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| PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE by Janey <<< Part 3 PART 4 James helped me carry my luggage back upstairs to his bedroom (he still insisted that he would sleep in another one), but instead of helping me unpack, as he had promised, he guided me onto the bed, and began kissing me once more. “We can’t keep doing this you know,” I whimpered into his ear. “What if Nicky and Sean catch us? Talking of those two, they are taking their own sweet time aren’t they?” “They’ll be a while yet,” James smirked smugly, glancing at his watch. “I reckon they’ll be having breakfast right now.” “Are you telling me that you lied to get me in here?” I asked, pushing him off me and propping myself up on my elbows, whilst I gave him a stern glance and making myself sound as angry as possible, without giving in to the giggles that were rising in me. “How dare you?” “I had to bloody well do something to stop you from going and to give myself half a chance,” he sighed, looking apologetically at me. “I relied on your sense of decency that you would want to say goodbye to them in person, if given the chance.” “You did that just so you could drive me mad by kissing me again.” “I thought I stood a reasonable chance if I could get you to do that, yes.” “James.” “Yes.” “Don’t think of an excuse to kiss me,” I giggled. “Just kiss me.” “So you’re not mad at me?” he queried. “I will be if you ignore me for very much longer.” We enjoyed being close to one another, just kissing, cuddling and caressing; nothing more, until we heard a car drawing up outside. “Nicky and Sean are back,” I sighed heavily. “Can’t wait to tell them about us,” smiled James, stroking my hair. “I don’t want them to know,” I said lightly. “Not yet at least, besides if Nicky even suspected we would never get to talk about this book would we now.” “What are you afraid of?” he asked, perplexed. “James, we have just started out. Let’s not run before we can walk huh? I mean at the moment the only thing that they need to know is that we haven’t killed each other, but that actually, we can get along.” “Does that mean we have to resort to stolen kisses and cuddles then?” his eyes twinkled. “Afraid so,” I murmured. “Actually, that sounds quite appealing. There’s something very exciting about knowing that we may get caught,” he whispered sensually to me. “So I notice,” I smirked, letting a hand wander over his very obvious erection, but quickly he grabbed it with a hand of his own, and moved it away. “Karen, I want to do this properly,” he drawled, his eyes all glassy. “If you touch me like that I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from either ripping your clothes off and taking you right here, or ejaculating in my pants; neither of which I want.” “Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself; but thank you for wanting to wait.” “After more than a decade a few more days is not going to make a whole lot of difference is it now?” He asked as he winked at me, and once more I melted into him, kissing him urgently. “Whoa now!” “Umm,” I moaned, irritated at being interrupted. “Karen we’ll get caught if you’re not careful. Nick and Sean are bound to come looking for us.” “You could always tell them that you have had to perform mouth to mouth on me!” I grinned. “You wicked, wicked woman,” he laughed, giving me a final kiss and setting off to meet with Sean and Nicky. I found him in the lounge, staring out of the window as he waited for Sean and Nick to re-join us. “Hi gorgeous,” I said, wrapping my arms around him, and planting a tiny kiss at the nape of his neck. “Hi.” He hugged me to him and sighed. “What made you change your mind about us?” “Let’s just say that Gill managed to make me see reason. You know the old ‘what have you got to lose’, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained’ and all that. Only I was going to cheat and call you when I got home. I figured that that was much safer,” I smiled to him and winked, letting him know to what I was inferring. “You won’t regret it Karen. I’ll make sure that you don’t.” Hurriedly we separated then, both of us hearing the footsteps approaching us. I sat down in a chair, and James sat beside me on one of the sofa’s, grinning at me as I took all the paraphernalia that I would need, out of my document case, that I had left there when I entered the room a short while ago. “What a difference a day makes,” sang Nicky, with a huge beaming smile, as he sat down with us. “Glad to see that you have both escaped unscathed. The atmosphere is so different to yesterday isn’t it?” “I thought for a while that I’d come back to the wrong place,” chirped Sean, joining us as well. “That time alone last night helped you two sort stuff out huh?” “Kinda,” blushed James. “What’s that supposed to mean?” enquired Nicky. “Erm…well,” I stuttered. “We, erm, well… we.” “Oh what!” demanded Sean, his frustration brewing inside. “We talked; we argued; I left.” “But we’ve talked again this morning and it’s ok,” James added hurriedly. “We’re friends again; it was a misunderstanding, that’s all.” “Friends?” winked Nick. “Yes Nicky; friends. No more, no less.” I was amazed at how even James kept his voice, not even his eyes or mouth betrayed the truth. “Just checking,” Nick quipped, very obviously letting us know that he was sure that we hadn’t told him everything. I was astounded by what I learned that morning. After what James had told me about Steph, I had thought I was prepared for everything and anything: I was wrong. Nicky and Sean had brought official solicitors letters and court papers with them; affidavits and testimonies swearing to Steph’s ‘unreasonable and dangerous, predatory’ behaviour. They had photographs of cuts and bruises that they suffered at her hands when they had had the audacity to turn her down when she wanted sex, or to parade her on their arms. Richey had seen straight through her, Nicky told me, and that was one of the reasons that a chasm had grown between them. Initially Steph had been very clever, manipulating one of us at a time, and doing it in such a way that she wasn’t questioned, but as the years went on her schemes became more and more vile, and the guys did actually start to question her, and that’s when the holes in her explanations became evident. Feeling cornered, that’s when she started to become violent. Injunctions didn’t stop her activity and Sean and Nicky both had to relocate to be able to give their families some security. I remembered how happy she apparently was at the news that Rhian, and then Rachel were pregnant; how enthusiastically she had chirruped that they would be marvellous moms and dads. In front of me was visual proof that the truth was very different. I had photographs of a heavily pregnant Rachel, covered in bruises; caused by Steph throwing her down a set of car park stairs. There were also all of the legal documents pertaining to the charges that were brought against Steph – she was given community service. A similar thing happened to Rhian, and this time Steph was given a six months sentence, suspended for two years. I couldn’t believe how lightly she had got off; at the end of the day this was attempted murder. Also evident was the abject horror on James’ face; he didn’t know the half of what had been happening, judging from the look on his face. “I, I had no fucking idea,” I said shamefully. “I really… hell, I don’t know what to say. Why the hell couldn’t I see it? Why didn’t I know?” I tugged at my hair, gulped down some air, but still could prevent my tears from flowing. “I should have known.” “Karen, there was nothing that you or anyone else could have done. She was sick, I mean compared to her Richey was the sanest person alive,” Nicky came and sat in front of me, and took my hands in his and held them to his face, kissing my fingers lightly. “As time went on I figured that you had withdrawn from her because you’d noticed it, but then I also wondered why you wouldn’t have informed us about any concerns that you may have.” “Richey wasn’t insane Nick,” I blubbed. “He was ill; there’s a difference. His mind was still razor sharp and logical. Everything he did had a logical reason behind it.” “Like the cutting?” “He hated himself and his imperfections but others would go on about how beautiful and perfect he was. He tried to show them the truth.” “The anorexia?” “He had no control at that time, or so he thought. His starving himself was his way of controlling something in his life.” “Please guys, lets not talk about the fella when he isn’t here to defend himself huh?” pleaded James. I nodded my agreement and so did Nick. Sean just looked on, almost as if dazed and bewildered. “You’re quiet Sean,” I said. “Umm, just thinking about how many lives she almost ruined,” he replied almost absentmindedly. “You and James, well, she put the kibosh on before it even bloody got started. Then there was me and Rhian and Rachel and Nick, but thankfully we survived it, and of course, there was…” He didn’t finish. Instead he gazed at Nicky and Nick merely nodded, knowing what Sean was thinking. “Tell me if I’m out of turn here, but what happened with you two Nick? Apart from the Steph thing I mean.” “It was lots of little things really,” he sighed heavily, but flashing a tender smile all the same. “I was expected to cope with Richey shagging an endless procession of groupies, but he was so jealous of me sleeping with my own wife. He would criticise me for not having the balls to stand up and say ‘I’m gay and I love Richey’, yet he couldn’t openly admit his love for me either. We never stopped being friends though, and I’ll never stop loving him.” I smiled softly to him and gently wiped away some of the tears that were now falling; It was that kind of day. “And Rachel?” “I love her. Always have and always will. I love her in a different way to Richey but that doesn’t mean I love either one of them less or more than the other; it’s just different. She knew about Richey when we were seeing each other, and she knew I was still with him after we got married, but she understood, you know. I tell you, she is one in a million and I am so happy and so lucky. Every year that goes by I love her more and more.” It was true; that couldn’t be denied. Giggling was coming from Sean and we all turned and glared at him. “You know,” he laughed to himself. “Out of all of us, I would have put money on you and James getting it on and staying together.” “Getting it on?” I choked. “What the hell does that mean?” “You know, I figured you’d have a teenage romance that would blossom as you became adults and that eventually you’d have a family together. Instead he’s still single and you… actually what is your status?” “Gee, Sean. You know how to charm a girl,” I smiled, tapping him teasingly on his shoulder, which I could just reach. “Actually, I’m single. I’ll let you off being nosy but only because you have the cutest baby smile there is.” “Baby smile?” He spluttered not sure how to react at the eye watering laughter that was emanating from James and Nick. “Is that a compliment or an insult?” “Why don’t you think about it while I go and get all some drinks. Tea’s all around?” I asked, and after they all nodded their assent, I strode through to the kitchen and started to fill the kettle. His breath on the back of my neck made me jump; I hadn’t heard him. “Single huh” he moaned, tugging at my right ear lobe with his lips, and then flicking his tongue around it. “I could get upset about that, if I was that kinda guy.” “Well technically I am single aren’t I? Officially we are not dating, and actually as far as the practicalities go, we’re not either; so yeah, I’m single.” “Well you won’t be when you leave here, you do know that, don’t you? I don’t want to hear you saying that you are if anyone asks.” “James, don’t start getting heavy with me,” I said forcefully, making him step back from me a little. “We will not be in a relationship straight away; we’ll be getting to know one another. In time we may enter into a relationship, but lets give it time and just have fun, ok.” “Sorry, I’m being impatient. I don’t mean to put pressure on you, but you are so special to me Karen. I don’t even want to contemplate us not being a couple. We’ve lost far too much time as it is.” “Honey…” “Honey?” he smirked, running his fingertips through my hair. “I like the sound of that. Say it again.” “Honey.” “And again,” he whispered sexily, this time running his fingers over my breasts. “Honey.” Several more times I whispered it to him, each time quieter, slower, and sexier than previously until he was kissing me lovingly, and stroking his hands all over me. I couldn’t stop myself from moaning into his mouth as my desire built up until I thought I was going to lose my control and restraint. “Oi, have you two gone to China to get the leaves or what?” Came Nicky’s voice from the distance, making us both startle. We kissed again briefly, and then proceeded to make the tea and get the cups on to a tray. Luckily by the time Nicky joined us, my breathing was steadier, but I’m sure our flushed faces and embarrassed expressions more than conveyed what had happened. “You seem to have everything… in hand,” he giggled, and then waltzed off with a definite spring in his step. “Busted?” winked James, beaming broadly. “Oh yeah. We are SO busted.” Nicky said nothing when we took the tray into the room; he didn’t even give any indication that he suspected anything, which was actually more worrying than the teasing we had been expecting. James and I spent the rest of the afternoon on tenterhooks waiting; but he said nothing. “I think that the only fair thing to do is to tell the publishers that they don’t have a book to publish yet,” I sighed heavily, putting the manuscript and Dictaphone back in the case. “The rest is up to you. Either I can re-do it from the beginning or I can recommend someone for you.” “They’re not gonna be chuffed with that,” mentioned Sean. “I know, but they won’t be happy if they publish this as it is and then you sue them, so it makes sense for them to postpone it.” “Thanks Karen. We really appreciate it.” “I couldn’t live with myself if I let it go on knowing what I do and not actively doing something to change it. Just because it’s turned out Steph was a first class bitch, doesn’t mean that I have to be,” I simply stated. “Oh fuck. Now what?” My mobile was ringing, on seeing my sister’s number I knew I had to answer it. “Sorry guys but I need to take this,” I said apologetically. My home had been burgled and they had daubed graffiti over the windows. “Erm, sorry but I have to go. Something really urgent has come up. Sorry.” I ran upstairs as fast as I could and threw my things into my case, without even thinking and then charged straight out to the car. “Karen!” called James. “Karen.” Sean and Nick were with him, with a perplexed gaze on their features. “Sorry. I have to go. I’ll keep in touch; I promise.” I kissed each one in turn, whispering goodbye to them, and apologising for being such a bitch when I’d arrived. Then I reached James. “What’s so bad you have to rush away Karen?” “My home’s been broken into and burgled. I will keep in touch James. I promise.” “Let me come with you.” “I’ll be fine really, I will,” I muttered with as much strength as I could find. “I love you.” Suddenly I didn’t care that Sean and Nicky were watching us intently, and I wrapped my arms around James’ shoulders and pulled him closer for a big hug and a goodbye kiss. “I’ll miss you.” “I’m going to miss you like crazy,” he whimpered. “I knew it!” proclaimed Nicky in excitement. “I knew you two had got together. I just did!” “Not a bad turn out then, on a personal basis for the four of us I mean,” stated Sean. “We’re friends again and you and James have, at long bloody last, become a couple. As it should be.” “Yeah it is,” I had to agree. “Shame it took us all so long.” I gave James another kiss, both of us clinging on, never wanting to let go, until eventually I did break the magic; very reluctantly, and got into the car. “Drive carefully honey,” shouted James as I started the engine and together we smiled at his use of the word honey. “Take care, Karen,” added Sean and Nicky. “I will. I’ll be in touch soon I promise.” I blew them a quick kiss, and then made my way down the long drive – tears streaming down my face. The end. <<< Janey's stories |