Infinity: Soulmates 2

by Sienna Grant

  Sitting on the bed next to him, we hold each other. “I just don’t know how to get out of the dark hole I’m in.”

  “Maybe you should go see the doctor again and tell him, it might help you, I don’t know. I need you Dad, and so does Mum. Please say you’ll go and see him.”

  Nodding, Dad holds me to him as I see Mum stand in the doorway. She walks towards the bed and sits down next to me.

  “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. We didn’t realise how much pressure we were putting on you with all this,” Mum tells me, but I’m so tired and emotional I can’t go through this now.

  I kiss her cheek and then my Dad’s and tell them I’m going to bed.

  ADAM

  I’m just starting to doze off to sleep when I hear my phone vibrating on the side of the bed. I lean over and see Darcy’s name on the screen. Picking it up I swipe the screen and put it to my ear.

  “Hey babe, miss me?” I say sleepily.

  “Oh my god, I’m sorry Adam did I wake you?”

  “I was just dozing off, it’s all good. You ok?” I hear her sniff into the phone but she doesn’t answer me. “Darcy?” I’m awake again now, I sit up.

  “I’ve just had a huge argument with my Dad.”

  “Oh babe, I’m sorry. What happened?”

  “I heard him shouting at Mum again and I couldn’t listen to it anymore. Anyway, I told him a few home truths. He said he was sorry but I don’t know where it’ll go from here or whether it’ll do any good. I’m this close Adam, this close to saying fuck it to everything. I don’t know how long I can keep our heads above water where the garage is concerned, I’ve just had enough.”

  Hearing her heavy sighs and sobs down the receiver makes we want to go to her, hold her and ease all her worries but I don’t know how to.

  “Babe, please don't give up because then you'll feel shitty for doing it. Do you want me to come around? I can I don’t mind.”

  “No, it’s fine, and yeah I know you're right I’m just shattered. I feel like I'm doing all this for nothing... you know?!” She sounds so sad.

  “I just wish he could see everything we do but instead he's locked himself away into his own dark world, where nothing exists… not even us,” she adds quietly.

  “Don't make any plans for tomorrow, I'm coming around to pick you up.” I wait tentatively for her to say she's busy or she flat out can't, “I’m not taking no for an answer either.” She doesn’t answer right away,

  “Yeah okay, I'd like that.”

  “Go on and get some sleep. Night beautiful.” I hang up the phone, put it on the bedside table and think about how I can help her. If it's the last thing I do I'll help her out of this mess.

  CHAPTER 12

  ADAM

  Arriving outside Darcy’s house, I turn off the engine. I slept shit last night worrying about her.

  Whoever would have thought that Adam Willows would be awake the best part of the night over a woman - not me that’s for sure. But Darcy, she’s different. I feel like I can be myself around her all the time, no pretence.

  I was even too tired to take the piss out of Todd this morning and that’s always a must.

  I knock on the door and wait. Darcy opens the door in some jean shorts and a tank top. My eyes drop down to her bare feet and slowly travel up her pale slender legs until I find her shining eyes looking back at me. Smiling at her, I bend down and kiss her lips softly.

  “Hey, morning babe!” Straightening up to stand, she puts her arms around my waist and places her cheek against my chest. I kiss the top of her head and inhale the sweet coconut scent of her freshly washed hair as I wrap my arms around her. “Are you going to let me in or what?”

  Darcy looks up at me, smiles and says, “Yeah, come on. Mum’s took the day off work after all that business last night, she was too upset.” Darcy takes my hand and leads me down a hallway to the kitchen where her Mum is making tea. It’s only ten thirty am so we’ve got the whole day ahead of us.

  “Mum, this is Adam Willows. Adam this is my Mum, Christine.”

  “Hey, pleased to meet you.” I rub my palm on my jeans before I put my sweaty hand out to shake Christine’s; I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous. I look to Darcy as she smirks and gives me a sideways glance. She leans up on her tiptoes to speak quietly in my ear.

  “I’ll get my shoes on and we can go.” I nod as her Mum speaks up

  “Would you like a drink, Adam?” Darcy’s Mum asks me but before I can answer Darcy speaks up,

  “No, we’re off out, Mum.” I look to Darcy before facing Christine again.

  “No, but thanks for the offer.” I say smiling. I’m glad we’re not staying, there’s so much tension in the air you could cut it with a knife.

  “So, Adam, what do you do for work sweetheart?”

  “Um,” I say steadying my voice. I’ve never met the parents of any girl and my confidence has waned since I walked in. “I’m a writer.” I grin at her as I say it before she tells me it’s not a worthy job. “I also work for a magazine and I love photography too.”

  Darcy walks back in the room, her converse on and her hair in a bun on top of her head, she looks mouth-watering, natural.

  “I bet that’s fun. What kind of magazine is it?”

  “It’s landscapes, flowers that sort of thing. It pays the bills, I’ve only been there a couple of weeks though.” Smiling at her, she smiles back and pours two cups of tea.

  I look down and see Darcy looking back up at me smirking. “Come on let’s go.” Darcy says grabbing me by the hand. “See you later, Mum.”

  Walking down the hallway towards the door, I see, who I presume is her Dad walking down the stairs. As he reaches the bottom he looks towards me, his eyes searching mine. I make the first move and break the ice.

  “Hello.” Holding my hand out in front of me, I wait for him to take it. He leans against the stairway railing to hold his weight and loosens his hold on his stick as he takes my hand and shakes it firmly. Darcy watches her Dad cautiously before speaking.

  “Dad, this is Adam. Adam, this is my Dad, James Ambrose.” Darcy looks between us,

  “Pleased to meet you,” I say as he drops my hand. Darcy leans up and kisses her Dad on his cheek and we get out of there, there’s enough fraught tension without me being here.

  I unlock the car as we reach the end of the drive and get in. Leaning across the middle, my hand cups her face as I pull her gently towards me. My lips press against hers as her breath shudders deep in her chest. She places her hands on my arms and presses back firmly against mine. Breaking away an inch so I can still feel her warm air in my face as she speaks.

  “So now you have me, what are you going to do with me?” Her eyebrows raise and a smirk pulls at her mouth as she asks me with a little sass.

  “Would you be disappointed if I said, I had no idea.?!” I ask as my hand smooths across her cheek.

  “Not at all. I’m glad you came to pick me up though, I don’t think I could’ve stayed in the house today. Thank you, Adam.”

  Darcy places her hand over mine and leans her head against our joined hands. Leaning in I kiss her again. This kiss a little more passionate than the last. I enjoy the sweet, soft texture of her lips a little bit longer.

  Pulling away from her slightly, “Come on, let’s get going. We can go to mine for a while if you like, while we decide.”

  Nodding her head, I kiss her forehead tenderly and turn the engine on. Putting her seatbelt on I pull away from the kerb as she places her hand on my thigh and leaves it there as I drive.

  As I’m pulling up to my house, I see it’s a little packed on the drive. Aidan and Stacey are here, Chris and Taylor also. At least Darcy will have someone to speak too, I know her and Taylor get on well.

  “Looks like it’s a full house.” I nod my head towards the drive as I speak, Darcy’s eyes go wide as I switch off the engine. “Come on let’s go in.”

  I make my way to the passenger side and take Darcy’s hand as she jumps
down. With the height she is, it does make it a challenge to get in and out. I keep her hand in mine and walk her towards the door.

  DARCY

  Walking into the house, it’s noisy. People talking and laughing. It’s homely, I wish my house was like this. NO DARCY… no feeling sad, I berate myself.

  Adam still has my hand encased in his, it’s protective, he makes me feel safe. We walk further into the house until we reach the lounge door. Adam walks in first as I tuck myself in behind him.

  “YO!” Says Adam as we walk into the living room. I have no choice but to come out of his shadow as Taylor sees me.

  “Darcy!” Taylor squeals as she jumps up and greets me. She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly to her chest. She’s about three inches taller than me but then, everyone is taller than me.

  She drags me to the couch and sits me down beside her. “Stacy?” She looks up bored from checking out her fingernails. “Have you met Darcy yet?”

  I give a little wave and say hi, but gives me a forced kind of smile. She then introduces me to Aidan, who’s a little friendlier than her.

  “What are you two up to today?” Taylor speaks from the side of me. I turn to face her and shrug.

  “I don’t know. We had a few problems at home last night and I was a little upset so Adam offered to pick me up this morning. I haven’t a clue what we’re doing though.” I don’t know why I seem to able to tell Taylor, everything? It just seems so natural to me.

  “We should so go shopping. Have a girlie day - whatcha say?”

  “Erm... I’m not sure. I don’t have much money, maybe another time.”

  “No way, nothing cheers you up more than a little retail therapy... other than sex of course!” she says looking thoughtful but in a quieter voice as I burst out laughing.

  All the men look up as I blush. “I’ll text Ash now and make sure she’s not at work.”

  Before I can refuse again, Taylor is tapping away at her screen and looking pleased with herself, while I, on the other hand, I’m feeling a bit nauseous knowing I really don’t have the spare cash to spend.

  “Adam. Darcy is coming with me for some retail therapy…” her phone sounds as she tells him, “Oh and with Ash too. Stacy?” She looks towards her as she lifts her head, “Would you like to come with us?”

  Stacy looks to Aidan then looks back to us. “I can’t today but next time. We have to get going soon.”

  “Okay, next time.” Taylor smiles at her and Stacy very slightly lifts the corners of her lips and smiles back. In fact, she hasn’t smiled much at all in the half an hour I’ve been here.

  “Hey, Aid. Why don’t you let her go with the girls and we can go for a pint or something?”

  “Why?”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s not my decision, she can go if she wants.” Aidan answers gruffly.

  “I was just saying. We don’t see you much so it’d be good and I could whip your arse at pool, like I used to.” Aidan narrows his eyes at Adam as he laughs, “I was just joking. Lighten up, will you? Jesus, I remember the days when you were fun!”

  Taylor leans across and quietly speaks in my ear. “Ash says she’s ready now if you are. We can leave these to slug it out.”

  Looking at her wide eyed, “Will they fight?” I ask worried.

  “God no! Chris won’t let them, but I say we go now, Adam and Aidan don’t really see eye to eye.” Agreeing, I stand from the sofa, grab my bag and walk towards Adam and say bye with a kiss. He walks to the front door with me and takes his wallet from his pocket.

  “Adam, I don’t want your money, I’ll be fine.” He slips a card out of its holder.

  “Take that just in case you see something you like.” He holds the credit card between his fingers out to me.

  “No!”

  “Take it.” I know I’m not going to win this one, so I take the card, kiss his lips and back away. “See you soon.” I get into Taylor’s car and wave from the window, then blow him a kiss. My phone pings with a message from my bag. Taking it out I see a message from Adam with his pin number on, I close it off and drop it back in my bag.

  * * * * * * * * *

  We pick up Ash from her house. Ash is Taylor’s pregnant best friend, this is the first time I’ve met her though. She’s around the same height as me and really pretty with dark hair. She gets in the back of the car and stretches out.

  “Hey Ash. This is Darcy, Adam’s girlfriend.”

  “Oh hey. Nice to meet you.” Ash says.

  “Hi, how far are you gone?”

  “Not far enough.” She laughs as we begin heading towards the Trafford Centre, the main shopping centre in town and is huge, I very rarely go shopping anyway but never here as it’s always so busy. Taylor and Ash are singing along to the radio while I sit here with my thoughts.

  I lean my head against the window. I probably shouldn’t have left this morning, in fact I probably shouldn’t have said what I said last night to my Dad. It did need to be said but what if I’ve made things worse…

  “Hey, why aren’t you singing?”

  I look across at Taylor and grin sadly. The girls just want a good time and I’m sat here feeling guilty. “I don’t sing, unless I’m in the shower of course.”

  “Are you okay? If you want to share Ash and I are good listeners - I promise.”

  “Yeah, I’ve had to listen her whining for years!” Ash says with a smile spread across her face.

  “Bitch! You love me,” says Taylor as she looks into the rear-view mirror then blows a kiss to Ash. Smiling, I love how these girls get along. They have such a strong friendship.

  “How did you two meet?” Looking at each other, Taylor and Ash smirk as Taylor dives into the story of how they became friends.

  They’ve kept me that entertained with their stories that my guilt has slipped to the back of my mind and I haven’t even noticed the forty-five-minute journey. Before we know it, we are pulling on to the car park looking for a car space.

  Taylor drags us into shop after shop, boy that girl can shop. I stare into the window of the next shop, lingerie, sexy lingerie. That can only be one place - Ann Summers. I walk in, I’m looking at the underwear, picking it up and admiring the garments, I secretly wish I had the nerve to wear something like this. Adam and I haven’t even had sex yet, but god I want to.

  I pick up a black lacy all in one number, with suspender straps hanging from the bottom. It has thin shoestring straps at the front leading into thicker at the back for the adjustments for the bra, I smooth my palm down the middle of the bodice, the satin feels soft and sensual under my hand.

  “You should so buy that, it’s fucking gorgeous!” Taylor says in my ear. It really is though. “Look Darce, matching knickers to,” she says holding them up and waving them in the air.

  “Taylor, do you have to wave them about.” I feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I say it. “What - it’s just underwear, I could be waving one of these around.”

  I steal a look to see what she’s got now and to my embarrassment, she’s waving around a dildo! A big one – it’s at least eight inches.

  “Fucking hell Taylor stop it.” I cover my face with my hands to hide my blush, then walk away from her laughing.

  “Have you seen the fucking size of this? It’s fucking HUGE!” She walks over to where Ash and I are, waving around another one. She puts down the dildo and goes to another stand with sexier underwear.

  “I don’t see the point of crotchless knickers, do you girls? I mean if you’re gonna wear those...” she holds them up and stretches them, “You may as well just go commando - or is it just me?”

  Ash and I are doubled up holding our bellies from laughing so much. “Hmm, I may take Chris a present home. You should buy those you looked at.”

  Picking the all in one backup from the stand, I look at the price ticket. £49.50 - shit! I look at the price of the thong. £15.00! Oh my god. I don’t think I’ll be buying those. I walk back to the girls as they ta
ke their purchases to the counter.

  “I’m gonna wait outside.”

  Ash nods and Taylor doesn’t respond. Finding a bench, I sit down and take the weight off my feet from walking around for hours and put the very few purchases that I have made on the floor.

  The most I spent was in Primark - that’s more my price range. I’m looking through my phone as the girls walk back towards me with three bags. Taylor thrusts the Ann Summers bag at me.

  “I think that’s the right size just check. Give Adam a surprise.” she says as she smiles wide.

  “Taylor...!” I look inside the bag and just as I expected - there’s the all in one body and the thong I was looking at. “I can’t let you buy this.”

  “You didn’t let me. I did. A little present from me to you. Adam can thank me later,” Taylor replies with a smug grin on her face. I fling my arms around her neck and thank her, even though I know she won’t take no for an answer.

  “Girls it’s time for dinner, little one is hungry,” Ash rubs over her pregnant tummy and smirks.

  “Yes, and whatever my niece wants, she gets.”

  “Are you having a girl?”

  “We don’t know yet. Taylor’s convinced it’ll be a girl though. I have my twenty-week scan in two weeks, I want to know but Ryan doesn’t.”

  “It will be!” Taylor shouts. We grab our bags and head towards the pub for lunch. This has been the best day and just what I needed.

  CHAPTER 13

  ADAM

  “BOOM! I win again!” I take the twenty pounds from the side of the pool table and shove it in my pocket. Taking money from Todd and Chris is like taking candy from a baby. They were always bad at pool, especially Todd, being the footballer in the family.

  “Yeah, wait till Ryan comes!” Chris says.

  Standing at the bar we order three pints of lager for us and just as I’m about to pay the barmaid, Ryan walks in.