Sitting down next to him, I give him some love before his eyes start closing while I’m talking to him.
We end up having a very quiet day. Dec moves the TV down from my bedroom and I unpack some of the bits I brought with me to make the house feel more like a home. I dust off photographs I kept from Mum’s house, and a wave of nostalgia hits with every one I look at.
“You okay?” Dec asks, wrapping his arms around my waist as I stare down at a photograph of Mum and me from before she got sick. It was my last summer at school, and we’d gone out for the day to our local park. She sat and read while I revised. The day cost her nothing—well, maybe the price of an ice cream—but looking back now, it’s one of many of my fondest memories. We were so comfortable together. There didn’t need to be any talking, we could just be. It was perfect, and I pray to whomever might be listening that some day I have that kind of relationship with my own child.
“Yeah.” My voice is full of emotion. It’s obvious I’m lying.
“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, you know that?” he asks, spinning me around so I’m facing him.
“Shut up, I haven’t done anything.”
“Are you serious? You’ve been through so much. You’ve taken everything in your stride, done everything possible to help your mum and forgetting about yourself in the process. Then, when the time came, you upped and restarted your life. There are so many people who spend their whole lives wishing they could start over but never do, and here you are. Look what you’ve achieved.”
“You and Lilly sorted this.”
“The house, yeah, we got involved, but this life is all yours, Nic.”
He moves us over to the sofa and pulls me down onto his lap.
“What do you want to do now?”
“Nap,” I answer honestly.
“I don’t mean right now, I mean with your life. I love having you running the shack, but you’re meant for much better things. You should be using your talent. You should be singing.”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure I’ve got it in me anymore.”
“That’s a lie, and you know it. I saw you on that stage, the passion in your eyes once you conquered your fear. You belong on stage, Nic.”
I shrug at him, because as much as I still love music, I don’t feel the same pull to it like I used to. I used to live and breathe it, but now…I guess I realised there’s more to life than a dream.
“We’ve got a few empty spots coming up for weekend performances. You should do it.”
“No, I can’t.” Panic twists my stomach at the thought of having an audience. Singing for Dec was hard enough, let alone a roomful.
“Of course you can. I’ll be there for you, Lilly too. Promise me you’ll at least think about it.”
I agree, but I really don’t think I’m going to be getting back up on stage any time soon. Just the thought of it has me on the verge of hyperventilating. I’ve no intention of making myself look like an idiot at work when I turn into a fumbling, nervous mess in front of all our customers.
Dec leaves me to think about what he just said while he heads out for a bit. I assume he’s popped into work, but when he reappears just under an hour later with a couple of rolls of chicken wire, some wooden stakes and a mallet, I realise he has bigger plans.
“This should stop the little bugger from sneaking off again.”
“I don’t intend on leaving the door open again.”
“I didn’t think it was intentional before,” he says with a laugh. “Now he knows he can escape, he might try it when you’re here.”
I can’t help but agree, so I sit myself down at my new dining table and look out at Dec as he works his way around my little garden.
I’m struggling to keep my eyes open by the time he’s finished. He instructs me to have a lie down, so I cuddle up with Bailey on the sofa while he goes to shower.
Chapter Fourteen
Nicole
These last two weeks have flown by. The weather picked up again last weekend and ensured that both the shop and shack have been packed with customers. By the time we’ve both made it back to my place after work each night, we’re utterly exhausted. Just like before our little misunderstanding, Dec has spent every night here with me. He’s even moved some stuff in. Neither of us has mentioned it but he has toiletries littered around my bathroom, and when I pulled a drawer out in my bedroom that I was yet to fill the other day, I found a few pairs of boxers and socks along with some clean clothes. It seems our relationship is moving faster than either of us has acknowledged, but I couldn’t be happier.
We still argue every single day about something ridiculous, but I don’t think we’d be us if we didn’t. I love pissing him off just about as much as I do making him happy. He’s incredible in bed on a normal day, but a pissed off Dec ensures I’ll have a wild ride, and I bloody love it.
We’ve barely seen anyone else besides customers where we’ve been so focused on each other and making up for our few days apart that when my phone rings, it takes me a few seconds to pull myself out of my Dec haze and grab it.
I don’t recognise the number but I swipe it to answer anyway out of curiosity. I expect it to be one of those rubbish calls about my non-existent PPI claim, so I’m shocked when I hear my name down the line.
“Yeah?”
“It’s Liv, Ryan’s sister.”
“Oh, hey, how are you?”
“I’m good. Molly gave me your number, I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, of course not. It’s good to hear from you.”
“I was wondering if I could ask a favour of you.”
“Go on,” I encourage.
“I got an interview for that job I was telling you about for a local radio station down there. It’s a few days before the wedding, and I could really do with getting away for a bit, but I’m a little skint. Is there any chance I could crash at your place for a few nights?”
“Of course. But you should know, my spare bedroom is tiny.”
“That’s fine. Anywhere is better than here right now—not that I’m saying your place is bad or anything,” she blurts out in a rush.
“I know what you meant. When are you coming?”
“The interview is Tuesday, so I was thinking I could drive down Monday, if that’s okay with you?”
“If you need to get away, why don’t you come for the weekend?”
“Oh my god,” she groans. “That sounds incredible. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I’ll be working most of it, so you’ll have the house to yourself. Although I should warn you, I have a broken dog right now.” I go on to explain what happened to Bailey, and when Liv explains her love of dogs, I know he’s going to love having the company while I’m at work and he recovers. Plus, it’ll save Lilly from her twice daily drop-ins to check on him for me.
No one’s mentioned anything about it yet, so I can only assume everyone’s forgotten, but this weekend is my birthday. I’m more than happy to let it pass us all by. This will be my first one without the person I usually celebrate with, although the last couple of years Mum had no clue what day it was, let alone that it was my birthday. We used to have great fun celebrating, and I’m happy remembering the old times. I’m surprised Lilly hasn’t said anything, though. She’s always remembered, but then I guess she didn’t have kids to worry about.
As the week goes by, I get more and more convinced that everyone’s forgotten. I spend my time either at work or getting the house ready for my guest. I may be a little over excited. I didn’t mention on the phone that at that point the spare room didn’t even have a bed in it, but a quick trip to IKEA in Dec’s van, and it’s all kitted out. The sheets are all freshly washed and ironed, and she has a new set of towels.
Liv and I really hit it off at the hen do, and I’m looking forward to getting to know her a little better. I love being down here close to Lilly, but she’s so busy most of the time. I’m looking forward to being able to hang out w
ith another female. Dec’s amazing, but sometimes you just need a woman to talk to.
“You realise we’re going to have to be quiet while she’s here, right?” Dec ask as we sit and wait for Liv to arrive Friday evening. I managed to swap my shift so I could be here.
“I thought you were going to spend the weekend with BJ and Liam?”
“That doesn’t mean I wasn’t planning on sneaking over here,” he says, leaning over me until I have no choice but to lie back on the sofa. His forearms cage my head in as he peers down at me.
“What?” I ask, feeling a little shy under his intense stare.
“I love your freckles.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, they’re cute.”
“That’s not what you used to say.” Memories of him taking the micky out of the colour of my hair and freckles fill my mind, and I can’t help but smile.
“I was an idiot.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
His lips come down on mine and his tongue sweeps into my mouth. I groan when his fingers tickle up my ribs before he grabs my breast. Feeling him harden against my stomach reminds me that we don’t have time for this, but those thoughts are soon forgotten when he tugs the cup of my bra down and starts pinching my nipple.
The second I hear the doorbell, I’m pushing him off and trying to right my clothing. I can only imagine what I look like right now. It’s not how I planned on greeting Liv.
I glance in the mirror in the hallway and groan when I catch sight of my heated cheeks and wide eyes. She’s going to take one look at us and know exactly what we were up to.
“Hey,” I sing when I pull the door open, hoping my excitement might distract her.
“Hey! You were right about the weather, it’s gorgeous.”
“Come in.”
“Aw, this place looks cute,” she says from behind me as she follows me down the small hallway that leads to the main rooms. “Oh,” she says in surprise when she sees Dec sat on the sofa, thankfully looking a lot more put together than I am. “Hi, Dec. All your grovelling worked then?” Liv laughs to herself, but Dec isn’t quite so amused. Things might be good between us, but I’m not stupid enough to think he’s forgotten what happened.
“I was wrong,” I admit. “Dec didn’t do anything, and he certainly didn’t deserve for me to treat him the way I did that weekend.” I’m hoping my admission will go towards making him properly forgive me for not trusting him.
Getting up, he makes his way over before telling us to have a good night, giving me a kiss and heading out.
I know it’s stupid, but I already miss him, knowing we’re doing our own things tonight. We’ve practically been attached at the hip the last week or so; it’ll be odd not having him here.
“Let me show you to your room. I thought we could go to the pub for dinner. It’s just the next street over.”
“Sounds perfect. Is it okay if I shower first?”
“Of course. I haven’t booked a table or anything. Take your time.”
It turns out that Liv’s called time out with her boyfriend, David, and he hasn’t taken it all too well, hence her need for a break.
She finishes off her glass of wine and glances over at me. I can see she’s hurting just from the look in his eye. “Everything was perfect. Then, we found out his brother’s an addict. His parents knew something was off, but they hadn’t realised how bad it was. He’s been stealing from their house to pay for his habit, bringing some right dodgy characters around and expecting them to put up with it. His mum’s slowly losing the plot; apparently she’s struggled with depression in the past and it seems to be dragging her under. Then his dad is walking around like nothing’s wrong. David’s taken it hard, but he won’t talk to me about it. He just hides behind a bottle of whatever he can get his hands on. He lost his job a while ago and he’s drowning. I thought I could help pull him out. I stayed in Cardiff after I graduated when what I really wanted to do was leave. I got a shitty job that just about covers our rent and bills, but I’m fed up.
“I feel awful, and it’s the guilt that’s kept me there. I keep thinking of how good it was in the beginning, you know? I keep praying we can get back there, but the longer this goes on, the more I’m beginning to realise it’s just not going to happen. His family is falling apart at the seams, and he’s no better. I can’t put my life on hold while I cling to what’s possibly an already failed relationship.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say, handing her my glass of wine when she looks like she needs it. Thankfully the waiter comes over and we order a couple more. “You’re right though. Life’s too short. You need to get out of there and do what’s best for you.”
“It’s just so hard to end it.”
“I can imagine.”
“I’ve no idea what it’ll do to him,” she admits.
“His life isn’t your responsibility though, Liv.” Since losing Mum, I’ve got a whole new outlook on life. Sometimes I worry it makes me come across like a cold hearted bitch, but my experience has taught me how short life is, and there’s no point being miserable. I’ve had my fair share of misery to know how true that is.
“I know,” she says sadly. “I just don’t want to put any more on him.”
“I understand that, really I do. But you need to worry about you. What do you want?”
“A good job that I love, and a nice place to live. But he refuses to move, so I’ve got a choice to make.”
“I think the fact that you’re sitting here right now means you’ve already made it,” I point out.
“Yep, it’s just admitting that to him.”
By the time we head home, we’re both swaying about on the pavement from the few too many glasses of wine. It doesn’t stop either of us going for another the second we’re in the house.
Declan
Nicole must think we’re stupid if she thinks we’re not aware it’s her birthday today. I’ve been waiting for her to point it out all week, but nothing. I guess she doesn’t want to celebrate. Sucks for her though, because that is exactly what we’re doing. Starting right now.
“What bloody time is it?” Nicole asks when I pull the covers off her and tell her to get up.
“5am. Come on, or we’ll be late.”
“Late? Late for what? The fish market?”
She pulls herself up so she’s sitting on the side of the bed, and I can’t help but laugh. Her hair is all over the place, and her eyes are bloodshot.
“Have a good time last night?” I ask as she clutches her head. “Here, take these.” I had a suspicion about how much she might have had when I started getting indecipherable messages from her some time after midnight.
She takes the glass of water from my hand, followed by the tablets, and knocks them back.
“Right, now get your arse ready. We’re hitting the beach.”
“Beach?”
“The surf is perfect this morning, come on.”
I watch as she plods towards the bathroom, enjoying the sight of her arse poking out from the bottom of her tiny shorts. My cock twitches at the sight, but that can come later—right now, I’ve got a surprise for her.
I drag her towards the beach, not wanting to miss any the waves. Being with Nicole has drastically reduced my surfing time, so I’m desperate to make the most of it this morning.
“What’s that?” she asks as we make our way towards the shack.
“A present.”
Stood in front of the shop door is a brand new, bright orange surfboard with a huge bow around the centre.
“I thought—”
“We’d all forgotten, I know. You forgot something, though.”
“Oh yeah?”
“You came down here to be with family, remember? Family doesn’t forget stuff like each other’s birthdays. So what do you think?”
“It’s so bright.”
“Well, what other colour would you expect me to get you?”
“Thank you.”
&nb
sp; “It just an excuse for me to get you in a bikini, really,” I say with a laugh.
“I don’t doubt it.”
After grabbing my own board, we head down towards the sea. Nicole’s hangover seems to vanish—the shock of the cold water may have helped. Everything I taught her the last time we were out here comes back to her fairly quickly, and I’m impressed with how well she does for her second time.
“I’m holding you back. You go on, and I’ll watch from the beach.”
“I don’t mind,” I say but I think she knows I’m stretching the truth a little.
“Go.”
I watch her walk from the water, carrying her board by her side, and I’m torn. I never thought anything would drag me away from surfing, but right now the thought of just lying with her as the sun rises on the beach is seriously tempting.
She turns the second she’s out of the water and gestures for me to go, and I do as I’m told. I remember why when I catch my first wave and all my thoughts fall from my mind.
“I hope you weren’t planning on doing anything today, because I’ve got you all booked up,” I admit when I fall down beside her a while later.
“I’m meant to be working.”
“Nope, you’re not needed.”
“But I’m on the rota.”
“Only so you wouldn’t get suspicious. You haven’t had a day off in two weeks, it’s well overdue,” I say when she looks like she’s about to argue. “The others are more than capable.”
“So what am I doing, then?”
“After this, you’re spending the afternoon with Lilly and Liv. Lilly has it all planned. Then, we’re all going out tonight.”
“Where to?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hate surprises,” she pouts.
“I know, that’s why it’s so much fun.” I pull the towel from her body and roll on top of her. “I missed you last night.”
She groans beneath me as I kiss down her neck. “Me too.”
Falling for Nicole: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Angel Book 8) Page 18
