Urban Climber 2 (10 page)

“What are you still doing out here?” a voice yells at me across the parking lot. “I thought I was the only one who was gonna be late.”

I swing my head around, and sure enough, it’s my beacon of light, beaming at me as he runs across the parking lot. “You don’t have to come to me, just—just give me a sec,” I stammer, scraping my long messy hair into a high ponytail as I look at my reflection in the shining paintwork.

“Well, I’m here now,” Bodhi laughs as he takes a step towards me. “Shit. You all right? You look a little teary.”

“Allergies.” My eyes dart away from his as I ruffle in my purse for
nothing
.

Fire Boy clears his throat. “Allergies, you say… at this time of year? You sure about that?”

“It’s not officially winter yet. Shut up!” I grump, refusing to look at him.

“Why is what’s-his-face’s car all steamy?”

“His name is Hugo,” I exhale, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand.

“I prefer what’s-his-face,” he grins, elbowing me in the side. “So what’s with the condensation, Hemsworth?”

Oh, great. Now, my face is flushing red. It’s burning like nobody’s business. Holy fudge, next thing my nose is gonna start growing, and I don’t know how I could possibly explain that.

“Well?”

“No reason,” I mumble.

His eyes widen. “Who else is in there? Give me your keys.”

I shake my head “No one, and no. I was just fulfilling my obligations, that’s all.”

“Huh?”

I pull him away from the car as I hobble over to the sidewalk. I never should have worn these stupid heels. The blisters on the back of my heels are going to pop any second, and I used up my last bandage yesterday.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Laura? I swear, ever since you took off on the back of Tom’s motorbike, you’ve been different.”

My heart sinks, hearing his name. “I don’t think I have, have I?”

“When you didn’t show all those months back, I told him if he’d done anything to hurt you, I would kick his ass.”

I jerk my head around and stare at Bodhi. “OMG. You said that? He could have killed you, ya know. He’s ripped to the core and a...”

“A what?”

I sigh loudly, dropping my eyes to the pavement. “A
god
.”

Bodhi laughs at me. “Well, you would know.”

I cover my cheeks before he sees them flush again. “Last lecture. I can’t believe it,” I mutter, avoiding his bright green eyes.

“Yeah,” he pats me on the shoulder as we slowly walk across campus. “It’s gone so fast.”

“I’ll miss you. You know that?” I exhale, turning to face him. “I’ll miss you so much.”

“But you’re coming back next semester, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“What? Why not?”

I can hardly look at him. If I do, I know I’ll cry. “I’m not from here. This is not my life, Bodhi. I’m getting married and then—well, who knows?”

“
He’s
gonna miss you, you know. We all will.”

I shrug. “I think he’s well and truly over me.”

“That thing with Perfect Ass?”

My heart sinks. “Oh, so you’ve noticed too?”

He grins widely. “That’s all her, don’t worry. You can so tell there’s nothing happening there.”

I exhale. “I did tell him to leave me alone, so what did I expect—roses?”

“Probably,” he grins. “But I’m telling you, just because he spends time with her doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be with someone else.”

I can’t stop my heart from doing a little dance. “You really think so?”

“Yes, Laura,
really
. The chemistry you two have is so intense, I’m waiting for the explosion.”

I scrape my fingers down my burning cheeks. “What am I doing, then?”

“You tell me.” He grins. “Sure you want to get married?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m not. I’m not sure about any of it.”

“Well if you’re not sure, then you shouldn’t do it.”

“It’s a done deal, Bodhi.” I throw my arms in the air. “Signed and sealed. I’m well and truly screwed.”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You’d think you were majoring in drama the way you carry on. No matter what you say or do, there’s always time, Laura—” The roar of Ash’s motorbike cuts Bodhi off mid-sentence as the engine rumbles to life. “Speak of the devil …”

I bury my face in my hands as his engine reverberates behind our backs and rumbles into the distance.

“Chemistry dismissed.” Bodhi laughs. “And after all this time, the devil still affects you.”

I glance over my shoulder, watching as Ash disappears, weaving and winding through the traffic. “More than you could ever know. It’s so bad.”

“What do you want him to do?”

I shrug.

“Fight for you? Save you?”

“No. Of course not. Well … maybe? Shit, I don’t know, okay? I just don’t know.”

“But you’re still crazy about him, aren’t you?”

I nod. “Yeah, so crazy I feel like I need to take something or see someone.”

“So what happened?”

“I grew up.”

He laughs. “Grew up? By how much, exactly? You don’t look any taller.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s not just about me anymore. I’ve got to do the right thing. It’s not all about me.”

“You’re making no sense.”

“Why does it even matter, anyway?” I grumble. “I don’t even know what Ash and I had.”

“Meaning?”

“What was I to him? Sex? Love? Lust? What was it all about?”

He smirks at me. “Why do you have to know? Just ‘cause we don’t understand every tiny thing that happens when we flick on a light switch doesn’t mean we should live in darkness for the rest of our lives.”

I wrap my arms around him and squeeze as tightly as I can. “Thanks for this year.” My voice cracks. “I’m really gonna miss you.”

“Me too.” He smiles, pushing through the door of the lecture theater. “But don’t worry, I’ll see you at the wedding, baby. It’ll be here faster than you know it.”

“Yeah,” I whisper, “that’s what I’m afraid of.”

December 24th

The moment I slip through the back door of the old wooden house, it feels like home. It
is
home—and it’s like nothing has changed. I pause a moment, noticing the familiar creak of the floorboard beneath my foot. How strange that such a small thing can make me smile so much. I lift my head up, breathing in the warm, scented air. Oh my, the smell of chocolate and chestnuts roasting. It sure is Christmas time, and this year I think it’s gonna mean more to me than all the others combined.

“Mom? Dad?” I call out. “Anyone home?”

“It can’t be. Not our little poppet!”

I giggle, hearing Mom’s slippers shuffle across the painted floorboards. “Laura!” she squeals, popping her head around the doorframe. “Oh my goodness. Is that really you?”

“Yup!” I smile widely, opening my arms. “Just in time for—”

“Christmas!” Her eyes fill with tears. “I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see you. It feels like a lifetime.”

“Doesn’t it?” I whisper, my chin beginning to shake as I wrap my arms around her.

“I didn’t think you were coming home until the wedding.”

“I couldn’t wait, Mom. I couldn’t wait a minute longer to see you both. Christmas without family is just not Christmas at all. It’s my
favorite
time of year.”

“Ours too.” She hugs me tighter. “More than you’ll ever know. We got the greatest gift when we found you.”

I shake my head. “Don’t start, or I know I’ll completely lose it.”

She grins broadly, wiping a tear from her eye. “Looks like I already have.”

“Where’s Dad?”

She laughs. “Where do you think?”

“Tinkering?”

“Yes,” she laughs again. “In the garage, doing what he does. I swear, one of these days he’s going to build something that flies us all to another planet.” Thinking about the flight back home with Hugo, leaving Earth wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

“Oh Lord, what’s that awful grey thing doing in the driveway? It’s like a hearse, you know. I’ve never liked it.” I smile to myself, watching as Mom peers out the kitchen window.

“Oh, come on now, it’s not that bad, is it? They are very safe vehicles.”

Her lips turn down. “And why does he need so many cars anyway?” I shrug. Her guess is as good as mine. “You know how I feel about that sort of money being spent on just a piece of metal. It’s
ludicrous
.”

“Yes, yes I
know
,” I laugh. “Down with the evil men in suits.”

“Well, look what they’re doing to this place, Laura. It’s changing every day, you know, and not for the better. Things are getting harder by the day. So many people are struggling, and the rich are lining their pockets with the blood of the poor. And for what?”

My heart breaks, hearing her words. This house has been in the family for three generations. Three generations of Hemsworths, and all of that could’ve been gone so quickly. “I know. It’s horrible, Mom,” I whisper. “Are you okay?”

“We’re fine, honey. We keep on keeping on, and really, that’s all we can do. I mean, what other option do we have?”

I shrug. “You’re either with them, or you’re against them.”

“Well,” she crosses her arms, “you’ll certainly never see me in a suit.”

“It’s just clothing, Mom! What do you prefer, nudity?” I giggle.

“Nudity?” She frowns. “Don’t get cute with me; you know what I mean.”

“Yes,” I smile, “but believe it or not, there are some very nice suits in this world.”

She snorts loudly. “Name one!”

“Versace, Armani, and Gucci’s pretty fantastic too.”

“Gucci.” Her eyes narrow. “What does our little girl know about Gucci?”

I exhale. “I just flew in with Hugo, remember? He bought three when he was in New York. They are very nice.”

“How much did they cost?”

I pull a face. “I don’t ask questions. When it comes to that sort of thing, I’d rather not know.”

“Poppet?”

“Dad!” I squeal, running into his arms. “How are you? Have you been taking it easy? Resting? You know what the doctors said.”

“You’re just like your mother,” he laughs. “Yes, honey I’m really good. These stents they’re putting in these days work like a charm. My heart’s almost as good as new.”

“If anything ever happened to you …”

“I know, baby, I know.” He kisses my forehead. “But I’m fine. I’m doing okay. Please don’t worry about me. I got a second chance—I could be pushing up daisies, you know, but I’m not. Life’s good.”

“Dad!” I wince. “Please don’t talk like that.”

He shrugs. “We all die sometime or another; it’s just part of life.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No buts. That’s why every day is precious, and we’ve got to make the most of it while we can.”

“While we can?” My voice splinters. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He shakes his head. “No. Your mother and I just want you to be happy, that’s all. Everything else will work itself out. Don’t worry, dear.”

I can’t stop smiling. God, I love Dad so much. So, so much.

“Look at you two,” Mom giggles. “Where’s the camera?”

“Please, not now,” I sigh. “Look at me. I’m a complete mess.”

She chuckles. “Well, I don’t know how you timed it so well, but I was just about to serve up some dessert. Do you want some?”

“Do I?” I laugh, walking arm-in-arm to the table with Dad.

“So where’s the big man? We can’t tell you how happy we are that you worked it all out.”

I pull a face, crossing my legs as I slip down into my chair. “He sends his apologies.”

“Where is he, then?”

“I dropped him back at the apartment and then came straight over.”

“Too good for us, is he? What with all his flashy suits?”

I roll my eyes. “No, nothing like that, Mom. It’s just that he sweated a lot on the flight home, and he wanted to take a shower.”

Mom doesn’t look convinced. She’s always been able to read straight through my tales. “Is he a nervous flyer too? Surely there’s a shower on that thing?”

I pull a face. “Yes, but he’s a bit persnickety about sweat, and he said he wanted a ‘proper’ shower.”

“He’s too spoiled—that’s his problem,” Mom grumbles. “Whoever grows up with a private jet? It’s not like he’s the President.”

“Leave the poor boy alone.” Dad smiles, taking her hand in his. “He’s been very good to us.”

My throat tightens. “So he’s truly sorted everything?”

“Don’t look so worried, honey. Yes, he’s doing all he can.”

I exhale, a massive pressure lifting off my heart. “I’m so pleased. I don’t know what I would do if anything ever happened to you both. You’re my life.”

“Nonsense.” He smiles. “You’re ours.”

“I wanted to thank you both for forgiving him over, you know, what he did.”

Dad shrugs. “We thought it was nice he felt like he could come and talk to us about it, but honestly, when he told us you’d stopped speaking to him over his addiction, I have to say we were a little surprised.”

“Addiction?” I pause. “What addiction?”

“His fascination for, you know, honey, the er … female body.”

I’m seriously missing something here. What the heck is Dad talking about? “His fascination for the female body? Were those his exact words?”

“No, he told us how it was, Laura. He was very frank with us.”

“Do I look lost to you?”

“Yes!”

“Then, please, tell me what his addiction is because I didn’t know he had one.”

“Porn!”

I just about fall off my frickin’ chair. “Porn?” I squeal. “Porn?” I’m sure my face is flushing red, and there’s not a darn thing I can do about it. Is that
all
he actually said? No wonder they forgave him.

“I know you don’t want to talk about this sort of thing with your old fuddy-duddy parents,” Mom chuckles, “but honestly, it’s quite normal. You know what men are like.”

“No.” I cover my face, exhaling. “What are they like?”

“Horny as rabbits!” Dad butts in. “They’ll hump until they’ve got no fur left.”

Mom laughs, giving me a wink. “He should be neutered. That’d fix him! Good and proper!”

“Urgh,” I groan, “can we stop talking about this, please? I’m so embarrassed right now.”

“We won’t say another word about it, promise,” Dad chortles. “But we can say that he loves you very much and that he promised he’s burned all the discs.”

“There will be no more porn!” Mum cheers loudly. “He gave us his word, honey.”

I don’t have the heart to tell them what really happened. How can I? She had her issues with him from the start, and I don’t want to rock the boat. Mom’s eyes drift across to my hand. “Are my eyes playing tricks, or did that thing get bigger?”

I exhale, quickly shoving my hands under the table. “It got bigger. You know what he’s like.”

“Extravagant?” Mom frowns. “Imagine what that sort of money could do for the local community.”

I purse my lips. “Yeah, I know, but it’s really none of my business telling him how he can and can’t spend his family’s money, is it? Dad? Are you okay? You’re not saying anything.”

“How can I?” He pauses. “When you two get together it’s like two parrots stuck in a biscuit tin.”

“How rude!” Mom laughs. “I don’t think we’re that bad, Daddy.”

“Are we, Dad?” I giggle.

Tiredness washes over his face as he pushes his chair back from the table. “Do you mind if I leave you and your mother to it? I’m going to go and lie down. It’s been a big day.”

My heart breaks. “You’re okay though, Dad, aren’t you?”

“Yes, poppet. More than okay. We’ll catch up later.”

I can’t help but watch as he slowly walks down the hallway and disappears out of sight. He’s not even that old. I don’t even know how this could have happened to him. He was supposed to be fit. He was supposed to be healthy. And then out of nowhere, just like that, he collapses at work and is rushed to hospital. No warning. No nothing. Just like a gunshot—
bang,
and he’s on the ground. Almost taken from us by a heart attack no one saw coming.

“He’s getting there,” Mom whispers, rubbing over the top of my hand. “He’ll be fine, promise.”

I pull my hand out from under hers, getting up from the table before she sees my eyes. “I have to get something out of the car,” I mumble.

“Okay, honey,” she whispers. “You take your time.”