Page 95 of Tears of Ink

“And what about your mother? What she’s going to say when you’re home helping, or taking me to Brighton?” Let’s not forget the fact she was only in my bedroom a short while ago reading me the “don’t shag my son” riot act.

“I couldn’t give a fuck what they think.”

He leans forward and kisses me firmly on the mouth, and in the back of my limited sensibilities I hear Elaine sigh and Lewis ask what the hell’s going on.

When Eli pulls away, I watch his face and I have a bad feeling. A very, very bad sinking sensation inside me. Because somehow, and I don’t know how, he’s managed to take awful news and turn it into something that’s making my heart soar. And with every bank of wind my soaring heart is climbing on, I know I’m falling deeper and deeper under his spell.

Far enough under I’ll accept his lift, just so I can be with him, and take him to that awful place called home.

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - E I G H T

“You never told me what happened for you to run away from Brighton?” His voice cuts through the silence in the car.

The silence is partly because I’m lost in thought, scared shitless of what the next few days are going to bring, and partly because I’m fricking livid. Eli told me as we loaded overnight bags into the car, under the watchful gaze of his mother, that he’s asked Gerard Steers to step in at Bowsley while I go to Brighton.

I send him a total stink eye and fold my arms tighter across my chest. His lips quirk at the edges which just makes me even madder.

“Faith, I wanted to give you some breathing space. Gerard, twat he may be, is an old family friend; it made sense to call him.”

I grumble under my breath.

“It was Peter who suggested it, when I told him you needed to take time out.”

I raise an eyebrow. Of course it bloody was. I haven’t seen Peter since my first lunch here, but I still fondly remember him as being the one who told me the truth about Steers. Although I suppose knowing the truth is better than being lied to.

“And I’m sure your mother would love to replace me with him on a permanent basis.”

He turns as much as his concentration on the heavy evening traffic will allow. “No one is replacing you. This is your job, your gig. The credit it all yours.”

“I don’t want the credit,” I snap. “I want to see it through. I like those kids, they’re a good bunch.”

“Look, everything will be the same when we get back. Gerard is just going to clear up the awful mess I helped you to create today.” His hand grasps my knee and as furious as I am, I can’t ignore the little flare of heat that blooms with his touch. “And will you stop changing the subject about Brighton?”

I scowl in his direction, not that he takes any notice. “I’m not spilling my shit to you, Eli. You’ve got your own family issues.” And hell, does he?! His mother looked like she wanted to lie down in front of the wheels of his car when he left with me. “And I’ve got mine.”

I truly hope my dad isn’t at Dan’s when I get there. I rub at my face. I don’t need to worry about make-up; I’ve washed it away with tears sporadically throughout the day.

My gaze drops to a tattoo on my thigh peeking out from under the ripped edge of my denim shorts. An ancient knot symbolising strength. I wish I could somehow activate it and make it take over my trembling nerves. I’m not as strong as I’d like to be. No matter how shit-kicker my external attitude is, underneath I’m nothing more than a confused teenager who doesn’t know what to do.

Eli’s fingers trail along the ink on my leg. “What does it mean?”

I pause for a moment steeling myself. “It means strength. At least I hoped it would help.”

His thumb rubs across the ink, stretching the skin slightly. “Did it help?”

I shrug and turn my gaze out of the window and we drive the rest of the way in silence.

When we pull up outside Al’s, I drag in a deep breath. The front room lights are on, so someone is there. I guess the only way I’m going to find out who, is by getting out the car and taking one step at a time to the front door.

“Faith,” Eli’s call is soft, and I turn to find him watching me, his hands gripping the steering wheel. “Sorry I’ve pissed you off.”

I shake my head, my anger dissipating under those blues. “I’m sorry your mum knows about us. I would never want to cause problems for you and your family.”

He shifts forward, settling his hands on my face and his lips catch mine. His kiss is everything as each and every one of them are. “I can’t ignore this feeling I have that all of this is for something. You came into my life and it’s like you were set to challenge everything.”

My tongue dries. “Like what?”

“I was sleeping, working, existing… and then there was you. A challenge to everything I’ve ever known.”