CHAPTER NINE
________
JAMES
I sat in front of the computer waiting for my mother’s image to show. Hearing her voice before I could see her, I shook my head; she still couldn’t figure out how to add the camera, no matter how many times we spoke online.
“James, can you hear me yet? Oh, for God’s sake, how on earth… ah, here we go.” Then my mother’s smiley face showed up. “Hello, pet, how are you getting on?”
I couldn’t help but grin; she always looked so happy to see me, no matter how long I took to call her. “Good, Mum, working away as always.”
She squinted at me and pursed her lips together in a thin line. “Now now, James. I saw in the papers what happened. Don’t lie to me, son.”
“I know, but I didn’t think it was important enough to mention.”
“Everything that you do is important.” She shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?” she asked.
“Love me?” I said, smiling.
She was thousands of miles away, but could still skin my behind if she needed to.
“That I do, my boy, but please, promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Get things in perspective, okay?”
“I didn’t mean to worry you, Mum. I promise I’ll behave.”
I knew my mother wanted the best for me.
“I’ll believe that when I see it. Now, do you need me to let Mrs Mitchell know that you might be coming over to visit?”
She sat closer to the camera, as if she could get closer to me by doing it.
“How did you know that was my plan?” I asked, genuinely surprised.
“Oh, darling, I knew as soon as I heard you mention her name on that program the other day.”
I grinned. “Yes, please, I would love to find out if she still lives there.”
Ralph barged into the room, apparently not caring if I was dressed or not.
“Hello, petal. Mrs McNair,” he said, smiling to my laptop.
“Please call me Maggie, Ralph. Mrs McNair makes me feel so old.” Mum returned the smile, but I was suspicious of why he seemed so happy. So I asked him.
He shrugged and his grin grew wider. “Nothing. Are you ready yet?”
“Just having a talk with Mum, and then I’m good to go.”
“Sure, I’ll sit here. Don’t mind me.”
The twinkle in his eye and the smug grin were getting on my nerves.
I tapped my fingers on the computer and stared at him. “Honestly, why are you so happy? Did you get laid?”
“James, watch your mouth,” my mum reprimanded from the screen.
“Don’t worry, Mrs Maggie. I can handle him.” He took a big breath and continued, “Not happening when I have to babysit your ass all the time. Fine, I’ll tell you just so you don’t embarrass your mum by pulling a temper tantrum. The picture that was on Twitter yesterday is now on Facebook and Instagram and… well, everywhere.”
Fuck, talk about damage control.
“And you find that funny?”
“Hilarious.”
A smug grin took over his face.
“What picture is it?” Mum asked. Ralph pulled out his phone and showed her.
My mum’s face lit up like a Christmas tree when she said, “I remember that.” Her smile couldn’t have gotten bigger if she tried.
“Me too. It was the last day I got to see Emma. Thanks to Dad and his big mouth.”
“James, you know he didn’t mean any harm by it.”
________
Seven Years Ago
“Will you stop throwing stones at the window,” I whispered, loud enough for her to hear. I knew it was Emma. Anyone else would just knock on the door.
“Open the back door then,” she said.
“It’s open, ye dafty!”
“Oh, okay. Coming up.” Her voice was lower now.
I had a quick glance around my room to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be. When she came in, her cheeks were bright pink from the cold, her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she had never looked more beautiful.
“God, it’s freezing outside!” she said, rubbing her hands together.
The light from the lamp made her red hair shine like copper. Seeing her so angelic made my heart skip, and I needed to get my thoughts together.
“Are we watching the film, or are you going to play statues?”
“Aye, of course,” I stuttered.
She was going to think I was a complete idiot.
“Are you wanting some food?”
She nodded. “Can you get some of those scones?”
“Okay, give us a minute.”
I tried my best to run around the house and gather as many crisps, biscuits, scones, and any other munchies I could carry without waking anyone. Breathless and with my arms full of goodies, I barged into the room, only to find that Emma was changing. Instead of apologising and leaving, I stayed frozen, ogling how my football T-shirt moulded to her body, how its hem touched her thighs, how long and porcelain her legs were, and how her body swayed against the music. She must have turned the radio on after I left.
“I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t bring pyjamas.”
“No, not at all. It’s fine.” I cleared my throat and tried to adjust the bulge in my trousers without her noticing it. “I could go and get one of my mum’s nighties if you want?”
That was probably a better idea. It would make my night less uncomfortable if she wore my mum’s clothes instead of mine. I left the pile of snacks on top of my desk, ready to get her a change of clothes.
She declined and sat on my bed. Her face was sombre and her gaze wavered.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, sitting right beside her.
“Nothing really,” she attempted, still not looking at me.
I nudged her, trying to get her to open up without speaking.
She looked at me and smiled. “You promise not to say I told you so?”
“Nope,” I joked. “I promise to try my best.”
Her eyes watered as she told me, “You were right about Jason. He….”
“He what? Did he try to hurt you?”
I had to stand up even though I knew she needed comforting. It was hard to hold back the anger that bubbled inside me. I would kill the arsehole if he’d hurt her.
“No, not at all. But… you know.” She stopped, trying to find the right words. Then she wiped her eyes. “He tried to go further than I was ready and… when I made him stop, he started calling me a tease. That’s when I left and… now I’m here.”
She stood up and gave me a weak smile. “Come on then, just say it. I know you’re dying to.” She stepped closer to me, close enough to touch, enough to smell her shampoo.
“Told you so,” I whispered, taking her in my arms. “He’s a dick, Emma. You deserve so much better.”
She looked up at me, her lips just inches away from mine. “Do you think so?”
I nodded, staring at her lips. Seconds passed in complete silence as we held each other. She looked into my eyes, as if giving permission. That’s all I needed.
Slowly, I moved closer. My nose brushed against hers as our lips touched. Hers were softer than I’d imagined, but I needed more. I looked into her eyes to make sure she was okay, but this time she pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her mouth on mine demanded more, her tongue flicking teasingly as I parted my lips, welcoming her.
“James, please. Turn the music down,” my dad shouted through the door. “Some of us have work in the morning.”
As soon as Emma heard my dad’s voice, she stepped back—in case he had laser vision and could see through the door. She sat on the bed, her cheeks crimson as she bit her lip.
“Okay, Dad,” I muttered, looking at my feet, hoping she wouldn’t regret what had happened, and turned the volume down.
“Hello, Emma.”
My dad, persistent as always, was still behind the door embarrassing me. Emma, on the other hand, covered her face with her hands.
“Hey, Mr McNair,” she said.
“I hope you aren’t too upset about us moving. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Her hands dropped to her sides, her gaze shooting towards me, looking for answers.
“Dad!” I shouted.
I wished mind control existed so I could make him shut up.
“Okay, son, I’ll leave you kids. Night!”
His steps echoed, and as soon as he was out of earshot, Emma’s accusatory look burned a hole in me.
“What’s he talking about?”
“Emma… I was meaning to tell you.” I couldn’t look at her, not until I explained.
Her voice raised a couple of notches when she asked, “When? When you’d already left?”
She jumped off the bed, picked up her jeans, and shimmied into them. I tried to stop her, to explain. But before I opened my mouth, she had already opened the bedroom door and left.