Page 14 of Blackout

‘Yes. But,’ I leaned up close to whisper in Zach’s ear, ‘I would like to get my jumper.’

Zach put my plate on his, and we both stood at the same time. He dumped our plates, then took hold of my hand.

‘I know where I left my jumper, but you haven’t let go of my hand since we got here. What’s that all about? I can’t go anywhere as my car is still at the bar.’ I said to him once we were out of earshot of Zach’s partygoers.

Zach was silent. I had hit a nerve. Good, I told myself. My arousal was sky-high, and I had only spent the day with this man. As Zach lead me through his home to the master bedroom, his face twitched. I passed him, grabbed my jumper from the bed and pulled it on.

I moved towards the bathroom and closed the door, taking my time as I needed a minute to myself, but it wasn’t so I could think. I needed some space. I was hoping the sexual tension between us would ease but when I opened the door, it was still there. It had been a long time since I let myself feel anything for anyone. Zach was unveiling all that I had buried over the last ten years, and I didn’t know how I was going to deal that, let alone the desire he stirred in me.

‘I’m sorry, I just needed a minute. Being here is a lot for me. I’m not usually this social.’ I stood at the threshold between the master bedroom and bathroom.

Zach pulled me away from the bathroom door and closer to his body. It was all I got a chance to say before he kissed my forehead, another sensation that felt far too familiar. But when I tried searching for that particular memory, I couldn’t place it. Zach’s arms rested on my shoulders, and I couldn’t help but put my arms around his waist and my face against his chest to enjoy his cosy embrace.

‘Harley.’ It was the first time he had used my name all day. ‘There, I’ve said it, I’ve said your first name.’ It was almost like he had been given an electric shock. ‘Woman, there is something about you I can’t put my finger on. I don’t know what it is that you do to me, but I haven’t felt like this in an awfully long time. There’s only one person that has ever made me feel this way before…’

Zach’s words died on his lips as though he was lost in a memory from another time. Were his memories from the past just as painful as mine?

Oh boy, okay. It wasn’t just me who felt this way, a tad unsure of our instant connection.

There was an attraction, and the more time I spent with Zach, the more I felt it. As sure as the shiver in my bones, I knew Zach felt the same heat that flared inside of me. It had been a long time since I had relaxed into anyone close to me. I’d leant into Zach earlier this evening without thinking it was the same way I had leant into Zach all those years ago when we would meet down the side of his house.

I moved my head away from his chest and said, ‘You, birthday boy, can’t hide out all night in your bedroom or your friends will send out a search and rescue team.’ Taking charge this time, I turned Zach around and pushed him out of his bedroom and back towards his party. We walked in silence, and it wasn’t long before my hand found his as he led the way across the lawn to his backyard bar.

We stood inside the bar and once again I was lifted up on the bench to the same spot as before. Zach poured two drinks, one for him and one for me, and without a word stood between my legs. I let my knees rub against his hips as he handed me a shot of bourbon.

‘Cheers,’ I said as our shot glasses clinked together, and we both downed the amber liquid at the same time.

‘Thanks,’ Zach smirked at me. ‘I’m glad I dragged you along today.’

‘I don’t think you gave me much choice.’ I scrunched my face up at him. ‘Thank you for last night, this morning and for dragging me along today. Your party tonight has been wonderful. I’ve had a great time.’

‘What other plans did you have for today?’ Zach questioned.

I probably would have slept all day and driven back to my unhappy existence. But Zach didn’t need to know that. ‘Point taken,’ I replied, relieved that he had taken me to his party.

The bourbon had loosened us both up, and Zach’s outer shell was softer now. Maybe mine was too and I didn’t need to worry about the sing-along that was about to take place around the fire.

Zach leaned in, and his lips touched my ear. ‘It’s time.’ My heart fluttered and my body buzzed all over as he pulled me off the bar bench to lead me out into the middle of his backyard.

Six

The last remnants of the day left a pink hue to the sky. I looked up to see the sun had almost set. The evening air had turned cool. It wouldn’t be long now, and the days would become shorter – a sure sign winter was on its way. The party tonight offered warmth by way of a fire, which was in full throttle. As I looked around me, the backyard had a glow to it that took my breath away. It was so pretty here, and right on cue, someone turned on the party lights. They lit up Zach’s whole backyard from his veranda to the bar, and I thought to myself, This moment couldn’t be any more beautiful. I squeezed Zach’s hand, but he already knew how pretty it was here. After all, this was his house.

There was a strum of a guitar, so I guessed it was time for that sing-along. I turned around to see Brock at full height with his guitar up in the air, as only rock stars did. Zach’s guests started to gather around the fire pit and took their seats.

Brock strummed a couple more cords on his guitar, and I could see he wanted Zach to join him. No way was I able to go over and join the others without more alcohol. I stepped away from him and moved back towards the bar. I reached for the bottle of bourbon when his hand landed on mine.

‘Zach!’ I said, and he responded with a murmur. I could feel his front pressed up against my back. ‘I need alcohol to do this. My mouth will dry up otherwise. It’s been a while since I’ve done this, sat down with someone playing the guitar. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of your friends, so I need this.’ My dad would often sit in our backyard and play his guitar and wait for Addison and me to join him and sing along.

‘Harley,’ Zach said as he turned me around. ‘I believe in you. You’ve got this. I’ll be right next to you, and I’ll even hold your hand if you want me to, okay, babe.’

‘Okay.’ Zach words were a boost of confidence I needed to get me through singing in front of others again.

Zach took the bottle from my hand and went in search of cups and a mixer. When he found what he was after, he grabbed my hand and led me over to where Brock was. Brock had seated himself on one side of the bench with Shea on one side of him and Adam on the other. I followed Zach to the only space left on the bench and we sat down. Everyone talked around us as we all waited for Brock to start.

Zach poured my drink while Brock strummed his guitar again. He started to play the intro to a familiar tune and then he started to sing. Of course, everyone knew the song and sang along while I looked around at everyone in awe, thinking to myself how cool this was. They had all done this before and took their cue to sing their parts. Even Zach was surprised by the compilation that had been put together for his birthday, all Aussie artists. His friends really did know how to go all out.

The first few songs were sung with only Brock on guitar. He warmed up Zach’s birthday party crowd with songs from Noiseworks, Crowded House and AC/DC. Shea leaned into whisper in his ear. I wasn’t sure what it was with those two, but Brock reluctantly handed over his guitar. Shea grinned from ear to ear, happy she had gotten what she wanted. She knew how to wrap the boys around her finger. Shea tightened the strings of Brocks guitar to the sound she wanted. Then she said, ‘Are we ready to ‘Kick It Up’, ladies?’