Love, Life and Liquor
By LaurenNHutchinson
- 663 reads
I turned over in bed, and squinted as the sun filtered my eyelids.
Raising a hand to brush my blonde, messed up hair out of my blue eyes,
I sat up and stretched my arms, yawning as my mind woke up.
Opposite me, snoring gently was Sophie; a red head with a fiery
passion for drinking games and bedroom activities, she was one of my
many friends who'd travelled the 9-hour journey across the sea to relax
with me in America.
I slid out of bed and slipped into my flip-flops, straightening the
hot pants and tank top I wore. Wrapping a thin silk robe around myself,
I walked out of the bedroom and into the sun filled, airy kitchen,
where two more friends were enjoying breakfast.
I smiled at them, and proceeded to make a hot cup of coffee, slipping
some bread into the toaster, and yawning again.
The boys, who were Pete, Adam, Martin and Ashley, were all alike. Done
drugs during adolescence, smoked, drank a lot and always lusted after
pretty, thin girls.
Pete and Adam, who usually didn't arise for another two hours, were
laughing and chatting away about the day ahead, sipping cool glasses of
orange juice and cups of sweet tea. Adam said something to Pete, and
left the room, giggling as he did so.
I looked out of the window, smiling again as the sea glistened and the
sand twinkled in the morning sun. I stopped when I saw Pete eyeing me
up, and I turned around to sit down.
He moved down a space, and helped me carry the toast and coffee.
"So, what's your plans for this morning?" he asked, nicking a bit of
my toast. I fended him off (as he bit his lip and gave me those
adorable puppy eyes), and replied with a casual,
"Going down to the beach with the girls, meet a couple of guys, have a
few cocktails. You?"
Pete shrugged. "The same, probably." We both chuckled, and gradually,
the other six members of the group filtered into the kitchen,
suppressing huge yawns and rubbing their eyes.
I looked down the table at my seven best friends. Britny and Adam were
giggling about some unknown secret, tenderly kissing each other. They
had been dating for about four years now, and though Adam and me had a
history together, nothing stirred those feelings I used to have. He was
no longer a 'could be' boyfriend, but just a mate. Sophie and Ashley
were falling asleep on each others shoulders, obviously exhausted form
the previous night. They had a highly physical and intense
relationship, which usually involved a hell of a lot of sex. Kat and
Martin, though dating were not talking but quietly and contentedly
munching on bagels and toast. This was not unusual, as Martin rarely
spoke to anyone in the morning (he was usually too hung over), and Kat
was usually too involved on keeping her face down low. She hated people
seeing her without make-up on.
Pete and me, however, were furtively discussing what to do for the
day. I looked at Pete as he started a conversation with Adam, involving
taking over the world and blowing up Canada with nuclear weapons. I
shook my head as I laughed. Boys will be boys, I thought. But Pete, now
he's a different matter.
After breakfast, the girls advanced into the bedrooms, changing into
bikinis, tankinis and one pieces. They packed bags full of sun cream,
money, cigarettes, sunglasses and most importantly, CD's.
We said goodbye to the boys (Pete hugging me, as he usually did, but
taking his time to slip a caressing hand on my buttock) and we left for
the short walk down to the beach.
After getting settled, and ordering four large cocktails from the
beach bar, the conversation turned to the following evening.
"Well, tonight, I think, will be the night," Britny was saying, her
cheeks flushing. Britny was 17, and was still a virgin. That didn't
matter to me or the girls, or the boys for that matter, but she was a
pretty blonde and Adam had to resort to masturbation.
"Get in there, girl," Sophie cheered, her auburn hair catching the
sun. Sophie and Ashley had been going out for 4 years, and at first the
relationship was a bit of fun, but since this year, they had started to
go steady and serious.
"I really like Ashley, and he said he's taking me out somewhere
tonight so I have to dress up fancy."
Kat rolled her eyes. "Wonder what he's planning to do," she said
sarcastically, as though it were obvious.
"You don't mean-?"
Kat nodded. "Soph, sort out the facts. You have to dress proper,
you're alone together, and he bought something the other day, which he
won't let you see. I'd say he's gonna pop the question."
Sophie bit her lip and smiled. She downed her drink and yelled for
another.
I lay back listening to the drift of conversation, Sophie getting into
hysterics about what to wear and how her hair should be, Britny
clapping her hands with joy and Kat wolf whistling to a bunch of life
guards.
I was just waiting for them to ask me what my plans were.
"So Loz, what ya doing tonight?"
I laughed and sat up.
"Staying in, gonna take a swim probably. Why?"
"Well, Soph and Ashley are going out, me and Mart are taking a trip
into the city to go clubbing and Kat and Martin might be joining us,"
Brits replied.
"What about Pete?"
The girls shrugged.
I began twisting a strand of my hair, a tell tale sign that I wanted
to spill a secret.
"Ohmigod Lauren, tell, tell!" Britny shouted.
I gave a look of innocence. "What?"
Sophie gasped and pointed a finger at me. "You still have feelings for
Pete!"
Kat and Britny gasped too, holding hands to their foreheads in mock
horror.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"No?" I giggled. The girls looked at me as if I were some three-headed
monster. "Ok, last night, I was walking to the bathroom to brush my
teeth, when Pete came out wrapped in a towel, and believe me, he's
still as fit as ever. I was constantly praying the towel would slip and
you know?"
"You know what you have to Lauren," Kat said. "You've gotta win him
over."
*
Back in the apartment, which belonged to Kat's dad, Ashley and Martin
were playing 'Back with a vengeance', a fighting/shooting game with
horrifically real graphics, on the Playstation 3, shouting at each
other and laughing when one of them died. Pete and Adam sat, laid back
on the couch, downing bottles of beer and munching on crisps.
"Whatcha doin tonight?" Pete asked them.
"I'm taking Britny out clubbing, you know, show her a good time, maybe
get in there," Adam laughed, slapping a high five with Ashley.
"What about you?" Pete asked Martin.
"Me and Kat are going with Adam and Britny for a while, then we'll
probably go to a bar or something."
"Yeah well, I'm taking Sophie out to dinner and guess what I'm gonna
do," Ashley said, pausing the game, and looking at the rest of them
with a smug look. The other three shrugged. Ashley reached inside his
pocket and pulled out a small black box. He opened it and showed the
boys.
"Holy shit!" Pete cursed, as his eyes wandered over the 14-carat
diamond ring. He cleared his throat. "Ashley?" he said. Ashley looked
up. "I do."
The boys guffawed, and Ashley, grinning, shoved the box back in his
pocket.
"You mean you're actually gonna propose to her?" Adam said.
"No, I'm just gonna shove it up my ass," he said sarcastically. "What
do you think?"
Pete scratched his head. Wonder what Lauren's doing tonight, he
thought. If she's staying in, it'll be just me and her.
"Hey, Mart?"
"Yeah?"
"Is Lauren going out with any of you guys?"
"Nah, don't think so. Why?"
"I was thinking, you know, if she's alone, maybe we could get a pizza
and some booze or something. You know, night in sort of."
Adam gave Pete a suspicious look.
"You're not trying to get her drunk so you can sleep with her, are
you?"
Pete laughed. "Nah. I'd like to sleep with her, but I wouldn't drug
her."
Pete frowned, thinking of a way to tell the guys he liked Lauren
still, but fortunately, Adam came to his rescue.
"Pete, you still like Lauren, don't ya?"
Martin and Ashley stopped the game, and waited for Pete's
response.
Pete nodded, and they cheered.
Adam tapped Pete on the arm. "Let me just say, she's one hell of a
mate. Don't treat her the way that dick Simon did. Don't mess her
around, or you'll have us to deal with. You can't afford to lose her as
a friend and I'm not gonna stop hanging around with her just to be
mates with you, you lanky twat."
Pete smiled, and reassured Adam. "I doubt I'll get with her. I mean
she's wicked. Why would she go with me?"
*
"How can I get him to notice me?" I asked, taking a drag on a
cigarette.
Sophie frowned, and ran a hand absentmindedly through her hair.
"Wait a second," I said, as my mobile started to ring. I fished around
in my bag and pulled out my Nokia 8310. I looked at the number: PETE
MOB.
"Hello?how's you?fine?just relaxing on the beach?what're you
doin?nothing?yeah?yeah?that'd be great?sure, what time? ?okay?see you
then?bye."
Britny gave me a quizzing look.
"Who was that?"
"Pete."
Sophie laughed. "What did he want?"
"Asked me what I was doing tonight."
"And you said?"
"Nothing."
"And he said?
"He wanted to know if I want to stay in with him tonight, order some
pizza, get some booze, rent a movie, you know, friend stuff."
"Yeah, more like make-out stuff," Kat scoffed, making Sophie, Britny
and me giggle.
"Lets go scour the competition," Sophie suggested, so with our spirits
higher than ever before, we ventured across the beach, eyeing up cute
foreigners, but keeping a safe distance. One or two of the good-looking
males turned out to be gay, so we quickly gave up on that game and
missioned it further down the sandy stretch of land.
Two hours later, after a very competitive volleyball match, we headed
back to the condo to take showers and have a bite to eat. As we entered
the lounge, we couldn't help but laugh. Adam was sprawled over the
lounged, drinking beer out of a champagne glass, Pete was asleep
cuddled up to Ashley who was also snoring, and Martin was using
chopsticks to eat some cold nachos that they'd apparently found in the
back of the fridge, until we found out later that Martin had actually
gone out and stolen them from a very old vendor.
Britny went into hers and Kat's bedroom to take a shower, whilst
Sophie and me decided what Sophie should wear that night. After two
hours of non-stop trying on dresses, she settled for a white, backless
short number, her breasts enhanced by a backless body shaped bra, her
hair piled high on her head and a fine silver chain by her neck.
I wished her and Ashley a good night as they left, and not long after
that Adam, Britny, Martin and Kat left, giggling and dancing out of the
door. I settled down on the couch with a bottle of beer in one hand and
a fag in the other.
Pete slid the video in the machine, and we settled down together to
watch it.
"What is it?"
"Some horror story, called 'Equilibrium 2'. It's meant to be about the
future, and the guy at the store said it was good."
Two hours later, once the film ended and we'd stopped laughing, Pete
and me began a downing contest, me beating him by just one gulp.
"I can't believe you beat me! You're amazing! What other talents have
you got hidden?"
"The only other ones are involved in the bedroom!" I laughed, and Pete
broke down, chortling his heart out.
"Man, we didn't order the pizza!" Pete moaned, rubbing his stomach and
making soothing noises. "Don't worry little guy, we'll find
something."
I giggled and stood up.
"Where you going?" Pete said.
"To the phone box over the road to order a pizza. From Domino's. What
kind do you want?"
"Um, pepperoni and tomato."
I left him sitting on the lounge floor, and as I left the house I
sneaked a peek through the living room window. Pete had disappeared,
only to reappear with a black bin-bag. He began to clear up the room,
and smiling, he looked around satisfied.
I rang the number, ordered the pizza and was told it would arrive in
15 minutes to half an hour.
I told Pete this, and we goofed around for a bit, throwing
M&;amp;M's in the air and trying to catch them in the air.
"That was fun," I said, "But I'm in a desperate need for a shower.
Excuse me."
I slipped out of my shorts and crop top, and stepped into the shower,
the warm water luxuriating my body, and the soap caressing my stomach
as I rubbed it over myself. I was just about to wash my hair when I
heard the handle go on the door. Remembering I hadn't locked it, I
peeked behind the curtain and saw Pete.
"You scared the crap outta me!" I laughed. Pete kept his eyes down, as
I finished washing my hair and stepped out of the shower. I turned to
grab my towel and I saw him gaze at my naked body just before I wrapped
the soft white towel around it.
"Have you finished? I mean, I didn't mean to walk in, but I didn't
realise you were in the shower. If you told me to get out I
would've."
I put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Pete, it's fine. I'm done. You
can use the shower now. But promise me, that one day you have to forget
to lock the door so I can catch a glimpse of you, okay?"
"Sure. Deal," he laughed, and shook my hand.
I was back in my bedroom, and had just put my bra and thong on when
Pete walked in again, holding up my clothes I'd left in the
bathroom.
"You forgot these," he said, chucking them on my bed.
"Cheers," I said, not looking up. He stood at the door awkwardly,
hesitating whether to come in or not. I fished around in my drawer for
a hair band, noticing that he still hadn't moved.
"Pete, do you wanna sit down?"
He gulped. "But you're changing."
"It doesn't matter to me, you've seen a woman before, ain't ya?" I
joked, laughing.
He smiled, and relaxed, not taking his eyes off me.
"Could you pass me that skirt?"
For the next half an hour we stayed in the room, talking and joking.
He'd pass me bits of clothing and make-up every now and again, and we
were only interrupted once when the phone rang. It was a sales person
asking if we wanted to know about long distance savings on telephone
calls. I told him no, and that I wanted to get back to my lesbian
threesome. He put the phone down pretty quickly.
"You know, it's cool this." Pete said, as he watched my putting my
hair up.
"What? Me doing my hair and make-up?"
"Nah, you and me. Getting along like this, you not caring whether I
see your body, or whether I search through your underwear draw."
"So that was you!" I laughed.
"Lauren, I feel so comfortable around you, I can tell you
anything."
"Yeah, ditto," I said, not really paying attention as it was difficult
listening to him as well as applying mascara.
"Lauren?"
He was just about to say something when the doorbell rang.
"The pizza!" I cried, skipping to the front door.
I realised I was only in my underwear so I grabbed my robe and ran to
the door, my wet hair slapping my face. I pulled open the door and a
guy roughly my age was stood there, his dark hair flopping around his
gorgeous eyes. I smiled, and he returned it.
"Pizza for Lauren?" he asked, indicating the white box and the slip of
paper.
"That's for me," I said, grabbing my purse from the hallway table.
"How much do I owe you?"
"A lot, seeing as I came all the way over from downtown and didn't
even get to know you. I'd say, a date?"
"Ha ha," I laughed, "really, how much is the pizza?"
"You aint gonna answer my question? How about a date? Friday night, I
pick you up from here; show you the time of your life and you can have
that pizza there for free. You can't get a much better deal than
that."
"Listen, I don't date pizza boys. Even if you weren't a pizza boy I
still wouldn't date cos god knows how many chat up lines you have
stuffed in that red bomber jacket of yours. Okay?"
"God I love it when you English chicks get angry. Shout some more
babe, I'm getting off just thinking about you," he laughed, joking
around.
*
Pete sat there in the bedroom, killing himself for not kissing her
earlier. What's taking so long, he thought. All she had to do was pay
the pizza guy and then come back.
He crept to the door, opened it slowly and could just see the front
door. He saw Lauren's back, the white silk robe sticking to her
curvaceous body, her long blonde hair fanned across her back. She was
leant against the wall, clearly having a conversation with that pizza
boy.
Pete leaned a little over and could make out the man's face. He was a
little older than Pete, with darker hair, which hung in greasy
curtains, and stubble around his chin. He wore a faded red bomber
jacket, ripped back jeans and filthy sneakers. A classic American
street kid.
Jealousy burned in Pete's throat as he saw Lauren pull the guy forward
and invite him in. he walked out of then room and up behind Lauren.
Pete may have been younger but he was taller and sturdier.
*
I turned around and saw Pete move behind me, his eyes focused on the
delivery boy.
"Oh, Pete, this is Rick, he just delivered the pizza."
Rick leant forward and offered his hand. Pete shook it quickly but
dropped it, only to place his arm around me. I smiled inside, and felt
a wonderful sensation just below my midriff as I always did when he
touched me. I couldn't stand it, I wanted him now, and Rick would have
to go. I wanted to kiss him, run my hand over his face and kiss his
bare chest.
I threw a ten-dollar note at him, and shut the door in his face. Pete
looked surprised until I grabbed his face and pulled him closer. I
kissed him.
"Lauren?"
"Hmm?"
"I really like you."
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. But instead of being
offended Pete bent down and kissed me softly on the lips, sending
spine-tingling feelings down my back. I gulped, and he smiled. Then,
all of a sudden, his hands were in my hair, and I was caressing his
face, our lips were on fire. His hands wondered, stroking my back,
fondling my neck, sliding down my arms. We kissed long and hard, hungry
and passionate, and when we both pulled apart, we were both breathing
hard.
I nodded in agreement, and he bent down, picked me up and took my into
his bedroom, lying me down on the bed, me giggling helplessly.
He unbuttoned my shirt, kissing me tenderly every time he did so, and
stroking my neck. I unzipped his jeans, sliding them off his long,
muscular legs.
"Lauren, close your eyes."
In the morning, after having another shower, I waltz into the kitchen,
saw the pizza box and grinned happily, dancing around as I made cups of
coffee, tea and glasses of orange juice for everyone.
The first person to cross the threshold into the kitchen was Sophie,
her face bare of make-up. I handed her a cup of tea and we sat down at
the table.
"Where were you last night?" she asked, sipping the tea. "You weren't
in bed."
"I was asleep in someone's else," I giggled.
Sophie's mouth dropped open. "Who's?"
"Pete's."
She screamed and hugged me. "Ohmigod, well done. Tell me the
details."
"First, what happened last night?" I asked, inside I was dying to
know.
Sophie's face split into an even wider smile. "He proposed.
Again."
Ashley has proposed to Sophie when she was sixteen and had just left
school, but she refused, as she was too young.
It was my turn to scream and hug her. "And?"
"And I accepted."
"Oh wow."
"So how come you and Pete got together? How did it happen?"
I took a deep breath and explained how we'd got together, how
comfortable we felt together, how he'd got jealous over the pizza guy
and we began wondering if anything would come of it.
Later that day, after I'd told Kat and Britny, we took a trip into the
town and bought some drinks and food, decorations and some new clothes.
The group had agreed to have a party that night, and we invited some
other guests from hotels nearby.
I arranged to meet the girls back at the apartment and took the
liberty to go to an open telephone office where I could make long, but
expensive calls back to England. I dialled the number of my house, and
waited while it rang.
A familiar voice on the end, my sister's, picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hi Kim, it's me."
"Babe!" she laughed. "How's America suiting you? Getting drunk? Met
any new guys?"
It was my turn to laugh. "I love it here. Yeah, I've been having a
couple of drinks every now and again. I have met someone, but he's not
new. Very old, in fact."
"Oh god, it's not Adam again, is it?"
"Nah, he's with Britny, remember?"
"So, who?"
"Pete."
"Not again! He'd better treat you right, I mean it. If he doesn't,
I'll kick his ass."
I giggled, and asked how the family was.
"Same old, same old. Mum's drinking again, Chris hasn't stopped, and
Ben's been arrested twice and spent three nights in Torquay nick. I
split up with Gareth but he's trying to work out his issues. Dad's new
job is going great, and Jane's passed her motorbike test. Other than
that, it's normal."
"Is Ben still doing drugs?" I asked, shaking my head.
"Yep. He's gone off cannabis and has started trying out pills, the
stupid wanker. Mum found him taking an E and she went psycho."
"I'm not fucking surprised! He's 17, but that's no reason to be so
fucking dumb. What're you doing at Mum's anyway?"
"Landlord kicked me out. Mum's paying off the rent bill for me, and
then I'm moving back in. It's only temporary, my staying here."
"Well, I'd better go. Give everyone my love, and tell them I'll bring
back lots of presents, but for Ben I might arrange for him to go to
Texas County Jail. Love you, Bye!"
Kim said goodbye and hung up the phone. I stared at it for a few
moments, and then replaced the receiver on the hook. I made my way back
to the condo, and recounted what Kim had said to me. The group laughed,
and for the next half an hour the boys teased Ben and stated that he
deserved a 'good kicking' to sort him out.
The boys had gone down to the beach to check out the surfing
competition, so we got set to tidy the condo and make it ready for the
party.
When six o'clock came, us girls progressed into Kat and Britny's room.
I tried on Britny's black strappy dress, and Sophie fixed my hair
whilst Kat and I tackled Britny's make-up.
People began arriving at about seven, and I circled the room, mingling
and chatting with two Chinese twins, both whom were 20. The boys had
nipped out to get some white wine and Barcadi, and I disappeared into
the bathroom to touch up my make-up. No matter how many good-looking
guys I'd seen and talked to, none compared to the aura I could get off
Pete. I took a deep breath, ran a hand through my hair, adjusted the
dress and straightened my denim knee-high boots.
When I entered the lounge, my heart stopped. There was Pete,
conversing with an American lifeguard who they'd invited. He wore a
pair of gorgeous black jeans I'd helped pick out in town before we'd
got together, only because they enhance his sexy ass. He had his smart
blue Armani shirt on, which was unbuttoned to just above his navel, and
his thick silver chain hung around his neck, glinting in the dimmed
lights. He laughed at what seemed a good joke, and turned away as the
lifeguard started talking to a Spanish girl.
Pete's eyes scanned the room, and they rested on me, as I picked up a
glass of Baileys and Pina Colada. He smiled, and walked over to me,
wrapping his arms around me as he did so.
"You look gorgeous," he complimented, letting his eyes trail from my
eyes to my legs.
"You look good too."
He put his arm around me and steered me into the den, a small room
next to the lounge, which consisted of a large comfortable sofa, wide
screen television and a Hifi system. Adam was talking to a group of
women, whose profession was bikini waxing.
"Hey," he said, looking up as the bikini waxers drifted away, joining
more groups and mixing with other party members.
"Having fun?" I asked, indicating to the 'waxing' women.
"Fun? You kidding? Those women are the luckiest in the world! I mean,
they get to see and touch parts most men aren't allowed unless they're
dating 'em. Even then you have to ask."
We laughed, and Pete kissed me on the cheek as he went to fetch more
drinks.
"So, I heard about you and Pete. You two an item now?"
"I dunno," I said. "Just a bit of friendly fun."
Adam raised his eyebrows.
"Don't give me that look, Ads," I moaned.
"Lauren, open your eyes. He's crazy about you. Have you seen how many
hot women are here?"
"Are you saying I'm not hot?" I protested, smacking him on the
arm.
"No I didn't mean that, but what I meant was, a half naked woman
walked by just a moment ago, and he hardly blinked an eye. He was too
busy staring at you."
A hot blush crept over my cheeks, and I smacked him again.
"What was that for?" he complained.
"For making me feel like a prat."
"You aint the only one," he said as a short, stumpy woman winked at
him and itched her moustache.
I rolled my eyes and walked away from him.
*
When he saw Lauren, his heart stopped. She was looking round the room,
absentmindedly fiddling with her fine chain necklace. She wore a short
black dress, which clung to every curve on her body, and just covered
her bottom. Her legs, which were firm and tanned, were naked apart from
the denim knee-high boots she wore. Her hair, which had gotten blonder
since they'd been here, was sleek, smooth and straight, swinging every
time she moved her head.
Don't mess this up, he thought. Look how fit she is, she's fantastic.
Just think, she picked you out of everyone.
*
I strolled into the kitchen and opened the fridge for another
beer.
"Hello sweetness," a slick, American voice said.
Turning around, I saw a pair of black shoes joined to an Armani suit,
and atop of that was a clean-shaven, tanned muscular face.
I stood up and put my hands on my hips. "Can I help you?"
"You can help me in what ever way you want, sugar."
I screwed my face up in disgust and brushed past him, bumping into
Sophie.
"What's wrong?" she said.
"Men."
She laughed, and promenaded into the kitchen where I heard a familiar
voice call out, "Hello, sweetness," and then I heard an unmistakable
slap. Laughing out loud, I traveled down the hall and wandered out onto
the veranda, smiling as the cool sea breeze enveloped me.
A warm puff of air floated down the back of my neck, and I spun
around. Pete stood there with a glass of wine and a red rose. He
stroked my face and kissed me again.
"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" he said, slipping an
arm around my waist. We both turned to watch the sunset.
"I just wanted some fresh air."
And then I realized what I'd been missing. This warm, sensuous feeling
was love. Just standing there, being comforted by the one man I'd been
hankering over, my heart beating rapidly, my pelvic muscles going into
spasms and the hairs of my arm standing on end. This was right. This is
where I wanted to be. Not with a Yankee. Not with a salesman or an
accountant. Not with Adam, or any body else I knew. Not even a delivery
boy. Just with Pete.
My fucked up life was finally beginning to make sense.
*
And since me and Pete officially started dating, everything seemed to
fall into place. I wasn't single, so the girls didn't feel bad about
leaving me, and I could hang out with the boys without my significant
other getting jealous (that had happened a lot. My ex got so worked up
because I went bowling with Adam, Pete, Martin and Ashley. I broke it
off with him a minute before it was my first turn to bowl, turns out I
got a strike in every bowl and won the game. The boys have never
forgiven me).
But it didn't feel as though me and Pete were a couple. An item. We
still felt as close as before (maybe closer), we still talked about the
same things, did the same things and basically it was exactly the same
apart from now we bought each other gifts, slept in each other's bed
and kissed each other nonstop.
One night, when we were lying in bed together, our arms entwined, Pete
turned to me and whispered in my ear,
"I love you."
I choked. He hadn't said that before, and I didn't realise he felt
that strongly about me.
"I love you too."
And as I said it, I become conscious of the fact that I meant it. I
was in love with him.
I turned to face him in bed, the moonlight filtering through the
curtains shone across his face.
"Pete, I want to tell you something."
He nodded, motioning me to continue.
"I always thought I'd end up going out with someone who just liked the
way I looked, but didn't like my mind."
Pete hadn't said anything, but just stared into my eyes, his forehead
creased in what was his look of thinking.
"What do you mean?" he said, curiously.
"I mean, you are unlike any guy I've ever known before. You don't just
like me because I'm willing to try any position in bed, or the fact
that I'm blonde and got big tits. You like me for my being me, you talk
to me and cheer me up and make me laugh."
"And I'm glad about that. But what's that got to do with-"
I put a finger to his lips. "What I mean, Pete, is that you are an
incredible guy. And I love you."
He smiled, and pulled me even closer to him. "I don't ever want to
lose you Lauren. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. All
the other girls I've dated in the past were nothing compared to you. I
can't believe it took me this long to realise how special you are. What
I'm trying to say is that we've been friends for almost eight years
now, and sure, we've gone out a couple of times, but I was so immature
then. I didn't pay attention to anything but tits and ass. I do love
you."
As he said those words, fresh, salty tears began to creep down the
sides of my face. I'll never forget the way he stroked them away and
laughed, kissing my cheeks as yet more tears dripped down.
I got out of bed and pulled the curtains close, shutting out the scene
of the beach and the gentle roar of the waves. I snuggled back under
the duvet, and soon his breathing evened, and his arms relaxed. I
lifted my head and gazed intently at him as he slept. He moved his arm
from my hand to my stomach, and as soon as I closed my eyes, I drifted
into a dreamless sleep.
*
Early the next morning, after having a quick shower, I collapsed in
the lounge, drunk with happiness. A warm, sensuous glow shone through
the open window and matched my mood as I smiled blissfully. My heart
felt lighter than it ever had, my head was spinning with thoughts I
believed I'd never have again, and my body was utterly relaxed. This
was the life, I though to myself.
After an hour of sitting in the lounge, listening to the range of
early morning sounds (birds, tourists, staff members cleaning), I
slipped back into the bedroom and began to get changed.
I slipped into a small sundress with thin spaghetti straps, and sat on
the end of the bed, watching Pete stir occasionally. He opened his
eyes, and smiled sheepishly at me.
"I didn't know you were awake," he murmured, rubbing his eyes. "You
should have woken me up."
"Well you looked so peaceful, I didn't wanna move you. What are you
doing today?" I asked.
"Nothing, I heard Martin talking last night saying that we should all
go down to Universal Studios, and then go to the beach for a
party."
"Well, I'll go talk to Martin then. Are you gonna stay here, or shall
I wait for you to get dressed?"
"I'll have a shower, so you don't have to wait for me. Go and talk to
Martin, convince everyone we should go. It'll be a laugh."
I stood up to leave, kissed him on the lips and was just about to turn
away, when he grabbed me around the stomach and pulled me back down
onto the bed.
"Don't go yet," he whispered seductively. And he began to kiss me,
along my lips, my neck, and shoulders. Across my chest, down my belly,
and along to my back. Spine tingling sensations raced up and down my
body, and quick as a flash Pete had whipped the covers off, locked the
door, and jumped back into bed, taking each other's clothes off in
record speed.
After half an hour there was a nervous knock at the door.
"Come in," I murmured.
Martin stuck his head around the door and smiled furtively, as though
he knew what had taken place in the bedroom just moments before.
"Ah, just the person I wanted to see," Pete laughed, sitting up
against the propped up pillows and pulling me up with him.
"Are you still planning for everyone to go to Universal Studios today
and then onto the beach for a party?"
Martin frowned, and then shrugged. "Depends on what everyone else is
up to, if no ones got any plans, then I'll try to persuade them to
come. You can help me as well," Martin ordered, pointing at me.
Pete put his arm protectively around me, and smiled. "She doesn't need
to persuade them, they'll do anything she says. Guarantee."
*
I walked into the kitchen alone, Pete was in the shower and I had
refused to accompany him, otherwise he'd never get clean. I sat down
in-between Britny and Sophie, their looks telling me that they knew
what was going on.
I looked down the long table, and saw that two people were missing,
Adam and Pete. Pete's whereabouts were already confirmed. Adam,
however, was a mystery.
"Brits, where's Adam?" I asked, expecting him to be ill.
"He's still sleeping. I tired him out a bit last night. I don't think
he'll be able to use his genitals for a while!" Brits laughed, and
Sophie and I did a little scream and hugged her, congratulating her on
finally overcome her fears.
Martin was sat opposite me, and I stared at him thoughtfully, thinking
about whether everyone would be willing to go. Martin looked up and saw
me in a daze, and he burst out laughing, causing Kat to spill her
coffee.
"What're you thinking about?" he asked, just as everyone ended his or
her conversations.
"I was wondering if everyone wanted to go to Universal Studios. It's
not that far away and it'll be a hell of a time." I looked at everyone,
and they all nodded, and burst into talk about what rides would be
there.
Pete burst into the room, cuffing Martin around the ear and taking a
moment to stop and kiss me on the cheek before continuing his way to
the worktop to make a cup of tea.
A moment later, Adam wondered in, his hair tousled and his eyes barely
open. He didn't bother to stifle his yawns and scratched his bullocks
noticeably.
"Had fun last night?" Sophie asked, cocking her head to the side in
mock curiosity.
Adam smiled guiltily, and collapsed in an empty chair next to Britny,
were he let his arm droop around her.
"So, what's everyone doing today?" Kat asked, munching on the corner
of her toast.
"We're all heading off to Universal Studios to become kids again, so
we can eat until we can eat no more, go on really, really fast rides
and then puke continuously," Adam stated, matter-of-factly.
Kat, not seeming too keen to go anymore, was interrupted by Martin who
said, "Nah, don't listen to him. We're just going to have a good time.
Everyone in?"
The group all shouted, and dispersed quickly, heading off to their own
rooms to change. Sophie complained loudly in the hall that her ankle
hurt because of the gigantic ring on her finger, so Ashley scooped her
up off her feet and carried her into his room, where her giggles were
subsided by the door.
I marched into my room, found a pair of cut off denim shorts, some
comfy flat sandals and a white tank top. I hurriedly fixed my sun
bleached blonde hair out of my eyes and pulled it back into a high
ponytail, where it bobbed every time I walked. A few stray strands of
hair slipped out of the hair band and fell by cheeks, which were tanned
and smooth. A quick flick of mascara on each eye and I shoved a few
necessities into my bag, e.g. cigarettes, sun lotion, phone and
Vaseline.
We all congregated in the hallway as we decided which car who would go
in. We had two convertibles, each seated four, and so we settled on the
fact that the girls would take one car, and the boys another.
I hopped over the door and straightened my shorts, accompanied by a
loud wolf whistle from Pete as he slipped into the passenger seat next
to Martin. Ads and Ashley flopped down in the back, and began to 'rip
the piss' out of us girls, saying we couldn't drive. Kat, who got
pissed off with all the teasing, slammed the door shut and turned the
key, revving the car up. Britny slid into the seat next to her, and
Sophie and I took up our positions on the backseat, enabling us to turn
around and make rude gestures at the boys. They would be following us,
as I was the only one who knew the way (from past holidays).
Britny switched on the radio and rapid Rn'B tunes blasted out of the
speakers. The boys were still pratting around, so Kat slammed her foot
down on the accelerator and sped off, Adam screwing up his face in
disbelief while Pete laughed his head off.
We raced down the highway, the wind in our faces, the boys beeping
their horn behind us.
After a short toilet break and a half-hour wait in a never-ending
traffic jam, we finally saw the turn off for Universal Studios.
Everyone in the cars cheered, and we jumped up and down in our
seats.
About half and hour later, we pulled up into the fantastically big car
park, and found a suitable place a way off from the front doors. We
jumped out of the cars and shut the roofs. I was just stubbing out a
fag when a strong, muscular arm wrapped itself around me and I felt
hot, sweet breath on the back of my neck. I turned around, expecting to
see Pete, but it was that slick American, his white teeth glinting in
the sunlight. Pete was stood not ten metres away, glaring at this
stranger.
"Hello again sugar."
"Get the fuck away from me, you pig!" I yelled, pushing him
away.
Pete moved, as if to stop this person, but I heard Adam say softly,
"No Pete, let Lauren sort herself out." Pete stopped, and looked from
the American to me and back again.
"Come on, you don't mean that," he said, his voice as oily as his
hair.
"I mean it, and if you come anywhere near me, you'll regret it you
bastard."
Suddenly, everyone's attention had moved from unpacking the cars to
watching the American and I. Martin was filling the girls in on the
details, and they all stopped, waiting to see what would happen.
The American hesitated, not sure whether to believe my threats, but
instead he brushed them away and moved closer, thrusting his pelvis
towards me. Automatically, my knee rammed up between his legs and made
contact with his genitals. He howled in pain, and I brought his arm
around his back, kicked him in-between the shoulder blades and sent him
sprawling onto the grass. His face was unusually flushed and his slick
back hair was messed up.
Martin stared open mouthed, and Sophie began to clap, whilst the boys'
fell about in hysterics as the US civilian walked away in obvious pain.
Pete came up to me and wrapped his arms around me and brought me
closer.
"You okay? Did you hurt yourself?"
"Nah, I'm fine. I don't think he is though," I giggled. "Served him
right."
"Wasn't he at that party we held? I remember hearing that someone
slapped him."
"Yeah, that was Soph. Come on, lets get our tickets."
So we walked, a large group chortling away, everyone congratulating me
on a splendid fight. Martin was asking me how I'd managed to kick him
in the shoulder blades, and I showed him that you had to have flexible
legs.
"You see, you kick high," I explained.
"Oh," he said, understanding.
Twenty minutes later, after we'd bought our tickets and sorted
ourselves out with maps etc, we had a small discussion about which ride
to go on first. We decided to head in the direction of the
Twister/Earthquake rides. When we finally got there, we waited in the
queue, Pete and me at the front, and the rest behind. He slipped his
hand around my waist and squeezed it affectionately.
"Excited?" he asked, grinning.
I nodded, and kissed him hungrily.
*
Later that day, once we'd spent a good long time at the theme park, we
headed back to the condo and rang a couple of people to spread the word
of the beach party. Pete wanted to ring his mum, so Me, Martin and
Sophie took a quick trip to the discount store to get supplies for the
party. I parked the convertible in front of the doors to the
supermarket, and we all jumped out, racing inside to stock up on
alcohol. We bought firelighters, marshmallows, millions of litres of
varied booze, and a disposable barbeque, along with steaks, burgers and
hotdogs.
When we finally got back to the apartment, we dropped the shopping in
the kitchen.
I was about to doze off for an hour in the lounge when Pete grabbed my
hand, and motioned for me to follow him. He led me through the hall and
out onto the veranda, where the sun was setting and the breeze off the
sea was fairly warm. He wrapped his arms around me and gestured for me
to sit down. I frowned, unsure about what he was doing, but he smiled
and reassured me that it wasn't anything scary.
"When you went to go buy the stuff for the party, I took the liberty
to go into town myself," he said, grinning in a bemused sort of
way.
"I didn't see you in town, did you catch the bus or take the other
car?"
Pete waved his hand, as if to brush my questions away. "That doesn't
matter," he said, sitting down next to me and holding my hands. "I want
to show you how much you mean to me, how much I love you. You're part
of me now, I don't ever want to lose you."
A tear rolled down my cheek, and Pete stopped grinning. "Are you okay?
Have I said something wrong?"
I shook my head. "No, it's just that no one's ever felt that way about
me before, and it's a shock. As I said before, I never thought I'd be
that lucky. I love you with all my heart, you're part of me. I'm so
happy, I think that's why I'm crying."
"Can I carry on?" he asked, pausing to see whether any more tears were
to come.
I laughed and nodded again.
He reached inside his shirt pocket and pulled out a long thin black
box, with the words, 'Emerald Designs' written upon it in fine, silver
writing.
He opened it up, and there, resting on black velvet, was a Celtic
silver bracelet, with a small strip of plain silver on which these
words were engraved upon. 'I Love You Each And Every Day - Pete
xxx'.
My heart missed a beat and my face spilt into a wide grin. "It's
beautiful," I whispered.
He clasped it around my wrist, and stared at it for a moment. "It
looks beautiful on you."
"I'd better go get ready," I said, kissing him softly on the lips and
leaving him on the veranda.
I ran down the hall, barged Adam out of the way and burst into my
room, where Sophie's head poked out of the side bathroom.
"Hey mate, I'm just shaving me legs," she called. "Be out in a
sec."
I sat on the bed, twiddling the bracelet around my wrist. She came
out, her hair and body wrapped up in thick, fluffy white towels. She
slipped her feet into her slippers, and sat opposite me.
"Well?"
I thrust my arm at her, and she took a moment or to looking at the
bracelet.
"Wow, that's stunning."
"You should have heard what he said to go with it though," I said
smugly, holding my hand out and admiring it form a distance.
I repeated what he said out on the veranda, and Sophie smiled, and
even cried a bit. She began to turn the ring on her finger
absentmindedly, and we sat there, tears leaking.
After a good sniffle, we began to get ready. I shoved on a pair of
knee length shorts, and a halter-top. I threw a thin poncho into my bag
along with the basic provisions, and Sophie and I paraded into the
kitchen, our spirits high.
Suddenly, a mobile rang somewhere in the depths of the bedrooms, and I
heard Pete answer it with a high pitched, "All right cunt!"
He walked into the kitchen, grinning as the person on the other end of
the phone began to speak.
"Who is it?" I mouthed.
He covered the end of the phone, and said, "It's John. Him and Luke
are coming here on holiday, they're staying at a hotel a few miles down
the road, and are at the airport."
I smiled, and my mood soared a couple of notches. This was going to be
the best holiday ever. Yet more of Pete's mates and mine were arriving,
and it was going to make this vacation memorable.
He invited them to the beach party, and arranged to meet them outside
their hotel.
An hour later, once we'd all packed the cooler and bags, which brimmed
with alcohol and food, we walked down the road to meet John and Luke.
We heard the unmistakable laugh of John, and Pete ran on, swinging his
arms and shouting abuse at his best friend.
"All right Lauren," John said, eyeing Sophie up and down. "Aint see
you for a while. How you been?"
"Same as I was before," I said, grinning.
"Yeah, me too."
"You aint changed though," I commented, noticing his gelled hair and
height.
"You have though. Look at ya, blonder, browner, dumber. God Pete, why
did you let her go?"
"Don't touch her John," Pete warned, cuffing him round the head.
"Why? You aint got a boyfriend, have you?" I nodded, casting a glance
at Pete, though John didn't notice. "Lanky streak of piss, is he? Bet
he's a right fuck up."
Pete punched him in the arm and put his hand on my waist, drawing
himself to his full height.
"Not little old Peter again, is it? Get someone new, Loz. Come on,"
John laughed, punching Pete back.
Luke came over, greeted us all, and began talking to Ashley, one of
whom he hadn't seen for a while. Luke's eyes travelled over Sophie, and
smirked. He whispered that she'd changed and if she fancied staying at
his hotel one night.
"You aint changed either. Still trying to get down every girls pants."
I whispered back, and leaned over to kiss Pete. Luke noticed and put
his thumb up to Pete, yelling, "Get in there!"
We all walked down the road towards the beach, and the group we'd
arranged to meet had all congregated there. Ashley informed us that
Dave Roberts and Dave Pereira we're catching a flight over in a couple
of days and wanted to meet up with us all.
Once we'd gotten to the place on the beach where we were to have the
fire, we set about getting driftwood and logs from washed up wrecks. I
mingled, and talked to those who weren't helping. A lot of people had
come over from England and there were a few who lived in America but
spent their summer in Florida. I was explaining to them that it was a
little like when I was younger and we'd spend our summer down in
Cornwall, and then John motioned for me to come and speak to him.
"Not helping the boys John? 'Spect you don't wanna mess up your hair,"
I said grinning.
"You know what I'm like. I'll only get dirty if sex is involved, other
than that, you can kiss my ass."
I laughed, and saw Sophie, so I called her over.
"John, you remember Soph, right?"
Sophie stood there awkwardly as John scratched his chin.
"Yeah, sure. Pete's bird's best mate."
"Oh great, at least I'm known somehow," Soph laughed.
"But fuck me," he said. "You've changed a hell of a lot. Look at you!
Hey, Soph, fancy coming round the back of that hut. I'll show something
that's changed, length and width at least."
I choked on my drink and burst out laughing, startling John. He waited
for Sophie's answer, and she patted his arm sympathetically.
"Bless you John, for trying so hard. But sorry, I'm engaged." She held
up her fourth finger and the diamond sparkled in the firelight.
"What the-? Who gave you that?"
"Ashley. We've been going out for four years, and he proposed to me a
week ago."
"Ashley? Ashley Chapman? I always thought he was gay," he said as he
walked over to join Pete.
Sophie and I exploded in hysterics, and went and sat down on the
blanket by the fire. Luckily, it was right next to the cooler, so we
could grab the best drinks and hide them from everyone else.
"Loz, have you realised how almost everyone's changed from our group?
Except Adam, obviously," she asked me, frowning in the darkness and
laughing at the same time as he tried groping a young, Mediterranean
girl and then got slapped by Britny.
"How do you mean?"
"Well, before, you were getting all the guys and I was your tag along
best friend."
"Excuse me, that was not how it was, how-"
"Just let me finish. Sometimes that's how I felt, and then I met
Ashley, and ever since that party at Sophie's, you know, the one the
boys didn't go to, I knew my life would get better. It was almost a
sign. I really missed him at that party, I wish he could've been there,
but I spent all night ringing him anyway. And I remember what he said,
just before I left. 'Soph, you look stunning. Enjoy yourself, mate. You
deserve it.'"
"What are you trying to say?" I asked her, turning to face her as the
flames casting dancing shadows over our faces.
"Just wait. Then you persuaded us to go on that weight watchers thing.
At first I was upset cos I thought you were calling me fat," She looked
at me and saw the anger in my eyes and hastily carried on. "But I knew
that was just being stupid, and it was a great help, the fact that you
stood by me all the way."
"Is that it?"
"No. Thanks. For everything."
I looked at her, and was startled to see sparkling teardrops emerging
from her eyes, and I hugged her, both of us laughing at our
stupidity.
Ashley came over, so I left them too to it, and went off to find Pete.
I had gone more than a few yards when Adam hurtled at me, knocking me
to the floor and hurling sand all over the nearby blanket.
"Gerroff me!" I screamed, laughing so much it hurt.
He helped me up and I began brushing the sand off my clothes.
"Where you going?" he asked, his words slurring. A half empty bottle
of vodka swung from his hand and he waved it about
absentmindedly.
"To find Pete," I said, as I turned away.
"I wouldn't, he's-"
But it was too late. There, half concealed in the shadows of the
abandoned beach hut, which stood a way off from the fire, was Pete, his
arms wrapped around another girl, there lips touching, their hands
wandering.
My heart stopped, and my blood ran cold. Tears welled up in my eyes,
and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I choked back a sob, and Pete
stopped, looking up quickly. Our eyes met, and his face went
white.
"Lauren, I-"
I walked away, away from the laughter and the noise of everyone having
fun. Away from Pete's shouts and away from my friends.
I staggered back to the condo, my make-up running, and my vision
blurry. The Barcadi had finally worked its way into my system, and at
the minute all I wanted to do was curl up in my bed and never wake
up.
I let myself in with my key, and strode into my room, slamming the
door. Not even bothering to take off my clothes, I slipped under the
duvet and hugged my knees. Ten minutes later, I heard the front door
open again, a bang as someone collided with the table in the hall, and
a knock on the door.
"Leave me alone," I whispered.
"Lauren?" It was Pete. His words inaudible. Obviously he'd been
knocking back the drinks as well. "Lauren, let me in. I am so sorry, I
don't know what, I mean, I don't know why I, I can't remember why," he
sighed. "I'm sorry," he finished hopelessly.
I ignored him and rolled over, my back turned to the door. I cried
silently, and eventually, I heard him turn away and go into his room,
locking the door.
I felt the anger welling up inside me. "Why don't you go back to her,
you lying, cheating scum!" I shouted savagely. I looked down at my arm.
The bracelet he'd given me shimmered in the moonlight, and now I could
see little hearts had been engraved around the message. Vomit
threatening to escape, I ripped it off my wrist and flung it across the
room, where it hit the wall and fell with a thud on the carpet.
My stomach rose, and I raced to the en-suite bathroom in the bedroom,
lifting up the toilet seat, and throwing up the contents of my earlier
meals.
That night, after hearing everyone coming in, when the front door
closed for the last time and I heard the resounding click of the lock,
I snuck out of the bedroom and went to sit on the veranda. Sophie had
come back but had obviously stayed in Ashley's room. I didn't care; I
just wanted to be alone.
For how long I sat out on the terrace, I didn't care. I just listened
to the waves on the beach in the distance, and the soft breeze. I
shivered, and felt the goose bumps on the back of my neck
prickle.
From the depths of the house I heard a cough, and a door sliding open.
I turned around, hoping it wasn't Pete and I sighed with relief. It was
Britny.
"Lauren, what's wrong? Why you out here, at this time?"
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Don't you know?"
Her eyes widened, and she grasped my hand.
"Babe, what happened? Was it Pete?"
"I went looking for him just after we got to the beach, and I saw him
with another girl."
"What were they doing?"
"Kissing," I said, my stomach doing an odd sort of flip-flop. "Their
hands were all over each other, and then he looked at me, and-"
I couldn't carry on. All those feelings I had for him, the longing to
believe he was the one, would be true to me, all emerged and I wept. My
eyes stung, my nose ran, and my hands began to shake.
Britny sat there and comforted me until the sun begun to rise, and she
took me into the kitchen and prepared breakfast for us. I sat there,
still in shorts and halter-top, my hair damp and my feet sandy, with a
cup of hot, sweet tea in my hands. As my friends arose and entered the
kitchen, they looked at me with unease plastered over the faces.
Obviously they knew what had happened, and they weren't sure how to
talk to me.
Sophie bounced into the room, and stopped dead when she saw my
face.
"Whoa, who died?" she laughed, but quickly ended it as Britny grabbed
her arm and whispered in her ear.
"Ohmigod, Lauren, I'm sorry."
I shook my head to say forget about it and walked out.
I had just decided to have a shower and change when I saw a door at
the end of the hall and Pete's hollow, depressed face emerge. I stared
at him blankly, and locked myself in the bathroom. Just as I was about
to turn on the shower, I heard a shout from Sophie.
"You fucking bastard! How dare you treat her like that!"
Then came the unmistakable sound of a chair being pushed back, the
bang of the front door and a loud thump.
I looked out of the bathroom window, just in time to see the back of
Pete's head as he skulked away, punching alternate wing mirrors on
parked cars. I smiled nastily, enjoying the fact that he was so glum,
but stopped when I remembered all those times I'd comforted and made
him laugh when he'd come home in a mood. But we'd been mates then. And
I had no idea how this situation was going to be sorted out.
I got dressed, bunged my hair up in a clip and left the house, saying
I was taking a trip into town. The weather reflected my mood, it was
grey and overcast, though the radio said it would defiantly brighten up
later on and that evening would be hot, with no breeze and no chance of
rain.
I had just started up the car and was reversing down the road to turn
around, when I saw Pete in my wing mirror, staring at the car. He was
sat on the beach, his elbows propped up on his knees, and I saw his
eyes were red and swollen. My eyes met his, and I looked away. I shoved
the gear stick into drive and screeched away down the road, Pete
watching me until I disappeared from view.
I pulled into the open telephone office and rang Kim's mobile. Tears
had already begun streaking down my face, and I sniffed as she
answered.
"Hello?" she said groggily. I realised stupidly that even though it
was seven in the morning here, it was probably one in the morning over
there, and unsurprisingly; Kim had work the following day.
"Hi Kim."
She noticed the emptiness in my voice and she gasped. "What's wrong
darling?"
"Pete. He pulled someone else last night. I, I, I can't believe he'd
ever do that. I don't even want to think about it."
She sighed, and then spoke. "Did you see him, or hear about it?"
"I saw it. He was drunk, she was a hussy from a beach hotel and I saw
him."
She comforted me for a bit, and I left, driving around town for an
hour or so, grabbing a take-away tea and doughnut and travelling back
to the flat.
*
Later, when I was sat on my bed and talking to Sophie, my phone rang.
I looked at the screen and saw the letters, John MOB. Sighing, I picked
up the phone.
"Hello?"
"All right Lauren. How are you? I mean, after last night."
"Dunno. I can't really feel anything at the minute. Have you spoken to
Pete?"
"He's here, actually. Wanna talk to him?"
"No, not yet."
"Don't you wanna know how he is?" John said, concern in his voice. Was
it for Pete or me?
"Why should I be worried about him? He was the one who cheated on me,
he should be worried about me!" I argued.
"Lauren," John said sternly. "He's cut up. He can't eat, he can't
sleep. He didn't even remember doing it until I told him this morning.
He was way too drunk. He only remembers up until he was on the beach,
and then he woke up. I text him this morning telling him, and that's
when he came over here. He knows you won't take him back but he loves
you. And I think this time he means it."
I sighed again. Sophie looked up, frowning. 'You okay?' she mouthed, I
nodded and then voiced what I'd been thinking about for the past few
minutes.
"Does he still love me, honestly?" I asked timidly.
"For Gods Sake Lauren!" John shouted, his voice being able to hear
even if I held the phone at an arms length. Sophie stopped in alarm,
and raised her eyebrows. "He's madly in love with you! He never wants
to leave you and he wishes he'd never gone off that night! All he wants
in the world is to be with you, can't you see that?"
"I-, I-, I'll speak to you later John." And without waiting for him to
argue, or say goodbye I hung up the phone.
"Well?" Soph asked, painting her toenails.
I repeated what John said to me, and scratched my head.
"I just dunno anymore."
*
I didn't speak to Pete for a couple of days, and he stayed at John's
the night of the phone call. I did think about what John said, and I
still hadn't made my mind up. Then, just as I had gotten out of the
shower, my mobile rang. It was John again.
"All right mate?" he said, his voice banging my eardrums.
"Why are you shouting?" I asked giggling, scrunching my nose up.
"Well, Pereira and Roberts is here, and we're throwing a huge party
tonight. The hotel owner has let us have the pool and poolside out for
the night, and we having a major piss up. Fancy coming?"
I hesitated, and John read my mind.
"Yeah, Pete will be there, but I don't reckon you'll see him. I reckon
he'll lock himself in my room. You can invite everyone from your place
as well, and bring Sophie," he added in a whisper, and I heard Luke
laughing in the background.
"Yeah okay, we'll be over there about eight. That okay?"
"Sure, but make sure all you girls are wearing skirts, short
skirts."
I laughed, and hung up, turning to Sophie.
"It's half eleven. Me, you and the rest of the girls need to go
shopping."
"Why?" she asked.
"We're going to a party. All of us, but we need to get new
stuff."
Sophie clapped her hands joyfully, and after getting dressed, Sophie,
Britny, Kat and me drove one of the cars to the nearest mall and got
ready to blow some serious cash.
That night, as we all walked down the block towards John's hotel, my
heart began pumping fast as I realised I'd see Pete for the first time
since the beach party. We strolled past the front doors and round the
back of the hotel where the loud, pulsing beats of the music filtered
through the air, and the talk and laughter of the party guests.
Sophie giggled excitedly, and grabbed Ashley's hand, leading him off
so they could blend with the people around the pool. I hesitated, and
heard Martin whisper in my ear,
"Don't worry Lauren. Just go, have fun."
I smiled uneasily, adjusted the short, black and white skirt and thin
lace tank top I wore, and smoothed my hair. I'd styled it so it was
straight but flicked out at the ends, and my make-up was intense yet
suave.
I followed Adam and Britny off around the edge of the pool, and was
standing by the deck chairs awkwardly when a hand on my arm made me
jump.
I spun round, and faced a tall, clean - shaven guy, who smiled
warmly.
"Hi," he said, his voice clipped with an Irish accent. "I saw you
standing by yourself and I was wondering if you'd like to dance."
"Sure," I said, shocked by my own assertiveness, but determined to
enjoy myself.
I took his open hand and he led me over to an open space where a few
couples where dancing vigorously to a fast moving beat. He twirled me
round and danced opposite me, his hips moving in rhythm to mine. I
placed my hands on my hips also, and danced, unaware that I was being
watched from the window above.
*
"Pete mate, there's loads of hot sweeties down there, lets go check
them out," Luke said, his eyes playing over the guests.
Pete looked up from the magazine he was reading, and raised one
eyebrow.
"Yeah mate, whatever."
Luke sighed, and flopped down on the bed.
"Listen mate, Lauren probably won't even show, so don't worry about
seeing her. John, and the two Dave's are down there, and we're also
holding this party, so we need to go and mingle."
Pete closed the magazine and threw it down.
"I don't wanna fucking mingle. I just wanna stay up here, with a few
drinks, and try and forget about what I fucked up life I'm leading and
feel sorry for myself."
"You don't have a fucked up life. If she really loves you, she'll
forgive you. So, you made one mistake, get over it."
Pete groaned, and walked over to the window. "You don't know her like
I do. She's not like that. Our relationship wasn't like that."
Finally, Luke managed to persuade Pete to come down to the open bar
for a few drinks and if he still didn't want to stay he was welcome to
go and crash in their room.
Pete strode through the back doors of the hotel and down onto the
terrace where John was stood talking to Dave Roberts as he surveyed the
shindig which was going on all around him.
John turned and saw Pete. "At last! Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome
your very own Casanova!"
Pete laughed weakly and grabbed a beer. He shoved his free hand in his
pocket and stopped next to Dave.
Dave motioned for Pete to lean in closer, and whispered, "Have you
seen that girl over there? She's dancing with the black and white shirt
on. Go talk to her."
John had noticed it was me dancing, and even though Pete hadn't, he
spoke up. "Nah mate, just enjoy yourself." He cast Dave a serious look
and Dave smiled apologetically.
Pete rolled his eyes. "Dave, you know I aint interested in
anyone."
John overheard and began shouting that Pete was gay and that any
single men were welcome over there. Pete chuckled feebly, and then
stopped, mortified as a man in tight black PVC trousers walked past and
winked at him. Luke and John doubled up in hysterics, and Pete punched
them both lightly in the arm.
*
I was just forgetting about Pete and was beginning to enjoy myself
when I saw a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye. My eyes
widened and I stopped dancing. The Irish guy halted quickly and touched
my arm. "You okay?" he said, his eyes full or worry.
I nodded, and mouthed I needed a drink and would join him in a minute.
I ambled over to the bar and called for a double shot of white magic
rum. I desperately wanted to not remember this night, so I thought I'd
go all out. From past experiences I knew that just a few shots of rum
would sort me out for the next 24 hours.
I was just waiting for my drink when someone flicked my ear and
laughed hysterically. I smiled, and knew it was Luke, an annoying habit
he had.
"All right Luke?" I yelled, the music making my words barely
audible.
"Didn't think you'd come," he shouted, motioning to Pete.
I shrugged. "It's a party innit? Free booze? I'm there," I
laughed.
I downed my shot, to Luke's amazement, and noticed Sophie on the
dancefloor. She gestured me over and when I got there, I found it was
mostly girls. Britny and Kat were dancing close together, and Sophie
whispered in my ear,
"Pete's watching you." I cast a half-glance at him, and saw his eyes
trailing over me, his arms crossed in that unmistakable mood. "Fancy
doing our dancing act?" she yelled, laughing and tossing her hair back.
I nodded, and we sent Britny over to the DJ to tell him to put some
classic Rn'B tunes on.
The crowd stopped moving as the music ended, but all cheered as
Christina Aguilera's 'Dirrty' song came on. I cheered along with the
rest of them, and I saw Pete smile guiltily. He knew I loved this song,
and knew exactly what dance moves I'd do to this.
"Dirty Dancing?" I screamed to Soph and she screamed back,
laughing.
The songs rhythm built up, and we moved fast, shaking our hips, our
hands wandering. John, Luke, Pete, Dave P and Dave R stood gob smacked
as the crowd moved out and made a circle around me, Sophie, Kat and
Britny. We giggled, and continued dancing, throwing in some very dirty
moves, which made the crowd go wild.
I danced towards where Pete was standing, and he gave me a small
smile, not entirely sure if I'd return it. I winked at him, and he
grinned, which made him look happier than he ever had before.
After a few more serenades, I retired from the dancefloor, and
proceeded back over to the bar, ordering a wild turkey chaser. Pete
said something to John and followed me.
"You were incredible out there," he said bravely. "Will you talk to
me?"
I nodded. "Hold my drink for me, will you mate?" I asked the barman,
and he smiled. Don't be too long, he mouthed.
Pete held out his hand and I took it as he led me over to the far end
of the pool where the people were less and the music was quieter.
He sat down opposite me on a sun bleacher, and looked me straight in
the eyes.
"Lauren, I never meant to hurt you. You know I'd never have done
anything like that," he said, his words choking up in his throat. His
eyes sparkled, and I could've sworn I'd seen a small tear.
I nodded, but he shook his head to silence me.
"Don't speak yet. I can understand if you don't want to go back to the
way we were, it would be hard anyway, but I do love you. I don't even
remember doing it, and when John told me, I was, I was, well, I felt
sick. I couldn't believe I'd done that, and I just wanted to lock
myself in my room and never leave. I'm so sorry."
I couldn't speak. Even though I was still upset about what he'd done
to me, I couldn't help but want him even more.
"Pete," I said, leaning towards him. "I can't say I totally forgive
you, but I never took back what I said before." He frowned, and I
continued, in case he got the wrong idea. "I love you."
He smiled, and the love in his eyes showed more deeply than I'd ever
seen. He moved forward and kissed me lightly on the lips, sending those
familiar spine-tingling chills down my spine. He pulled away, unsure as
to whether he should do that, and I grabbed his face, drawing him
closer, and I kissed him. Hard and hungrily.
*
A week later, our last week together, we sat counting the last
remaining notes of our money and argued on what to spend it on.
Eventually, the girls decided to spend half of theirs on gifts for
their families, and more clothes. The guys decided to buy clothes,
alcohol, cigarettes, and to treat the girls out to a night on the
town.
It felt weird, me and Pete being back together, and at first not
everyone was comfortable about it, but as time went by, we all got
along again, and it was like that scenario never happened. On the last
night, as I lay in Pete's arms, the moonlight filtering in through the
curtains, I sighed a long, deep, heavy sigh.
I turned over and rested my chin on my hands, propping my elbows up on
the pillow. Pete turned onto his side to face me.
"What's gonna happen when we go back home?" he said, frowning
slightly.
"What do you want to happen?" I asked, unsure of where this
conversation was leading and I began to feel that familiar emptiness in
my stomach, my heart sinking. I thought he was going to break up with
me, but I choked back the tears and stared determinedly at the white,
starch pillow in front of me.
"Well, I'm living in a flat in Totnes as you know, and I was
wondering, if you ever want to move out, you can always come and live
with me."
A huge grin spread over my face, and I leant over, hugging him and
kissing him.
Meanwhile, the waves on the beach crashed and crumbled onto the sand,
wiping away the last remaining footprints on the beach.
*
Everyone was in a blind panic the next morning, running around finding
odd socks and missing toothbrushes. I had packed my bag the previous
night, and was happily relaxing in the kitchen with a cup of tea. I
surveyed the mess; the dirty plates piling up in the sink, the
overflowing ashtrays, and the piles of unwashed clothes loitering in
the corners of the room. I grinned happily. This was what life was
intended for. A little hard work, a smudge of responsibility, and
overall fun.
Pete ran in, threw open the nearest cupboard and rooted around,
obviously looking for something. He stopped and stared at me.
"What're you doing?" he asked curiously. "Aren't you getting your
stuff ready? We're leaving in an hour."
"My stuff's already packed. I've got nothing to do 'cept get
dressed."
He gazed in an astonished way, and continued to ferret around until he
pulled out a small envelope triumphantly.
"What's that?" I said, indicating the white paper.
"Emergency money. I stashed it here at the beginning of the holiday."
He smiled gleefully, and shoved it in his pocket as he dashed out of
the room.
Finally, after we'd packed the car with our bags and searched the
apartment for any remaining bits and pieces we'd left. Sophie found a
pair of Ashley's boxer shorts hidden under the television set, and we
uncovered two cold, hair covered pizzas stuffed under the sink unit in
the kitchen.
Kat locked the door and shoved it in her pocket as we stood on the
bottom steps, gazing up at the bungalow for one last time.
Our spirits had been depleted, but we enjoyed our long ride to the
airport, us girls packed into the front car, the boys behind us.
As we pulled into the hotel, and gave the keys to the convertible back
to the car-hire office, I paused, motionless, staring out to sea. I
took in everything around me, the sun, the sea, the air. A soft breeze
fluttered in circles, and Pete walked over, wrapping an arm around me,
and spinning me round.
"You gonna miss this place?" I said, smiling. He nodded, and bent down
to kiss me.
And with that, we checked in, gave our bags to the woman behind the
desk, and waited. And waited. Our plane arrived an hour late, and when
we boarded it, I flopped into my seat, and dozed off.
This holiday was an amazing experience. Everything that had happened,
had happened because it was meant to. And I never regretted any of it
for one moment. It was paradise.
*
After a couple of months, each of our lives changed slightly. I moved
in with Pete, and we shared a wonderful relationship, which resulted in
him proposing. Obviously I accepted. Sophie married Ashley last fall,
and they're struggling to keep their apartment together. Martin and Kat
are still in a relationship, but nothing serious has happened. Britny
and Adam, however, broke up when Britny found him in bed with her
friend, Hannah. Britny has vowed never to date him again, but she's
meeting him for a drink next week. Hopeless.
The good news is that Kat's dad has agreed to let us have his condo
again for a month next summer, so we're all saving up.
Nothing can scrape the memories of this holiday out of my mind, and at
the minute, I'm looking through the album of photographs. I stop on a
big photo of us all. Me, Sophie, Pete, Ashley, Kat, Martin, Britny,
Adam, Dave Roberts, John, Dave Pereira, Luke and of course that slick,
sleazy American is in the background. I laugh out loud. That was the
best time of my life.
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