I laughed and stepped forwards, just a little bit closer. She turned around and took a deep breath.
“Leona. She’s taken Leona to one of those indoor soft play centres,” I replied. Oakley nodded, biting her bottom lip. Her beautiful blue eyes were glazed over slightly from crying.
“I don’t think they’ll be long. Are you staying to wait for her?” Mum asked.
I watched Oakley’s reaction carefully; she looked so torn.
Sarah touched Mum’s arm and smiled. “We have time. I’d love to see Mia again, and meet Leona.” I could have kissed her.
Oakley smiled at her mum, that fake little smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She doesn’t want to stay. Not that I could be surprised after our conversation. She had to know that she was wrong, and I was never better off without her in my life.
What she said about not being good enough for me was just ridiculous. I hated that she felt that way about herself. I should have killed Max and Frank when I had the chance. They deserved to rot in prison for what they did.
“Dude, your hair looked better before,” Jasper said, staring at my head.
“Thanks, Jasper. Missed you too.”
Jasper’s eyes flicked to his sister; they looked like they were having some weird silent conversation. Finally, she nodded and rolled her eyes. And that means what? Four years ago, it was me and Oakley that could have a conversation without words.
“Oh my God! I’m so glad you’re staying for a bit. We’re gonna watch a movie, so come sit,” Kerry said, pulling Oakley and Jasper towards the sofas. Over the past four years, the only thing that changed about Kerry was the length of her hair. She was still the same, slightly crazy, over-talking, hyperactive girl.
I sat beside Oakley without thinking about it. It still felt natural to be close to her. She sat awkwardly; her body was tense. It was like she was nervous. My leg was almost touched hers, and I could feel the heat radiating from her.
“What’s the movie?” Jasper asked Kerry, blatantly staring at her cleavage. He hadn’t changed a bit!
‘Piranha.’
Oakley’s head snapped to Jasper, and he smirked, about to say something. “Beach party,” she said quickly. His mouth closed, and he looked back at the screen.
“Okay, what happened at this party?” I asked. It must be good if Jasper stopped taking the piss out of someone because of it.
“Nothing, Cole. Shut up, Oakley,” he snapped and frowned at his sister. Oh, I was going to be asking her later. Maybe that could be some sort of ice breaker? We needed to talk more, but I didn’t want it to end in an argument again. Everything had just spilled out at once.
She laughed quietly, making me smile. That was the first time I’d heard her laugh properly in fifteen years. I couldn’t help smiling like an idiot.
“You won’t be laughing when you’re screaming like a girl in the middle of the night ’cause you’re dreaming the little fish are eating you!” Jasper replied.
“Jasper performed a striptease to ‘Poker Face’ at a beach party,” Oakley announced, folding her arms over her chest and raising her eyebrows at Jasper.
“A striptease?” I repeated.
“It wasn’t a striptease! What the hell is wrong with you, Oakley?”
“It was a striptease. Although I don’t know if he actually went all the way. I left when his hands reached the top of his boxers.” She shuddered in disgust. “He sang and everything though.” Jasper mumbled a string of swear words under his breath.
“Repeat performance, please?” Kerry asked.
“I don’t think so, puddin’.”
“Did you just call me puddin’?”
Oakley shook her head. “You know nothing about women, Jasper.”
“I know enough to get what I want.”
“Pig,” Kerry scoffed.
The movie started and everyone shut up. I was suddenly really aware that my arm was almost touching hers and that I could smell her hair – it smelled of raspberries. My heart was going to explode! Be cool. Don’t make yourself look like a dick!
She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. I smiled, and she smiled back. It was almost too intense. The atmosphere around us felt like… I didn’t even know how to explain it. Everything just felt on fire. The inch or so of air between us was too much.
Across the room, I saw Chelsea looking at Oakley. It was like she was trying to figure her out and occasionally clenched her jaw. I really hoped Oakley wouldn’t notice. I knew it would make her feel awkward if she did, and I didn’t ever want her to feel awkward being at my house.
I didn’t know what to do about Chelsea: we weren’t together, and I had never led her to believe we ever would be. She didn’t really have the right to act like a jealous girlfriend.
I sat uncomfortably and forced myself to look at the screen. I should have sat somewhere else. I couldn’t concentrate on anything but the beautiful little blonde beside me. Suddenly never having another relationship didn’t seem that pathetic. Being a sad twat for four years was worth it.