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“Yes, I do. I’ll be back later on. Will you still be here?”
“Yeah. I promised Dad I’d FaceTime him,” she tells me, rolling her eyes. “I swear, since he and Mum got divorced, he’s been acting more clingy. I get that he’s lonely, and I feel bad for him being alone in that big house, but I need a break. He needs to go out, date, do something.”
Her mum and dad’s break up was messy. It didn’t help that her mum wouldn’t agree to any of the terms in the divorce. They hadn’t gotten along for a long time, but it wasn’t until last year that they finally got divorced. When they finally signed the papers, her mum left without a backwards glance. I don’t think he’s being protective because of her mum leaving, but because Allie left for university. She’s growing up, and he doesn’t like it. I don’t voice that though. It will only make her feel guiltier.
“Have you spoken to her?” I ask, referring to her mum. I hate bringing the bitch up, but Allie never talks about her. She was a controlling parent, beyond extreme. But that isn’t why Allie and her mum don’t get along. Something big happened between the two when we were still at high school, and their relationship has been intense ever since.
“Nope! Nothing. The last time I heard from her was when she sent an email announcing she was remarrying,” Allie admits, not sounding impressed. I already heard about Ellen’s engagement. She’s marrying someone twice her age. He’s so old, but I’m sure it’s his bank account that attracted Ellen to him, that and the fact he’ll most likely die in the next couple of years. He’s wealthier than Sam, Allie’s dad, and that’s saying something.
“Her loss.” I rub my hand over her knee. “I’ll speak to Mum about Sam. She did mention something yesterday about taking round a cooked meal for him.”
Allie chuckles at that. “Glad he’ll be getting the right nutrients and won’t be stuck ordering takeout every day. His cooking is almost worse than yours.”
“That’s not true. I’m not that bad,” I scoff, but even as I say it, I have to laugh. Because she’s right, I am worse than Sam. I can’t even make toast without burning it. “Okay, I am that bad.”
She playfully kicks me in the shin. “You go before you’re late,” she orders softly, reminding me that I have to be somewhere.
“I’m going,” I assure her, getting to my feet. I grab my coat and umbrella. Shouting goodbye, I shut the door behind me, turning to check if the lift is working. When I notice it is, I jump up with glee. Allie is going to be so pleased when she finds out it’s working. I think the broken lift is the main reason for her plans to stay inside the flat all day instead of walking around to see where everything is.
After pressing the button to call the lift, I step back and wait patiently for it to arrive. The door opens behind me.
What did I leave now?I turn to see what Allie wants. Looking over my shoulder, I’m surprised to see CJ and Cole locking up.
Why the hell are they up this early?I ask myself. They’re not normal teenage lads, I swear. To be honest, I’d still be in bed sleeping if it wasn’t for the fact I was job hunting. I want to show that I’m dependable, and not some lazy student who will roll in late.
“Mum, I can only do an hour at the most,” Cole grumbles, his deep voice echoing down the hallway. “I’ll call and ask Coach,” he says, ending his call.
“He’s gonna be pissed,” CJ warns, and I wonder why they’re worried about their coach. They’re both dressed in gym gear, and I have to admire how Cole’s muscles look in his top.
My eyes are staring at Cole’s full lips as I lick my own. Just when I think he’s about to reply to CJ, he doesn’t. My eyes flick up to see what has made him pause, and I find his attention on me.
“Hey.” I wave lamely, feeling embarrassed at being caught ogling him. I’m grateful when the lift dings, announcing its arrival, because the silence was beginning to become awkward.
“Good morning. Where’s Cupcake this morning?” CJ demands energetically, and I hate him immediately. Apart from this morning, I usually take a few hours to wake up and always need silence. Something tells me a morning with CJ would be anything but silent.
“She’s FaceTiming her dad.” I reply, loving how much he likes her. “What has you two up so early?”
“Nosey, aren’t we,” CJ chuckles, and I don’t bother denying it. “We’ve got practise and shit.”
I don’t ask what ‘shit’ means. I just smile and step inside the lift, then press the ground floor button.
“What about you?” Cole asks, taking me by surprise.
“Job hunting. I applied for the library but got turned down.” I sulk playfully.
“You need to be quiet to work in a library,” CJ comments.
“I know.” I smirk, wondering where he’s going with that.
“You don’t seem like a person who can be quiet for long periods of time,” he admits.
“And you don’t look like the type to even know you have to bequietin the library,” I playfully argue.
The enclosed space inside the lift starts to become too much. With two large lads on either side of me, I feel a little on edge. Not because I’m alone in the lift, but because of how close I’m standing next to Cole. The sexual tension zapping between us is driving me wild, causing wetness to seep between my legs.
“You should apply to be Cole’s little sister’s babysitter. Maybe then, Cole will get some practise in.”
“Practise?” I question, wondering what sport they play. I didn’t ask before. I was too busy fighting hard not to jump Cole. I also don’t comment on his job offer. Not until it’s legit anyway. It actually sounds right up my street if the hours are okay.