Taking the rose from Dean’s hand, I inhaled, taking in its beautiful scent. “Do you know how beautiful you look tonight? Almost good enough to eat.”
I burned with intense need for this boy. I needed him to have me. I wanted him to have me. I knew that the moment I turned sixteen, I would ask him to take my virginity. Losing it to anyone else just didn’t seem right. It was always Dean’s to take, and I simply couldn’t wait for that day.
“Well, aren’t you going to give me a kiss?” he asked, pointing to his cheek.
“Thank you,” I replied, too stunned to form any other words. Clutching the rose, I knelt out of the window to reach for Dean’s cheek. I was hoping, at the last minute, he would turn and kiss me on the lips. I edged closer and the closer I got, the more my heart pumped. I was inches away from him now, the smell of his cologne hitting my nostrils and making the burn that much stronger. I was almost there, about to land him that kiss when a knock at the door made me jump out of my skin.
“Tyler, we have to get going in ten minutes. Are you ready?” The door opened, and I swung the rose behind my back.
“What are you doing there?” my father asked as I stood rigid at the window. He looked behind me, frowning. My heart accelerated.
Turning my head, I gazed outside, but Dean was no longer there.
“Why are you standing there with the window open? You’ll catch your death.” My father marched over to the window, looked outside, and closed it.
“I thought I heard a noise, so I opened my window to take a look. It was just Mrs. Crowther’s cat knocking over a bin.” The lie coursed through my veins and I braced myself to get questioned further. He was a lawyer, after all. He could sniff out liars and cheaters from a mile away. Instead, he just smiled, showing me his perfect white teeth. My father had always been an attractive man, always perfectly dressed and manicured. Just like my mother.
“Well, don’t be long,” he finally answered. “We have the table booked for eight and it’s already ten till.”
I smiled brightly, thankful that he didn’t get suspicious of me or, worse still, ask what was behind my back. “I’ll be right out, Dad. I just need to freshen up.”
Walking closer to me, my father cupped my chin. “You never need to freshen up, pumpkin. You always look beautiful, no matter what.”
I smiled sweetly at my father and watched as he left my room. A deep breath left my lips as I closed my eyes. That was close.
*****
A couple days later, everything was going swimmingly. I had visited Jeremy every chance I got, and although he looked increasingly pale, he was determined to get out of there tomorrow. He was so happy and full of life that I prayed this would aid in his recovery. He had read all six books in the series I had bought him and was on to another one now. He had Twiglets coming out of his ears, with a load more waiting for him when he moved in with me. I had set him up to start school the following week, and had made sure I prepared everything to be as comfortable and as “bore-free” as possible while he was living with me.
I was at work and it was almost lunch. Andrew Walker had seemed a little preoccupied today, but I put that down to the fact that there was a big story going around the news again about a second judge and even a local MP involved with underage prostitution and drugs. The craziness of the world never seemed to end.
Gathering my bag, I made my way outside to meet my mother and father for lunch. I couldn’t believe I was actually managing to get to see them both today. I deliberately picked a restaurant opposite the McDonalds Jeremy told me he met Julie outside of. I had been coming here at different times of the day, hoping to find a girl that matched her description.
As I neared the restaurant, I noticed my mother and father were sitting and waiting patiently for me. They both saw me and got up. “Tyler, how’s my pumpkin?” my father asked, giving me a peck on the cheek.
“I’m good, thanks. What about you two?” I sat down opposite them and the waitress came by to take my order for a diet coke and a Caesar salad. My parents ordered the same.
“Can you believe your father wants to buy another boat?” My mother rolled her eyes, but smiled at him.
“What’s wrong with the one you have?” I frowned. My mother gestured with her hands as if to say, Exactly.
“I want something bigger,” he answered with a smile. My dad always had a nice smile. With his teeth as perfect as my mum’s, my dad always kept in just as good a shape. The only thing he didn’t do was dye his hair. His hair was greying at the sides, but he looked rather distinguished. It suited him.