The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga) (38 page)

“Na, she’s a tough nut aren’t you Kazzy! And one hell of a cook I might add
.
” This had me smiling as it was one compliment that I liked to receive.

“Oh
,
I second that
but tell me where did you learn how to cook?” Draven turned to me and I met his yummy eyes with confidence.

“Just at home experimenting and watching my mum as a kid, she loved to bake….hey Libs do you remember her chocolate brownie cakes with the iced tops” We both made
‘
mmm
’
noises and Frank rolled his eyes.

“Women and chocolate…do you understand it?” Frank asked Draven and he laughed before saying

“It’s all in the balance
.
”

“Balance?” Frank repeated clearly confused.

“Well women must be addicte
d to something as sweet as their
natures
.
” Me and Libby both giggled like flirty teenagers and Frank just rolled his eyes.

“
I must remember to tell my brother that one! I bet it’s a big hit with the ladies.” At this Draven made fists under the table which luckily only I could see.

“Ah yes Justin isn’t it, Keira has mentioned him
.
” This looked almost painful to watch as unbeknown to my sister and Frank, Draven was finding it hard to even say his name without straining and gritting his teeth.

“Yeah
,
he
’s just come back from travelling.
He’s a real free sp
i
rit kinda of guy…which is code for he doesn’t really know what he wants to
do in life but he’s a good kid.
”

“You say kid
,
but Frank
,
he’s the same age as me
.
”
I said but instantly regretted
anything from my mouth that sounded like I was defending him.

“Yeah
,
but I call you kid and besides I’m going to be a daddy so I have the right
.
” He said as he rubbed his wife’s belly and she rolled her eyes when he stuck his tongue out at me. Of course
,
I did it back but ruined its affect when I laughed and nearly snorted.

“You’re both big kids
.
” Libby stated before cutting herself some more cake.

“Congratulations
, Keira told me you were expecting
.
” Draven said
,
making the proud parents beam.

“Thank you.
I believe I made Keira late for work once when she found out the news
,
so she must have told you then
.
” As soon as she said it Draven’s face dropped slightly
,
as this was the time when he had shouted at me for being
late and didn’t know the reason
for it. Well not until now. I suppressed a smile at the memory.

“
Yes
.
” Was all he said and I knew he was probably feeling guilty having now found out my reasons. I had thought that maybe he had believed it was down to Jack but this was something I could ask him when we were next alone, which I was both craving for and dreading.

“So your brother
,
Justin, will he be visiting you again soon?”

“Oh yeah
,
didn’t Kaz tell you, he’s coming to stay next weekend and Kazzy offered to take him to your club
?
” Frank looked from me to Libby as if he had just put his foot in it but of course I
already
did that moments ago in the kitchen.

“It must have slipped her mind
.
” He said before giving me a chilling smile, one that made me gulp.

“Yeah
,
I was thinking I was going to introduce him to RJ
.
” I said hoping this would cool things down but it just mad
e
things worse.

“What the Goth with pink hair
?
…
Na
,
he’s got a thing for blondes.
”
At this Draven was almost desperate to let out a growl, I could tell by the way his large fists were turning white under the strain. Libby shot Frank a look and shook her head slightly. At least she knew that this wasn’t the best conversation to be having so she thankfully changed the subject and asked who wanted coffee.

“
Tea for me
,
please
.
”

“Well durr, oh and don’t worry Kaz I wouldn’t ask you to make it
.
” Libby burst out laughing and Frank joined in as
,
of course
,
he had heard the story along with everyone else in my family! Draven looked like he missed something and I frowned at them both.

“Oh sorry
,
you don’t know why Kazzy hates coffee do you?” Libby had on her mischievous grin and I had to intervene quickly.

“Oh no, don’t you dare! I mean it…Dra I mean Dominic doesn’t need to hear about childish stories
,
” I warned her but this just made Draven even more curious. He cleared his throat before disagreeing with me.

“I beg to differ, I would love to hear stories about Keira as a child
.
” Libby gave me a wink but I just folded my arms and mouthed the words “NO” to her.

“I’m sorry Kaz but he’s the guest!” I grunted at this and just sat there looking extremely
hacked off but for Draven this just added to his amusement.

“Well when Kaz was….umm how old?” Great now she wanted my input.

“Eleven
,
” I said abruptly.

“Yeah that’s right, she was eleven
when my dad had some clients meeting him at the house. Our mother usually made tea and coffee whenever he’d have a meeting at home but mum was
called to the care home. See our
dad works in advertising and our mum works with the elderly. So when she got called away Kazzy offered to help my dad by making the drinks. What she hadn’t counted on was that they would all want coffee and she had never made it before. Dad told her that the filtered coffee was in the cupboard and it was in a jar with a red lid
.
” She actually stopped to laugh and I don’t suppose my miserable face was helping.

“So she poured the whole jar in the bottom of the cafetiere
and added the water before putting on the top and letting it brew
.
” Again the word brew had her in fits, which I just rolled my eyes at.

“Yes
,
yes
,
get on with it Libs
,
” I said impatiently and this had them all laughing.

“Any
way, she got everything ready, sugar, cream, cups and then took in the tray. It was only when they all left did Kazzy no
tice that no one had drunk their
coffee as all the cups were still full. When she asked my dad why, he told her
...

“Because dear
,
nobody likes cream
and sugar with a cup of gravy!”
At this Libby was crying with laughter and Frank had banged his fist on the table before erupting with his usual hoarse
grunting
. Draven too found this all hysterical but instead of laughing at me
,
he pulled me into him and kissed the top of my
head. I could feel his attempt
at hiding his amusement but the sound of his laugh
t
er h
ad me
joining in
with them all.

“Why did you give them gravy to drink?” Draven asked through an outstretched grin.

“Because I thought it was the coffee, besides my dad’s clients thought it was tha
t funny that it sealed the deal.
”

“Yes I can imagine, very adorable!” Draven agreed and Libby mouthed a
n ‘Aww’
at me when he wasn’t looking her way.

“Yeah
,
well it wasn’t as bad as the time Libby blew up the popcorn machine!” I giggled and Frank
’
s eyes widened….he obviously hadn’t yet heard this one. Now it wa
s Libby’s turn to get defensive.

“Catherine! Don’t you dare!” Libby only ever called me by my first
name when she was serious but it sounded like the way my mum says it when I’m in trouble.

“Oh no
way babe, you spilt her story
,
now I want to know yours
.
” She frowne
d at her big husband but to no e
ffect.

“Sorry Libs
,
but if the guest requests then I must deliver
,
” I said in a smug tone.

“Frank lives here
so
that doesn’t count!”

“Fine…Dominic please can you agree with me
,
that this is also one story you would very much like to hear
.
” I asked in my
sweetest tone and to seal the deal I placed my hand on the inside of his leg close to his sweet spot. I could have sworn that I saw him gulp slightly.

“I’m sorry Libby but forgive me for never being able to deny you
r sister anything.” Libby raised
her eyebrows first at Draven then at Frank.

“Traitors!” She commented but couldn’t keep her face straight. I was smiling at my revenge and took a large swig of my wine before starting my story.

“Ok
,
so our parents had gone away for the weekend and left Libby in charge as she is the oldest. She was told no
t to have anyone round
but Libby ignored the rules and invited her friends and before long there
were
about twenty people in the house. She decided to
make popcorn when she was drunk but because there was still un-popped corn in the bottom she thought it would be a good idea to keep the machine on.”

“I wasn’t that drunk!” She added but I continued like I hadn’t heard her.

“So when she forgot about it and the fire alarm started to go off, I was the one to find the flames. The popcorn machine was on fire and melting. Libby then came running in and opened a window before throwing it outside into our fish pond. The problem being one of our neighbours had heard the alarm and called the fire brigade! The next thing we knew we
had
to pile twenty
drunken
teens into a garage, clean up the evidence of a party and fish out the remains of the popcorn machine all before the firemen piled in.”

Frank clearly loved every minute of this story, so I purposely left out the
bit where she had her boyfriend
at the time, to stay the night. In hopes she wouldn’t mention me kissing a boy from my school who was two years older than me.

“So what happened? You ever get busted” Frank asked Libby.

“No, I made Kaz burn some toast and blame it on that but when mum and dad got back they wanted to know why all the fish had died!” This once again made the house fill with the sound of laugh
t
er
but it died when she asked me the name of that boy I kissed.

“
Thanks
Libs
!
You know
I don’t remember, you invited him! And what about that boyfriend of yours that you had to stay the night…eh
?
” I know it was cruel but she had struck first. Frank being of the protective jealous type shot her a look and in turn she shot
me one that translated into a “t
hanks a lot!”
at
which
I just shrugged my shoulders. Mean
while Draven had the same look as Frank, only directed at me.

“How old were you?” Draven asked me and I winced.

“Nearly
fifteen
.
” He frowned at my answer. I finished my wine
letting the last drops gladly go to my head.
Then I had a thought
that would once again have me and Libby on the same page.

“Have you spoken to mum lately?”
I asked and
Libby looked like she had been caught stealing candy.

“Umm yeah, sorry about that
,
it kind of slipped out about you and Dominic, I take it she rang
?
”
She said wincing at her own guilt
.

“Oh yeah
,
she called
a
lright
! And I got the whole baby safe lecture. But this isn’t the worst bit…oh no
…
, guess who’s coming to stay
?
” My face must have
said it all.