Page 71 of For Fake's Sake and other stories

“What? Noah, no. You need to go back to Everett. He’s waiting for you.”

I shake my head. All that can wait. I can only deal with one drama at a time. I’ll think about what to do when Mum has moved.

After a crazy few days, it’s finally all over. Mum has noticed that Everett hasn’t called. I know she wants to ask, to interfere and get either of us to make the first move. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Mum has obviously talked to him about her living with her parents.

I give my grandparents a hug as they get ready for the drive back to Calston Cove, the little seaside town where I spent most of my holidays. Maybe if I can bring myself to face Everett again and it all works out, we could go and visit.

“Call him or go to him. Don’t let him go. I love you so much, sweet boy, and so does he,” my mum whispers in my ear and gives me the tightest hug of my life.

With a nod, I hug her back. “Call me when you get there. I love you, Mum.”

I watch the car drive away and around the corner, then go back inside the house. My house now. It feels so empty, a bit like how I do. After nearly a week of no contact, I may have blown all my chances of being with Everett. My stupid actions last weekend have probably put the final spanner in the works, and he’ll be over me by now.

The day slowly passes, but finally, Mum calls to say they have all arrived safely and are too tired to do anything but sleep. If only I could do the same. I haven’t slept properly for a week. I should be rushing to his door to apologise and beg for his forgiveness. It’s past eleven when I give myself the final talking-to and go to him. Maybe, given the time, he’ll be asleep and won’t be awake. But as I reach his house, the living room is lit up with the soft glow of the side lamps. Instead of pulling up onto his drive, I park at the kerb and switch off the engine.

I should get out of the car and knock on the door. That’s all I have to do. The rest is up to him. I’ll either be back in my car with a total “fuck off” ringing in my ears, or he’ll let me in. Here goes nothing.

As I stand on the doorstep, I see movement through the opaque glass in the front door. Before I can knock, the door swings open.

I drink in the sight of the man I love. He stares back, uncertainty flickering in his gaze.

“Am I too late, Daddy?”

The next moment I’m in his arms and his mouth is on mine. He kisses me brutally, desperately, hungrily, and I return it with equal fervour.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you, kitten.”

The End