The Complete Memories Series (14 page)

“Maybe you don’t need to be afraid,” he repeats, “because maybe I’m falling for you too.”

I know my eyes show I’m slightly sceptical. For him to fall for someone is about as likely as pigs growing wings and migrating to a warmer climate during the winter months.

“You still don’t believe me.” He sighs. “Do you think I would have kissed you like that just now if I didn’t feel anything for you, Princess? Really?”

I can’t deny that. The feelings he evoked in me during that kiss were unlike anything I’ve ever felt.

“I guess not,” I mumble, reluctantly.

‘‘Do you really think I would have spent every spare second of the last three weeks with you if I didn’t care? Would I have made your birthday as special as it was if this was just a game? Do you think I would have lain awake at night thinking of how I could make you trust me?

“Princess,” he whispers when I cast my eyes downwards. “Look at me.”

I close my eyes and shake my head.

A summer romance wasn’t in my plan. But that all changed the second Alec walked into my life. When I met him... A summer romance became everything I wanted.

The next thing I feel is his lips pressing against mine for the second time. He pushes his hand through my hair and cups the back of my head. I can only kiss him back.

It’s like he’s wired in my DNA, and despite my head telling me to step away, my heart has taken over and it’s all I can do to stay standing.

My arms go round his neck of their own accord and my fingers tangle in the ends of his hair.

“Believe me yet?” he murmurs against my lips. I nod and press myself up against him, claiming his lips once more.

He kisses me a few more times then pulls back. His smile reaches his eyes, and there’s a spark in them I’ve never seen before. I can’t help but smile back at him. He moves his head forward and runs the tip of his nose down the length of mine before kissing me once more.

“Don’t run from me, Lexy,” he whispers, trailing kisses along my jaw and up to my earlobe. “Because I’ll always follow you.”

“Can I hide then?” I tease, leaning my cheek against his.

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ll always come and find you, that’s why.” He pulls back and looks into my eyes. “Tell me you won’t run anymore.”

His eyes are entrancing. The swirling mass of blue grey is mesmerising, and I know I couldn’t run even if I wanted to.

“I won’t run anymore.”

“Promise?” He strokes my hair away from my face.

I put a hand on his cheek. “I promise.”

He smiles at me again and I look down. He’s looking at me like-

“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, kissing my nose.

Yeah, like I’m beautiful.

I look into her brown eyes and see all I’ll ever need.

She’s mine.

Alec sits back against the rock and pulls me down with him. I hook my legs over his and rest my head against his shoulder, curled up against him. His arms are wrapped around my body, holding me tightly. I snuggle a little closer into him and he sighs.

‘‘What?’’ I tilt my head back.

‘‘You.’’ He looks down at me and smiles.

‘‘What about me?’’

‘‘Just... You.’’

I smile and peck him on the lips.

‘‘Call that a kiss?’’ He growls playfully.

I nod and lean back. He leans forward until I’m lying on my back and he’s suspended over me.

‘‘This is a kiss,’’ he says and presses his lips against mine. I cup his head with my hands and pull him closer to me. Will I ever have enough of him? One kiss and I can’t seem to stop.

‘‘Mmm,’’ he murmurs. ‘‘That’s more like it.’’

I grin at him and rest my fingertip against where his dimple is.

‘‘I love your dimples.’’

‘‘You do?’’ He raises an eyebrow at me.

‘‘Mmhmm,’’ I stroke his jaw. ‘‘I noticed them the first time I saw you.’’

‘‘Oh, so it’s the dimples you’re after?’’ He teases.

‘‘Completely.’’ I reply, straight faced.

He tuts and shakes his head. ‘‘Washboard abs, gorgeous eyes, sexy hair, and she wants the dimples? What is the world coming to?’’

I slap his shoulder and giggle. ‘‘You forgot your charming personality.’’

He thumps the sand. ‘‘How could I forget that?’’

‘‘God knows, your ego is big enough.’’ I kiss his cheek.

‘‘Oi.’’ He frowns at me. ‘‘Just because you’re mine doesn’t mean you can be mean to me!’’

‘‘Oh, I’m yours, am I?’’ It’s my turn to raise an eyebrow.

‘‘No doubt about it.’’ He kisses me again.

‘‘Again with the caveman,’’ I mutter.

‘‘Your caveman,’’ he chuckles.

Alec brushes my hair away from my face and looks into my eyes.

He might not have been what I expected when I came to Lilac Bay, or even what I was expecting when I met him, but he’s nothing less than I want.

Opposites. A city girl and a small town boy. Dirty jeans and designer jeans. Surfing and shopping.

We couldn’t be more different, but that doesn’t matter anymore.

He drops down next to me and we lie there together, listening to the waves crash up the beach. The world could be ending and I wouldn’t care because I was with him.

“Oh yay!” I hear Jen shriek.

“Way to ruin their moment, Jen!” Carl calls after her. I turn my head and see her running down the beach towards us, Carl shaking his head as he walks behind her.

“Oh, shush you. Just because you’re as romantic as a teaspoon!” she hollers back.

“Hey, I can do romance!” he replies, indignantly.

“You wouldn’t know romance if it hit you between the eyes.” She laughs and turns to him.

“I take offence at that.” He stops in front of her and I press my face against Alec’s chest as I laugh.

“Oh yeah? Prove it then,” Jen challenges him.

“Fine.” He stalks towards her and grabs her, tipping her back so the tips of her hair graze the sand. She grabs his neck to stop herself falling as he plants a deep, thorough kiss on her mouth.

“Think they need a room?” Alec laughs into my hair. I nod my head in agreement and smile.

Carl releases Jen and she stands up, staggering slightly. She looks slightly dazed and I cover my mouth with my hand.

The two of them are crazy.

“Romantic enough, baby?” Carl asks smugly, catching her dazed expression.

“Uh, yeah.” She fans herself and blinks dramatically. “Phew.”

She looks over at me and Alec still wrapped in each others arms and grins.

“About time you two sorted your shit out.” She waggles her finger at us and sits down on my towel. Carl sits next to her and she snuggles against him.

Alec moves to sit back up and pulls me up with him, sitting me between his legs. He wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face in my hair. Subconsciously I turn my head towards his and smile.

“It’s so cute,” Jen sighs. “Did you feel that tension before, Carl?”

“Jen, baby, they’re right there. No need to talk like they’re not.” He rolls his eyes and squeezes her shoulders affectionately.

“I’m just sayin’,” she says sarcastically. “It was tight, like, oh my god someone get me some scissors to cut it, or for god sake just kiss her already, you get what I mean?”

Alec begins to shake behind me and I know he’s laughing. I smile widely at her and Carl sighs dramatically.

“You have such a way with words,” he tells her.

“Well duh, someone has to be smart with them because goodness knows you’re not,’’ she jokes.

“Nice to know I’m loved.’’ He raises his eyebrows at me and Jen punches his arm.

“Shut up.”

“Can’t do that baby.”

“Why not?”

“Because you like what I do with my mouth too much.” He winks and grins cheekily. Jen gasps and the laughter explodes out of me. I rest my head on my arms as I laugh like I haven’t in a long time.

Something about Devon has revitalised me in three short weeks. It’s reminded me of the girl I used to be, the girl I buried away each September when it was time to go back to London.

Something about the Bay has stripped away my defences, and I’d bet anything it’s Jen and Carl’s easygoing, loving banter. Not to mention the guy sat behind me. Alec has always been a dangerous gamble, but despite my thoughts earlier, I know he’s something more than everyone else sees. I saw it in his eyes, and I can feel it in the way he’s holding me against him tightly, like he’s afraid I’ll still run.

Even though I won’t.

I don’t know if anything could tear me away from him now.

~

‘‘It’s about bloody time, Alexis Edwards!” Grammy waggles her finger at me the second I step through the door. “Three weeks I’ve worked my butt off trying to get you to see sense!”

I smile at her theatrics and release Alec’s hand, hugging her.

“You’re crazy, old lady.”

“Crazy?!” She pulls back, horrified. She grins, then winks. “I was right though, wasn’t I?”

Her eyes twinkle and I kiss her powdered cheek.

“You were.”

“I presume Alec is staying for dinner then?” Dad puts his paper down onto the table.

A smile is playing on his lips and I glance up at Alec. He raises an eyebrow and I step back towards him. His arm snakes around my waist and I curl into him, looking at Dad.

“If that’s okay, Daddy,” I say sweetly.

“Oh, I’m not sure.”

“Don’t tease the girl, Simon!” Mum admonishes. “You’ve been moaning for the last week because you’re sick of them not sorting it out.” She turns to me and smiles, a wide beaming smile. “Baby girl, I’m happy for you. Of course your young man can stay for dinner.”

“I think you’re all forgetting something very important,” Grammy huffs, leaning against the sink. She crosses her arms across her chest, her cloth waving absently in the air.

“What’s that, Vi?” Alec asks, his chest rumbling with his restrained laughter.

“This is my house. No one has bothered to ask me if I mind if the boy stays for dinner!”

Mum purses her lips and turns away, hiding her laughter. Dad snorts silently and I sigh, amused.

“Fine. Grammy?” I turn my innocent eyes on her.

“Yes, Lexy girl?”

“Would you mind if Alec stays for dinner?”

“That depends. Is he your boyfriend?” She clasps her hands together and I realise she’s tricked me.

“I, Er...” I glance up at Alec and he looks down, smirking. He dips his head and kisses me fully on the lips. I feel my cheeks flush as Grammy whoops.

“I’ll take that as a yes!”

I touch my lips and duck my head down.

“Put my sister down, you Neanderthal!” Bing calls from the front door. I groan.

“Bing!” Mum scolds.

“Just saying, Mum, just saying.” He slaps Alec’s shoulder as he walks past. “Good luck, mate. You’re gonna need it.”

“Bing,” I start.

“Lexy,” he mimics my voice.

“Go play in traffic.”

“Only if you come with me, sister dear.” He smiles wolfishly at me and sits down, slouching in the chair.

“Samuel Geoffrey Edwards,” Mum snaps. “Sit up straight like the young man I taught you to be, and for goodness sakes pull up your trousers! No-one here is interested in the colour of your boxers.”

“But I’m sure the girls would like to know about the pink ones,” Dad snickers. Alec looks at me and I shrug.

“Welcome to the crazy,” I mutter.
 

~

Bing’s angry shout wakes me the next morning. I rub my eyes and roll out of bed, practically crawling to the window to see what the matter is. I pull back my curtains and see Gram’s neighbours doing the same. Old Mrs Jenkins across the road shuffles out in a robe that’s seen better days.

I look down at the garden and shriek out a laugh.

Grammy has strung Bing’s pink y-front boxers to the front of her cottage.

I have no idea how she’s managed it, but as I run down the stairs to get a proper look it doesn’t matter. All I know right now is that Grammy has completely embarrassed Bing in front of the whole town. I would bet my leopard print onesie Mrs Jenkins will be at the post office at 9am ready to tell everyone collecting their pension. They’ll tell their children, who’ll tell their children, who’ll tell their friends.

Bing’s sex life just went from thrill to nil.

“What the fuck, Gram?!” Bing yells, his hands in the air.

“Watch it, lad, or the Spongebob ones will join em!” Gram threatens with a waggle of her finger.

“I don’t have any Spongebob pants!”

“The good citizens of Lilac Bay don’t know that though, do they?” Gram snickers evilly.

I put my hand to my mouth and laugh silently. At least I know what she bought in Primark yesterday.

“Gram, are you out to ruin my life?” Bing sighs.

“No, dear, just your far too promiscuous reputation. Why, in my day, if I did what you do, my father would have slapped my ass - twenty years old or not!” Gram winks at me as she turns back inside.

“I....” Bing runs his forehead. “I don’t want to know.”

I laugh out loud but stop when he glares at me. I follow Gram into the kitchen.

“How did you get them up there?” I whisper over her shoulder.

“I didn’t,” she giggles. “Your father put it up. I blackmailed him.”

“Oh no, you said no papers for a week, didn’t you?”

“You bet your pretty little face I did.” Grammy giggles again and opens the fridge. She pours a glass of milk, takes a brown bottle from the cupboard and extracts two tablets. I frown.

“What are they for?”

“Heartburn,” she answers without turning around. “Hence the milk. It helps.”

“Oh.” I shrug it off and get myself a glass of orange.

“Are you seeing your fancy boy today?”

“If you mean Alec.” I reach into the cupboard for the Cheerios, “then yes. He thinks he’s gonna get me on a surfboard again. I think he’s training to be a comedian.”

“He just wants to share that part of his life with you,” Gram advises. “Go along with it. He goes shopping with you, doesn’t he?”

“Once.” I point my spoon at her. “I surfed once. He shopped once. Even Stevens.”

She shakes her head. “You kids.”

“What?” I say through a mouthful of cereal and shrug one shoulder.

“In my day we did things together because we could....”

“In your day, Grammy, to be seen touching a boy or raising your skirt above your ankles meant you were a slut.” I put my empty bowl in the sink, rinsing it out.

“Alexis Mae Edwards! I was not born in the 1800’s!”

“Could have been.” I grin cheekily and scoot past her into the hallway. “When Alec shows up...”

Knock knock.

“Never mind!” I call back and open the door, barely glancing at him. “Hi, come in, goodbye.”

I take the stairs two at a time. Brush, mascara, dress. I’m ready in record time -  maybe Devon really is changing me from a spoilt city girl to a carefree young woman.

I stop by my mirror and study my reflection. Soft, dark brown curls that reach my waist, large, cappuccino-coloured eyes, a smattering of freckles across my nose and rosebud lips. The same girl as always stares back at me.

Or does she?

I look closer and she’s different - I’m different. There’s a light in my eyes, a sparkle in my smile, and a bounce in my hair. I smile at my reflection.