Angel of Mine

by Jessica Louise

  Theo playfully punches him in the shoulder, and half-heartedly retorts, “Cut it out Alex.” He is smirking hugely as he says it, and I realize he must really love showing his family how much I mean to him.

  He pours me a glass of champagne, and I wonder if I should tell him that I have never had anything alcoholic to drink. I decide to leave it alone. It can’t hurt to sip at it, right? Getting himself a beer and his own plate of food, he sits down to enjoy it.

  The tomato sauce is in front of him, and I excuse myself and lean over to get it. As I stretch across him, I can actually hear him smelling me, and I pull back, distracted. The bottle slips out of my grasp by accident and lands on his hand.

  Within moments, a small bruise starts to form. Reaching for his hand, I exclaim, “I’m so sorry,” but he pulls it away from me and continues to stare at the bruise in horror. Jeez, I didn’t mean it. It was an accident. All movement at the table has now stopped, and everyone else is sharing a look that I don’t quite understand.

  I don’t get it. I said sorry. What’s the big deal? Are they really that disgusted in me just because I dropped a bottle of sauce? It wasn’t on purpose. I’m starting to freak out. I can hear my heartbeat thumping in my chest it’s so quiet.

  To think I wasn’t worried about what they all thought of me before I came. They seemed to love me a second ago. I wish I knew what they were thinking now.

  Cautiously, I lift my gaze and eye all my family members. I’m aware they will all be concerned over how that bruise appeared after only a little bump, but they know better than to mention anything in front of Ally. We’ve had numerous chats this morning about how I don’t want Ally to have any knowledge of my past troubles.

  My family looks tense. They seem frozen in place, not even blinking or flinching. Mum even holds a serving spoon full of potato salad midway to her plate without moving. It’s all seems quite unnatural, and Ally must be wondering what on earth is going on.

  Thoughts of what the quick forming bruise mean get put to the side as I try to laugh it off. “Whoops. Looks like you aren’t supposed to have tomato sauce. It’s a sign that you were meant to go with sweet and sour. Mum whipped it up herself.” The words sound forced even to my own ears though.

  The sweet and sour concoction is in a small white bowl in front of her. The champagne must seem like a better option. As she sits down, she ignores the sauce and gulps a large portion of her drink. Immediately she coughs a little. “Easy tiger, you okay?” Alex asks her.

  “Yeah I’m fine. It was just too many bubbles at once on the tongue,” she replies.

  “Yuck, I’ll stick to my beer any day.” He lifts up the bottle, and I grab mine and tap it against his.

  “Amen to that brother,” I concur. I’m glad I can always count on him to lighten the mood.

  He starts chugging his beer until Dad’s voice booms, “Hey, not too fast Alex and you’re only getting the one of those.”

  “Yes Sir,” Alex salutes with a cheeky grin, causing Dad to shake his head and laugh. Mum finally puts the serving spoon back and excuses herself to go to the bathroom. I can tell how shaken she is, and I give Dad a pointed look.

  “I might go grab my own beer. I’ll be back soon.” He gets up and follows Mum, even though there is an Esky full of beer right beside him. I guess Ally doesn’t know that, so she might not clue in that something strange is going on. Well at least I hope she won’t.

  The conversation starts to flow again as we put the sauce incident behind us. It seems that Ally is more comfortable because she is talking more and more, and her voice is louder and more confident. It’s not until I see the flush on her cheeks and she starts to giggle at everything that I realize she may be a little tipsy. I remember only now that she is still a couple of weeks from turning eighteen and wonder if she has had much to drink in the past. Oh well, it’s too late to change anything now, so the best I can do is change the sweet fizzy drink over for some water.

  Mum and Dad come back out and Ally is too tipsy to notice that Mum is still a little quiet. I’m glad, but still feel guilty that I helped alter her state of mind like that. I hope that the water works quickly.

  “This food is delicious Rachel.” Maybe she did notice that Mum was a little quiet, and is trying to bring her into the conversation. It does the trick and Mum starts to talk about her love of all things food. Ally starts to ramble something about baking cupcakes and dress shopping together and that they will be the best of friends, so I top her water back up and place it in front of her.

  When she sobers back up, she will probably be slightly embarrassed about being so forward with my mum, even though I love the idea of them getting along so well. Mum must love the idea too, because she nudges my leg under the table and gives me a wink and a smile. Her spirits have lifted again and I can tell she adores Ally.

  They are still talking nonstop long after we have finished lunch and I’m thrilled. Dad stares at Mum lovingly and I know he is glad that her mind is elsewhere. He rubs her back to get her attention. “I’ll just go get the dessert. Be back in a minute.”

  Alex sneaks another beer while Dad is gone, and Mum is otherwise occupied. I snatch it out of his hands. “Thanks man, I needed another one of those.” He swipes his hand out to get it back, but I hold it out of his reach.

  “Oiy! That was mine,” he complains. He gets over it quickly, reaches down to grab another one, and holds it my way with a cheeky grin. “Cheers.”

  Dad comes out with chocolate covered strawberries and mini caramel tarts. Ally’s eyes light up as she takes a strawberry and rubs it across her lips. That sight alone has me transfixed. Then her tongue darting out to lick off the chocolate before she bites into it has me holding the edge of my chair in a death grip so I won’t jump on her. She makes the sexiest sounds while she eats, and I think I must be going straight to hell with the sinful thoughts running through my mind right now.

  “Good dessert Ally?” Alex teases, and then smirks at me. If he wanted to get a rise out of me, he got one.

  My hand goes up on its own accord and slaps him over the head. “Cut it out moron.” My mood fizzles out quickly though when I hear laughter from the two women next to me.

  “Come on Alex, you can help your father and me clear the table.” Mum stands and passes him the left over salad bowl to get him started. Ally rises to her feet, and I stand up to tell her to relax while we get it cleaned up but Mum beats me to it. “Dear, it’s fine. We’ve got this. After sneaking an extra beer, Alex needs a punishment.” She turns towards Alex and jokes, “Don’t think I didn’t see that young man. I may be getting older, but I still have my eyesight and I’m not an imbecile.”

  They all take something off the table and head back into the kitchen, leaving Ally and I alone. I’ve been dying to touch her since she started that first chocolate strawberry. Finally able to, I wrap my arms around her from behind and kiss her neck. She turns around in my arms and licks her lips. I can’t help but lean in and press my mouth to hers. She opens for me, and the sweet taste of caramel mixed with strawberries and chocolate explodes across my taste buds.

  “Good dessert Theo?” Damn it Alex, that’s not funny, although it is a really good dessert.

  “Hardy har. You are a regular comedian.” As much as I love my family and wanted Ally to meet them, and them to meet her, it would be good to have some privacy now. “Come sit on the porch swing with me and watch the sunset?”

  She looks back and forth a few times between Alex and me as though she is a bit unsure but replies, “I’d love to.”

  The loveseat hangs from the ceiling by four large ropes. It’s spacious and comfortable with lots of different patterned cushions all over it. Somehow, blue and brown stripes against green and brown floral designs work. Ally lets out a little squeal when she sees it and drops my hand to run and sprawl across it. Ally is tipsy, laid out on a love seat so big it may as well be a bed and looking up at me with big innocent eyes while waiting for me to join her. Oh crap, how a
m I going to keep my hands to myself? This is going to be sweet, sweet torture.

  We rock on the porch swing, admiring the changing colours of the afternoon sky as the sun sets. Shades of pinks, purples, and oranges decorate the horizon, and the smile it bestows upon Ally’s face is so dazzling that it lights her up.

  Curled up against my side her with feet tucked under her, she absently draws random patterns on my bare leg with her fingertips. She is driving me crazy. I slouch further down into the cushioned seat of the swing and pull her tighter against me, hoping this may cause her fingers to inch just a little higher.

  I pepper little bites up and down her exposed neck, making her squirm and giggle. I swirl my tongue around the slight marks to soothe them. I want to eat her alive. “You taste delicious,” my voice is husky.

  She guides my hand from her waist to her breast, and I groan. Squeezing lightly, I start to ravage her mouth with my own. Through the thin material of her satin top, I can easily feel the effect I have on her and trace around the hard peak with my fingers while fantasizing about doing the exact same thing with my tongue.

  Just as thoughts of how innocent she is pinprick at the outer edges of my brain, she moans into my mouth and I come undone. I lay back and pull her over the top of me, grinding up against her. The bulge in my cargo shorts is hard as a rock, and it pushes stubbornly against my zipper. The side of the swing digging into my back doesn’t even bother me, and I have totally forgotten that we are out in the open.

  Any logic that materialized earlier concerning the need to slow things down for her sake has vanished. May God have mercy on my soul.

  A howl suddenly pierces my ears and we break apart, breathing heavily. With her lips swollen from my attack, and her cheeks flushed, she is simply breathtaking. As I move in to claim her again, another howl pierces my ears, followed by a whole lot of cursing.

  We both sit upright and look around. Seeing that Ally’s eyes have zeroed in on the neighbour who has nailed his hand to a plank of wood and is screeching in pain, I pull her flush against me as she jumps to her feet. Her back is to my front and I wrap her tightly in a bear hug so that she is unable to move. I am careful not to hold her arm that is still healing. I don’t want to hurt her accidentally.

  “No way in hell are you going over there sweetheart.” It practically comes out as a growl. An overwhelming need to protect her fills me. I will never let her know pain again. “I’m not letting you go this time. What happened last week, I’m never letting that happen again.”

  I’m unable to fathom why she would even consider going over there and taking my neighbour’s place. She’s still recovering from surgery. Does she know no bounds? This fearless woman wants to save everyone, but who is looking out for her? I make it my vow then and there to protect her at all costs. My whole world centres completely on her. In this moment, she just became my everything.

  I am disappointed that I am cutting our evening short, but the need to keep her safe is my top priority. I throw her over my shoulder as she continues to fight against me to get next door. “I’m getting you out of here.”

  My family looks at me strangely as I cart her through the house and out to my car. Once I have her seatbelt on safely, I run around to the driver’s side and jump in, turning the engine on before she has a chance of escape.

  “Did you really have to throw me over your shoulder like that and cart me around like a caveman? That man needed help,” she huffs and glares out the window.

  “Okay, let’s get one thing straight here.” I’m facing her, but she refuses to look at me.

  “Whatever Theo, I don’t want to hear it. Let’s just go.” With one hand in my face, and the other turning the radio on, she promptly tunes me out.

  “No, you need to hear this,” I urge back, pressing the off button as I do so. Adamant as ever, she turns it back on and crosses her arms. Fine, two can play at this game. I switch the engine off so the radio no longer works.

  “When it’s either your safety in question or the tough guy’s next door, I pick you. Hell, if it’s a choice between anyone else and you, I choose you. I will always choose you Ally. End of story. You’re my girlfriend, and I intend to look after you and keep you safe.” Finally, she turns to look at me with a huge smile across her face. This sassy girl’s moods are giving me whiplash.

  “Did you just call me your girlfriend?”

  By the look on her face, this is a good thing, so I reply, “Yes, and don’t you forget it.” Leaning in, I plant a quick kiss on her lips and then start the car again. As we back out the driveway, she turns on the radio and starts singing out of tune to a pop song, but I love her in spite of it. Wait, I love her? Yeah, I think I do. Smiling wide, I start singing out of tune right along with her as we drive off.

  The trip to her place is short, and I’m not ready to end our time together yet. “Want to watch another one of your movies?” I’m already undoing both our seatbelts though and making a move to come in regardless of what she says.

  “Sure.” It’s dark out now, and the streetlight shines in through the window, showing me that she’s still a little bleary-eyed from the alcohol. Her speech doesn’t slur though, so she’s not too bad. I hope that her mum won’t notice.

  Sounds come from the living room and Carol has the TV muted slightly as she concentrates on a ton of photos she has lying all over the floor. She sits on a red beanbag in front of them, sorting them into different piles.

  “Hi, how was the barbecue?” She smiles up at us, and Ally flops down on the couch as she answers.

  “It was great Mum. Rachel is an amazing cook. We were just going to watch a movie. Is that okay?”

  “No worries honey. Do you mind if I stick around for a few and finish sorting out these pictures? I won’t be long.”

  Not wanting to intrude on what Carol was doing before we got here, I assure her, “That’s fine Carol. Take as long as you like. Why don’t you watch the movie with us?” I’m being polite, but still, I’m a typical guy and silently pray that she leaves the room soon so I can cuddle up to Ally.

  “No, that’s okay Theo. I’m sure you two love birds don’t want little old me hanging around and cramping your style, or your make out area.” She winks at me, and I’m not sure what to say to that. Awkward much?

  “Mum!” Ally protests, “You can’t say that. How embarrassing.”

  Incapable of forming a response, I laugh nervously and move over to the stack of DVDs. “What will it be Ally?”

  “Monster in Law?” Is she joking or being serious?

  “Umm,” this is uncomfortable.

  “Ally,” Carol says sternly. “It’s not that embarrassing. She’s just messing with you Theo.”

  Ally crosses her arms over her chest and pouts at her mum. Even the petulant child look is adorable on her. “How about Knocked Up?” I ask pulling out the first DVD I come across. “Actually, no.” Fumbling, I jam it back into the stand. That sounds like an awkward movie to watch with Carol hovering.

  “How about Zack and Miri Make a Porno?” Carol outright laughs, obviously enjoying my mortification.

  “Muuuuum,” Ally screeches.

  “Okay, okay. Lighten up kiddos. I’m just finishing up now.” She gathers her things and leaves the room.

  “Nice seeing you Carol,” I manage, but I’m really thinking good riddance as I breathe out a sigh of relief. That was disturbing. In the end, I put on a copy of Sweet Home Alabama and sit down beside Ally.

  I’m not sure if it was that whole scene that just occurred with her mum, but I feel a headache coming on, so I pay no attention to the movie and just enjoy cuddling up beside Ally. Occasionally, I murmur sweet nothings in her ear and delight in her reactions. At one point, we organize to see each other tomorrow. I really can’t get enough of her. After that, we fall silent and are content just being close to each other.

  About halfway through the movie I’m starting to feel really unwell. I’m getting cold and hot flushes, and my head is starting
to pound. My chest feels tight and I think I might be getting the flu. When I look down at Ally to let her know that I’m going to head off, she is sleeping soundly in my lap.

  She looks so peaceful that I don’t want to disturb her. Long dark hair fans out around her pale face, and she snores lightly; it’s quite cute. For a few moments, I appreciate her beauty, and she takes my breath away. Then I slide out from under her.

  There is a pen and paper on the table and I leave a brief note so she doesn’t think I abandoned her.

  A tartan throw lays draped over the back of the couch, so I pull it off and place it over her. I take off her sandals and tuck the soft material under her feet. She smiles and snuggles further into the couch. The last thing I do before I leave is bend down and kiss her lightly on the forehead; brushing a few strands of hair off her face and tucking it behind her ear I whisper, “I think I’m falling in love with you Ally.”

  Then I head out the door for home. The house is dark when I get there and I stumble into the bathroom to find some painkillers. Pajamas would be more comfortable than what I have on but my head hurts and I just want to collapse into bed. The screen on my phone lights up the room and the last thing I see before I fall asleep is a message from Ally.

  Ally – I think I’m falling in love with you too.

  Opening my eyes, all I can see is black. It is still dark, still sometime during the middle of the night. Chills rack my body, and a sheen of cold sweat covers me.

  Propping myself up on one arm and covering my mouth with the other, I cough and feel moisture droplets land on my hand. Mum and Alex burst into the room and flick the lights on. I must have been tossing and turning with sounds of distress to alert them this quickly. Waves of heat followed by cool air hitting my clammy skin assault me, and I start to shiver uncontrollably.