Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2)(76)

18


For weeks after discovering Mum had hit Cole, I couldn't go near her, could barely talk to her, and I swam in a muddy pond of bitter resentment and guilt. However, spending my nights with Cam when I could, whether that time involved the best sex of my life, or quiet time reading a book while he and Cole worked on their graphic novel together, changed me. It chipped away at my bitterness.



       
         
       
        

The weight I'd always carried on my shoulders hadn't disappeared completely, but it was lessened. When I walked down the street my steps felt lighter, my breathing easier. I no longer felt old and tired.

I felt young. Excited. Charmed. Almost  …  content.

I'd also decided to try to relax more about our financial situation. As difficult as that was, I did give in to the expense of sending Cole to judo lessons with Cam. It meant the boys were out on a Saturday morning, one of the few times Cam and I could actually spend time together, but I didn't care. It sounded so cheesy, but seeing Cole come through that door, smiling at Cam, being happy and having a guy to talk to  …  it gave me a kind of peace I never thought I'd have.

Cameron MacCabe. You charmer, you. You're changing my life.

I rested my hand on the parcel I'd just finished wrapping, smiling stupidly as I remembered last night. Well, technically this morning. Both Cam and I had returned from work, feeling more buzzed than tired, and he'd finally taken me against his desk like he'd been promising. It had been slow, sensual, teasing, bloody fantastic sex. I swear I was getting through my days on a rush of endorphins. I think that's what made it easier to say goodbye to some very pretty things. I stroked the brown paper of the package. Inside was my favourite Donna Karan dress  –  one that Malcolm had bought me. It had sold well on eBay and it was time to send it to its new home.

Blowing air out between my lips in boredom, I eyed my eBay pile. I'd sold a few things but I still had to take photographs of a couple of items and post them on the site. The profits were paying for Cole's judo lessons, so it needed to be done. I had to crack on. Next up, a pair of Jimmy Choos. Staring at them, I realized I was going to need one of the boys to help me with this. The gorgeous six-inch heels were made up of a lot of spaghetti ties. Off the feet, they didn't look like much. On the feet, they looked sexy as all hell. I'd have to be wearing them in the photographs, which meant I'd need someone to take photographs for me.

Bundling them into my arms, I left Cole's room and stopped outside Mum's door. Loud snoring from within assured me everything was normal with her, and I headed out of the flat and downstairs to Cam's. Cam and Cole had texted me after their judo class to let me know they were going to Cam's to work on the graphic novel.

From the sounds of machine-gun fire coming from Cam's flat I realized I'd been bullshitted. They were playing Call of Duty.

I walked in without knocking and slipped quietly into the sitting room. Cam, Cole and Nate were sitting on the couch, Nate and Cole holding the controllers. Peetie was in the armchair directly facing me. I'd met Nate and Peetie a couple of times since Cam had moved in, but I still hadn't really spent that much time with them, mostly because when they were over they played video games, only really interacting with me when I took the time to feed them snacks. 

Peetie saw me and waved, drawing Cam's attention. He turned and flashed me a welcoming smile that hit me in the gut, waking up all those annoying little butterflies fluttering around in there. 'Hi, baby.'

I raised an eyebrow at his flatscreen. 'This is working on a graphic novel?'

'Nate and Peetie came over with us after class.' As if that explained everything.

'Hi, Jo!' Nate called over the sounds of gunfire, his eyes flicking to me briefly. 'Did you bring sandwiches by any chance?'

That was me. Sandwich lady. 'No.' I held my shoes up to an inquisitive Cam. 'I need you to take a picture of me wearing these.'

Cameron eyed them and then raised his eyebrows. 'Whoa.' He held up his hands, gesturing to his friends. 'Not in front of the boys.'

I narrowed my eyes on him. 'Not that kind of picture, you sex-craved pervert.'

'Eh, before anyone says anything else,' Cole interjected loudly, 'remember her wee brother is in the room.'

Cam grinned and stood up. 'Is this for eBay?'

Handing him my camera, I nodded, and then began taking off my shoes and strapping on the Jimmy Choos. Once they were on, I lifted my leg to eye them, turning my ankle to the side, feeling their loss already.

'Baby, if you love them that much, keep them.'

I pouted. 'I can't. They cost a ridiculous amount of money. It would be stupid to keep them.'