The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (82 page)

“We are going to be la—” He crashed his lips against mine and I immediately lost my train of thought. All I could concentrate on was how good the kiss was as we lost ourselves completely. My fingers weaved into his hair feeling the silky strands between my fingers as I held on tight, not wanting to let go just yet.

“Iz, we have to go,” he mumbled between kisses.

“I know, this is all your fault.” I always got lost in his kisses. He was asking for trouble kissing me as all thoughts went out of my head.

“Right, we have to stop, plus I’m hungry and I don’t want to be hungry with a hard on.”

I smacked him in the stomach, his joke was enough to break the moment, plus I was hungry too. “Let’s go before my mother goes ape shit on us.”

He chuckled slinging his arm over my shoulder as we headed to the car.

“Izzy, is that you?” Within seconds, my mother bolted around the corner and encased me in a hug, squeezing the life out of me.

“Good to see you too, Mum.” She stood back and cupped my face her eyes quickly scanning over me.

“Are you not eating properly, you look like you’ve lost weight.”

“I’m fine, Mum, but I am doing eight performances a week. It takes a lot out of you.”

She pursed her lips in annoyance. “I’m going to have to build you up over the next few days, else there will be nothing left of you.”

“She always was a skinny Minnie. Hey, sis.” Mike walked over smiling and gave me a hug. My eyebrows rose in surprise. “We’ve missed you. Kara has been chewing my ear off about when you would be coming home.”

Kara scowled at Mike’s mocking words. “Well I miss her, and I didn’t want to pile on the guilt harassing you,” Kara retorted, ready to embrace me as well.

“Just another four weeks and then she’ll be back where she belongs.” Joel smiled.

“Aww, he misses you so much. I went to one of his gigs and all his songs are about you. Mike would never write a song about me, he lacks romance that way.” She sent a glare his way.

“Hey I make up for it in other ways.” He winked and I grimaced instantly knowing exactly what he meant.

“Mike,” Kara warned and I shuddered.

“What’s up, sis, looking a little green there.”

I wonder why.

“She needs a good feeding, come on, Izzy. I’ve got the table laid out for everyone to help themselves. The bacon and sausage are under the grill.”

Joel’s face lit up at the mention of food, and I had to smile as my stomach grumbled too. We were more than ravenous, but my mind quickly changed from hunger when I noticed Ruby’s absence.

“Mum, where’s Ruby?”

“She’s out in the garden, relaxing under her favourite tree. She loves it out there.”

“I can’t wait to see her.” I grinned heading for the door.

“Wait until after we eat, you’re going to get her all excited,” she chided.

My face dropped. “I haven’t seen her for two months.”

“Another hour won’t matter.”

I pouted. “Breakfast can wait, you can eat without me.” I couldn’t believe that she was actually being so mean. I had missed her so much, in my heart I couldn’t wait another moment to be with her.

I opened up the back door and sighed, watching her blissfully snooze under the tree. It was a beautiful spring day, and she looked more than content that it was almost cruel to disturb her, but I needed to see her.

“Ruby,” I whispered, wondering if she was that far gone to hear. Joel came up behind me in preparation. She was that big now that when she leapt up she almost took me with her.

Her eyes snapped open, she blinked once then leapt up running towards me.

“Iz, she’s going to—” but he barely got the words out when she leapt up, eyes wide and ready to slobber me half to death. I buckled under her weight despite Joel’s best attempts to keep me upright and tumbled down onto the grass where she licked me to death.

“I missed you so much, my beautiful girl,” I said between each slobbery kiss.

“I think you’re going to need a shower after this.” Joel chuckled, looking down at the sight of us laying there covered in grass. My mother was going to be pissed.

She came out seconds later and looked at us disapprovingly. “Oh Izzy, you’re covered in dirt. I jumped up and Ruby immediately followed suit, banging her nose against my hand so I would pet her. I let my fingers glide over her soft head as she wagged her tail looking happy as Larry.

“Come on and have some breakfast before Mike devours the lot. You know your brother and his appetite, he could eat us out of house and home and still be hungry.”

Joel’s eyes widened at the thought of no breakfast and quickly headed indoors. I knew where his priorities lay.

“Come on, Rubes.”

“Izzy, we’re eating, leave her outdoors till we’re finished.”

Ruby did not like that idea and barked her disapproval.

“If she’s not allowed in then I’ll eat mine out here. I’m not going to leave her alone again barely minutes after walking back into her life. She’ll be upset and confused,” I huffed. Ruby’s eyes only confirmed it.

“Fine, just come in before the bacon drys up already, but no feeding her she’s had her breakfast. She can sit quietly under the table.

Yeah, there was no way Ruby would not be sampling breakfast. She always had a way of giving you the begging eyes that you just couldn’t refuse. My mother might be immune to them, but I sure wasn’t.

“Fine, okay,” I lied, crossing my fingers as we headed back in with an excited Ruby happily wagging her tail in joy.

I slipped another piece of bacon under the table when my mother wasn’t looking. Ruby gave me a thank you lick before devouring it. She was sat between me and Joel so was doing well in the food department. She rested her head against my leg in between breaks like she was scared I would leave her and that thought made me sad.

“So four more weeks and you’ll finally be home. You were amazing up there, Iz, even your brother was full of praise, and he isn’t easily pleased. Your mum though she was just so proud. I caught her dabbing her eyes a few times while watching you. I bet you’ll be sad to finish,” Kara asked before taking a sip of her coffee.

“It’s a mixture of sadness and happiness.”

“Of course the happiness part is all to do with me.” Joel winked and kissed my hair as I rolled my eyes, but he had me there. I couldn’t wait to sleep in the same bed together and not be halfway around the country. But I enjoyed performing. It was in my blood and now that I had a taste for it, I wanted more. I wanted a fresh challenge, a new thrill. I knew deep down I wasn’t ready to go back to the dark days of auditioning and not getting anywhere. But I had to be positive I now had this string to my bow. I had connections that would help to see the right people.

“Well, of course.” I winked back to Joel. He grinned in delight.

“Elijah is going to go mental when you get back. We’ve been hanging out together having a girly night, but I know he misses his partner in crime.”

“I’ve missed him too, so much but I don’t miss him banging on about every single detail of the wedding. He’s obsessed.”

Kara frowned. “He’s just trying to put together the best wedding for you. I know he can get carried away, but he just has your best interests at heart.”

“I know and now I feel bad. It’s just hard, I’m exhausted with the show, and in my spare time, I don’t want to talk wedding favours, I just want to sleep.” It was all I ever wanted to do.

“Once the show finishes, we are going away from here for a nice holiday,” Joel promised, making me smile.

“Our usual place?” I asked, feeling hopeful.

“You want to go back again? I didn’t know whether you wanted a change of scenery, somewhere different.” His eyes held mine waiting for a reply.

“No, I want to go back to our place. We probably won’t get the same cottage again, but it’s still the same beach.”

“It’s a good job I booked ahead.” Joel winked and I grinned.

Oh, he knew me well.

“So, Iz, where are you heading to next after you leave.”

“Sheffield for a week. We have three more places after that and then a nice break. Is it okay for me to do some shifts at the pub once I’m back?” I asked Joel. I didn’t want to assume that I had a job to walk into, but I also knew we needed to pay bills as well.

“I’m the manager so as long as you keep me sweet then I don’t see why not.”

“I think that’s a guarantee then.” Kara winked. “Hey, we need to arrange a film night just the three of us. I know Elijah has a good collection of DVDs he can bring along. It will make a nice change from all the action crap I have to be tortured with.”

“They are amazing films, Jason Statham is my hero.” Mike glared at me as I sniggered. I did not envy Kara there. At least Joel went ’round to Mike’s to watch so I was free from it all.

“Channing is way better, hey, Iz?” I could see she was trying to get a rise out of Mike.

“Ugh, you only like him cause he looks good not for his acting skills,” Mike scoffed, not looking at all pleased.

“Err, Megan Fox ring any bells?”

“Oh whatever, count me out that night. In fact, Joel, let’s have a guy’s night out. We can get a few of the lads together, haven’t been out on the lash for a while.”

“Well, you can stay over at one of theirs, I’m not having you come in blind drunk and try to hump me before falling asleep, thanks.”

Eww, too much information.

“It’s fine I’ll stay at John’s, happy?” Mike barked.

“Deliriously.”

“Enough of the bickering, this is Izzy’s weekend,” my mother scolded.

“Sorry, princess Izzy, but we’ll have to love you and leave you.” He stuck out his tongue, but I could see the humour behind his eyes.

“Good to see you home, sis. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, hopefully get to see you before you leave,” he replied, kissing my hair.

“Bye Iz, remember we have a date with Channing when you get back.”

“Of course.” How could I forget?

“Will you shut up about Channing already?” Mike muttered, not looking at all pleased.

“What, jealous, are we?” Kara teased.

“Err no, Channing doesn’t have my moves.”

“Oh your moves.” She raised a brow.

“You love my moves.”

She giggled and I gagged. Too much information.

“Okay bye,” I yelled, ready to cover my ears before I was greeted with more unwelcoming information that was set to scar me for life.

The door slammed shut behind them, and we sighed just enjoying a few moments of silence.

“They don’t half bicker. God, it’s exhausting when you go round. Kara has invited me a few times to stop me from getting lonely, but sheesh there are times I really want to decline.” By the look on Joel’s face, he was not amused.

“Good job we are nothing like that.” 

He pulled me in close. “Never, we are perfect for each other.”

“True.” So damn perfect.

“Now what are we going to do with the rest of our day?” he asked, as I pondered his question.

“It’s a shame to let it go to waste. How about we head with Ruby to the park? I can put up a picnic and we can spend the next few hours enjoying the sunshine.”

“Sounds good to me. What do you say, Rubes?”

She barked her reply and wagged her tail at the prospect of it all. We really didn’t expect anything else. She loved the park it was her favourite pastime to run around, chasing Frisbees.

We said a quick goodbye to my mother, appeasing her with the fact I would be ’round for Sunday lunch tomorrow. We headed home, filled the cooler with lots of amazing delicious snacks and made our way to the park.

Joel’s fingers stroked mine as we walked along. It was a perfect day so we knew everyone would be taking advantage of it all. I turned to look at Joel, who looked sexy in his sunglasses. He grinned knowing I was watching him but it was hard not to. He pulled me closer and kissed my hair.

“You can stop perving now.” He chuckled and I dug my elbow hard into his ribs.

“I wasn’t perving, I was staring at the man I love,” I protested.

“Aww, I take it back then.” We set up camp on the grass, scattering the rug across the grass. I quickly flopped down onto the rug with my Kindle instantly opened. I had to get in reading time whenever I could.

“Are you going to read?” Joel groaned, giving me a disapproving look.

“I haven’t read in days and I have like 20% to go.” I needed to get this book read, else I was going to go stark raving mad. I had to know it had a HEA as right now it wasn’t looking like it.

“Fine, well while you catch up with your BB, I’m going to play with Ruby.” He huffed and I rolled my eyes. He was just being overly dramatic. He knew I was a bookworm through and through. It was hardly a surprise that I’d brought my Kindle with me. I had to practically have it removed from my hand.

Thirty minutes and a satisfying ending later, I looked over to find Joel playing Frisbee with a brown-haired boy that looked around ten. The way they chatted, they seemed quite familiar with each other and Ruby seemed to enjoy all the attention as she chased back and forth.

I started to unpack the cooler, laying everything out and that caught Joel’s attention as they all headed over. I handed them both a cold can of Pepsi and poured some water out for Ruby, who gladly lapped it up.

“Iz, this is my pal Jordan.”

“Hey Jordan.” I smiled and he grinned back, sitting down as he gulped down the ice cold beverage.

“So how do you know Joel?”

“He’s been helping us train.”

“Train?” I asked, looking confused.

“Where I play Five A Side, they have a kids team that Jordan is on, the parents were struggling to bring someone in after the last guy left due to a bereavement so I said I would take over the Wednesday night training.”

“He’s really good. I hope I can be just as good as him one day,” Jordan piped up. He looked on at Joel as someone he looked up to and that made me smile.

“You are almost there,” Joel added reassuringly.

“No way.” He shook his head, disbelieving his words.

“Trust me, a few more sessions and you will be. I’ve already seen your skills sharpen. You are coming along nicely.”

“How come you never told me about this?”

Joel’s eyes returned to mine. “It was a good distraction from missing you, and I actually really like it.”

“Everyone looks up to Joel, he is the best,” Jordan added, smiling.

Joel blushed and my heart filled up at the sight of Joel being so caring as to do something that meant the world to these kids.

“I wouldn’t go that far, Jordan.” He ruffled his hair playfully.

Ruby took that opportunity to fan herself out in need of a good tickling, which Jordan was only too happy to help.

“You’re good with her.” She seemed quite content with Jordan.

“We’ve been hanging out. Joel lets me go to the park with him as I can’t have a dog. My mum is allergic, so this is the next best thing.”

“She certainly likes you.” She was definitely lapping up all the attention.

“Oh Rubes loves spending time with Jordan, don’t you, girl?”

She barked and we all laughed. She was too intelligent for her own good.

Jordan’s eyes widened when I pulled out the sandwiches and cakes. He looked more than ravenous. I picked up a plate and filled it before handing it over. He smiled and quickly took a bite and then another. At this rate, he was going to have hiccups. Joel was now on his second one. I grabbed one myself before they all went, as Ruby tucked into her dog treats.

I sat there quietly watching Joel and Jordan interact. They chatted and joked away so naturally I could see a bond forming before my eyes. It made me smile that Joel was so relaxed in hanging out. His greatest fear was that a part of his dad lived inside of him, but I could never see Joel being cruel for one moment. I was certain when our own children came along, he would go above and beyond in giving them the perfect childhood he never had.