AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
Cameron
My phone rings for the third time in ten minutes, and like before, I ignore it. It will be one of the guys wondering where I am. Not at the Richmond village fete, that's where. I'm not against the celebrations, but after last year's drama, I'm all too happy to sit this one out. I can catch up with the guys later. Resting my head on my hands, I get myself comfortable and close my eyes against the beating sun. My broad chest is on full display, and for a moment, I contemplate getting up and carrying on with the decking. I've worked through the last five weekends, so I owe myself some downtime. I glance back at the house and the newly made wrap-around I've built and installed myself. It leads down to a half-finished decking, and my hands itch to complete it, but I turn away. I can carry on later, let the sun drop, and do another hour or two. It’s a conversation I've had with myself more than once today, and I keep reciting it, hoping I actually listen, but the truth is I want it finished now. I've still got heaps to do on the house, but my plan was to have it all done by the end of summer. The only problem is, summer is here, and I want to enjoy it. Rarely are we graced with decent weather.
My back door bangs shut, and I spin around. Dan shakes his head at me. “You sly bastard, you're not leaving me to deal with Brant and Cole alone.” He jogs down the steps, and I laugh, going back to my sunbathing.
“I can't be arsed to deal with Mandy bloody Jacobs. Is she there?”
“Of course she is; she organises it every year.” He scoffs. He helps himself to a beer out of the cool box and drops into the lounger beside me. “Come on, Cam, it beats sitting at home alone.”
“I'm not going. Mandy still tries to corner me in any shop.” I shudder. One night, one stupid night of beer-fuelled fun and the crazy woman was practically planning our wedding. She was the drama I was avoiding.
“Cam, you knew she was crazy, so you only have yourself to blame. Nadine is there with Kerry.” Dan slugs a mouthful down. “Don't be a whiner; it's a good laugh.” I know it is, and I'd have fun any other time, but I really can't be bothered with Mandy coming onto me again. “Nadine seemed pretty bothered that you hadn't shown up. I thought things with you two were good?”
“Yeah, they are,” I say, scratching my abs.
“She's hot and the group likes her.” He sits and places his arms on his knees. “I thought you wanted to make it more serious?”
“I like her. Sex is good,” I say, necking my beer. “I think I'm ready to give it a go.”
“That's great, Cam, she's decent. You could do far fucking worse.”
“Like Mandy Jacobs,” I mutter.
“How could you, Cam!”
I throw my bottle lid at him, and he laughs. Mandy is hot if you go for the Stepford wife look; she's the village busybody and a rhetorical pain in my arse. The sex wasn't worth theshitstorm I've dealt with since. “Just come down for a few hours. It'll be good for you. You're working like mad. The house looks amazing, but take a break.” His tone is soft but adamant. I know my friend well enough to know he will not leave until I go. With a huff, I push myself up, and he whoops, “Cole owes me twenty quid.” I shake my head as he finishes his beer off, and I pull my t-shirt on over my head.
“Where's Grace?” I ask, finding it odd that he has come without his daughter.
“Kerry is watching her whilst I collect your stubborn ass.” I throw him a wide grin and follow him back through the house so I can lock up and grab my wallet. “Looks heaps better since you knocked those walls down.” Dan eyes the open plan space, and I nod.
“Opened the snug up too.” I point over his shoulder to where there was an arch from the kitchen through to a small living room. I've knocked it all out into one large living space. I've still got my man cave, but this space is for entertaining.
“It’s a shame you’ve still got that shitty sofa.” He pokes, making us both laugh. It’s the most hideous sofa I've ever seen, but it was here when I moved in and it fills a space for the time being.
“Trust me, bonfire night, that thing is gone!” I chuckle, following him out of the house and down the path to his car. We drive back to his place so he can ditch his car, then head back to the village green. I don't know why we call it a village. In the past ten years, the small, humble setting has doubled in size. It’s busy and most people buy locally to support the neighbouring trades and shops. Dan heads towards the enormous oak tree in the far corner, and I follow along. My eyes sweep the green as families and visitors mill around and music plays in the background. It's picturesque to any outsider, but I've looked at it so many timesthat I'm indifferent to it now. That, and I know first-hand how awful the residents can be.
We reach the group and Grace runs towards me. “Uncle Cam!” she squeals, throwing herself in my arms. She pats my cheeks and pulls back. “I don't like your beard.” Displeasure scrunches up her little face, and she wriggles to be put down. I laugh and rub my stubble against her. “No!” She giggles, and I gently pin her to the ground, tickling her like crazy until she’s in a wheezy tight ball.
“What's that? You love my beard?” I joke, grinning as she jerks against the grass, squealing. I blow a raspberry on her cheek, then lift her to her feet.
“I love your beard,” she huffs dramatically. I fold my arms with a wide grin. “Your beard is stinky!” She laughs and runs off before I can grab her again.
“You cheeky little madam!” Sticking out her tongue, she hides behind the tree as I grab a beer off the side whilst Dan and Cole argue about twenty quid.
“Hey, mate.” Brant drops into a seat beside me. I take the other one and chug my beer. I give Kerry, his wife, a wink, and she smiles briefly, her attention fixed on their newborn, Darcey, who’s rolling around on a mat. “Mandy has already walked by three times looking for you. I don’t think she'll be back for a while,” he leans in to murmur.
“Jesus,” I mutter, ignoring Kerry's snort of laughter.
“You took her to bed,” he replies with a shrug.
“It was a moment of stupidity,” I grumble, looking up to see Mandy across the green in five-inch heels and a ridiculously tight dress on. She flicks her straight blonde hair over her shoulder, and I twist away before she clocks me. “Where's Nadine? Dan said she was here?”
“She did come over, but I think she felt weird without you here,” Kerry says, lifting Darcey up. I had told her I wascoming but changed my mind last minute. No wonder she feels awkward. I pull my phone out and send her a quick text. She comes back almost instantly, and I know it’s because she has probably been checking her phone constantly. The thought makes me smile.
I’ll catch up with you in a bit. With the girls.
