“Maybe you’re just short?” His head dipped and I felt his nose run against the length of mine. My eyes closed and reopened. His breathing became shallow and I smiled. “Do you take tea?” He moved away from me quickly and coughed a little. My hands dropped to my sides and my eyes followed him around the room. He poured me a cup just how I liked it, he handed it to me and I nodded at him before flushing red. The light was bright in here and I realised that this was the first time I’d seen him in real lighting and not dimly lit . He walked towards where I was standing.. And I instantly tensed. I can’t breathe when you’re this close.
"I can't believe you live here." I gripped my hands around my cup and stared out the window, the feeling of his large hands grasping my shoulders made me close my eyes.
"Believe it." He whispered. I turned to face him again and glanced up at his large blue eyes.
"Who are you?" I studied his expression for what seemed like an eternity but nothing gave him away. I didn’t know the first thing about him and yet I was standing in his kitchen drinking a cup of tea. His voice hushed as he opened his mouth and closed it again.
"I'm Jay's best friend, well more like a brother really, I'm also his business partner." He smiled, it was a comforting smile, shy almost. I am in the arms of a complete stranger and feel safe. How is this even possible? He never broke my eye contact.
"What is this business?" I wanted to know more about you both please let me in.
"Now you're asking too many questions Miss Holt." He dropped my gaze and I placed my cup of tea to my lips.
"You are all so elusive. And it's Avaya. Not Miss Holt." I sighed, I hated to be blunt but I was now growing frustrated with all the secrets. I made my way back towards the large sliding door and thought about the sound of the sea to try and level out my breathing. None of them gave much away. All of them were cold and calm.
"Avaya?" I heard a familiar low voice, it interrupted my breathing. I turned to face it and saw him standing in the entrance to the kitchen.
“Hey.” I smiled at him broadly and he walked towards me holding out his arms. I tiptoed to hug him. I let him hold me for longer than a hug should last. It was comforting to have him around again. I’d never witnessed this side of him. He’d never hugged me. I glanced towards Haz and his face was twisted. “Where did you go?” I released him from my grip and watched as he pushed his floppy black hair from off his face. Haz’s face was full of smiles as though something I’d said had made him laugh. I shook my head.
“Oh you know work calls.” I looked up at his muddy eyes and smiled to myself before I shrugged. “You were really good earlier,” he paused and nudged Haz “wasn’t she?” He raised his eyebrow at Haz who smirked at me.
“Oh yeah she was great.” He made sure Jay wasn’t looking at him before he winked at me. My heart fluttered and I smiled as I looked towards the floor, blushing. This was ridiculous. I glanced at the door to see Chloe and Missy. They had now arrived back home along with Alfie and a few other familiar faces. Chloe smiled at me. It was a weak smile.
“Bloody hell you’re everywhere lately, aren't you?”
“I,” I began to try to defend myself but it was true. Everywhere I was lately she wasn’t far away. I knew my cheeks were turning red again and I cleared my throat. I heard her laugh softly and watched as she took my arm in hers. She was leading me away from the lads and into another room. This room had plush carpet. It was beige in colour and soft against my feet. There was a large television mounted above a fireplace in front of the biggest L shaped sofa I’d seen in a while. Places like this don’t exist. I frowned and placed myself down on the sofa next to her. She smiled up at me and I glanced as the room began to fill. Jay and Haz placed themselves on the floor along with a few other of the lads and Alfie.
“So where did you learn to play like that?” Alfie questioned and I shrugged.
“My mum knew I could sing when I was younger and I just started to play for fun and then I had a few lessons,” I stumbled on my words and tucked my hair behind my ear “I can play the guitar too.” I instantly regret saying anything and shut my eyes tightly. I heard Chloe chuckle a little and she nodded over towards Haz.
“He’s the same,” she flashed him a small smile and I watched as he frowned at her.
“I didn’t know,” I glanced over at him, he looked tired, his knee was being held by his arm and his head was resting on it. He looked young.
“I’m sure you didn’t.” He winked so that nobody else saw and my breathing stopped. A wave of heat cursed through my veins and I smirked to myself. “Do you need a ride home?” He questioned and my eyes darted towards Jay who shook his head.
“I can call my mum, it's okay. I’ll tell her I’ll be back late.” I stood and reached for my phone. Chloe placed her hand on top of mine softly.
“Stay here if you like? He shouldn’t really be driving,” she gestured towards Haz “and besides we have plenty of rooms spare.” I smiled and nodded.
“If you’re sure that’s okay?” I felt shy almost instantly before hearing Alfie.
“That’s fine Avaya. Chlo’s right, plenty of spare rooms.” His smile was
