that Carly isn’t very happy with the fact Matt put her to bed. I don’t think I want to be here when he confirms that he was the one to change her out of her dress as well, so I start to walk to the kitchen to start making coffee. Matt and Carly follow me. Carly is giving Matt a death look while he just gives her a goofy smile. Matt doesn’t seem fazed by Carly’s death look. “Yes I did and I was a perfect gentleman wasn’t I Roxie.” He turns to look at me looking for backup because Carly’s death look turned murderous. “Hey don’t look at me for help. You did it before I even got out of the bathroom. But I think it was sweet that you even washed her makeup off.” I pour 3 cups of coffee and go to walk out so I can have a shower but Carly steps in front of me. “What the hell Rox, you let him put me to bed? And why the hell was he here and why the hell don’t I remember getting home?” She fires off all in a rush. It’s like the whole lot has just occurred to her all at once. I can see the confusion on her face.
“Matt and I were sitting outside when you came out barely being able to walk, fell into a chair and flirted with Matt. When we were ready to leave, you couldn’t get up, so Matt carried you out then you passed out in his arms so instead of getting a cab Matt was kind enough to drive us home. You were still out of it when we got here, so he carried you to your room and put you to bed. I needed to use the bathroom and when I came out he had you in bed and was just wiping your makeup off. So don’t you dare get pissy with him or me.” I picked up my coffee and walked up to my room to have a shower.
When I got to my room, I checked my phone that I had left on my bedside table to see if Martin had sent me a text back yet. I was starting to get a little more than pissed with him for not talking to me. I pressed the home button, and there were three messages waiting. One was from Steve one was from an unknown number, and one was from Martin.
I opened the message from Steve first. He had been sending me messages every day since he left after my first meeting with Martin. I hadn’t replied. I still didn’t want to talk to him. I deleted it and moved onto Martins.
Sorry, I haven’t been returning your messages, I was called out of town and in meetings till all hours every day. What are you doing later? I’ll come and pick you up at 7. Wear jeans.
Xoxo
MB
I sat on my bed and reread the text five times. I haven’t heard from him for two weeks, and he just thinks he can just pick me up when it suits him. I haven’t been able to get him out of my head, and I would like to see him again, but I will be setting some ground rules. I know I was the one who said I didn’t want a relationship, but I’m also not going to be used when it suits him either. I put the phone back on my bedside table without replying and had a shower.
When I made my way back downstairs, Matt and Carly were eating bacon and eggs and laughing. They looked like they had known each other for years and were in a comfortable relationship. I couldn’t stop the grin on my face. I know she was with Max but ever since I had met him something just felt off that I just couldn’t put my finger on. I didn’t say anything to Carly because as long as she was happy so was I. I cleared my throat as I walked into the kitchen, Carly jumped and had a guilty look on her face. “There is some breakfast in the oven for you if you want it.” Matt pointed towards the oven. “Thanks. It smells good. Who cooked it?” I walked over to the oven, and the smell made my tummy rumble. “I did. What did you think was in them bags?” Matt answered with what I guessed was pride on his face. I got the plate out of the oven and sat down at the table with Matt and Carly. “So what have you two been talking about while I was upstairs?” I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face as I asked.
“Not much just random stuff, you know. I just sat here while Matt cooked and told him where everything was.” Carly tried to hide the blush the crept up to her cheeks, but it didn’t work. “Hhhhhmmmmm.” Was all I could say in return.
“So what are you two doing tonight?” I asked as I cleared away my plate and stacked the dishwasher. “I will be having an early night with a DVD I think after last night I’m still not feeling very well. Have you got plans or are you going to join me Rox.” Just then, Matt stood up. “Well, ladies I will get going now that I know you are both not suffering too much from last night.” “Thanks again Matt for the ride home and for cooking breakfast.” I walked around the breakfast bar to walk Matt out but before I had taken two steps, Carly was up and walking behind him. “I’ll walk you out.”
I still hadn’t sent a text back to Martin but thought I better get ready just in case he showed up anyway. Right on seven the doorbell rang. I should have known he would show up anyway. I will be having words with him about boundaries. Carly answered the door then called out that Martin was here. I got my phone and bag and went down to meet him. He was standing next to the door talking to Carly. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about but by the look on Carly’s face I could tell she was giving him a hard time for not contacting me over the last two weeks. As soon as they saw I was close they both stopped talking and looked at me. Martin looked hot. He was wearing a pair of black jeans that moulded to his thighs, a tight black t-shirt that pulled across his chest and a black leather jacket that hung open. His hands were stuffed in his pockets which made the jeans even tighter across the front. It made my mouth water just looking at him. Now that I knew what was hiding under the clothes my heart picked up as flashes of his body and what he could do with it played in my mind. I had to give my head a shake to clear the pictures out. As soon as I was close, enough Martin pulled me into his chest and kissed me. It started out slow and soft but within seconds it turned hot and passionate. Carly cleared her throat behind us, and I stepped away, but Martin kept his arm around my waist. We said goodbye to Carly and walked out. I looked around not seeing Martins car anywhere, but a black motorbike parked in the driveway. I stopped dead, and my chin hit the ground. I have always loved motorbikes but I have only ever seen them at shows and on the road I have never been on one or known anyone who owned one. “Oh my god, is that yours?” I knew it was a dumb question the second it left my lips, but it just slipped out. I was in shock that Martin, a guy that wears a suit every day and CEO of a multi-million dollar company would ride a motorbike. “Yes it is and I’m going to take you for a ride then a late dinner.” “I can see now why you wanted me to wear jeans.”
He led me over to the bike and got a jacket and helmet out of bags that were hanging on the side. I put the jacket on then he helped me with the helmet. “I have always wanted to go on one of these but never knew anyone who could take me and I never trusted the people at the car and bike shows that take people for rides.” I wasn’t even sure I trusted Martin. “You will love it. Just hold on and when we go around a corner move with me and don’t try to sit up straight because that’s one sure way for us to eat dirt.” Martin laughed at the look of panic on my face. “Thanks for making me feel better.” I couldn’t help the sarcasm in my voice. He walked over and pulled me into his arms, lifted my chin, so I was looking into his eyes. “Do you really think I would do anything to hurt you? Just wrap your arms around me and hold on and follow my body. If you relax, you will enjoy it more.” He stepped away from me and straddled the bike.
He started it with one kick and reached out to help me on. I wrapped my arms around him as tight as I could and turned my head so I could rest the side of the helmet on his back. He gave my hands a squeeze then put his hand back on the handlebars, revve
d the bike and slowly pulled out onto the road.
It didn’t take me long to get used to the feel of the rumble under my ass and thighs. I knew Martin wasn’t going very fast to start with so he could get me use to the feeling but as we rode for longer the speed started to pick up. We rode around the city for a while then took some roads that headed out of town where Martin opened the bike up a bit. He was right I did love it. With the wind blowing my hair and the feeling of being free, I started to relax and enjoy the ride. We started to go up a winding road, and I could see lights through the trees. As we kept going up, the lights got smaller.
We pull into a parking lot. Martin turns the bike off and removes his helmet. “You ready for a late dinner?” He sides of the bike and helps me to get off, I remove my helmet and have a look around. There is a path that leads up to what looks like a gazebo with people taking photos. I’m shocked at how many people are around because it’s now after 9:30. Martin leads me up the path that opens up to a large observation deck with breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding area. There are so many twinkling lights that seem to go on for miles. “Oh my god Martin, it’s spectacular. Why didn’t you tell me to bring my camera? I could spend hours up here just looking at the view and taking photos.” “Sorry. I didn’t think about bringing you up here until after I had picked you up.”
Martin takes my hand and leads me over to a table just outside the little café so we can still see the view.
