Duplicity

by Lisa J. Hobman

  “Awww, you sound smitten, kitten,” Dad replied, and it was my turn to breathe a sigh of relief.

  “Yeah, Dad. I kind of am. It’s all been very sudden but we’re just seeing where it goes.”

  “Well we’re very happy for you, sweetie. You deserve someone wonderful.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I think so too.”

  The rest of the conversation centred on what the family were doing back home, and what my old friends were up to. Alec walked in just as the call was coming to its usual emotional ending and I was feeling kind of homesick. But once I hung up, I was back to evading Alec’s questions about my night with Fin. Alec was the master of distraction techniques, and he knew very well when I needed them to be used on me.

  “So, was it better this time, Twinkle?” he called from the kitchen.

  “I am not having this conversation with you,” I replied in a bright, sing-song voice.

  “Oh, come on. We share everything, you and I. Just tell me. Was it better knowing that he has feelings for you?”

  Rolling my eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that day, I replied, “Oh my God, is nothing sacred? Yes, okay? Yes, it was amazing. He is amazing. Happy now?”

  Alec’s head poked around the door into the living room. “I knew it. You’re falling for him.”

  Bit late for that. I covered my face to hide the fact that I was blushing and grinning like a maniac. “I think he’s sweet. That’s all I’m saying.”

  Alec chuckled, and as I peered at him through my fingers, he made some dramatic gesture with his hand. A kind of ‘talk to the hand’ thing. “Yeah, whatevs. I know that bloody expression. Just…be careful, okay? He hurt you once before and I don’t want to see you go through shit you don’t deserve. Tell him I’ll sort him out if he hurts you again.”

  I lowered my hands from my face and was met with an expression of deep concern. I stood to face him and placed my hands on his arms. Looking him directly in the eyes, I boldly told him, “I’m a big girl, Al. I’ll be fine.”

  Oh, please God let me be right for once.

  “I sincerely hope so, Twinkle.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

  Fin

  The weekend rolled around and I was getting ‘Star withdrawal’. I hadn’t seen her since our date on Wednesday, and although we’d chatted on the phone and texted each other in the few days since, I hadn’t had my quota of her. I had hoped Saturday would make up for that but she had a prior arrangement with a group of friends. Thankfully, my brother called and invited me for dinner, complaining that he’d feared I’d dropped off the face of the earth. I apologised and accepted willingly, figuring I had so much to tell him—and it would be a good distraction from pining like a pathetic love-sick teen.

  “So, how are you feeling about the shit with Dad now?” Callum asked as he poured me a glass of wine. It was early Saturday evening, and Tori, his wife, had cooked the most amazing lamb tagine. She was ready to burst with their first child but she wouldn’t rest.

  I took a deep breath, followed by a long swallow of my drink. “I feel numb to be honest, Cal. Hurt that he could treat me like that, but numb at the same time.”

  “Well, he was always a stubborn bastard. I don’t see that changing any time soon. Why do you think Tori and I keep out of his way these days? She doesn’t need it in her condition. But to be honest, I suspected things would go this way.”

  Callum’s admission surprised me. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you tried so hard to be what he wanted, Fin. And there was bound to come a day when you realised you had to live your life for you. The thing with Elise was never going to work. You two were forced together. It was tantamount to a fucking arranged marriage. That shouldn’t have happened. Not in this day and age. But you had to realise that for yourself. I couldn’t help you there.”

  I almost choked on my drink. “But that’s the thing. She dumped me. I would’ve married her. That’s how fucking stupid I am. That’s how important it was to me to please him. What does that say about me? The fact that I was prepared to marry someone I wasn’t in love with just to make him happy. My God, what a pathetic arse I was.” Anger and resentment fought for priority and my skin prickled.

  Callum reached across the table and grasped my forearm. “Hey, you are not an arse. And there’s nothing pathetic about wanting to make your dad proud. And believe me, brother, all this says more about him than it does you. And I think if Elise had turned up, you would have realised when the vicar got to the ‘Has any one got any objections’ bit. And if you hadn’t, I would have said something at that point. Either way, you wouldn’t have been marrying her, I can assure you of that.”

  “Well, it’s all a moot point now, anyway. And anyway, I have more news. I’ve been offered a job and I start on Monday.” I could hear the hesitance in my own voice.

  Callum sat up straight and eyed me warily. “Bloody hell. That’s quick going, but great, obviously. Sorry, go on. I’m guessing from your tone of voice that you’re worried about telling me.”

  I laughed. He was right in a way. “I’ll just come right out and say it. It’s with McKendrick Law.”

  Callum’s eyebrows rose and he glanced at Tori who had just come back from her fifth trip to the loo. He nodded. “Well, spank my arse and call me Mandy, my little brother has grown a pair.” A wide grin spread across his face. “I’m proud of you, Fin. You have the potential to actually be recognised for your talents there.”

  “Funny, McKendrick said the same thing.”

  Callum rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “From what I’ve heard outside of Dad’s little bubble, Alasdair McKendrick is a decent bloke. Very family orientated. Good luck, brother.” He held his hand out to me and I grasped it and shook hard as relief washed over me.

  “I think it’s wonderful too.” Tori stood and began to waddle around to me.

  “No, stay put, madam,” I chastised playfully, and went around to hug her. It almost felt that in losing a relationship with my father, I had gained a better one with my brother. A phoenix from the ashes, if you like.

  “That’s not all.” I stood between my brother and heavily pregnant sister-in-law. “I’ve kind of got a new hobby.”

  “Please don’t tell me it’s skydiving. I think I may go into labour right now.” Tori laughed, rubbing her swollen belly.

  “No. I kind of accepted the gig as lead singer in a rock band.”

  It was Callum’s turn to almost choke on his drink. He stood quickly. “Fuck! Seriously?”

  “Yep. We start rehearsals next weekend. They saw me singing at DeBasement in the city and, well the rest is easy to suss, I guess.”

  “Bloody hell, Fin. I’m so fucking impressed right now. This is bloody amazing. You’re actually fulfilling a lifelong dream at last! What have you done with shy, mousy Fin? Where’s my brother? What have you done with him?” He laughed.

  I shrugged and grinned again. “What can I say? They think I’m awesome.”

  “Well, you always could sing. I just never thought you’d have the guts to actually do something about it. That’s bloody brilliant, Fin.” He grabbed me and hugged me hard.

  I laughed as he slapped me on the back. “God, I feel like this is some weird tell all chat show. I have other news too.”

  “You won the lottery? ‘Cause it sounds like you’re having a winning streak, brother.”

  My cheeks heated as I realised I’d saved the best news ‘til last. “Ha ha, it kind of feels like it, but not literally, no. I met someone.”

  “This someone…is it a guy or a girl?” I smiled at my brother’s question. Clearly, he was expecting it to be a day of admissions. “Because you know we love you and it would make absolutely no difference to us.”

  “I know that, Cal. She is a beautiful American girl called Star. And she’s…she’s just amazing.”

  Callum clapped his hands together and laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love for real, Finlay Hunter?”

  “Well,
it’s a bit early to say, but there are definite feelings. And I may be falling, yes.”

  “Bloody hell! I’m cracking open that bottle of Glen Carragher. This is all cause for one bloody mahoosive celebration. Good thing you’ve got a cab coming to take you home, brother.” And off he went to the cellar where the good liquor was stored.

  ♫♫♫

  After drinking too much whiskey at my brother’s house, I took a cab home, and the second I walked through the door, I decided to text Star.

  F: Hey gorgeous. Have had a tell all sesh with my brother and his wife. All’s good in the hood ;-)

  I hit send and then re-read my words. I clearly had whiskey brain. If only there was a way to detract text messages. A reply came soon after.

  S: Hey there, handsome. So glad all is good in the hood. You do know you’re neither from “the hood” nor American, right? ;-)

  She made me smile even when she wasn’t with me. I instantly hit reply.

  F: Imagine my embarrassment when I figured that out! Look I miss you. I mean really miss you. I know you’re out with your friends tonight but maybe we can meet up after my first day?

  I waited for her reply. And waited…and waited. After thirty minutes, I gave up hope of receiving another message and decided her battery must have died or she was having too much fun with her friends.

  Figuring distraction techniques had worked earlier, I decided to choose my outfit for my first day at McKendrick Law—it surprisingly took me less than an hour. And it felt good to know I was prepared. A little drunk, but prepared all the same.

  I selected my slate grey suit, white shirt, and silver and black tie, and it was all hanging on my closet door ready. I’d decided I didn’t want to wear black as I felt maybe that would give the impression either, a) that I was mourning, or b) that I was on some kind of power trip. Neither was the case.

  I was feeling very positive.

  I was making my way to the bedroom when there was a knock at the door. My heart rate increased, and I knew exactly whom I wanted to be standing at the other side.

  After unlocking the door, I flung it open. There she stood in a fitted black bodice, black mini skirt, and denim jacket. She looked good enough to eat—if you know what I mean.

  She tilted her head to one side. “I missed you too,” she breathed. And with that, I stepped over the threshold, scooped her up in my arms, and crushed my lips to hers.

  Star

  I awoke on my back to find Fin’s huge, sculpted, naked body wrapped around me once again. It was quickly becoming my favourite way to wake up. His left hand was hugging me to his side, his right arm created a halo around my head, whilst his left leg was entwined with both of mine. Each warm exhale that caressed my skin caused goosebumps to rise and a tingle to shiver its way down the length of my body. Turning my head ever so slightly, I watched him sleep for a few minutes. His blonde hair was sticking up at all angles, and the stubble gracing his angular jaw was now more like a beard.

  There was no other word for him right then than delicious. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his eyelids flutter in his REM sleep. He must have been dreaming as his arm twitched a little, and I stifled a giggle.

  “It’s creepy, you know?” he mumbled.

  Huh? His voice startled me as his eyes were still closed. “What’s creepy?” I wasn’t sure if he was talking in his sleep.

  “Staring at someone when they’re sleeping. It’s creepy.” His Scottish accent and gruff morning voice melted my insides, and the smile that widened his lips turned me to total mush. I poked him in the ribs and his eyes opened abruptly. “Hey, Mendoza. You’re going to pay for that.” With one swift move, he had me pinned to the bed and was blowing raspberries on my neck.

  I squirmed and fought whilst giggling like a teenager. “Hunter, no! Stop it! I swear to God I’ll pee in your bed! Please…stop!” Thankfully, the mention of pee on his high thread count sheets stopped his attack and he jumped off me as if I was on fire.

  “Urgh! Go to the bathroom, woman! We’ll have no incontinence here!” He shoved my naked butt, eliciting further giggles from me. I had to virtually hop to the bathroom as I laughed but, thankfully, I made it in time.

  Fin

  Star and I spent the rest of Sunday in bed, taking pleasure in each other’s bodies. When we weren’t making love, touching, and kissing, we talked at length about our friends, families, and lives. I discovered she was such an intriguing and insightful person, and I asked myriad questions about where she lived in the USA, how she got into photography, what music she liked. It helped that I loved her accent, but honestly, I couldn’t get enough of listening to her. And as far as music went, we had such a lot in common.

  “What made you want to come to the UK in the first place?” I asked as I drew lazy circles on her naked back. She was laid beside me on her front, her head propped on her hand and her hair in a wild mess. She looked absolutely stunning.

  She sighed dreamily. “Oh, I think I just fell in love with the place after reading books set in Edinburgh.”

  “Let me guess, you read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie?”

  She blushed. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing. I love that book. It changed me.”

  “Hey, no. It’s not a bad thing at all. I haven’t read it, but I know plenty that have. I cringed and waited for the sharp intake of breath, but none came. “And Edinburgh is a wonderful city, but I’m rather biased, I suppose.”

  “It really is. And you’re allowed to be biased, Fin. It’s your home, after all.”

  “So, what appealed to you the most about it? Surely not the romantic ideal? Things can be very different in real life as I’m sure you’ve discovered.”

  She pursed her lips as she thought. “I think to begin with it was the romantic ideal. The descriptions in the book definitely helped with the attraction, but once I got here and visited some of the tourist attractions, that was it. I was completely head over heels. The architecture, the atmosphere, the people, the history.”

  “Well, yeah. You don’t have much of that to go at in the USA,” I teased.

  She shoved my shoulder and I fell onto my back, laughing. She rose and straddled my hips, arousing me immediately.

  Fighting to calm my body, I continued interrogating her. “So, when did the pink hair and the tats happen?”

  “Hmm. I’ve always been encouraged to be my own person. My folks have always instilled in me that it’s better to be your real self than a fake version of someone else. The place I grew up wasn’t so bad, but some people weren’t so open-minded. I used to buy clothes from the thrift store in town and chop them up, sew patches on and such. I always tried to be me. I didn’t feel like a skirt and blouse type of girl.”

  “That’s not particularly in keeping with Muriel Spark’s novels.”

  “No, but Jean Brodie encouraged her girls to be strong. To stand up for themselves. And that’s what I took from the book. I got my first tattoo in college and dyed my hair blue. Then after I’d been over here a while, I went with Alec when he got a tattoo and I got more. It’s kind of addictive.”

  I traced my fingertips down her arm. “Which was the first one you had done?”

  She twisted herself and, incidentally, ground her pelvis into me, causing me to inhale sharply at the sensation. She flicked her head back around to me and grinned as she chewed her bottom lip. Her hair fell over one eye, adding to her allure. Feigning coyness, she pouted. “Oh, I’m sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable?”

  I shook my head slowly and swallowed hard. “Um…not exactly. Carry on. The tattoo thing, I mean.”

  She knew what she was doing to me and twisted again to show me the tattoo of the Japanese vine that started on her shoulder. “This was my first. It was small to begin with, but I just loved the way it trailed down my skin, and I decided it needed to be bigger.”

  I watched, mesmerised, as she touched her own skin and told the story of each of her ink adornments.

  “I especially lik
e this one,” I told her as I retraced the flowers that trailed from her collarbone and down her arm.

  “Oh, yeah. Those were done in memory of my abuela. My grandma. Her name was Rosabel. She died when I was twelve and I miss her like crazy. We were very close. She used to tell me stories about how she met my grandpa just before the war.”

  “Roses to remember Rosabel. That’s really sweet, Star.” Her eyes welled with glistening moisture and I pulled myself up to face her. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  She sniffled and wiped her eyes. “Oh, gosh, no. Don’t be sorry. I think the fact that I still cry over her just means that I still miss her. She had an amazing life, and I’m so glad I got to spend twelve years of my life getting to know her.”

  “So…the pink hair?” I rapidly changed the subject. I wanted to get to know more about her, and I didn’t want to cast a melancholy shadow over our time together.

  She giggled. “Oh, I tend to change my hair colour around once a year. The first colour I tried was blue. Last year it was purple. Pink is maybe a little too girly for me, but I’m sticking with it for now.”

  I twirled a lock of her hair around my finger. “I like it.”

  “I’m glad,” she breathed, before crushing her lips to mine. Before I knew it, we were making love again. And my God, it got better each time.

  Crazy but true.

  ♫♫♫

  Later, we took a shower, and I was washing Star’s hair. As I worked the shampoo into a lather, she turned to me over her shoulder. “So, you know lots about me, so I think it’s only fair that you share too.”

  “I think you know everything. I seem to remember spilling my guts to you on our first proper meeting.”

  “Ooookay. I still have questions, though. For example, have you ever thought about getting a tattoo?”

  I laughed. “Um…no. I’m allergic to pain, and they look pretty bloody painful from what I’ve seen on telly.”