I laugh inwardly, pulling a few packets of crisps from the cupboard. “Here, kid. Knock yourself out. I’m going to bed.”
I might not have been there when she was growing up to protect her from the cruelty of this world, but I’m here now. She’ll want for nothing while I’m around.
I can’t keep her on a leash, but hopefully I can convince her to do something with her life. As much as I’ve loved having her around the house lately, her mum would want her to get as far from this shitty town as possible and make something of her life. Travel, study, whatever she wants to do, I’ll support her.
11
VIOLET
The smell of coffee hits me as I walk into the kitchen. A fresh pot on the work surface waits for me just like every other morning. I love how he makes a pot and keeps it warm for me on the machine. As I pour the drink, I wonder if he always did this or if it’s just for me.
I grab the frying pan and make breakfast, using the rest of the blueberries in the fridge before they spoil. Sips of coffee between whisking the batter makes me more alert.
After serving up two plates of blueberry pancakes, I drizzle with syrup, set on the table and pad to the front door to holler for Kane as I do most mornings. I’m not sure if he’s in the garage or the workshop, but when Belle bounds through the workshop door, I know he won’t be far behind.
“Hello girl.” I bend down to ruffle Belle’s black and white fur and dust the wood shavings from her coat.
Kane steps into the house, filling the air with his woody scent. “Something smells good, Vi.”
I inhale him as I stand and I couldn’t agree more. “Breakfast’s on the table.”
He walks through the room, leaving a trail of wood shavings from his boots. Something else I’ll have to clean before going to work. We’ve come to an arrangement these last weeks. I clean and cook in exchange for living here rent free. Although it’s not a bad deal, Kane isn’t that messy and still cleans up after himself.
I follow him into the kitchen and sit at the table to eat my breakfast. He leans against the worktop with his plate in hand, folding it up like a wrap before taking a bite. “So good,” he mumbles, chewing on the purple rolled pancake. “Blueberries?”
I nod and swallow. “I used to make these for this little kid who was living with my foster parents for a while. He wouldn’t eat any fruit or veg, so my foster mum used to get creative and mosh it into his food. Purple pancakes became his favourite.”
“I think purple pancakes are my favourite now, too.” He takes another bite and licks his lips.
A satisfied smile spreads across my face like Belle when he gives her praise. I walk over to the sink, next to where Kane stands and run my finger over the dripped syrup on the plate, scooping up the last of the sugar. He catches my wrist as I bring it to my lips and he smothers the gloop with his mouth.
I suck in a breath, my finger warm against his tongue as he licks the sugar from my pad. Heat pools at my centre, creeping up my neck, making me itch.
Our eyes meet. He releases my wrist and clears his throat. “Sorry. I just couldn’t resist.”
I swallow the rest of my coffee, now cold, dousing the ball of fire rising from my belly. “Next time, I’ll put more syrup on yours.” I take his plate, trying to act all nonchalant, as if my finger in his mouth didn’t just set my knickers alight.
“I have a sweet tooth.” His lips curl into a smile, and I think my underwear has fully disintegrated. The throb in my centre each time he looks at me is becoming unbearable. I want him to annoy me, so I won’t want him so badly. I need to let off some steam. It’s been so long. I should just rub one out, but I have to get to work.
“Leave the pots. I’ll wash up. You get ready for work.” He rolls his sleeves up and our fingers touch as he takes over at the sink, reaching for the dishcloth.
A surge of electricity shoots through my limb and I jerk my hand away. “Thanks.” I can’t get out of the kitchen quick enough, before he notices how uncomfortable he makes me. I shouldn’t want my mum’s ex boyfriend. But the heat between my legs doesn’t care about that.
* * *
“You missed a good night on Saturday,”Lucy says, chewing on her pink bubble gum.
I glance at Yaz, knowing our own evening was eventful, to say the least. “Yeah, sorry about that. I went to the Black Crow to watch the Deadbeat Punks play.”
She rolls her eyes. “The weirdo’s you mean.”
Yaz hears, but doesn’t retaliate, just quirks a smile and carries on stacking the cereal boxes on the shelf, bopping her head to the music playing in her earphones.
“Are you going to the party this weekend at Marie’s house? Her parents are away.” She blows a pink bubble between her lips.
“I’m not sure. I was gonna sacrifice some chickens with Yaz and her friends. They have this whole ceremony planned where they’re gonna initiate me into their cult.”
Lucy’s bubble pops and hangs from her lax jaw.
