“Why? Has she said something?” I ask, intrigued.
“I’m not sure. She said something happened with Maya last night, and that’s why she left so suddenly. I’m just wondering what could have happened.”
Tommy and Maya have been in love for years. But for some reason, they are the only two that don’t realise it. Even now, after all these years away, he’s fretting over her.
“I’m sure everything is fine. If it wasn’t, Fallon would have told us.” I reply, but Tommy’s jaw clenches harder. He’s got it bad for this girl. Not that I’m surprised, he has always been the same. He isn’t aware that I knew all about his secret. How he would sneak away at night, or sometimes even sneak her in. I have never quite understood why he wouldn’t tell me about her.
Before he gets the chance to say anything more, we’re pulling into our family farm. Where our parents still sell their own eggs and honey. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be some kind of honey connoisseur, but growing up with my mother, I had no choice. What can I say? I am just a man of many talents.
“Come on, let's get this over with,” Tommy sighs as he exits the car.
I may not be on the best of terms with our parents, but being back here settles something deep inside of me, or maybe it’s the fact that I know who is waiting inside. Rolling my eyes at Tommy, I run ahead of him, letting myself straight into the house.
“Hello! Your favourite child is here.” I shout, nervous excitement buzzing around me.
It isn’t long before the sound of hurried footsteps greets us, and Lucy rounds the corner.
Fuck. Me.
She is even more beautiful than when I last laid eyes on her. Is she just as eager to see me as I am her? Her womanly curves are more pronounced than when I last saw her. To anyone else, she looks ecstatic to see us. But I know better. I cansee the way her fists are clenched by her sides. How her bright smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes. She’s scared.
And so she should be.
I don’t plan on letting her get away from me that easily, not again.
I didn’t realise how close Tommy is to me, not when my focus is only on her. It’s only when Lucy steps forward and wraps her arms around us both that I even realise he’s still here.
“Ah, I have missed you both.” She exclaims.
Her body is soft and warm in my arms. She is wearing her usual perfume, the one she knows is my favourite. I haven’t smelt it in so long, but just that one whiff, has me telling my dick to stand down.
“We’ve missed you, too, Luce,” I reply, strained, not wanting to let her go. And from the way she is holding me, I don’t think she wants to walk away either.
She laughs as she finally backs away, her gaze avoiding mine as she spins on her heel. “It feels like forever since I saw you both. Mum is ordering a takeaway, so you need to be quick before she picks for you.” She says as she walks into the living room. Not giving me a second look.
It hurts. I know she is affected by seeing me; I could see it written all over her. But to pretend like nothing happened? That hits deep.
“Everyone, the boys are here.” She announces as we enter the room. She strides straight over to Fallon and takes a seat on the one spare space on the couch.
Well, if she wants to play like that, I can play too.
This room is huge. Right in the centre, there is an old wooden-beamed fireplace that is surrounded by three deep couches. One is taken up by our parents, and another is takenby Maya, Fallon’s best friend. Then the last one is where Lucy and Fallon sit. I eye the room, a plan forming in my brain.
“What are we having?” I ask as I stroll towards Lucy and situate myself directly behind her. I lean forward slightly, my hands braced on the back of the couch.
Her shoulders stiffen at my proximity. I have to stop myself from smiling. Not that I want her to feel uncomfortable, I’m not that evil, but I love that she is affected by me, hopefully, just as much as I am by her. I just had to see how she would react.
“Curry,” Mum answers.
I stay where I am for a few minutes, just taking in the room, but my thoughts never stray from the woman sitting within reaching distance. Everyone else is chattering away, but I’m not listening to them. The exact moment Fallon moves to be closer to Maya, I swoop into her empty seat. I plonk myself down dramatically and stretch my arm along the back of the couch. All it would take is one small movement, and I would be touching her again.
“What are you doing?” She mutters under her breath.
“Erm, sitting? Why? Do you have a problem with that?” I ask smugly.
She rolls her eyes. I fucking love it when she’s feisty. “I have a problem with you tormenting me,” she states. Her body is rigid, fists still clenched. Her knuckles must be aching by now.
“Oh, baby, you think I’m tormenting you? You haven’t seen anything yet.” I wink before turning away from her. I can feel her anger simmering from here.
