AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter
Twenty-One
EVIE
I wake up cold. The quilt is half on the floor, and my back is no longer under the covers. I can’t be bothered to pull up the quilt, so I kick it totally onto the floor, stand and stretch. His side of the bed is cold and silent. A bit like him. I’m glad he upped and left. Again. Saves me from having to deal with any false feelings, fake words. And they would be fake. He probably means a few of them, but others, no chance. He’s all about the now, how it feels. And yes, it felt good. Amazing actually. But it’s like a high, gone all too quickly, and you’re forever chasing it. Yet you never get it again.
I stare over at the clock. 5:22 a.m. Wow, early. I don’t feel I’ve had enough sleep, but I know I’ll not be able to get back to sleep, so no real point in laying here.
Walking into the shower, averting my eyes from the sinks, I walk straight to the taps and turn the water on as hot as I can stand it. Maybe it was a big mistake to bring him here. I’m assaulted by imagery on all sides—I can still feel him, hear him, smell him.
I start to scrub my body with my wash, and the steam is billowing out. I never shut the door to the bedroom. Oh, well, it will change the air.
As I wash him off me, I make a mental note to strip the covers from my bed. I'll ask Carol, our cleaner, to change all the bedding and clean my room today. I know she’s not due, but I’ll ask her a favour. I come out of the shower room, pick my phone up, and drop her a text for when she wakes.
No messages from Kellen.
Did I really think there would be? Not even a star rating. I should have at least warranted five stars. I huff, shaking my head. I’m a bit surprised he left nothing, but then again, am I really. He couldn’t get out quick enough. And, to be honest, I feel a bit relieved. I’d heard him go, but I didn’t want to get into a conversation with him, so I laid still and let him leave.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I pull on my pyjamas, telling myself in my sternest voice: Right, Evie Greystone. Time to pack up the one/two night stand you were big enough and well-adjusted enough to have. Pick it up and tuck it away with other stuff better left as memories. Box it off and move on.
At least I feel like I’ve got it going on. I do my mental clicking of fingers—got it going on, girlfriend style—and smile to myself. I might even start to go on a few dates. Not for one night stands, per se, but certainly to chat and flirt. Always did enjoy that. I feel lots of girls’ nights out in my future. Well, certainly after Christmas is over and done with.
Feeling very positive as I walk into the kitchen to get a drink, I sit and wait to watch the sun come up. Getting comfortable with a pot of tea, I plot out some building work I need to schedule in. By the time Jonno appears, I’ve my life scheduled out for the next two months.
“Hey, morning.” He comes and kisses my head. “You okay?”
“Yeah, good. I’ve been planning.” I wave the papers at him. “Getting my life in order. Did you know James is off to LA for Christmas and New Year?”
“Yes, Xander said when I saw him last night.”
“You saw Xan? Not at one of your clubs, was it?” I raise my brows at him.
“None of your business, missy,” he states with a sniff. “How do you feel about it? Christmas, that is, not ‘my clubs’.”
“Yeah, I know that’s a conversation you don’t want, little bro.” Smirking at him, I carry on. “Christmas, what can I do? James wants to go, the boys go where he goes. I don’t want to stop him from spending time with Kellen. James seems to like him.”
“He’s not the only one.” He looks pointedly at my chest, neck, and overall body.
“Yeah, well, Kellen’s not an issue for me. I told you he’s not relationship material, he’s just not that guy anymore. Not sure he ever was, to be fair. He was clear, and I had my eyes wide open, Jonno. I enjoyed myself in a very safe environment. Maybe I ought to join your club. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Having fun in a safe environment?”
He blanches. “No Evie, it’s not for you.”
“Why? Other women obviously do it. Otherwise you’d all be bored to death whipping yourselves.”
“No, I’m not taking you.” He’s totally serious now. “If you try to get in, I’ll have you thrown out. What the fuck’s happened? What did he do to you? You’ve never wanted to come to any type of club.”
“Maybe I want to have fun, no strings. It was nice. I usually end up in a relationship, and maybe I need to not look for that. Let’s face it, they haven’t been very successful.”
“No clubs, Evie. Just go out for drinks and food. You’re bound to meet someone, you’re around men all day at work.”
“I’ll give it six months. If I’ve not met anyone, you can take me.”
“I won’t, but you put a timescale on it if it makes you feel better. Do you really think Kellen won’t call?”
I nod, definite. “He won’t. I really think you lot are blind. Did you not see what he was?” I jazz hands at Jonno. “Parties, LA parties no less, all the beautiful people.” I’m razzing my hands around in a super and how-fabulous way.
My sudden shift even catches me off guard. “But the weird thing is, I think it’s as fake as Kasey Becker's teeth. I might be being a mean, smug bitch, but I feel sorry for him. Because if that’s all he’s got, I don’t think he’s got a lot. That’s why he’s asked James for Christmas. Probably can’t stand another one on his own.”
