Out Of Place (Face the Music Book 2) (17 page)

“Can I open mine now?” Ethan looked over, his eyes bright at the idea of presents.

“On Christmas Day.” He’d reached that age where he knew what a present was and wanted it now. He glanced at his grandmother hopefully and Olivia expected the older woman to give in to him. A bead of sweat trickled down Olivia’s back. She shouldn’t have made the AC in the car so cold, as the contrast was too much. It was too still and too stuffy, cloying with no fresh air for relief.

“Listen to your mother.”

“Can I have cake?” He approached the table.

“Sure. Take a plate and sit down.” Karen handed him a plate and a piece of cake.

Olivia knew he wouldn’t eat it. He’d pick the fruit out and make a mess. They watched him in silence. They had nothing to talk about except the past and she was done with that. While she could feel the shadow, she didn’t want to hide in it and wear it like armour.

“Miles used to do that too.” Karen smiled then sighed.

Olivia sipped her tea, mostly to give her something to do. “How is everything?”

“Good, David plans to retire at the end of next year. We might get a caravan and do a trip up north.”

“That sounds nice.” Getting away and rediscovering life was what they needed. What they all needed.

Karen’s gaze landed on Olivia’s hand. She said nothing, but Olivia saw her swallow hard and blink rapidly. “And you? What’s new?”

Olivia drew in a breath. “I lost my job as the café is under new management.”

“You’ll get another. You’re a smart girl.”

The wards chafed but she ignored the bite. She was smart, not a smart girl, or smart for a girl. People had once tried to discourage her from doing maths and accounting, because maths was supposedly hard for a girl. “I’m thinking about going back to uni to finish my degree.”

Karen nodded. “You can do that online now. David was talking about it. If he stays on, they want him to do some course.”

Online uni.
Olivia watched as Ethan scattered cake crumbs on the floor as he stood. She wouldn’t have to go to classes. She could study at home around Ethan and work when she got a job.

Karen’s gaze flicked again to Olivia’s naked finger. “Any plans for Christmas?”

“Nothing special.” She had to say something. It was getting more weird and stilted than usual. Once she’d lived for these chats as it was her link to Miles, but at some point over the last year she’d come to dread them…no, not dread, but it was like getting sucked back to a time when she was so unhappy. She didn’t want to be that person anymore. “I decided to stop wearing the ring. I...I want to move on.”

The words hung in the air. Olivia pressed on. “You can have it, if you’d like.”

Perhaps it would give Karen some comfort. Olivia had no idea what to do with it, keep it for Ethan?

Karen shook her head and brushed away tears.

“I’m sorry.” She should’ve worn it. She should’ve waited until after Christmas to break the news.

“No. I knew this would happen. You’re young. You’ve got your whole life to live.” She sighed again. “I’m not ready to lose you too.” Her voice cracked.

Olivia got up and gave Karen a hug. She was not going to join in with pity tears. “You aren’t losing me. You will always be part of my life and Ethan’s.” She realised she didn’t want to cut out this part of her life…not totally. But she needed to reframe it to make room for new things, and new people.

“I have company coming, can you find something to do?” Ed smiled hopefully at his sister.

“Same girl or different girl?” Kirsten lay on the sofa flicking through the TV stations.

“Same girl…how many girlfriends do you think I have?” What the hell had Gemma been saying? He’d never cheated when he did have a girlfriend and it had been easier not to have one over the last year or so. Plus he hadn’t met anyone he actually wanted to talk to beyond the your place or mine question.

Kirsten laughed. “I’m just teasing. I’ll watch TV in my room, with ear plugs so I don’t have to listen to you grunting.”

“I don’t grunt.” He really needed to move out. If he and Dan pooled resources they could get a place. Although it didn’t make much sense when they were hardly home. Conversations like this made the expense seem worthwhile. “I manage to sleep knowing you and Gemma are doing whatever you do.” Truthfully, he tried not to think about it. He didn’t want to know.

Kirsten looked away as if suddenly interested in what was on TV. “I thought you didn’t have a problem.”

“I don’t. Your business and all that. Besides, Gemma is cool. But boundaries would be good. I don’t tease you about your girlfriends or boyfriends or torment them, so you respect mine. I haven’t had one in eighteen months. I’d like this relationship to have a chance to get off the ground.” It was already wobbly and he suspected that Olivia would run if startled.

“You really like her.”

Ed nodded. “I do.”

“And she’s not a groupie.”

“No. I met her at the beach. And she’ll be here soon.” He didn’t want to hide in his room with her like some horny teenager whose girlfriend only came around for sex.

Kirsten tossed him the TV remote, which he caught one-handed. “I’m moving.”

The doorbell rang.

“A little more notice next time would be nice. Shall I get it?” She peeled herself off the sofa and took a few steps toward the front door.

“No.” Ed stepped in front of her.

She shrugged. “You afraid I’ll turn her?”

“Jesus, K. No. It’s a new thing, give me a chance. Boundaries, remember?”

She made a biting gesture with her hand as she walked by him. Yeah, he’d taken the bait and swallowed the hook that time. He’d forgotten how easily Kirsten could push his buttons. They still argued like ten year olds.

Ed walked over to the front door as his father started down the stairs. “I got it, Dad.”

Did everyone have to butt into his personal life?

“I wondered how long you were going to leave the poor girl out there.”

He was
so
moving out as soon as this second album was done. And now he had no choice but to let her in while his Dad hovered. Mood killer.

He unlocked the door. Olivia was in another shapeless long dress, but it was strapless, with her hair done up in a messy knot on top of her head. He’d only seen it down the once.

“Hi.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she came in and prepared to introduce her to his father.

When he turned, his father had gone back upstairs where his parents were obviously sitting on the balcony watching the sunset and the street. He was very grateful for small mercies, although he was sure there was a lecture coming in his near future. His dad had that look about him, had for a while.

“Hi.” She glanced around as if expecting to see people. “No one else home?”

“My parents are upstairs…” Did she want to meet them? “And my sister is around.”

“My parents would be insisting on an introduction.”

He laughed, but suspected he was about one visit away from his parents asking who she was…unless they were assuming it was different girls, like Kirsten had. If his dad tried to do a safe sex reminder he would die and then pack his bags. “Yeah, parents.”

Had to live with them, couldn’t avoid them.

She nodded. “I try not to think about what I’ll be like when Ethan starts dating.”

His heart gave a lurch. She had a kid and was a parent. “I’m sure you’ll be cool.”

“‘Cause I’m so fabulously cool now.” She gave him an awkward smile.

“I think you’re cool.” He took her hand and drew her close, kissing her more deeply now he was sure that no one was watching. She melted against him and he let his free hand skate over her hip. In that moment he didn’t care if his family did stick their heads around the corner to gawp. “Did you want to watch some TV?”

“Is that why you invited me round?” She moved a little closer, her hand on the back of his neck. Yeah, she knew exactly why he’d wanted her to come around.

“This morning I was looking for reasons not to write.” Which was true.

She raised one eyebrow.

“I like the way you distract me.” He kissed her again. “But I’m glad you said no because I made progress.”

He and Dan had celebrated the good day with a couple of beers. Dan had seemed like his old self for the most part. Whatever damage Lisa had done had worked its way out of his system.

“I’m glad. I don’t want to be a distraction or the reason why the songs don’t get written. I’m sure your band mates wouldn’t be impressed.”

“True.” And he didn’t want that either. He hesitated for a moment. Should he take her to his room or was that too forward? A tiny part of him wanted to ask if she’d like to listen, but the songs were too raw. Plus he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to hear the song she had inspired by breaking up with him. Although she obviously hadn’t meant it as she was here. Again.

“What you working on, or is it top secret?”

“Umm…” She could listen to
One Mistake,
but that wasn’t the mood he wanted to set.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to share.”

He relaxed a fraction. “When they are a bit more complete. Would you like to see where we work?”

“Would you be offended if I said no? I only have a few hours tonight.” Her hand slid over his chest. “Next time?”

It was a reminder that she was here because of who he was, not what he did, and he liked that she was already thinking of a next time. “Sure.”

He led her through to his room. Kirsten had her door shut, and he could hear her TV going. Extra loud? He didn’t care.

With his door closed it was once again the two of them and the rest of the world didn’t matter. Without the crazy hair and makeup, she was more beautiful.

“How come you never wear it down?” he said as he reached for a tendril.

“Too long. Too hot.” But she reached up and released her hair.

He let it trail through his fingers. “If you don’t like it, why not cut it?”

Kirsten would be more than happy to help while pumping Olivia for the details.

She shrugged. “Don’t guys like long hair?”

“I’m not fussed. Do you like it?” He didn’t like getting a face full while he was sleeping.

“I used to.” She pulled some aside. “It hid the scar and gave me something to hide behind.”

Now he noticed the line where no hair grew. “A good hairdresser would be able to find a style that hid it, if you are worried.”

“And how would you know that? You don’t look like you use a hairdresser.” She let her hair fall back in place.

He smiled. “My mother and sister are hairdressers. I do this to avoid them.” He’d learned to use the clippers on his own hair by fourteen as he was sick of them trying to do stuff.

She ran her hand over his hair. “I like it like this. It feels nice, although at first I thought it was too short and was trying to decide if you were military or an ex-con.”

“I think this style might be too short for you.” He moved closer and kissed her. Her skin smelled like vanilla and citrus. He was sure she’d showered before coming over. He wanted to ask her how her day was and how her job hunt was going, but he wanted her in his bed more. As her hands slid under his t-shirt he hardened. Conversation could wait. He really hoped that she didn’t cry this time.

“I think you’re right.” Her hand dipped lower and brushed his hard-on.

He hadn’t bothered with underwear under his board shorts. Had she under that dress? His hand skimmed over her hip, but he felt no telltale panty line. His heart kicked over in a rhythm that Mike would be proud of. “You’re not wearing any knickers.”

“Didn’t see the point. Neither are you.” Her fingers traced his length through the fabric.

He smiled. “Too hot.”

“Yeah. Really unseasonably hot.” She pulled his t-shirt up and he took it off and tossed it on the floor.

“So I could just…” he tugged on her dress and the gathered top eased down. One more tug and her breasts would be uncovered.

She swallowed, her chest lifted. He placed a kiss on the top of her breast, then gave her dress another pull, exposing her nipples. Last time they’d both had too much to drink and it had seemed to go too fast. He didn’t want to make that mistake again.

He wanted to take his time and kiss every inch of her…with a little luck she’d kiss every inch of him before he put on a rubber and got inside her. Her hand slipped inside his board shorts and wrapped around him. Her fingers were cool on his hot flesh as she stroked.

It was clear that whatever pretence they’d had about her visit was gone, they both wanted the same thing. It wasn’t long before they were naked and lying on his bed. The warm summer breeze slid through his slightly opened bedroom window and over his skin. Her hands and lips touching and tasting as he did the same. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had sex completely sober. Then again, it had been a while since he’d cared about the person he was with.

She moved over him, taking control. He didn’t care as it left his hands free to roam. Her hair hid or revealed as she moved in a way that was entirely mesmerising. He realised that he did care about her, a lot. There was a small chance that he was falling for her. He knew the sensation, the loss of grip as reality blurred and nothing else mattered.

He had to stay focused. She eased on to him, sinking down. He watched, his hands cradling her hips so she didn’t move too fast. Her eyes closed and a frown formed like she was concentrating. It was a pretty sight. One he wanted to see again. He’d been missing out. He slid one hand between them and caressed her clit. She moaned and leaned forward a little, her hair tickling his chest. The tension in his balls was almost too great. Then she came, tightening around him. He let his own release race through him.

She kept moving, dragging out her own pleasure a little longer, and he was more than happy to go along with that. With a final sigh she moved off him so he could deal with the rubber. She was sprawled, naked on his bed, watching him.

After sex was probably not his most flattering look. She, on the other hand, looked amazing with her messy hair and sexy smile. There was that feeling again. He didn’t know when it had started; maybe her walking away had caused it, he wasn’t sure. But he knew he wasn’t ready for her to leave yet, so he joined her on the bed. For a while they talked and he learned more about her family and her life and she learned about his—the clean bits anyway. There were some stories that would never see the light of day.