“I’m sorry for the way I reacted to everything,’’ I tell her truthfully, hoping I hadn’t put her off dating him.
“So, can we call it a clean slate? And maybe when you begin to trust me you can confide in me about what’s really going on.’’ When I go to interrupt she holds up her hand stopping me. “I may believe that it isn’t your father, I’ve heard the way he talks about you so it didn’t need much convincing, but someone out there is hurting you, and I want to help you,’’ she says before leaning over and kissing my head. I’m so in shock with her words I don’t even say goodbye when she gets up and leaves.
Instead of going downstairs to tell her she’s wrong, that no one is hurting me, I fall back onto the bed and fall into sobs. I’m sobbing so hard my chest aches, my throat is sore and my eyes sting from the constant tears.
I’ve known Katie all of five minutes and already she has shown me kindness and love. Her softness and the way she handled me with care means more to me than she’ll ever know, it’s also foreign for me to receive kindness like that and it’s completely knocked me back. So, I’m mourning my stupidity and my constant fucked-up reactions to situations, but also for the mother I never got to have.
Apart from Katie, I’ve only received kindness and love from a few other older adults. Joan, Harlow’s Nan is one, and another lady I met called Hannah at the Salvation food bank is another.
I don’t know how long I’m crying for, but when the hallway light shines through the room blinding me, I pulled back from my thoughts. A large stiletto is barricading the doorway and I gasp in fright until I smell him.
“Myles,’’ I choke out, and he wastes no time in rushing over and climbing into bed with me. He pulls me into his arms and I sob harder, and with broken words I explain everything that happened, from the beginning to the end when Katie left my room. All through it Myles stays quiet running his fingers through my hair.
Chapter Twenty One
KAYLA
A few more weeks have passed since the disastrous dinner with Katie and my dad. Thankfully I was able to make it up to both of them on Sunday when I cooked a roast. I think that time around it went better due to Myles being there.
After Katie returned from my room, she informed my dad how upset I was and if there was anyone he could call. When he saw my phone on the side he dialled Myles, knowing I’ve been spending all my time with him. I’ve not told him we’re a couple, but from the rules he laid out in the morning on the Sunday, I’m guessing he has an idea. He basically told Myles that under no circumstances was he allowed to sleep in my bedroom when he wasn’t in the house. Yeah, like that’s going to happen. Katie winked at me. After that I began to feel at ease more around her, liking how she put my dad in his place when he was wrong. It’s funny to watch because she doesn’t do it nastily, or spitefully.
Today we’re heading to London to try on the bride and bridesmaid dresses. The boys have decided to tag along since we’re staying overnight at a hotel.
It’s good they have an excuse about getting their suits, otherwise I think Denny’s Nan would have thrown a hissy fit, though she did mention she liked looking at those Carter boys.
Whatever that means.
My phone rings when I walk out of the restroom at the restaurant we’re all eating at.
Dad calling.
Ugh.
He told me he wouldn’t call me to check in every hour when I left this morning. Since the disastrous meal happened he’s become closer to me, involved in every aspect of my life. Even asking questions about school, my future and about Myles and my friends. When I told him I’d been asked to be bridesmaid his eyes had watered, although if you asked him he would have said a fly flew into his eye.
Whatever!
“Dad,’’ I groan into the phone, although I secretly love that he calls to check in on me now. Before he left me to my own devices.
“Hey, Kayla. I’m sorry to interrupt what you’re doing but I’ve had a call from Bob, in Leeds. He needs me to go down and sort out these accounts for him before they shut him down. I’ll be back by Monday but your mother has offered to stay the weekend with you.’’
It takes me a second not to panic. The thought of my mom tainting more of that house is unquestionable. “Dad, I’m not going to be there anyway. Plus, you’ve let me sleep at home by myself before.’’
“Well, that was before you fell on your ass, fear filling your eyes, with tears down your face,’’ he bites out. “Sorry. I’m just stressed. I’ve been a shit dad to you for years, Kayla, and I know no matter what I do it will never bring back those precious moments in your life that I missed. I’ll ever be regretful of that, but I want to be in your life now, I want to be the dad you always deserved.’’
I get choked up, and move to a large pillar so that the table with all my friends on can’t see me.
“It’s fine, Dad, but no need to call mom in, I’m here until Monday then I’m sleeping at Denny’s remember?’’ I lie. I’m totally not sleeping at Denny’s. I’m sleeping at Myles’ for the first time. I’m actually pretty excited about it.
“I’ll give her a call now. Be safe and I’ll call you when I get to Leeds. I’ll be back by Tuesday evening at the latest,’’ he tells me before we both say our goodbyes and hang up.
“Everything okay?’’ Myles asks making me jump. I smack his arm smiling.
“Don’t scare me like that. It was my dad. He called to say he was getting mom to come stay over, but I explained I wouldn’t be there,’’ I tell him, and I watch as his jaw gets hard at hearing her name. We haven’t spoken much about her since I told him who was hurting me. I know he’s trying to give me space and I’m thankful for that. I’m also grateful he doesn’t pressure me into telling him anything more. I need him to just be here for me, without piling on all my baggage.
“Are you okay to sleep at mine still?’’ he asks, and his eyes soft and his mouth turns up into a smile.
“Yes. He thinks I’ll be at Denny’s. It’s only a half lie. I will be there, but I’ll be sleeping at your house, in your bed,’’ I grin and reach up and kiss him. My arms wrap around his neck, and I moan when he wraps his around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
God, I’ll never get tired of kissing him. Ever!
“Hmmm,’’ I groan and chuckle when we pull away to see he has pink lip stick smudged across his lips. Before I have chance to tell him or to wipe it away, Joan grabs our attention when we hear her shout across the restaurant.
“That’s it, you tell him, dump that sad loser,’’ she chants and everyone turns to look at her in shock. We look to where she’s shouting to, and believe it or not, it’s only a few tables across from us. The way she was shouting, you’d think they were outside on the pavement.
“Grams,’’ Harlow hisses, and smiles an apology at the couple, but the girl at the table stands up nodding her head.
“You’re right, old lady. I’m dumping his loser’s ass. He slept with my mother and my sister, you know,’’ she shouts, picking up her glass of wine and throwing it over her boyfriend’s head. I gasp, and trying to cover my giggles when he stands up to defend himself only to get some green looking sauce thrown at him.
“Grams, don’t throw food,’’ Harlow hisses louder. “You’re going to get us kicked out.’’
“Oh girl, you know nothing. Us sisters have to stick together, you hear me? Oi, girl who got fucked by her mother and sister, I ain’t no old lady. I got more stamina than most you young folk,’’ Joan says and the table erupts in groans and protests. Other tables are looking by, watching the show with amusement. Myles walks us back to our seats, making sure to keep us out of everyone’s attention.
“Eww, I did, didn’t I? You had that penis in my mother and sister and in me, it means we shared more than DNA, eww,’’ the blonde squeals, then lads a hard slap to the man’s cheek.
“It didn’t mean anything. I thought she was you,’’ he defends himself just as an older lady and younger girl walk i
n.
“Oi, Mom, Sandra, come ‘ere,’’ the blonde shouts and everyone’s heads turn quickly to see the newcomers. They walk slowly over to the table, looking around the room at everyone’s curious glances.
The two waiters come to intervene, but then the manager we met earlier walks over to stop them, shaking his head grinning.
“Old lady, can she be mistaken for me?’’ the blonde asks Joan, and Joan being Joan stands up and looks the other girl up and down in distaste.
“I hope you get diseases,’’ Joan hisses before turning to the man at the blonde’s table. He looks pale and looking around for a way to bolt, but then Blondie grabs a hold of his arm.
“Don’t even think about it. So?’’
“You’re blonde, thin, tall, got fake ass tits, and blue eyes. Your sister has brown hair, small, chubby, no tits, but a huge ass, there is no way he could have mistaken the two of you, and what’s your excuse for the mother?’’ Joan asks taking a seat again.
“Please keep out Grams; you’re not Jeremy Kyle,’’ Harlow hisses quietly, but her Nan just waves her off. Everyone else is just transfixed on to the commotion going on at the table. I don’t know what the hell we missed but all of a sudden a plate of food is thrown in the sister’s face, and her mom’s hair is dripping with soup. When I look to the table in front of them I can see where it came from. Blondie obviously used the couple’s starts to get her revenge.
“Cheers, Old lady. You really should get your own show,’’ Blondie says before walking out of the restaurant with her head held high. When she gets to the entrance a man walks over to greet her, whispers something in her ear making her laugh before they both walk out holding hands.
We then look back to the table where the three stand sopping wet with food, looking at each other with expressions I can’t explain.
“So, I guess now isn’t the time to tell you I’m pregnant?’’ the mother says before taking her daughters hand and rushing out. We all look stunned, watching the man rushing out after her before we all look to one another. Then the whole restaurant erupts in laughter and endless chatter.
“What the hell was that?’’ I whisper, feeling like we just entered an episode of Jerry Springer.
“That my dear, is London. Full of drama,’’ Joan cackles before taking a sip of her martini.
I shake my head before looking at Myles. He’s still laughing and when he feels me watching him, he looks down with a soft expression.
“I’ve got a surprise for you after. You up for it, or are you tired?’’ he whispers so no one else can hear.
I nod my head. “Yes.’’
“Bro, why the fuck you wearing lipstick?’’ Max shouts across the table and I giggle uncontrollably, just remembering I hadn’t wiped it off. He gives me a look that only makes me laugh harder. The table then continues to tease him while finishing off their food and I look around at the people I’ve come to love and call my own family.
*** *** *** ***
“Oh my God, you brought me to the London Eye,’’ I squeal, jumping up and down. I wrap my arms around Myles, squeezing him to me. I’ve wanted to go on the London Eye since forever.
Myles laughs at my behaviour, but I don’t care. I’m so freaking excited I could scream from the rooftops. I laugh out loud, not caring if people think I’ve lost my trolley.
“You’re excited then?’’ he asks, and I give him a look before giving him another hug.
“Thank you, thank you,’’ I chant, and grab his hand excitedly as he pulls us over to the small queue. The view from down here is beautiful. The place is lit up with so many lights, changing from blue, to green and then to pink. It’s breathtaking.
We move into a room for our photos, and I look at the green screen behind me in confusion. Why would we want a photo with a green background? I ignore it and smile up at Myles just as the photo is taken. I blush when the photographer chuckles and tells us to move on. It’s not long before we’re seated in a 4D cinema and laughing our heads off.
Myles gets a few calls and text messages when we’re in there, but he presses ignore before clicking it on silent.
“That was amazing,’’ I laugh, my hair a little wet as we leave the cinema room. Myles laughs, his hand still clutched in mine.
Then we notice people queuing at a booth and when we make our way over to it, it’s the photos we had taken before entering the cinema. I gasp when I see ours. I’m standing so my front is to Myles side, my face looking up at him and smiling. I didn’t know when the photo was taken, but Myles is also facing me and smiling. We look… we look like a young couple in love. I know I love him, but I don’t think he’s there just yet. Not wanting to put a downer on the evening, I grab my bag to get my purse, but Myles’ voice stops me.
“I’ll take two of number 109 please,’’ he says handing over a twenty.
“I could have gotten them, you got the tickets,’’ I pout, while we wait for our photos to be printed.
“It’s my treat, and seeing your face light up like a Christmas tree is worth every penny,’’ he tells me softly. I melt into him, feeling all mushy inside.
“You really know how to sweet talk me,’’ I tell him softly, kissing his cheek.
“Anything for you,’’ he tells me before taking the photos the lady hands over. He keeps the bag as we walk up to the gates, the queues getting smaller and smaller as we arrive.
We walk on to a passenger capsule and I feel giddy with excitement and nerves. I rush quickly over to the far end of the capsule, looking out at the water. The doors close and we’re left in a capsule with six or seven other people, all of them taking photos of each other or selfies. I smile at them before watching the river lit up outside.
It’s not long before we’re at the top, the ride stopping to give us all time to appreciate the view. The house of parliament lights up golden, and I take in all the street lights and sigh. It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined. It’s perfect.
“This is beautiful,’’ I sigh, leaning my head against Myles’ shoulder.
“Yes it is,’’ he whispers, his one hand rubbing slow circles on my hip. I turn my head, pulling away a little and look at him, expecting him to watching the view but he’s staring down at me, his eyes glazed over.
“I love you,’’ I blurt out, then gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. Shit! Why did I just go and ruin it and say that. Tears spring my eyes and for the first time since walking onto this capsule I wish I could run off it, escape from my verbal vomit.
“I love you too,’’ I hear, but I can’t be hearing things right. Did he? Did he just say what I think he said?
I look up at him with wide eyes, not bothering to wipe away my tears or check to see if people are looking. The capsule starts moving again, but I don’t tear my eyes away from his.
“What?’’ I ask, shaking my head, feeling like I’m in a dream.
“I said, I love you. I love you, Kayla,’’ he whispers, his lips now against my mouth. How did he move that close? Jesus, I need to get it together.
“I…I lov-” but I’m cut off when his lips reach mine, the soft texture against mine and I moan into his mouth, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His hands on my hips tighten a fraction before sliding around to the bottom of my back, his fingers pressing into my back and pulling me against him. I can feel his arousal against my stomach, long and hard between us and instead of feeling freaked out like I normally would, it just makes me groan into his mouth. Knowing I do that to him, and knowing he’s feeling it, not just from desire, but from love to, means everything to me. I never thought anyone would ever feel like this towards me, especially after Davis.
A cough interrupts us and I quickly take a step away, my breathing erratic.
“It’s time to come off,’’ a staff member says, amusement in his voice.
I nod my head, and grab a hold of Myles’ hand. I’m not even disappointed I missed the rest of the ride, him telling me he loves me is by far the best expe
rience I’ll ever encounter.
“You want to get some snacks before heading back?’’ Myles asks.
I nod, feeling my cheeks heat. “Yeah, I need to get some skittles,’’ I tell him, remembering I forgot to bring some with me. I love them.
“Okay,’’ he laughs and walks us away from the London Eye, back towards the hotel we’re staying at.
*** *** ***
Back at the hotel, we’re lying down on the double bed, watching a movie from the laptop in front of us. The TV in the room doesn’t have an HDMI lead, or even a DVD player built in, so it’s a good thing Myles thought to bring his laptop.
We’re half way through watching Bridesmaids – and yes, I know, the irony – when I move for the millionth time. I haven’t been able to keep still since we got back from the London Eye and Myles took his clothes off getting ready for bed. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. One minute I was fine, the next I was hot and bothered. I even got up and opened the bedroom window, but it’s doing nothing to cool me down.
“Are you sure you’re okay?’’ Myles rumbles and his voice hits straight to my core.
“Ahem,’’ I mutter, squeezing my legs together to see if that gets rid of the ache.
“Kayla?’’ he calls softly and I turn to look over at him. He’s watching me with half mast eyes with a soft expression.
“Yeah?’’
“Are you turned on?’’ he asks, moving down to move the laptop to the side of his bed.
“Hey, it was getting to a good bit,’’ I half protest. Curious as to what he’s going on about.
“Don’t ignore me. Is that why you’ve been restless, crossing and uncrossing your legs?’’ he asks, his tongue flicking out to lick his bottom lip.
“I don’t know,’’ I tell him truthfully.
“Can I touch you?’’ he asks, moving forward. His mouth moving closer to mine.
“I don’t know,’’ I whisper, feeling my chest rise and fall heavier.
His finger lightly runs down my cheek, and I have to close my eyes, enjoying the sensation. His breath tickles my lips for a second before he presses them against mine. My hand automatically reaches for him, landing on his strong, hard chest.
Myles (Carter Brother#3) Page 24
