Page 112 of 5+Us Makes Seven

I hadn’t lied about the weekend, I’d planned to visit an old friend I hadn’t seen for a long time and couldn’t cancel on her for a guy I’d just met.

“Sure thing, Eden. It’s a date. See you Monday, then.” He smiled gently at me as he turned to walk away.

“I start around 8,” I called after him as he walked back to the booth. I grinned as I imagined him bragging to Lucas about the date he’d just bagged, but he sat down quietly They started chatting, relaxed. No bragging, no crude jokes.

Jack, I hope it's not my imagination, but you seem different. Complex, clever. Kind. Not just your average guy.

I sighed wistfully. It was going to be a long wait until Monday.

The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. Lucas came up to buy the pair’s last round. I guessed Jack was playing it cool, biding his time until Monday.

As the late afternoon and early evening rush began to fade, the bar grew quiet. We weren’t open that late. There were a few other noisier joints, the biker’s bar, and a strip club or two that drew in the late-night drinkers.

Cindy and I shared one last beer before finishing, and she wished me luck for the pre-date on Monday. I thanked her as we closed up, locking the place for the night.

I got home, feeling loneliness sink in as I was surrounded by emptiness after a busy shift. I couldn’t stop thinking about Jack, how safe I’d felt when he’d been close to me. I longed for his company but was trying my best not to jump into things with both feet.

God knows I got hurt bad before. Don’t want that to happen again.

Something told me that Jack was a lot different than Conall, though. A different sort.

One of the good guys.

My feelings were confusing me. Fear, desire and anticipation swam around in my stomach. I was glad to be visiting Ann tomorrow, an old friend from school who I’d not seen for a few months. I’d promised to go and see her, and we’d finally organized something after a couple of weeks of both being busy as hell.

It would be nice to talk to her, get some support. Try and sort out these feelings aloud. She had a level head. I think I knew what her advice would be already.

Stop worrying, Abs. Go for it. You only live once, and he could be the one. Just be careful, alright?

I smiled, sighing as I headed upstairs for a long bath before bed.

***

The rest of the weekend had passed all too slowly, my mind filled with thoughts of Jack. I had been distracted during my time visiting Ann, and she had noticed almost immediately. We’d gossiped away like we were young girls again, and she’d asked me countless questions about Jack, which had made me realise I barely knew the guy.

I was looking forward to getting to know him better on Monday and couldn’t wait for the dinner I hoped he’d still be taking me for on Thursday. I shuddered with girlish delight, anticipation, and nervousness whenever I thought about it. Ann had wished me luck before I’d left after staying over Saturday night.

I’d returned home early afternoon, trying to distract myself from thoughts of Jack. If I didn’t it would likely be the longest Sunday I’d ever had to struggle through. But I felt good, confident. The slight attention had made me realize I was now a woman, full figured and attractive. I found myself walking with a confident stride, noticing the attention from men I had been ignorant to before.

Not one of them anywhere near as hot as Jack. Damn, I’m a lucky girl. Can’t wait to get to know him better, see him out of that trench coat…

I hoped I wasn’t wrong about him. Fortunately, my woman’s intuition was rarely wrong.

That very reason is why when I heard an ominous knock at the front door I felt the ice-cold grip of fear take over my body. Three knocks. Slow, threatening.

Fuck, Conall. What now? Come round to hit a woman again? Why can’t you just leave me alone?

I sighed as I walked reluctantly to the door. My car was out front on the drive. He knew I was here. If I didn’t answer the door I’d only piss him off more. He was probably only here because he was pissed, high, drunk or desperate. Realistically, he could be any combination of the four.

I opened the door slowly, praying that the visit would be short. I was shocked when I was met by three figures in front of me. Conall in the middle, standing a head taller than the two meatheads with him.

One was black, long dreadlocks hanging down, framing his mean looking face. Hooded, bloodshot eyes looked back at me. The other guy was white, smaller than the other two but broad, fat and muscle heavy on his wide frame. Gold teeth flashed at me through his sarcastic grin as he looked me up and down hungrily.

“Hey, babe. Thought me and my friends would pay you a visit. We need to have a chat, you and me.” He grimaced at me. Amazingly, he appeared sober. Which meant he was probably hung over.

“Listen, Conall. I’ve done what you wanted. Haven’t said a word to anyone, promise. I just want to get on with my life Conall. I wasn’t lying to you.” I pleaded slightly, my heart sinking as his face darkened at my words.

“Well, we’ll see about that. Let's have a chat then, shall we?” He pushed me hard in my stomach as he forced his way into my house. His two goons followed. The guy with gold teeth pushed past me rudely, shoulder barging me aside. The guy with dreadlocks looked at me sheepishly, hanging his head as he followed the other two.