The Deal (31 page)

“It's safe to say there is no way I am carrying on being married to your mother, Nic. I've had long chats with John and we are finally in a good place. Sure it's going to take a long while to get back to how it used to be. So much time has passed that we are different people now, with responsibilities but one thing is the same – our love for both of you two.” I blush at his confession, giving him a shy smile. “He told me he didn’t think much of you, that he thought you would be like Kerry, but you put him in his place. He told me you called him a DILF too.”

I erupt into laughter at hearing my use the word 'DILF' and he just stares at me with a smirk planted across his face. What has happened to my dad? It's like a new soul has crawled into him, a new lease of life and I suppose it's all thanks to Craig for knowing the secret and bringing the two friends back together. I heard from Craig that John is much happier and lively now. Our sneaky grandparents got there in the end. Through their brilliant grandchildren.

“I may or may not have called him a DILF. I take it he looked it up?” My eyes sparkle with the realisation that I will be mocked the next time I see my father-in-law for telling him he is a dad I would like to fuck.

“What do you think, missy?”

“Comedy gold! I bet he loved that I called him that. I bet he's going to tell everyone his daughter-in-law called him a DILF now.”

I watch my dad roll his eyes at me becoming overexcited at this fact while I rock back and forth on my chair, a smile reaching my cheeks. “Calm down, Nic. You're married to his son and he's too old for you. We've already had one incident with your mother, don't need another one now.” He gleams and he's making a bloody joke. It's been a week and he's making a joke already. I huff out in amazement that he's so blasé about his marriage.

“What happened with mum, dad? What went down Tuesday night?”

I watch him carefully. He runs his tongue over his teeth, rolls his head from side to side and now he starts to fiddle with his mug. I take it away from him and he sighs deeply, before running a hand through his hair. I wonder who I get that from.

“There is something wrong with her, Nic. Since everything came out last weekend it's like something has clicked inside of her. I'm pretty sure the only thing she is worried about is the money and the rich mixers instead of truly being with me and you. She was all over the place, bottles of wine all over the house. When I walked in she was staring at the television, watching some documentary. When she spotted me she literally tackled me, and I think she thought I was back for good. I had to pry her off me and rush to the other side of the room to put some distance between us.” I listen intently, knowing this is hard on my dad. He has loved my mum since they were kids and now she has wrecked everything. “She looked like utter crap, Nic. I have never seen her look so bad. She smelled, she had red, puffy eyes and her hair was a state. From someone who took the utmost care of herself to that, it's affected her badly. But I told her I wanted a divorce, that no mother should ever hit their child. I love you so much, Nic, so don’t ever think I don’t, but I told her that I wish I would have picked my friendship over her. After what she put us all through for years.”

It stings a little to hear that, but I understand why he said it. She put their friendship in a blender until there was nothing left and she felt no remorse about it. She wanted both, she got them. I give him a small shrug, trying to let him know it didn’t matter but he grabs my hands and kisses my knuckles, knowing it did hurt me.

“I was in the heat of the moment, baby. I would never wish that you weren’t born because you are the best damn thing to ever happen to me, and you have turned out amazing, Nic, despite a crazy bitch of a mother. After I said that to her, she picked up her wine glass and threw it at me, shouting that she should have picked John instead, that she stayed with me for the money and the mixers. We fought a bit back and forth and I told her that since she’d agreed to get a divorce I would get my lawyer to start the procedure. That was when she broke down crying telling me she loved me, begging me not to leave her. Jesus, Nic, I had never seen her in that state. I'm surprised next door didn't hear us with all the racket going on. But I can't do it anymore. I stayed for you, but now you have grown up and gotten married, I need to start my own life. I need to find myself again. It's been too long. And it's my turn to be happy now.”

I keep my tears to myself, not wanting to let my dad know how affected I am by the way my mum acted. She sounds like she needs help, jumping from being a massive bitch to an emotional sobbing mess the next. I must look so heartbroken because the next moment I am pulled up and into a hug. My dad kisses the top of my head while I swallow back the lump in my throat. I circle my arms around his waist and cuddle into him. We aren't an affectionate family at all, but maybe now we can start over, try being a normal family.

“Come on, birthday girl, chin up. You have a big day ahead of you.”

I lift my head and quiz him over just what, exactly, he is talking about. I get nothing out of him apart from a drawback. He tells me to grab my bag before ushering us out of our favourite coffee shop and in the direction of the beach. We take the long walk back to my flat, chatting aimlessly about everything and nothing. The sea breeze rolls through my hair and I soak up the smell of the salt, the sound of the waves. My dad knows how much I love the beach and when we reach my apartment, he tells me to wait while he goes to my car. I stand impatiently, rocking on my feet while I watch my dad bring back a small box. I looked at it inquisitively when he hands it over, and a grin fills up his face. He seems rather cocky about this gift. I rip the paper off and open up the lid.  My breath catches and I look up to my dad, tears filling my eyes.

“Do you like it? I know how much you love the beach, it’s always been your little haven so when I saw it, I knew I had to buy it for you.” I run my hand over the glass seashell and the real one next to it. The sun is glistening on the crystal when I take it out of the box to examine it and the colours make it the most intricate and breath-taking gift I could have received from my father. I hold it in my palm and take the real seashell out, holding it to my ear to listen to the ocean. My dad lets out a hearty chuckle, and I am reverted to my childhood when I was obsessed with picking up shells and listening for the ocean in them.

“You haven't changed one bit, Nic. I knew you would do that.” I place the items back in the box and lean up to kiss my dad on his cheek.

“You are the best dad ever, you know that right. I adore this present so much. Thank you.”

“Anything for my little girl. Now I have to love you and leave you. I have some apartments to take a look at but have a great birthday. I know Craig and Kels will spoil you.”

We hug once more before I watch him walk down the street towards whatever viewing he has. I am still smiling like a massive idiot at the gift in my hand and I bounce up the stairs towards my apartment. Nothing and no one can interfere with my happy mood now. I have the ocean in my hands to listen to whenever I want and the best father ever. He really does pay attention to me.

I skip through my front door, goofy smile plastered over my face and as I reach the living room I get the bloody shock of my life when everyone screams 'Happy Birthday' at me and loud noises are bang around the room. I jump and clutch the box tighter to my chest so it doesn't end up smashed on the floor. I try to slow my racing heart down as I take in the scene in front of me. It must only be hitting late afternoon but all my friends are here, there are decorations everywhere and what looks like the colourful paper fillings from party poppers all over the floor.

“Are you trying to kill me?” I ask, walking further into the room. I look around at all the smiling faces and everyone rushes forward to hug me. We end up in a mass of bodies, with my box still firmly in my grasp. I can't help the giggle that escapes. The eleven of us have never attempted a group hug before and now I can see why. When I am let go, I am pulled into a pair of arms and by the cologne I know it is my very delicious and sneaky husband. He plants a bruising kiss on my lips and grins down at me when he pulls away.

“You are a naughty husband arranging all this behind my back, but it's such a sweet thought,” I whisper into his lips, pecking them. I look around the room to find everyone staring at us, amusement playing in their eyes. “Don't you have some food or party music to dance to?

“Nah, you two love birds are way more interesting. I'm just waiting for the hard-core make-out session for my spank bank.” Matt leers and Danny smacks the back of his head for me. I glare at him and he gives me a wink before turning around to check out the display of food behind him. I feel like a kid again, having a party in the house, with finger food and decorations hanging on every wall. I pull away from Craig so I can put my box somewhere safe and I head over to Joe, who is just witnessing the scene around him. He's missed so much since jetsetting to Thailand after Christmas to do a bit of travelling. The lucky sod. I lean in to give him a hug and squeal when he lifts me up in the air. I slap him to put me down and giggle into his shoulder.

“I've missed you, little one,” he admits, planting me back on the floor. 

“I've missed you, too. How was Thailand? I bet that was amazing!”

“Like you wouldn't believe. It's just so beautiful out there! But it's good to be back. I've missed so much so we need to get together so you can tell me everything.” He smiles and I nod in agreement. I'm sure Soph and Tammy have been keeping him up to date on most things, but I'm sure, if I had to take a guess, that he wants to know about the fake wedding, from me.

“Definitely, babycakes, we can so do that! We'll spend the day in Cardiff and we can share stories like there's no tomorrow.”I smile up at him and he places a kiss on my forehead. “So did you meet anyone on your travels?” Joe always meets someone, so I'm pretty sure the answer to this question is a big fat yes! He looks away before gazing back at me with a big smile on his face.

“You sly dirty dog, who is he?” I squeal but I’m drowned out by the music that Tom has just thrown on so no one can hear me.

“His name is Will and we met at a gym in Thailand. Big surprise there! Couldn't keep away from the gym. But he's gorgeous. Shaved head, arms full of tattoos, the most fucking amazing body I’ve ever had on top of me. Shit, Nic, he fucks like no other. Definitely the best I’ve had.” Joe smirks and I grin at him. “Bonus is that he lives in Bath, so pretty damn close!”

I rub my hand up and down his arm, gushing over his admission. “You better keep hold of him then, Mister, because I want to meet him and see more of him in our group! If he is a yummy gay then he is IN!” A hearty laugh escapes Joe and he mutters his agreement with me, telling me he hopes Will will be around for a long while, to which I smile up at him and kiss his cheek.

“Right everyone, it's time for presents!” Tammy shouts above the music and we all sit around the living room table where the presents are arranged. I unwrap them one by one, most of them all sex related until Sophie gives me hers and smiles cheekily. I eye her suspiciously but rip the package open. A piece of paper falls out and it's not until I turn it over that I skim read the text and then squeal at her. I don't take in anyone’s reactions to my glee, I just reach over and hug Sophie, giddy that she just gave me a ticket to see Benjamin Chambers play a small and intimate gig and not only that, we get to meet him! OHMIGOD I get to meet Benjamin Chambers, the beautiful Benjamin Chambers. I can't keep the smile off my face as Kelsie and Tammy are smiling at me too.

“We're all going, Nic, the whole gang.” Tammy chuckles and I see every single head nod. Rob and Craig don't look impressed but then they hate how much we gush over Benjamin. It's going to be worse now we actually get to meet him!

“Don't worry, baby, I still love you more, but you gotta let me fangirl over my boy. Especially when we meet him because I will be all over him.” I wink and Craig sticks his tongue out at me.

“As long as you don't run off with him, I'll be okay.”

“Yeah, I can't make any promises. If he asks me, I am gone.” This elects laughter from the circle and I wink at my husband who scowls at me. I blow a kiss to him and wiggle back into place, my hands grabbing at the next presents. “Gimme, gimme.”

Craig reaches forward and hands me over a box. I look up at him and he smiles sheepishly. “It's probably not as good as your amazing Benjamin Chambers, but I saw it and I knew you had to have it.”

I slowly unravel the ribbon and open the silver box. My heart stops in my throat and I run my hand over the gem. Craig’s bought me a silver chained necklace with a deep blue gem dangling off the end. I lift it up and I smile over at Craig, tears filling my eyes. He looks scared at my reaction but when I get up and make my way over to him, dropping myself in his lap, he cheers up and can see just how happy I am.

“I love it. The blue is the colour your eyes go when you are horny.” I whisper into his ear so the others can't hear me. I pull back and press my lips to his in a soft and gentle kiss. After continuous coughing, we release each other and Craig takes the necklace, placing it around my neck securely. I finger it with a small smile when it's in place and I settle between Craig's legs and lean backwards. Craig kisses my head and watches me open the last few presents, chuckling at the 'Grow Your Own Christian Grey'. I make a mental note to put that toy in water and watch it grow later. Maybe something else can grow for me later, too.