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Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 01

By: OldKingClancy



Notice: While re-reading the first chapter I noticed a major fuck-up in the dates, in one year Alexandra went from ten to twelve and I never noticed it. I apologize for this but after seeing it I had to change it, this has given me the chance to address some of the grammatical errors people pointed out so hopefully this revise will go down better.

To those who have already read this chapter the second chapter will be uploaded soon. 

**

This is a story about a relationship so it makes sense to have the start of the story at the relationship. It was April 1970 when two year old Adam McAllister was taken down the hospital hallway; he recognized the place as where the men in the white coats made him feel better but why was he here today, he wasn't ill.

Adam looked up at his mother, she had a smile on her face so she was happy, but she was also crying, so she sad. As they approached the white door Adam began to panic, what was behind there, was it good or bad, why wasn't his mother telling him anything?

His mother slowly pushed the white door, Adam let out a sigh of relief, it was only her sister, his aunt, sitting in a bed. She too had a smile and tears in her eyes, what was going on between these people? And what was his aunt holding?

His aunt looked up from what she holding. "Hey Claire, you made it."

"How you holding up Jane?"

"I'm exhausted; Susan's just downstairs getting a coffee."

"No Craig?"

Jane looked away, ashamed at the mention of her husband.

"Thought not, you'd think that for once that son of a bitch would get off his ass for his own daughter's birth."

"Claire. Leave Craig alone I'm sure he has his reasons. He'll be here later today, I know it."

Claire rolled her eyes at her little sister's painfully dependent nature. She looked down at her son he was confused by everything.

"Sorry you had to hear that honey, come up here, there's someone that wants to meet you."

Meet him? There were only three people in the room and they all knew each other. Before he knew it Adam was lifted up and onto the same bed as his aunt, she removed the blanket covering the bundle in her arms.

Underneath Adam saw the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen, a tiny little person, eyes half open, mouth agape in a yawn, specks of blonde hair covering their round red face.

His aunt smiled at his expression. "Adam, meet Alexandra, this is your cousin."

Adam felt a massive smile on his face as he looked down at this teeny tiny little baby girl. He stroked her chin making her giggle, the two of the caught eyes with each other.

In those few seconds a friendship was formed between Adam McAllister and Alexandra Buchannan, a friendship that over the years would take them to the best and worst moments of their lives.

But in those first few, innocent seconds neither of them knew this future, they were just happy to meet each other.

1975

Over the next few years Adam and Alexandra formed an unbreakable bond, living so close to each other they saw each other almost every day, they told each other secrets, they helped each other. They were just happy to be around each other.

Adam could never understand why their parents didn't feel the same way when they met, as he got older and began to become aware of sibling bonds he wondered why his mother and his aunt were sometimes sad to see each other and at other times angry. From overhearing their arguments he heard Uncle Craig's name pop up a lot, mum didn't seem to like Uncle Craig and called him horrible names.

One Saturday afternoon he and Alexandra were in Adam's back garden playing while Auntie Jane was talking to mummy inside.

"You excited for school on Monday?" He asked his cousin, she was starting school in a few days and was a little nervous.

"A bit." 

"It's ok no-one will do anything bad. If you need anyone just come find me."

Adam heard his mother shouting from inside. "Call the police on that bastard."

He looked and saw his mum and auntie arguing, Auntie Jane had a bag of frozen peas to her eye.

"How'd Auntie Jane hurt her eye?"

"Mummy was making a lot of noise so daddy made her stop. Daddy doesn't like loud noises."

"Does your dad ever make you stop making loud noises?"

"No, my daddy loves me and he always makes me feel special. He's always kissing me and stroking me and tickling me on my bum."

Alexandra giggled but Adam didn't join her, he couldn't explain it but he didn't like the sound of what her father was doing to her. He knew from experience of walking in on his own mother when he was younger that bums and things between people's legs were private and not meant to be shown to other people, so why was Uncle Craig tickling Alexandra's bum.

Auntie Jane came out the house and picked Alexandra up. "Come on honey, we have to leave."

"Yeah cause going back to the problem is going to help."

"Claire just leave me alone ok. Say goodbye to Adam honey."

"Bye Adam."

"Bye Lexi."

Auntie Jane and Alexandra left after that, Claire followed them still arguing with her sister. Adam went inside to find his mum crying on the sofa.

"What's wrong mum?"

"Oh it's nothing dear; you'll understand when you're older."

Sensing something, Adam sat next to his mother and hugged her, she seemed to appreciate it.

1978

It was a few days before Christmas and Adam and Alexandra were taken out to play in the snow by Auntie Jane. Adam had brought along his new sled which he and Alexandra were having endless amounts of fun with, sliding down the hills, feeling every bump in the ground. Even Auntie Jane was smiling. They were walking though a snow covered field when Alexandra spotted a large hill, she tugged on Adam's jacket.

"Adam Adam Adam. Can we please go down the big hill? Please can we? Please please please."

"Only if your mum says it's ok."

"Can we mum, please?"

"Alright, but be careful."

Alexandra let out a little squeal as she grabbed Adam's hand and dragged him to the hill. Jane stood back as she watched her daughter and her nephew climb the cold white hill, a rare smile on her face. 

At the top of the hill Adam looked around, it was a lot bigger than he expected, he could see miles into the distance, he felt Alexandra tugging on his arm.

"Come on Adam I want to go sledging."

"Ok Ok."

Adam laid the sledge on the edge of the hill, he sat down in the back then helped Alexandra into the front, holding her tight around her waist. The two of them scooted forward, pushing the sledge forward until they finally tipped the balance and flew down the hill. 

Adam could feel himself laughing but he couldn't hear it, the only noise was the music of Alexandra giggling, the air whooshed past them, they were going to take off at any moment, take off and fly through the air.

But they weren't about to fly. When they reached the bottom of the hill Adam came back to reality as they were still speeding and weren't slowing down. Adam looked in front of them and saw a large patch of branches and thistles getting closer and closer, instinctively Adam bent over and covered his cousin. His whole body protected her as they crashed through the bushes, Adam felt a sharp, whip-like pain across his left eye.

Then they were flying.

**

Adam didn't know how long he was out, must not have been long because he could hear Auntie Jane's voice yelling to him and Alexandra in the distance. He blinked and tried to get his bearings; he was on his back looking up at the sky, although he was blind through his left eye, it was just a dark red blur, there was a pain on his right side and his left leg felt wet for some reason. He sat himself, a painful act as his right arm felt the beginnings of a nasty bruise and his shoulder felt stiff, possibly dislocated. Somehow he managed to sit up and looked around where he was. 

He was in a reclusive place, the whole area was blocked off by the bushes that he and Alexandra had crashed through, there was a small pond in the middle surrounded by a dirt and bark walkway only separated by a river flowing in and out of the pond, there was even an upside down shopping trolley in the middle of the pond. The place had an otherworldly feel to it, it was completely silent not even birds or bugs made noise here.

Suddenly the silence was broken and for the first time he heard Alexandra crying. He looked for her and saw her across the pond, somehow he had flown across while she fell out soon after they crashed, she was sitting by the sledge. Adam stood up and limped his way round the pond, he picked her up and the two of them left the pond, they never returned for the sledge.

Jane was in a state having just watched the two children hurt themselves. She took the two of them back to her house, bursting through the front door and finding her husband Craig in the living room.

"Craig I need your help."

He ignored her.

"Craig please you need to help us."

Again he ignored her, he picked up the TV remote and turned the channel. Jane let out a sigh.

"Sir can you please help me as I cannot do anything without you."

Craig turned, smiling at his wife. "Yes dear how can I help you?"

"Adam and Alexandra were in an accident with the sledge, Adam needs to be taken to hospital. I need you to... need your help in driving him there."

"How's my daughter?"

"She's fine just a few bruises and a cut."

"You let my daughter get harmed."

"No, no it was an accident."

"Bullshit you're just useless. You're a terrible mother you let your own child get hurt while you whored yourself out to strangers."

"No, Craig I never took my eyes off them."

Suddenly Craig grabbed his wife's chin, he snarled at her. "No. Sir. Understand."

Jane nodded quickly, trying hard not to burst into tears. Craig smiled and let her go, he walked outside to where Adam and Alexandra were sitting on a wall.

"Come on then, into the car. We better have someone take a look at that before you lose your eye."

Craig smiled and opened the car door. He couldn't tell because of his injury but Adam was staring at his uncle with a look of hate and anger. He'd always suspected his uncle of being violent but now having watched him attack his own wife he knew it.

At the hospital the doctors fixed up Adam's eye, it wasn't a bad as they thought it would be but Adam was now left with a scar across his face that he would have for the rest of his life. His own parents arrived a few hours after his operation to take him home, their arrival meant that Jane, Craig and Alexandra could leave. Walking away Adam swore he saw Craig stroke his daughter's leg just a little too close to her privates. He would've said something but he didn't want to base his accusation on the ridiculous imagination of a ten year old.

1982

Adam's fear of his uncle's dark nature never fell from his mind but he could never find any proof of it, he didn't want to just ask Alexandra if her father was molesting her, she seemed to idolise him and may take offence if he brought it up, if she did she may tell her father and if she did that there would be no end of shit that he would face from her parents and his. 

Of course that didn't mean he couldn't try to keep her from Craig. One day when she was 12 he went round to her house, knocking on the door he was answered by Jane, he was shocked but unsurprised to see yet another black eye on her.

"Oh hello Adam."

"Hello Aunt Jane, what was it this time, door or fall down the stairs."

"Adam..."

"Leave it Aunt Jane. Where's Lexi?"

"She's upstairs with Crai..."

Adam pushed forward and barged his way upstairs, he could see his uncle and cousin on her bed, Craig was tickling Alexandra's chin but his free hand was creeping slowly up her thigh.

Adam cleared his throat loudly so they would know he was there, Alexandra was happy to see him while Craig looked disappointed.

"Hey Adam." Alexandra squealed out.

"Hey Lexi, you want to head out."

Craig immediately grabbed his daughter's arm. "I'm sorry Adam but Alexandra and I were spending the day together, perhaps next time."

"Well my dad says it was ok for Lexi to play with me, I can ask him again if you want."

The look on Craig's face could not have been worse, he let go of his daughter and shoed the two of them away, Adam quickly left with his cousin, much to the surprise of Jane.

Outside they headed towards the play park, Adam battled with asking Alexandra the question. 

"How can you let him do that to you?"

"Do what?"

"All that touching, you know it's not right."

"Yes it is, daddy's just showing me how much he loves me. I'm his special girl."

"Trust me Lexi that's not love. It's wrong and he shouldn't be doing it, if he tries to do it again tell him no."

"Why?"

"Just believe me ok, you must feel strange when he's doing it."

"Dad, daddy says that's normal."

The colour was draining from Alexandra's face as she began to realise the lie her father had been telling her her whole life.

"Just tell him no Lexi and he won't hurt you."

The two cousins stayed close together for the rest of the day, when it was time to return home Alexandra didn't want to, for the first time in twelve years she was afraid of her father.

1985

Adam immediately regretted telling Alexandra the truth about her father. For the next three years her life was a misery, she was a usually happy girl but after finding out the truth she become quiet and depressed, what was worse was that Adam had played his cards too early and now Craig was getting better at hiding his dark ways, the only way Adam knew he'd done something was when Alexandra told him.

Adam knew his parents were aware of the abuse Jane got from her husband, they'd even witnessed firsthand the psychological damage Craig deals out, but they were only suspicious of his actions against Alexandra, he hated the fact that they did nothing but neither did he, why was his fear that great that he couldn't save his best friend.

Everything finally came to a head in July 1985. It was Craig and Jane's anniversary and Adam and his parents went round for a dinner. Adam could tell by Craig's eyes that he didn't want that. 

But despite his underlying disapproval he stayed quiet and the six of them had a good talk, that was until halfway through the main course. The adults were talking about work when Adam's mother made a simple compliment.

"Mmm, Jane this food is great, I forgot how great you're cooking was."

"Thanks. I've never managed to get the mash potatoes right before but today it just worked."

The adults laughed but Craig stayed silent, he simple stared at his wife until the laughter died down.

"What was that honey?" He spoke with an oily subtext.

"Nothing sir."

"No, no. You said something about the potatoes. What was it again?"

"I, I, I said I've never managed to get the mash potatoes right before."

"But we've ate mash potatoes hundreds of times. Are you telling me that all those other times you served me rubbish?"

"No I was just saying..."

"No you said it yourself, the other hundred times you cooked mash potatoes they were rubbish. Why are you serving me rubbish Jane?"

The tension in the room was building fast, Adam was getting angrier and angrier by the second while his parents were in stunned silence.

Jane was noticeably shaking with fear. "I haven't served you rubbish."

"Yes you have Jane. You've served me rubbish and admitted it in front of our family. Does that make you feel big Jane, telling you family that I've ate rubbish?"

"I haven't..."

"Do you like eating rubbish Jane?"

"No."

"I think you do otherwise why would you serve it to the family?"

Craig stood up and stepped around the table to his wife's chair, he stood to her side, towering over her. "Come here."

There was only a second's hesitation from Jane but it was enough for Craig, he grabbed his wife's hair and dragged her into the kitchen. He knocked over a bin, spilling the rubbish inside and threw his wife into it all.

"There, you love rubbish so that can be your dinner."

"Craig will you leave her alone." Adam's father spoke up finally. 

"Leave it Kieran this is my wife and I'll deal with her my way. Eat up honey."

"I don't want to."

At this Craig near enough kicked his wife's head into the mess. The sound of her crying set off Adam. "Will you just leave her alone goddamn it she's done nothing wrong."

"Sit down boy or I'll give you a scar to rival that one."

Claire was furious at the threat to her son and the treatment her sister was getting but she couldn't say anything.

Not wanting anymore violence Jane picked out a semi-rotten apple core and started biting into it, trying not to gag as she chewed.

Craig smiled evilly. "That's good honey, you can eat that for the rest of your life now because I'm not buying you anymore food for you to turn into rubbish." He turned back into the dining room and picked up his coat.

"Come on Alexandra honey we're leaving."

Alexandra stayed where she was.

"Alexandra we're leaving. Get your coat."

"No."

That surprised even Adam, Craig stood over his daughter. "What did you say?"

"I said I'm not going with you, I'm not going so you can touch me without anyone watching."

Kieran shot up. "What did you say Alexandra? Does your father molest you?"

"Fuck off Kieran she's my daughter I can raise her how I feel."

"She's not your daughter."

Everyone turned round to Jane who was still on the floor, her face a mess and her hair dishevelled. Craig's eyes grew wide with fury. 

"What?"

"I said she's not your daughter. You're not her father Craig."

"That's impossible."

"How, how is it impossible for me to go out and find someone who loves me, who wants to fuck me and who doesn't treat me like shit?" 

Everyone was silent except Alexandra who was getting close to bursting into tears. "Mum?"

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way honey."

"Who is my father?"

"An old work friend, Ray Henderson, he was promoted years ago and now works in Berlin, he doesn't know about you."

Craig's face was getting ready to blow. "How can you be sure that it's his and not mine."

"Oh fuck you Craig, we hadn't fucked in months because you didn't believe I was worthy of your tiny dick. I fucked Ray and only fucked you after I found out I was pregnant."

"I don't believe you."

"Jesus you've been so fucking dense all these years. Look at her eyes, mine are brown, so are yours, hers are green. She takes after her father."

Craig stared at Alexandra's eyes and suddenly the realisation hit him, she wasn't his daughter. That's when he snapped and lunged at Jane. "I'll fucking kill you you whore cunt."

It was only the saving grace of Kieran who managed to tackle Craig and hold him to the ground while Jane got out the way that saved her life. Kieran kept Craig there while Claire phoned the police. Alexandra ran upstairs to her room followed closely by Adam, they shut the door and sat down on the bed.

"How you feeling?"

"I don't know, I've just found out the man who's been abusing me my whole life isn't my father, I'm a bastard Adam."

"Come here Lexi."

Alexandra burst into tears and she hugged her cousin, the two of them lay on her bed as she cried out years of abuse and lies. They could hear the commotion downstairs but they didn't pay attention to it, right then it was just the two of them. They fell asleep and stayed like that together until the next morning.

The next week Jane and Alexandra sold their house, divorced Craig, packed up and left. Adam was left a note from Alexandra telling him she didn't say good bye because if she did she wouldn't want to leave.

1989

It had been four years since Adam saw his cousin, he was now 21 and in university studying law. He kept in touch with Alexandra through letters and postcards but he hadn't actually seen her since she left town. Adam was so focussed on his schoolwork that he never had time to go down to Wales where Alexandra was living now and with her mother refusing to set foot in Scotland again she didn't have enough money or even a car to head up herself.


Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 01



This of course changed that a few months ago when Adam was told Alexandra had been saving up and was planning on taking her next summer holiday with him, she's be taking a train up and living at his house for a week. Adam practically jumped at the idea. As the days got closer he found it harder and harder to sleep, he was a kid at Christmas waiting for his presents to arrive, he missed his cousin dearly and wanted to see her again as soon as possible. His best friend and previous flat-mate Liam Nelson picked up on his anticipation.

"Will you sit down Adam, you're making me nauseous."

"Sorry."

Adam sat down on his desk chair, Liam offered him a joint but Adam turned it down. Liam lit his own and the two of them returned to their game of Street Fighter.

"I don't know why you're so nervous about this girl."

"You don't understand, Lexi's been through a lot, she was my best friend when I was a kid but we haven't seen each other in a long time. I've missed her."

"You girl."

"Oh sorry I have emotions unlike you fucking robot."

Liam only laughed, this was a usual occurrence for the two of them, Liam was a shell and Adam wore his heart on his sleeve. They played for a couple of hours more before Liam was called back to his girlfriend's house. For the rest of the day Adam was on edge waiting for Alexandra to arrive, every time he heard something outside his door he jumped up to open it. 

It was around 8 in the evening when he finally got that knock he'd been waiting for all day, he nearly rushed to open the door but he managed to compose himself before doing so.

On the other side was Alexandra, Adam was not ready for how great she looked, she was dressed simple yet still so great, a simple white t-shirt that did very little to hide her impressive breasts, riding up just high enough to show her belly button, jeans that hugged every smooth curve of her ass and legs. Her long, curly, dirty blonde hair framed her soft, innocent face brilliantly. Looking at her Adam was finding it hard to believe she was 19, or that she was his cousin.

"Hello Adam."

"... Sorry, wow Lexi, is that really you. You look amazing."

"Thanks, can I come in."

"Sure, sure. Let me get your bags for you."

"Cheers."

Adam let Alexandra past then he picked up her suitcase and took it inside. Alexandra was looking around his apartment.

"I'm impressed Adam, how can you afford a place this big."

"The university helps with most of the cost but I was living with my mate Liam for a couple years before you came. He moved out a couple months ago to live with his girlfriend."

"Sounds serious."

"Should be, she's 4 months pregnant."

"Really? Wow that's a good first impression of this place."

Adam laughed. "You're room's right through there, if you find any of Liam's stuff just chuck it out he won't miss it."

Alexandra took her hand and gently stroked the scar covering Adam's left eye, remembering how he got it.

"Thank you."

She kissed the scar and smiled sweetly at her cousin. As Adam watched her, still dumbstruck, Alexandra took her bag through to her room, leaving her other two outside to deal with later. Exhausted from her long trip she fell back onto the bed, she would've fallen asleep but somehow she was too tired to sleep, instead she just lay there as the memories about her childhood came back to her, everything from the good with Adam to the bad with Craig. When she wiped away her tear she couldn't tell if it was happy or sad.

Adam opened himself a beer from the fridge and sat on the arm of his sofa, his mind still running with the thought that this gorgeous woman was his baby cousin. Four years is a long time but she had changed so much in that time. He found himself nursing his beer just as Alexandra walked out her room.

"So what do you think of the place?"

"I think it's brilliant. It's good to see you again Adam."

"It's great to see you Lexi."

The two of them hugged, the warmth between them not going unnoticed by either, Adam kissed the side of her head just as Liam opened the door.

"Hey Adam I just wanted to drop off..."

Liam stopped when he spotted Adam and this new girl breaking off a hug. "Not interrupting anything am I Adam?"

"No Adam, me and Lexi were just getting reacquainted." 

"Yeah well remember to use protection if you decide to 'acquaint' yourselves further." 

Alexandra quickly shot her cousin a puzzled look but was looking back at Liam before he noticed. "I'm just here to drop off my spare key I'll be out of your hair in a minute."

"Come on Liam, you were never a good liar."

"Alright you got me, I saw you outside and with the suitcases I guessed you were here for Adam so I followed you in and saw you go up to his room. I waited a few minutes hoping to catch the two of you at it."

Again Alexandra looked at her cousin confused. Liam stuck out his hand for her to shake. "Admiral Nelson my dear lady, Liam to my friends."

Alexandra giggled and took Liam's hand. "Alexandra Buchannan, Alex to my friends and Lexi to my best one."

Liam kissed Alexandra's hand. "My dear, I hope that you will use your wily charms on my celibate accomplice here and get him rightfully and royally laid."

"Ok that's it 'Admiral' time for you to return to the high seas and tend to your maiden and her cargo."

Adam pretended to push Liam away. "Aar matey, it's a cruel mistress's fate that forces me to return home but me house booty awaits my arrival. Avast ye scurvy dogs."

Liam left and Adam shut the door, making sure to lock it. He turned back to a laughing Alexandra.

"Sorry about that Lexi, Liam's a bit of a sea nut; loves boats and marine life and all that. Studying marine biology at the college."

"I liked him, he's funny. Why did he think you and I were a couple."

"Ah, I em, sorta forgot to mention that you were my cousin. I told people that my best friend Lexi was coming to visit."

"And why did that slip your mind?"

"I don't know. Most likely I was trying to get Liam off my back about the whole girlfriend thing and the lack of it I'm having."

"Is that why he called you celibate? Because you're a virgin?"

Adam sat down next to Alexandra. "Well I don't like to shout it out but yeah. Liam's been trying to get me laid for months but I haven't got round to it yet."

"Round to it yet? You make it sound like a chore."

"With what I've gone through with Liam it feels like it."

"Why haven't you popped your cherry yet?"

"I would say I'm looking for the right girl but even hearing that now it sounds stupid. It's my excuse anyway, hopefully with us being old friends people will think you're the right girl."

"So you're going to tell people we fucked just to get them off your back?"

"You make it sound so terrible but yeah. Is that ok with you?"

"Adam, you've done so much for me it's the least I can do. It's a little strange but if that's what you want."

"Thank you Lexi, I know this is a big ask. Do you want a drink?"

"Please."

Adam got another two beers out the fridge, opened them and gave one to Alexandra as he sat down next to her again.

"So what about you Lexi, you popped the Big V yet."

"I feel bad for saying this but yeah I did, a couple years ago."

"Who was the lucky guy?"

"Adam, I love you but can we please not talk about my sex life."

"Why not?"

"Because I always feel like such a slut when I'm reminded of who and how many people I've slept with. Take my first time for example. That ended up being a drunken fuck with some guy I barely knew."

"Damn."

"I know, just, just don't talk about ok."

Sensing his cousins' sadness, Adam put down his beer and cuddled her, letting her head rest on his chest.

"Damn you Adam, why do you have to always be so fuckin smart?"

"I'm not smart I'm just nice."

"Nice guy like you, you should have the girls clawing at you."

"The girls aren't into nice guys Lexi, they want the studded jocks with the foot long cocks and the muscles."

"Trust me Adam, I've been around enough to know that I want a nice guy more than anything."

"Shh your mouth Lexi, you're too young to have regrets. Listen, you finish that beer then we'll order something to eat, my treat."

**

That night as Adam lay in his bed, thinking about his cousin and trying desperately not to get an erection, he heard a strange noise coming from next door. Concerned he got up and slowly walked out his bedroom and round the corner to Alexandra's bedroom. He put his ear up to the door and sure enough there was a strange noise coming from within, short, quick breaths, loud sniffing. Was Alexandra crying?

He knocked on her door. "Lexi, you alright?"

Silence. He was about to knock again when he heard her. "Yeah Adam I'm good, I'll see you in the morning."

Even if he wasn't a lawyer in training he would've been suspecting of her voice, she wasn't fine but it was too late to talk to her now, tomorrow was another day.

In the morning, Adam was up long before Alexandra, wanting to spoil her he brought out some pans and a grill and cooked some a full English Breakfast, and this was truly full, bacon, sausages, eggs, black pudding, mushrooms, toast. He'd even found a couple tomatoes in his fridge.

The warm smell of meat and grease wafted through the hallway causing Alexandra to float out of bed and into the kitchen. 

"Smells delicious Adam, I didn't know you could cook."

"Well Liam couldn't so I had to learn, after a few years I've gotten pretty good."

Adam placed to full plates on the table and fetched the condiments as Alexandra sat down, Adam sneaked a look at her night-time attire, a purple basketball vest that hung loosely off her shoulder and gave him a good look at her barely covered breasts, the vest came to about somewhere in-between her stomach and her groin so he could see her thin, baby-blue panties and her long, thin legs as she stretched out in front of him.

"Um, you want ketchup or brown sauce?" He asked her, desperate to take his mind elsewhere.

"Brown please."

Adam handed her the brown sauce and sat down beside her, they both dug into their breakfasts, Alexandra wolfed hers down like she hadn't ate in months.

"That was fantastic Adam, if you're going to cook like that everyday I'm going to gain about 10 pounds."

"Every day? Lexi that was everything in my fridge, you want to eat you better buy the food."

"Excuse me? I'm your guest, why am I buying your food?"

"You're buying our food because I'm cooking the damn stuff."

Alexandra laughed. "Look at us, bickering like an old married couple."

"I can only dream Lexi."

She laughed again, Adam loved hearing her laugh. They caught eyes with each other, both smiling, Adam wiped a hair away from her eyes.

"I love hearing you laugh Lexi, it's so much better than the noise you made last night."

Alexandra rolled her eyes. "God you're on that. For a clever guy Adam that wasn't very smart ruining this moment."

"I'm sorry Lexi I'm just concerned y'know. I'm supposed to look after you."

"Look it was nothing, it's just something that's been going on a few years now."

"A few years, Jesus Lexi what is it?"

"It's nothing Adam. It's just that sometimes I have nightmares, mostly about Craig and what he did. It's really nothing I swear, I've gotten over it but sometimes I'm reminded of him and seeing you for the first time in years yesterday brought back so many memories."

"My god Lexi I'm so sorry."

"Don't be, you weren't the sick bastard that felt up a kid."

Adam could sense this conversation turning sour so he placed his hand on Alexandra's knee.

He swore he could feel the electricity pass between them as he touched her bare skin, she was warm, incredibly warm and Adam could almost feel her pulse, he could definitely feel the short hairs on her thigh stand up suddenly.

Alexandra cleared her throat. "Thanks Adam, for everything. I'm going to get showered."

More quickly than she'd have liked to have done Alexandra ran through to the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it quickly behind her. With her back against the door she slid to the floor. What the hell was that that just happened between her and Adam? Why were her nipples poking out her vest and why was there a wet patch on her underwear.

She ignored the obvious signs of arousal and jumped in the shower, she fought hard against her urge to get herself off. Although the feeling of hot water and soap on her body made the temptation almost too great. 

When she got out the shower she heard voices from the living room, hiding behind the wall she listened as Adam talked to Liam, surprised that she never even heard the door open.

"So have you two done the horizontal dance yet?"

"Jesus Liam, why are you so obsessed with this?"

"That's a no. I'm just worried about you Adam, this isn't healthy."

"What? It isn't healthy to wait to find the right girl."

"No. Christ Adam it's almost the 90s, things are changing, people aren't bothered with relationships anymore."

"Says the man in one."

"Hey I've played my field, it was just shorter than other peoples. You my friend have yet to enter your field."

"Look. Lexi is the one ok, I've known her for years and I love her. I will sleep with her but I want a relationship with her, not some stupid little one night stand."

"Whatever man, just pop that cherry before she leaves. Bring her to the party."

Adam groaned. "Alright I will, now just get going, I don't want Lexi to see you, you two start talking and no doubt you'll embarrass me."

"Fine, don't forget, Friday at 9 at the warehouse."

"I know I know. I'll see you there."

Liam left the flat, Adam turned round just as Alexandra stepped out from behind the wall.

"So, you want a relationship with me."

"I'm sorry Lexi, you weren't meant to hear that. I was only lying to Liam."

Alexandra gave Adam a look that showed she didn't believe him. Adam on the other hand was looking at her with inappropriate thoughts again, her blonde hair hung wet on her shoulders and chest, the towel around her body stopped high on her thigh, if she sat down he would've been able to see everything easily. The knowledge that she was naked and only a towel separated his eyes from her body was torture to Adam. 

"So what's this about a party?"

"Liam's throwing a house party on Friday, he's stole some keys from his uncle and we're heading out to the docks, party at the warehouse."

"That safe?"

"Well we all know to run if the police turn up and if anyone gets caught they aren't going to get arrested, just a telling off and a call to their parents."

"You going?"

"I was planning to but if you don't want to go..."

"No no I want to. We don't have that many parties in Wales, when we do they're wild, but they're few and far between."

"Ok then, I'll phone Liam and tell him you're coming."

Alexandra gave a little giggle and turned back to her room. Adam watched her, lost in a trance he only snapped out of it when the smoke filled his nostrils and he realised his breakfast was burning.

Alexandra joined him after she'd gotten dressed, he apologized for the burns but she didn't mind and sat down with him to eat.

"So what do you want to do today?" He asked her.

"I want to walk around town, see what's changed. Head back to the pond."

Adam felt his scar tingle at the mention of the pond, a good tingle though, he wanted to go back there as well.

"We'll do all that and more, as soon as I'm dressed we'll head out."

Alexandra took a bite out of her toast and smiled.

Around an hour later, at a time closer to 12 than 11, Adam and Alexandra set off. They took a slow walk down the road, pointing out places and saying 'Do you remember where...?" and pointing at shops and asking 'Didn't that use to be...?'. Before long they found themselves by the burn, the sunlight breaking through the thick branches of the trees above them only slightly keeping them cool. 

"So how's Aunt Jane these days?"

"She's doing good, I told you she remarried right?"

"Yeah, sorry I missed the wedding, I wanted to go but it was an important exam, assessed so I couldn't reschedule."

"Don't worry Adam, you're mother told us when she arrived."

"How is he, you're step-father?"

"Damien, he's good. He loves my mother, that's completely obvious, and he treats me nice. A lot better than Craig."

Adam took his cousin's hand in his, squeezing it lightly so she knew he was there.

"You have any idea what happened to him?" She asked Adam.

"He got attacked in prison, both legs broken and a pipe to the back of the head. He's fucked up now, can't remember anything past last week. Got let out early because of that but he's now in a home, having someone wipe his arse for him."

"Oh." Alexandra's voice had a hint of sadness to it, she expecting, or wished, him dead by now.

"What about you, what are you doing right now?" Adam quickly changed the subject

"I'm at college right now, didn't get the grades I needed for Uni so I compromised. I'm studying Art."

"I remember you were always painting as a youngster, you got really messy with the paint."

Alexandra smiled. "Yeah well this time there's more paint on the paper than on me."

Adam laughed with her, he was glad that there was no awkwardness between them after so long apart. They kept walking for another 10 minutes before they came across the pond, the trees surrounding it had grown immensely, keeping the whole area shrouded in darkness. Adam pushed his way through the branches, carving a path for Alexandra who followed him in and making sure neither of them got another scar.

Inside they saw that the trolley was still stuck in the pond, though it was now lower and rustier than years before. There was more rubbish than ever and the wet, brown leaves covered the path, years of Autumns obviously sheltered by the thick branches. But despite the detritus that coated the pond it was still a beautiful sight, whether it was the thin rays of sunlight that broke through the trees and danced on the water or the simple memory of this place, Adam smiled contently, he felt Alexandra's hand lock in his and hold it there.

"Who would've thought a little accident could make this place mean so much?"

"Little accident? Speak for yourself Lexi, I'm still carrying the war wounds."

"Ha, you big baby Adam, and here I was thinking you were a big hero."

"When the time calls for it Lexi, when the time calls."

The two of them sat down, Alexandra took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one.

"You smoke?" Asked a confused Adam.

"Sometimes, like a packet a month, sometimes less. Don't tell mum."

"Don't worry I won't."

The two of them sat there for a while, Alexandra with her knees up by her chest as she lingered on her cigarette, Adam lying back, propped up on his elbows and skimming stones across the pond. The sat in silence for a long time before Adam broke it.

"Do you ever think about coming back here, you know to live or to study?"

"Sometimes, I do miss you when I'm at home but this place, for every good memory I have a bad one to go with it. If I came back here I'd just be punishing myself."

"I thought I told you to stop having regrets."

"Easy for you to say, you don't seem to worry about anything, whatever the hell you're smoking give me a hit."

Adam sat up, put his arm around Alexandra and kissed her head. 

"I love you Lexi."

"I love you too."

Alexandra felt a tear run down her face, it was one of sad happiness, she was happy to be with her cousin but sad because of the reasons why.

**

The next night Adam was watching TV when Alexandra came through, she had changed for bed so she was wearing that purple basketball vest again with the skimpy pants underneath.

"Hey."

"Hey, mind if I sit with you?"

"Not at all Lexi." Adam scooted over, allowing Alexandra to sit beside him.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 01



"Thanks. What you watching?"

"Just channel flicking, I've got a couple videos if you want to watch one."

"What do you have?"

Adam got up and knelt in front of the TV cabinet. "Well there's Beverly Hills Cop, there's The Untouchables, good but I don't know if you'd like it. And, oh, Dirty Dancing. That must be Maggie's, Liam probably left it here." "Oh put that on, I missed it in cinemas and I've been wanting to watch it."

"Eh. Sure I'm just kidding. Don't tell Liam but the film's a guilty pleasure of mine."

Adam put the video in the machine and sat down with Alexandra, he was surprised when she shifted herself so she was lying across him with her head on his chest. Adam had seen the film and he enjoyed it but watching it with Alexandra for the first time made it all the better. She seemed to really enjoy it, she had a huge smile on her face during the 'Loverboy' sequence, she came close to crying when Johnny said 'Nobody puts baby in the corner' but was back to laughs at the final dance lift.

Neither of them noticed it to begin with but not long after the 'Corner' line Adam found himself and Alexandra had drifted closer together during the course of the film. When they started her head was on his chest but now his head was resting atop of hers, his arm was draped on her, just below her breasts but most importantly, his groin was pressed up against her barely concealed ass. He could feel both her cheeks hugging the outline of his growing erection. He prayed she wouldn't noticed.

At the end of the film Alexandra yawned loudly and got up, her uplifted arms raised her basketball vest giving Adam an even better look at her near bare ass. 

"Well I enjoyed that Adam, but it's late I'm heading to bed now."

"Alright, I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight. Try not to make too much noise dealing with that thing now."

Before Adam could say anything, Alexandra had turned with a giggle and walked away. She had felt him, but she wasn't mad about it. In any case she was acting slightly flirty about the whole thing.

She definitely wasn't the same girl from years before.

**

The next day was Friday, the day of Liam's party. He had made sure that everyone who said they were coming was coming and being some form of alcohol, the exception being Alexandra who had only arrived a few days ago. Since the party was at a warehouse on the docks and since that wasn't the most legal of places Liam told everyone to not come all at once. He was surprisingly organised for a house party.

Adam and Alexandra took a taxi to a club nearby and walked the rest of the way. Adam couldn't stop himself stealing glances at his cousin, she didn't have anything to dress for a party but what she did have was pretty good, an orange vest top with matching colour bra poking out from the top and a dark green, flared skirt that reached mid-thigh level. It was a new look that Adam liked.

They got to the warehouse just after nine, people were already there and getting drunk, there was even the smell of cannabis in the air and the sound of 'Cult Of Personality' blasting on the stereo system that had been hooked up. Liam spotted the two of them walk in.

"Adam, good to see you."

Liam took the hand of a girl about his age and approached the two cousins.

"Maggie this is Alexandra Buchannan , Adam's friend. Alex this is my girlfriend Maggie Gallagher."

The two girls shook hands. "Liam told me about you, although all I've heard is that you're Adam's girlfriend."

"Well not girlfriend but we go back a long way. He's my best friend."

"Lucky you, I only met my guy after a party like this one. Now I'm stuck with him."

"I'm right here ladies."

"I know." 

Maggie and Liam laughed and kissed each other. "So guys just go around, drink what you want, sit where you want. I've got about a hundred condoms in the back room if you guys need any."

"Thanks."

The two couples separated as Liam went to welcome more guests. Adam whispered to Alexandra.

"I'm going to grab a couple condoms, if Liam gets on my back I'll show him I'm prepared. You get us a couple drinks."

"Don't get me too drunk, I want to be awake when you fuck me."

And with a quick kiss on his cheek Alexandra was away. Adam was still confused as to how jokingly her actions were. They weren't helping any of his dirty thoughts.

True to his word, Liam had put a load of condoms in the back room. There so many that he put them in crates. Adam didn't bother questioning the legality of Liam's method of obtaining them, instead he grabbed two or three and pocketed them. 

When Adam returned he found Alexandra amongst a large group of people, they were sitting, lying, standing around a circle of broken and ruined sofas. All laughing, drinking, telling jokes, just as he arrived Adam saw one of the girls there pass a joint to Alexandra, she took a long inhale but stopped when she saw Adam causing a long coughing fit. The two cousins looked at each other and laughed.

"Don't tell mum."

"I won't if you won't."

Adam took the joint from Alexandra, took a long inhale and handed it back.

"I thought cocaine was party drug of choice."

"No man, this is the 90s." A guy sitting on one of the sofas spoke up, he had his eyes closed tightly and was moving his head around. "Fuckin cocaine ain't shit anymore. It's all about supply and demand. Coke used to be high demand so they could supply for low prices, now no-one wants the shit so the demands low making the supply needs high, the higher the price the lower the demand it's a vicious fuckin circle. No coke's gone, the new drug coming in, and I can guarantee you this, is ecstasy."

"Ecstasy?" A couple of people were confused by this new drug.

"Yeah man ecstasy or, or, or, and this is my idea, you heard it here first, X. No-one knows what X is, X is mysterious, X is cool. X puts something in your brain that makes you want to fuck everything, you give a girl a couple of X pills and you better be the first guy she sees because she'll be so wet you can fuck her without taking off her trousers."

As the drug guy kept rambling Adam leaned in close to Alexandra and whispered. "I won't tell about the weed but if I see you take anything he's taken I'll tattle."

Alexandra smiled but nodded to show she understood him. After a few minutes of the rambling man Liam and Maggie arrived, Liam used the 'pretend to throw a ball' trick that people use on dogs to get rid of him, the two of them took his place. Over the next hour the group got larger and smaller and larger again but Adam, Alexandra, Liam and Maggie stayed, they had a good talk that only sometimes involved other people.

"So how long have you two known each other?" Maggie asked them.

"All my life. Our mothers were friends, Adam was at my birth."

"It was love at first sight."

Alexandra slapped Adam's arm at that but she laughed to show she wasn't angry.

Liam put down his beer bottle. "Since you two are such good mates' maybe you can tell us where Adam got that scar. He's never told us."

Alexandra looked at Adam's scar, she'd seen it so many times before but she looked again anyway to remind herself of how he did get it.

"It's ok Lexi, you can tell them."

Alexandra's thumb lightly traced the scar. "It's actually quite sweet how he got it. I was eight, he was ten and it was a few days before Christmas. We were sledging on this giant hill, just the two of us, but we couldn't stop in time and we were heading straight for a large hedge. So what Adam does, really kindly, is cover me just as we burst through the hedge. He got the scar but I was safe."

"Aww." Maggie found the whole story really cute. Liam just laughed, keeping his robotic nature intact.

"Where's the fuckin music gone?" Someone shouted out.

Everyone suddenly noticed the music had gone. Liam stood up. "Don't worry people, it's a tape, we just need to switch it round to side B. Actually let's not, Adam, you still know how to play guitar?"

Alexandra looked at her cousin, surprised. "You never told me you played guitar."

"I don't. I just learned a few songs because me and Liam were thinking of starting a band."

"Yeah then I met Maggie."

"So we stopped, I sold my guitar a while ago. Besides we don't even have one."

The grin on Liam's face told them that they did. He yelled across the room. "Roger, red crate, second from the left, look inside."

A boy, Roger, looked inside the crate and pulled out an acoustic guitar. He brought it over to Liam.

"I found this before you arrived, was hoping you could play a song or two."

Begrudgingly Adam took the guitar, Alexandra hopped off him and sat on the other side of the sofa.

"Now I haven't played in a while, so sorry if I miss a few notes."

Adam took a deep breath, and started playing. To his, and a few other people's, surprise he played a good opening to Hotel California by The Eagles. The whole party was frozen, watching Adam play this guitar, Liam simply smiled at his friend's talent, when the tome came he hit his knee in lieu of drums and started singing.

"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair. Warm smell of colitas, raising up through the air. Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light. My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim, I had to stop for the night."

Adam took over the singing, he stared directly at Alexandra as he sung to her.

"There she stood in the doorway, I heard the mission bell. I was thinking to myself this could be heaven or this could be hell. Then she lit up a candle, and she showed me the way. There were voices down the corridor, I thought I heard them say."

Everyone joined in on the chorus, the whole party was smiling and singing together. "Welcome to the Hotel California, such a lovely place, (such a lovely place), such a lovely face. Ready a room at the Hotel California, any time of year, (any time of year), you can find it here."

Adam didn't play the whole song but he played enough for the crowd, when he was finished he got a loud cheer from everyone, Alexandra leaped across the sofa and hugged him tightly.

"God Adam that was incredible. Why didn't you tell me anything sooner?"

"Just slipped my mind, sorry."

"Encore, encore." A few people called out.

Liam stood up. "No, Adam's done enough for now, if he wants to play again later he can. Right now I'm going to put some fuckin Blondie on before I go nuts."

After that the party got back to normal, Alexandra took Adam's hand and tugged at him.

"I need to go outside for a wee, can you come keep guard?"

"Sure thing."

The two of them slipped out a fire exit and went behind some bushes, Adam kept his back turned to his cousin as he heard her fumbling about behind him. He suppressed a giggle when he heard her pee start.

"This isn't funny Adam."

"I respectfully disagree."

Despite the embarrassing situation, Alexandra managed to finish up, using a napkin she swiped from the warehouse to wipe. 

"All done?"

"Yep, let's go back in."

Suddenly bright lights filled the area, Adam looked up and saw three or four police cars arrive at the warehouse, they must've been there for the people inside. Quickly he dropped to the ground, taking Alexandra with him. From there he could just about see what was going on but someone would have to look hard to see him. Adam watched as about seven police officers burst in and started arresting the partygoers. Adam looked at his cousin, he held up three fingers, he looked back up, he held up two fingers, then he held up one finger. And with a sudden jolt on her soldier the two of them got up and ran away, rushing through the tall grass heading toward the city. The adrenaline racing through them was so high that they started laughing like idiots by the time they reached the main road, now free from the police they kept running if only for fun. They ran for about ten minutes before stopping, both still laughing.

"Oh my god Adam that was incredible."

"I know, Christ I can feel my heart bursting out my chest, I'm never felt so terrified, so alive so..."

He never finished his sentence, Alexandra grabbed his head and kissed him, long, deep, hard, passionate. This was a lover's kiss in the heat of the moment. It was a silent night but Adam swore he heard fireworks.

Alexandra broke the kiss with difficulty, they were magnets that needed to be pulled apart with force. "How far are we from the apartment?"

"Far enough, unless we take a different means of transportation."

Alexandra looked behind her, she saw a taxi pulling up outside a restaurant, two people got out. Adam and Alexandra ran to the taxi and jumped in.

"Hey man what the hell is this?" The taxi driver had a mixture of confusion and anger in his voice.

"I will pay you double to get us where we want to go and to not stop what we're doing."

That got the driver's attention, Adam gave his address and grabbed Alexandra as soon as the taxi set off. Time seemed to slow down in the back of that taxi, the two cousins were the only people in the world, each kiss more passionate than the last, each touch more electric than the last. The illegal nature of their coming union never entered their mind, blinded by lust they enveloped each other.

When they got back to the apartment Adam threw a tenner threw the cabbie's window, it was a lot more than double but Adam wasn't waiting for change, still kissing each other wildly as they climbed the stair Adam fumbled for his keys, it became more and more tempting to just kick the door open. Thankfully it never came to that, he found them and opened the door, Alexandra slammed it shut behind her. They raced through to his bedroom, the nearest one to them, stripping as they went, first came off their shoes, then his shirt, then her top, Adam reached behind her and, with some difficulty, took her bra off.

Alexandra let it fall to the floor, letting her cousin take in the sight of her breasts for the first time. They weren't overly large but big enough to make an impression and they still held the perkiness of youth, her nipples were large and puffy, sometimes she didn't like this aspect of her but Adam apparently did as he dived in to lick and kiss her entire breast, both of them.

Adam took one of the condoms out his pocket then dropped his jeans to the ground and fell back onto the bed, Alexandra helped him by kneeling down and pulling them off his feet. From there she was eye-level with his very hard cock straining against his boxers. Suddenly this all became very real, here she was, half naked, about to fuck his cousin.

And damn it all if she wasn't horny enough to go along with it. Alexandra grabbed hold of the sides of his boxers and pulled them off. Adam's dick burst out and swayed in front of her. She was impressed, a good length, not the biggest she'd ever seen but still remarkable, it was definitely one of the thickest she'd seen. The sudden rush of wetness to her panties reminded her she was still wearing her underwear. Thinking fast she ran her tongue over Adam's cock then took him in her mouth.

Adam had only received a couple blowjobs from a previous girlfriend and while she was good she had nothing on Alexandra, the girl was a pro, applying the right amount of pressure, a good mixture of sucking and blowing while continually tickling the head with her tongue. Adam literally bit his lip to stop from coming right away.

While Adam was occupied, Alexandra slipped her panties off from under her skirt, the heat radiating from her pussy surprised her, she'd never been this turned on before. Still sucking her cousin's cock she began to finger her soaking pussy, two finger slid easily inside her. 

"Lexi, god Lexi I'm going to come really fuckin soon."

Alexandra dropped his dick from her mouth. "Not yet Adam, not until you fuck me with this beast."

Alexandra stood up, unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor. There she was, fully naked in front of her cousin, letting him drink in the sight of her. She had shaved her pussy not too long ago after hearing a few girlfriends do it back home, so far Adam was the first male to see her bald cunny. She smiled slightly at that thought.

Adam had never seen a bald pussy before, he liked the look though, he wanted to lean forward and kiss her cunt, taste the unspoiled juices. But they were both too far gone for foreplay. Instead Alexandra knelt over Adam, her knees on either side of him, then she slowly lowered herself into his dick, Adam held himself straight, guiding him into her cunt.

The feeling was unbelievable, this tight, wet place was new to him, never before or since felt like his cousin's pussy. He was disappointed that she wasn't lying about her loss of virginity but she was still tight enough to milk his cock.

Alexandra had her eyes closed, never had she been so close to orgasm so soon after a dick entered her. Everything just intensified her lust, the thick cock in her pussy, Adam's hand's groping and holding her ass, her breasts bouncing on her chest. Every so often her clit would reach far down enough to touch Adam's body sending a shock through her. The two of them were so turned on that neither of them could hold off any longer and they came simultaneously, Alexandra came first but it was the sharp grip on his cock that set him off, shooting deep into her. Both sweating and panting, Alexandra lay across Adam's chest, for the longest time neither of them said anything.

"Lexi, I'm sorry I forgot the condom."

"It's ok Adam, I'm on the pill."

"I'll remember next time."

"Next time?"

The two of them laughed quietly. After a few seconds Adam kissed Alexandra on the head.

"I'm glad it was you Lexi."

It only took a little thought on her part to realise she had just taken her cousin's virginity. But she was too tired to say anything so she just fell asleep in his arms.

**

Alexandra woke up alone, but a look around the room and the still warm feel of Adam on the bed reminded her of what happened last night. God what was she thinking, fucking her cousin, that was too much even for her. Alexandra looked around for her clothes but was stopped by Adam opening the door.

"Hey you're up good. Listen I've saved you some eggs if you want breakfast."

"Thanks." She said half-heartedly although this went right over Adam's head. "Look Adam, about last night."

"Look, I'll understand if you have some regrets but I want you to know that I don't. I've been waiting for this for so long."

"What?"

Adam went to his drawers, opened the top drawer and pulled out a scrapbook. He took the scrapbook over the Alexandra and sat down next to her, inside the book were letters and postcards and pictures, all of which she had sent to him over the past four years. Adam had kept every single one of them.

"I didn't just wait for the right girl Lexi, I waited for you. You're the right girl, I've been in love with you for years and last night was me telling to you this."

Alexandra didn't know what to feel, shocked, angry, disgusted, happy? A million emotions rushed through her but she picked the top feeling and went with that.

Fury.

She slapped Adam, shocking them both.

"Don't you dare fall in love with me Adam McAllister. Don't you fucking dare. You don't know me, you don't know the real me, I'm a bitch, I hurt people, I refuse to let people get close to me, I'm just a, I'm just shit Adam."

"What, how can you say that Lexi I know you and you're a wonderful person."

Alexandra shot up and rushed across the room, she couldn't look Adam in the eye. "Fuck off Adam, we haven't seen each other in four years all you know about me is what I put into letters. You don't know what I've done, how I've hurt and used people for my own selfish fuckin needs. Face facts Adam I'm a cunt."

It was Adam's turn to shoot up, he put his hands on her shoulder but she jerked away from his touch. "I will not listen to you say such things Lexi, I don't care what you've done in the past, all I know is that I love you, and nothing you can say will change that. Come on you must feel something too, you were there as well last night."




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 02



Before I start I want to address a few comments that were made in the last chapter.

1: I am British, Scottish to be precise, so I will spell words differently to how the Americans do it. There is nothing wrong with how I spell words.

2: I am sorry about the grammar but as some readers have said, a few mistakes can be overlooked and you should focus on the story, not on the punctuation. 

3: Someone said the story was too long. I can't help you with that, the story was 5 pages long so why you read all five when you don't want a long story I won't know. Either way I'll say it here; this is going to be a long story, several chapters, several pages long each.

4: Rangers or Celtic? Neither, I'm from a Hearts family so I'm a Hearts man.

Thank you for all the kind words and suggestions for the story.

Story first, sex second.

**

1996

"Hello?"

"Adam, is that you?"

"Yeah."

"It's Liam?"

"Oh hey. What you calling for? It's almost midnight here."

"Sorry, forgot the time difference. It's about your Aunt Jane. Adam she's dead."

Adam played the conversation out in his head over and over as the taxi took him down a somewhat familiar street. His Aunt Jane, dead. He'd known about the cancer for two, two and a half years now but he never made the visit over to see her, he regretted that now. The last time they saw each other he had just told her he was sleeping with her daughter, his cousin.

Oh God Lexi. How would she feel about his return? From his phone conversations with Liam over the past five years she hated him, then she missed him, then she loved him, then she wanted him dead until about the time Jane got cancer and her and Liam lost touch.

The taxi pulled up outside his parent's house, in accordance with her wishes Jane was being buried in Scotland alongside her parents, the funeral was being held later that day but a few people were meeting first at the house. Adam got out the taxi and took his luggage to the front door, he waited a few minutes, taking deep breaths. It had been five years since it he saw anyone, five years since he ran away, even his parents were strangers to him.

Adam held his breath and knocked on the door.

The door was opened by Damien, he was obviously sad but he hid it. He looked over Adam taking in the sight and trying to recognize him.

"Hello Adam."

"Hello Damien."

"You're mum's in the kitchen. You can leave your bag in the back room."

"Thanks."

An awkward silence passed between them, it never broke but Damien walked away, he wasn't happy to see Adam, as he walked through the house it seemed like that was the main consensus of everyone there, people stared at this stranger, one by one they recognized him and looked away with disgust. Adam left his bag in the dining room and headed to the kitchen, his mother Carol was sitting at a table, crying, his father Kieran and another woman stood by her.

Adam cleared his throat after looking in on this intimate moment, all three adults turned and looked at him. Carol recognized him straight away, got up, ran over to him and hugged him tightly.

"Oh Adam." Carol said nothing else, she just held onto her son. It took Kieran to get her off him, he looked at his son, taking in how much he had changed; his short hair was shorter with the front styled, his skin was darker, tanned from his years in the sun and his once bare face now had a smooth goatee on it. Kieran chuckled a little.

"You look like an executive son. If it wasn't for that scar I wouldn't recognize you."

Adam smiled. "Got to look good for my work dad."

The two men shook hands, Carol wiped a tear from her eye.

"So tell us then, where do you work, where do you live, who are you living with...?"

"And why did you leave?"

The second woman finally spoke up, Adam looked at her and immediately knew who it was.

Alexandra.

She too had changed quite a bit. Her hair was longer, not as long as when she came to visit him but it was shoulder length now and dyed a much darker brown than he remembered, her green eyes had a tired look but held genuine happiness behind them. None of which Adam noticed.

He was looking at her enlarged midsection, her hand unconsciously stroking her bump.

Alexandra saw Adam looking at her bump, she smiled. "Five months along. In case you're wondering."

"Who's the father?" He knew there was no chance in hell it was him but a little niggle in his head gave him hope. Or was it fear?

"His name's Ellis, he's in Wales, couldn't make it up."

"Oh." Adam tried to hide his disappointment but failed.

Kieran sensed this. "Alex, take Carol through to the Living Room, I want to talk to Adam alone."

"Sure thing Uncle Kieran." Alexandra helped Carol to her feet, both women supporting each other.

Kieran took two beers out the fridge, gave one to Adam and sat down. "So, start talking."

Adam opened his beer and sat down opposite his father. "About what?"

"Where are you working, where are you living, why didn't you come back? Why did you leave in the first place?"

"I'm working at a restaurant, been there for nearly the whole five years, managed to get into an assistant manager position."

"In five years? Impressive."

"Well the owner owed me a favour so he bumped me up a few steps. I'm living in California, some town near L.A., it's a place near the beach, very sunny, very quiet. As for why I never came back well it's for the same reason I left."

"Alex."

"Yeah. Fuck I forgot you knew about that."

"Well you were pretty vocal about it. Look son, I'm not going to question what you did with your cousin, I've learnt to get past it since you've been gone, but don't bring it up to your mum, she's repressed it and doesn't believe a word of it. And while we're talking, don't talk to Alexandra either unless she brings it up, she had a lot of trouble, a lot of people judged her and she and Jane never talked for over a year."

"I never knew."

"How could you, it was kept quiet, no-one wanted the news about you and Alex to spread."

Adam put his beer on the table, he tried to look his father in the eye but he couldn't. "Dad, for what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"I know you are son. I know. I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed that you threw away your life because of an argument. Come on then, I think people are heading out to the funeral now."

**

The funeral was a respectable affair, there was a good turn-out and everyone paid their respects without hassle. Carol cried at the loss of her sister, Damien shed a few tears over the loss of his wife and Alexandra came close to crying but she had people around her to make sure she was ok, Adam stayed back so people wouldn't judge but he wanted so bad to be there for her.

Back at the house Adam made a genuine effort to get along with people, they knew him as the cousin-fucking runaway but he was going to prove them wrong and joined in on the conversations, he even joked about his desertion, telling everyone...

"I was going to be a lawyer, until I fell in love. Turns out you can't have a heart in the justice system."

It was a terrible joke but it garnered a few laughs. Despite this Adam knew people were judging him. At around 9 at night Alexandra finally came up to talk to Adam, the two of them went outside to the garden where it was quieter. 

Neither of them knew how to start the conversation, so Alexandra took the first move and hugged her cousin.

"God it's been too long Adam."

"It has Lexi. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Alexandra let him go. "So your dad tells me you're working in a restaurant, not doing any law work in California?"

"Ah well it was just suppose to be a part-time job that became a career. I just stuck with it."

"You? Adam McAllister? Sticking with something? Never."

Adam had to smile at that. "I fuck up once and people are still going on about it."

"It's not how many times you fuck up it how bad you fuck up. Adam you threw your life away, your education, your job, your family. No matter how many years pass, that is how people will remember you."

Adam was getting a little angry. "Let me guess, now you want to know why I left."

"No I know why you left."

"No you don't. Everyone assumes it had something to do with you."

"But it did."

No Lexi, it had more to do with you than anyone realises." Adam crashed onto a bench outside, his heavy head in his hands "When I saw you with that bleach blonde asshole it killed me Lexi. I loved you with everything I had and I honestly thought you were the one. I also thought you felt the same way."

Alexandra sat down next to her cousin. "Why didn't you come back?"

"Same reason. I was in love with you. I've never stopped being in love with you. I love you so much I hate you, you understand?"

"Well I did tell you not to fall in love with me, I did tell you I was going to hurt you."

Adam chuckled a little, although his laugh was more sad than happy. Alexandra put her arm around him shoulder, he welcomed her warm touch. "I guess you did Lexi."

"For what it's worth Adam I am sorry. I know I should've said this earlier but giving the circumstances it was difficult. I'm sorry for hurting you."

"It's ok Lexi, I know that I should've realised we had no future. For fuck sake we're cousins. Anyway it's past now, you have Ellis, and the baby, I'll find someone someday and pretty soon we'll only see each other at birthdays and Christmas's and births. And more deaths."

Alexandra wiped away a tear, something that didn't go unnoticed by Adam. "Sorry, you just buried your mother today. I shouldn't mention death."

"It's not that Adam. I just don't want us to drift apart again."

Alexandra quickly leaned in and kissed Adam. It was soft and it was quick but it was a kiss all the same. As quick as it began it was over and Alexandra was walking away, almost running actually towards the house. Adam stayed seated, trying to make sense of what happened, he lit a cigarette and stayed outside, slowly nursing it down as everyone else went about their business. When it was finished he dropped the filter to the ground and left for his hotel.

He didn't even say goodbye.

**

The next morning Adam went to see an old friend, someone he'd talked to but hadn't seen in years. He knocked on his friend's door and was greeted with a welcome only he could give.

"Adam you runaway motherfucker. How are you?"

"I'm good Liam. How have you been?"

"Ugh, it's been a fuckin madhouse, you mind if we sit out in the garden, the kids are at school but they'll be home in a few hours."

Adam followed Liam into his house, shutting the door behind him. "Kids? I forgot it's plural now isn't it."

"Yep, Tyler James Nelson, though we just call him T.J. He'll be just past four next month. You want a beer?"

"Sure. So you and Maggie are married now?"

"No, not yet but to be honest it doesn't look like we will. We're having some difficulties right now and they may take some time to heal, if they ever will."

Liam opened two beer bottles, handed one to Adam and led him out to the garden. "What problems?"

"Nothing Adam, I've just done some shit I'm not proud of and try as hard as I can to keep it quiet Maggie just smells it on me."

The two friends sat out in the garden, the sun shone brightly on the grass but they were lucky to have a seat in the shade.

"Who did you fuck?"

Liam was surprised by his friend's openness. "Jesus Adam, California really made you braver didn't it. I didn't fuck anyone alright. Let's just drop this alright, talk about you."

Despite their years apart Adam knew Liam well enough to know there was something he wasn't saying. But he let it go for now.

"So when you heading back?"

"A couple days, I got some holidays that needed using so I just decided to take a break."

"Where you working?"

"Some restaurant chain, you won't have heard of it, I'd never even heard of it until I started working there."

"Should I get to the big pink elephant in the room? Tell you why I left?"

"Oh I know why you left. What I want to know is why you never came back?"

"Same reason. Lexi. I actually saw her yesterday at the funeral."

"Oh shit, sorry I never went."

"It's fine Liam, I appreciate all you did for me with Lexi but I know you have your own family. Speaking of which, you know that Lexi's pregnant."

"Fuck off."

"No it's true, five months along."

"Jesus. It's not yours is it?"

"Yeah, she was pregnant for five years and is only now showing. No it's some guy called Ellis, I never got his last name."

"Sounds like a prick."

Adam laughed, he stayed a few more hours, just talking with Liam until Maggie came home, she offered him to stay for lunch but he declined and went back to the hotel.

When he arrived at the hotel Adam got a message from reception. Alexandra had called looking for him and wanted him to call her when he got in. As soon as the door was locked he did just that.

"Lexi?"

"Adam, I called you earlier but you weren't in."

"I was at Liam's house. How did you get this number I was supposed to be staying at home?"

"I also called Liam, you shouldn't give him any secrets."

Adam smiled. "So what can I help you with?"

Alexandra took a deep breath. I hope you understand Adam that this is going to be difficult for me and you're the only person I know that can help me. I want to see Craig."

"Lexi I don't know if that's a good idea."

"I know that I shouldn't but as much as it pains me he's was the only father I had until Damien, I never even met my real dad. I just want to see him, I just want to tell him about mum, and about the baby."

"Lexi remember that Craig was attacked in prison. I know it's been seven years but that pipe to the head did permanent damage, he may not even remember you."

"I know, I just want to see him, more for myself than for him."

"Alright, I'll come by the house later we can drive up to the home."

"Thank you."

Adam hung up the phone, this was going to be difficult so he lit a cigarette before leaving, smoked it by an open window then left. The whole time he was thinking about Alexandra, he couldn't decide if she was brave or stupid or both for going to see the man who had molested her. All he knew was that he admired her.

**

Adam took a taxi to his house then he and Alexandra drove up to the home where Craig was living, it was a bit of a drive and with Alexandra pregnant Adam had to drive the whole way but he didn't care, he was just glad to be with her. He kept looking over at her during the drive, she was wearing a bright yellow summer dress with a hem that swept along her thighs, because of her extended belly the hem was lifted slightly allowing Adam to see more of his cousin's smooth legs. Her breasts had increased as well and were pushing the boundaries of the dress giving Adam a good look at her golden cleavage. He felt that same lust for her that he had felt so many years before.

When they got to the home Adam held Alexandra's hand the whole time, she didn't say anything against him, in fact she actually gripped his hand tightly when they walked through the front doors and kept holding when they stopped at the receptionist.

"Hello, we're here to see Craig Buchannan."

"Just sign your name's in here then head down the corridor to the right. He's in room 113."

Adam could hear Alexandra's breathing get quicker and sporadic, she was terrified but she needed to do this. Adam stayed by her side the whole time, even pushed her a little when she stopped in her tracks. When they reached the door to Room 113 Alexandra froze, she only looked at the door handle, she looked like she was about to vomit.

"You want me to open it?"

"NO! No Adam, I'll, I'll do it. Just, gimme a second."

Alexandra inhaled deeply and held her breath as her shaky hand reached out and opened the door.

Inside was a small room, brightly decorated but with a stench of death about it; there was a man in a wheelchair in the middle of the room. It was suppose to be Craig but from what Adam could see, it wasn't Craig, it was just an empty shell of the man he was years ago, he was thin and pale and weak, his bones could be seen through his arms. He was drooling out the corner of his mouth as he stared vacantly out the window, not even out the window he was just staring into nothing, he looked like half his brain was missing and the other half had been fried.

Adam wasn't expecting this shell of Craig and obviously neither was Alexandra, somehow though the sight of Craig, weak and pathetic, boosted her confidence as she walked into the room and across to the bed, she sat on the edge near Craig and looked at him.

"Hey Craig." She spoke softly.

Craig took a few seconds to register the fact that Alexandra was there, when he did he looked at her inquisitively, like a baby meeting a stranger for the first time.

"Do, do I know you lady?"

"You do Craig, I was your daughter for 15 years, my name is Alexandra."

Craig shook his head. "No, I, I never had any children."

"I know, but for 15 years you raised me. Do you remember?"

"No, no."

"Do you remember Jane, your wife Jane?"

Craig shut his eyes tightly as he tried to remember.

"Craig, Jane died. We buried her yesterday, I thought you'd want to know."

Craig opened his eyes and shook his head even more. "No, no Jane, no Jane."

Alexandra was getting visibly angry. "You really don't remember anything do you?"

Craig continued shaking his head, he looked at the floor, he seemed like he was going to burst into tears.

"You don't remember the shit you put her through, all the insults, all the beatings? You don't remember what you did to me?"

Craig looked up, his eyes met with Alexandra's. For the first time in their lives she held power over him. Craig stared at her eyes, trying desperately to remember where this strange girl knew him from and what did he do to her.

"How dare you forget, what gives you the right to forget all the shit you put me through? I have to live with that, I can't forget."

"I'm sorry, I don't know who you are."

"You fuckin do, you ruined my childhood, you used and abused me for your own sick, perverse needs. You fuck me up you sick cunt."

Craig was crying now, out of fear, out of desperation, out of sheer terror. "I don't remember you, whatever you think I did I'm sorry."

Alexandra slapped Craig. "Fuck you. You know what you did to me, I remember everything, I wake up at night screaming because of you. I fuckin hate you."

She slapped him again, and again. By the third slap Adam decided to intervene. He stepped forward and took hold of Alexandra's hands, stopping her from hitting him again.

"Let, ugh, let go of me."

"Come on Lexi, leave him."

"NO. No I want this cunt to remember me."

"Lexi, he doesn't, he's terrified of you. Lexi he's pissed himself."

Alexandra looked down. Craig had pissed himself, she looked back up at the frail man before her. He was crying now, heavy tears running down his face, wet snot littered his nose and lips. His weak hands covered his face to avoid getting slapped again. Looking at him Alexandra suddenly realised what she was doing, it brought her to tears.

Saying nothing, Adam just guided her out the room, she was weak in the knees, disgusted at herself for what she had done. Adam told a nurse to check on Craig but pushed Alexandra forward so they could leave before questions were asked.

Once she was in the car the flood began, Alexandra just laid her head against the dashboard and cried. Adam let her, he just drove her back to his hotel, she was in no shape to go home. By the time they arrived at the hotel she had calmed down but she still upset, her whimpers pained Adam's heart but he stayed strong as he took her inside and up to his room. She sat on the edge of the sofa while he fixed her a Hot Chocolate.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 02



Miranda

"Good Morning class. Today we are having our midterm, backpacks up at the front, hats and drinks as well, you'll need nothing but a pencil. I will pass out your books as soon as everyone is back in their seats. Also, please turn in your papers before you leave and make sure you don't forget otherwise it will be late."

I don't know what happened the other night but I do know that both Toni and I want each other, question is how bad? It's like one moment we hate each other, then we're in a room getting as close as possible, or we're ready to go out. Then nothing, absolutely nothing she runs the other way. And what makes her think I can't do the one night stand thing. I am getting a divorce, who the hell is she to tell me what I can and can't do. 

Look at her, looking at me like she wants me. I know she wants me and is hungry for me, I can see the lust in her eyes. Well honey two can play this game. I wasn't sure what I expected from this, but I wanted Toni. In my bed for one reason and one reason only, sex. 

Toni was the first to leave and to hand in her paper. Our fingers touched and for a split moment in time, as I looked at her I was captivated by her big brown eyes and out she went with a grin, a knowing grin. Just like that she makes me forget that I need to take control of our situation, because I can't think of a better way to put it. 

Her paper was not only the best written paper but her research was extensive. She had put a lot of thought and effort into it. The entire paper had no marks which is very rare. I considered if I had some sort of bias which didn't make sense considering I may have wanted to lower her grade. I went to one of my colleagues to look it over and she was equally impressed. 

Her essay for the midterm was just as good, she took her education seriously. 

I had hopes for the quarter passing quickly and she would leave my fantasies, but that was not going anywhere. As for my divorce well it was moving along faster than I had expected. My soon to be ex-husband's lawyers knew that there was no way out and they had minimal time. My team of lawyers, as they put it, were able to find enough evidence of infidelity to avoid denial on his part. His parents wanted it to be quick and avoid any negative press. Ultimately what it comes down to is; I keep this house, the NY loft, the vegas condo, the beach house and the one in Southampton. I chose that one to piss off his parents. I don't want it, it'll be on sale as soon as I get the chance. I also get about 65% of our money, which is part of my earnings as well as his and some money from his family trust fund. We were technically millionaires, although I had never thought of us that way until I saw it on paper. 

This is when I realized that I didn't want the money to define me. I didn't want to be that person anymore. I was ready for a change. I decided it was time for a talk with Autumn the one person I could count on to be honest with me. 

We decided on lunch at Geoffrey's, she picked me up saying something about I had no excuse to get away if she picked me up. Geoffrey's is an oceanside restaurant on PCH in Malibu. It's a very soothing feeling to be oceanside. We talked about my divorce and being single together again and then I decided I needed her opinion on my situation with Toni. 

"So you remember my tow truck incident."

"That's right you were so mad." She laughed at me. 

"Don't laugh. Well she apologizes on our ride home after being a bitch and rude."

"Honey you can be a little hostile sometimes," she raised her eyebrows.

"That's another thing I need to ask you, but later, then she goes on to talk about my age. I'm only 32 am I that old, do I look that old?"

"She probably just sensed your fears and just played off of that, honey you have been talking about your age since you turned 21, and part of it is Steven would say always say something stupid. No you are not old at all and you don't even look a day over 25, relax."

"I guess, then on top of that, this divorce has me on edge. I feel like I wasn't good enough and he left me for someone younger, like what the hell. It should be over and done with within 2 months."

"What are you gonna do with your humongous house? Do you get to keep it? I never thought it was very you."

"I know."

"No I don't think you do and its time I spoke my peace so just listen for a second. He never deserved you and you never truly loved him. I know I know, yes you did that's what you think, but you didn't. You liked that he was exactly what your parents wanted for you, it was easy. He was everything you thought your prince charming should be. Then you changed to be what he wanted and you gave up who you were. You became a big shot therapist and professor and sorry to tell you hun but I think you let it get to your head. With me you're one way but I've seen the way you can be with others. I Love you because you're my best friend and with me you're still the same girl from college, but you changed love and I can't say that I blame you because you just adjusted to your new environment. I was happy when you passed up the job at SC for Calstate LA."

I was actually sad and a bit hurt. "Truth hurts."

"I'm sorry you had to know." She was drinking a mimosa and looking out to the ocean. 

"Why wait so long to tell me?"

"I honestly don't know, it wasn't until recently that I really started thinking about it and with me you're still the same girl from college."

"What am I supposed to do now?"

"Find yourself, who you truly are away from everyone else. Oh and for the record I think you were gay before you married."

"That was just fun."

"I doubt it honey, I am sure you prefer women. I can see it in your eyes when an attractive woman walks in a room. At first I thought you just assessed them but then I realized it was lust in your eyes. Look I want to help you, how about we go out and visit one of those bars in WeHo and you can see what team you really play for. It'll help you get your mind off of everything." 

"You're kidding right, I'm too old for clubs."

"Well at least you didn't deny it and stop with the age thing, trust me love you're gorgeous and young and you'll get so much attention. It's settled you and me at a club next Friday."

"Autumn I'm too old to figure out I'm gay."

"Babe you are not that old, if you call yourself old then you call me old and then I'm gonna have to hurt you."

"I'm sorry I just...its just....damn Steven was such an ass. He left me for someone younger."

"He didn't leave you, you left him, and he was an asshole who deserves to get run over by a bus. Friday night, me, you and some very beautiful women for you to have fun with."

"Fine it's not like I have anything else planned." 

We finished our lunch together and everything played over and over in my mind. Who was I, who was I supposed to be, who did I want to be? 

The next week I handed the essays and papers back. Toni was the last to leave and after so much thinking over the last week, I owed her an apology for my words. I had come to terms with my behavior and I knew I was out of line. 

"Professor McCalister?"

"Yes Toni." I had finished packing my books and picked up my purse.

"I was wondering if you were available for your office hours next week? I'll have a first draft of my final paper done and was wondering if you would review it with me. Our meeting last time was a lot of help." 

Her voice was always low and so seductive who can resist a request from her. When I looked into her eyes I could see that there was more there, deep within her soul an actual sort of innocence. She was hiding a part of her. But most of all what catches anyones eyes are her full breast but boyish charm its amazing. She is the whole package of a woman in a neatly wrapped vessel, sexy. Autumn is right I am a lesbian. 

"Sure, I have an appointment at 11, which should be done around 11:30 and then I'm all yours....to help with your paper." Watch yourself Miranda.

"Thanks, professor, And....?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry that ...well about my behavior, I would like to apologize for not being ...well for my behavior period." I guess you too have been thinking of me, I like. 

"It's ok, don't worry about it and please don't apologize. I have been completely out of line from the day we met. I'm sorry for being rude and unkind and for the things I said. I was out of line. I can't make it up to you right now but if you ever need a favor that wouldn't put my job in jeopardy don't hesitate to ask." I squeezed her arm gently and walked away.

I could feel her looking at my backside and added more sway to my walk. I always get what I want Toni, and I definitely want you. 

******************************

Toni

Damn that ass looks good. What my hands could do, I can imagine her underneath me ass up that's the way I like to fuck. Oh professor you keep up the seduction and we might just end up in bed together sooner than later. We both know this can't happen but in a few weeks she won't be my professor and I wouldn't mind tapping that. But I have to play it cool for a few weeks and then I can try to get whatever it is we both want. 

I almost crushed my hand at work today because I was thinking about the professor. I haven't even seen her naked and she's distracting me. She's so fucking hot I mean, she is older than me but not by much I'm sure. I hope that age comment from the first time we met doesn't come back to bite me in the ass. The only ass biting that will happen is when I get a piece of hers. 

I called Jada to see if she was up for going out. 

"Hey Jada you up for Leisure tonight?" 

"Yea for sure Sandy and I were going anyways and she's bringing some of her coworkers. I thought you were busy with school. "

"I am but I need to get some."

"Swing by my place around 11."

"I'll be there."

Club Leisure is my favorite place to go in WeHo. It's one of the places where they manage to keep out straight couples. I have nothing against them I just can't stand the boyfriends staring like they've never seen two girls dance or kiss before. It's a gay club like don't they have enough straight clubs for them to go to. 

Anyways I need a shower before I go to get all the grease off me. This was the monkey suit I was wearing when I ran into Miranda. She was wearing a tight black pencil skirt that accentuated those hips. A white blouse almost see through and a black lace bra, damn she wanted some with that outfit. Black Louboutin pumps and her dirty blonde hair, light blue eyes and a cute button nose. How the hell do I remember all that? Probably because she looked ready to fuck. Yeah..... that's probably it.

After a shower I grabbed a pair of black boxer briefs, a pair of loose dark wash Levi's, a black sports bra, a white v-neck shirt, a light blue button down with a hood and a black leather jacket with black timberlands untied over my jeans. I am ready to rock some girls world. 

Jada and I pulled up to the parking lot at 11:30 and Sandy and her friends were waiting outside of the club. We went in and I went to the bar for a stiff drink, on my whole ride over here I had pictured the professor's swaying hips and those sexy skirts she loves to tease me with. Sandy's friends were a few girls from her job. The one I had been noticing over our last few outings was Ashley and we had flirted a few times, but nothing had taken off. Today I knew I had to get further. 

"Do you dance?" speak of the devil, Ashley. 

"Only in the presence of beauty." Is today the day you finally take a chance. 

"Then I guess I'm in luck," she pulled me by the hand to the center of the dance floor. 

She was young, well my age who am I comparing her to I'm only 21. Anyway she's cute with wavy long brown hair, brown almond shaped eyes and high cheekbones, wearing black leggings, a navy and cream nautical striped tunic and knee high stiletto boots with silver buckles. She has a small frame but works her body like a natural seductress. 

She tried to turn around but I pulled her into me pressing my crotch against her ass, holding her hips as we sway side to side. She worked her hips into motion with mine, pressing back with her ass. With moves like this I wanted to take her home tonight. She turned around and wrapped her arms around my neck and brought her left leg up and around my ass, grinding forward. I'm glad we both knew what we wanted. I pulled her in closer holding her by her ass. A firm ass that I could grab to my own accord with only a thin fabric between us. We danced for almost an hour and I could tell she was hot for me, as I was for her. 

As we danced we moved to the outside of the dance floor. I walked her to a corner of the club pressing her up against the wall and kissing her. She was ready and waiting parting her lips for me. I introduced my tongue and she sucked it in biting it as I retreated. I pushed my thigh between her legs and her heels allowed for the perfect height. She looked into my eyes with pure lust and a desperate need for release. 

"You really think you can make me cum right here" was that a challenge?

"Not only do I know I can make you cum but I will make you cum." I pushed in harder making her moan as she threw her head into my shoulder. She moved my jacket and shirts away as she bit while I thrusted harder into her. I moved my head allowing her ample room to taste and take what she desired. I slipped my hand into her pussy keeping my thigh pressed, pulling back only allowing my hand just enough room. 

"Someone's gonna see," she whispered into my ear as she bit my lobe.

"Let them, they're just looking because you're so hot."

I pushed two fingers into her wet pussy. She moaned again, this time biting my neck in the process.

"I'm not gonna be just some fuck in a club Toni."

"Those aren't my intentions." 

I pulled out tracing her lips and she leaned her head back against the wall.

"Don't be a tease."

"So you don't want me to stop?" 

"No I've been waiting for this for months now. You're so fucking hot, this will be my preview. After you can take me home and fuck me all night long."

"I like a woman who knows what she wants." I put both fingers back in as she pushed her body onto them. I looked at her eyes as they were half closed, pumping faster and curling them forward, she jerked but left her head back.

"Fuck me Toni."

"I intend to." Her walls clamped down on my fingers and her knees gave out as I held her up against the wall. Pulling out to stroke her nether lips as she twitched in my arms. A smile formed on her face. 

"Take me home." I pulled out and placed my fingers at her lips. 

"First you should clean up your mess." She grabbed my hand and licked each finger clean while watching me. With each lick I pushed my thigh into her pussy as she moaned into my fingers. I pulled them out with a loud pop. 

"Mmmm I taste so fucking good, you'll be addicted to me." 

"Is that right?" 

"Yup, I promise you're gonna be calling for more, don't worry I don't expect you to be my next girlfriend, we can have fun no strings attached." Wow I'm still not girlfriend material, why doesn't that surprise me. 

"Fuck it lets go."

I asked Jada if she could find a ride and she said Sandy could take her considering I was taking Ashley home with me. My place that's a first I wonder how that will work her going home with me. Well, we will just have to see. 

In the truck she leaned over and soon was inside my shirt biting and nibbling on my neck she was definitely getting me worked up. I drive an F-150, and she was pretty close considering the center divider. 

When we got to my place I was actually nervous. I had never brought a girl home. I usually rather go back to their place I guess that's because they're usually older than me. I think Ashley has roommates so I can see why she would rather come to mine. I wonder if she'll want a ride home in the morning. I wonder if she'll be here past the night. Well if she doesn't expect a girlfriend she won't want to do all the cuddling stuff, right? 

We walked into my apartment and she pushed me up against the door as soon as I was able to get it closed. She took off my jacket tossing it on my desk as I pulled off her tunic, only to find a red satin bra, wrapping around huge gorgeous tits, fuck those are gonna be fun. She worked on my shirt buttons as I kissed her neck working my way around to her earlobe. 

"You know we've been flirting for several months now. Why'd you wait so long Toni?"

"Me, I don't ever go up to a girl, all I have to do is wait until she comes to me." I sound like a douchebag. 

"Is that right?" She finished with my shirt and I picked her up and walked her over to my bed as I sat her down. I knelt on the bed between her legs pulling her right leg and letting it rest on my shoulder as I brought down the zipper. 

"Yup in all the times that you and I have been anywhere together, how many times have you seen me go up to anyone and ask them anything?" I did the same with her left leg. 

"You know you have a point, girls take to you like Russians to vodka." I pulled off her tights to reveal a matching pair of red satin panties. She pulled off my white shirt and worked on the belt and button of my pants. "So had I not come to you, you would have never approached me?"

I stood up to take off my boots and pants and crawled back between her legs. "Nope."

"Then I'm glad I went for it, because you are so fucking hot. I can't wait until you make me cum. Tell me Toni will I be getting to taste your pussy or is that too much for you."

"Baby I may be butch but I am still a woman who loves pleasure. As long as you make it worth my while I'll give you whatever brings you pleasure as well."

"Then let's get that bra off so I can taste those beautiful tits of yours."

I took off my bra and she latched on like a starving infant, damn it felt good. Most girls will touch but they're hesitant to give them the attention that Ashley was bestowing upon me. I held myself up on my hands as she sucked on one and her hand found my other one to play with. I would definitely not mind letting her do that again. 

The gentle squeezes to my breast and firm nips of my nipple, made a feeling of euphoria wash over me. She makes me want to just lay back and let her have her way with me. First things first I have a pussy to please then I can let her do whatever she wants if she's not too tired of course. 

I pulled away and pushed her arms over her head holding them down, kissing her lips. I bit and pulled away as she moaned and pushed her hips against me. I could feel the heat from her mound and slickness, she was wet and ready.

"Tell me what you've been waiting for Ashley?"

"For you to have your way with me." She tried pulling her hands away, I pushed them down harder. 

"Any request?"

"Just shut up and fuck me."

"With pleasure."

I took my right hand and held both of her hands above her head with it. I used my free hand to trace her body as I worked my way down, such delicate curves, soft and subtle nothing like Miranda's curvy body. Miranda? Get your mind right Toni.

Her pussy is so wet for me already, soft and smooth cleanly shaven. Putting my hand right over her panties working the fabric under my fingers teasing her. Tracing up and down her slit as she wrapped her legs around my waist and pulled me into her body; throwing me off balance only long enough for me to add temporary pressure to her mound. 

"Silly Ash this is me having my way with you remember."

I kept my body on top of hers as I pulled my hand out, letting go of her hands as I held myself up, working my hips up and down in a wave like motion. Our mounds lightly rubbing with the added friction of our clothes. 

"And here I was expecting some quickie."




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 02



"Baby a quickie won't satisfy that hunger you've had since you met me." I thrusted down harder as she wrapped her arms around my back dragging her nails down. 

"Damn you really are getting better by the minute."

"Don't go falling in love with me now." 

"Like you'd let me." I pulled away and sat up. "Fuck, what are you doing now?" 

"Undressing you baby relax." I pulled down her panties and removed the rest of my clothes as she took off her bra. I stayed on my knees and sat back as I pulled her up by both of her hands as she wrapped her legs around me and hooked them at her ankles. I wrapped my left arm around her waist and worked two fingers into her slick pussy as she moaned from pleasure. 

"Fuck yea." I pumped in nice and slow to get her to crave more and soon she was working her hips in rhythm with my fingers. She wrapped her arms around my neck working her hips faster and harder onto my fingers and I did the same. I worked a third finger in and she was moaning in pleasure. She leaned back arching her back and thrusting her breast forward and I went for her nipple. 

"Yes. Oh fuck that feels so fucking good Toni." I sucked and bit while she kept the motion of her hips. I could see the chaos my fingers were working on creating inside her. Gently stroking that sweet spot within earned an even better moan and offset the motion of her hips. I could tell she was close as she closed her eyes and her mouth formed the prefect O. I let go of her nipple and took the other one into my mouth sucking it in as far as it would go. Her breathing was uneven, holding her breath for a few seconds at a time. Taking my thumb I applied pressure to her clit which was already stiff and awaiting in attention, sending her over the edge. She pulled herself up and into my body digging her nails deeper into my back. 

"Damn you're good."

"Worth the wait?" She was sitting on my lap as I held my arms around her waist. 

"Every moment baby. Now can I taste that sweet pussy?"

"Only if I can taste you."

"You don't even have to ask."

I let go and she pushed me onto my back, throwing her legs over my head. As she was getting ready I pulled her down and onto my lips. There's something intoxicating about the smell of a woman. It can either be addicting or satisfying. When it came to Sylvia it had become addicting, with Ashley it was satisfying but with every taste it was becoming very inviting making you want more. I was ready to drink the juice of life. 

With every lick her body responded, her mouth on me was working at a different pace. She was already sensitive from the first orgasm and apparently she was ready for me to take my time. She would pull up and make me fight to get more of that pussy. Occasionally laughing when I would groan from frustration, but then her moans when I was back at licking her were my turn to laugh. When she would pull away I could see how beautiful her pussy was, wet and begging to be enjoyed. 

I was starting to really get worked up when she started working on my clit, sucking and flicking it around between her lips. I was like a puppet controlled with that one little button. When she would suck harder I would lose my thought and when she would lick circles around it I would move my hips. Finally after she sucked it in one more time she pushed me over the edge. I dug my fingers into her ass and I pulled her into my mouth, muffling my moans sending her over the edge as well. 

When I felt I was about to recover she pushed two fingers into me and started pumping trying to pull away from my mouth. I let go of her body and she turned herself around. She was working two fingers inside of me as she had the biggest fucking smile. 

She brought her lips to mine. 

"You taste so fucking good. I wouldn't mind getting another taste but you know you make it difficult to concentrate." She kissed me while she kept her fingers inside I was almost over the edge, when she pulled out. 

"Why are you stopping?"

"I told you I wanted more."

She kissed her way down my body lingering at my chest and working her way down my stomach. 

I can't remember the last time I let anyone have so much control. I'm gonna blame it on the fact that this is my place and I'm more comfortable. 

She was finally at my pussy and she did one long lick. She opened my legs wider and settled right between and smiled again before going in for more. She would work my body making my hips lift to grind into her face. I felt close and placed my hand on the back of her head, not that she needed encouragement. 

"Fuck I'm about to cum, don't stop."

She stopped for a few seconds and when I was about to protest she sucked my clit into her mouth while thrusting two fingers inside of me. I lifted myself of the bed and was panting like a bitch in heat, this was amazing. I went right over the edge and came. She made sure to get everything my body had to give.

She came up and I pulled her in for a kiss. 

"You have a healthy appetite." 

"What can I say, when a pussy tastes that good you just have to have more." I pulled her into me as I kissed her and rolled us over.

"I know exactly what you mean."

We went for a few hours straight and it felt good to have someone who was able to quench my thirst. She was amazing in bed. I had the idea that I didn't mind breaking my rule for her. It was just sex for both of us. We were actually tired afterwards so she laid in bed with me talking for a few minutes. Then my alarm to wake up went off.

"Sorry time for me to go to work."

"Don't apologize we had too much fun for apologies. Mind if I shower before I go?"

"Nah go ahead, you want a ride?"

"It's cool I can get a cab." 

"You sure I don't mind. I can drop you off on my way to work." 

"Well if you don't mind I guess why not."

She showered while I made coffee and then I showered dressed and we were out the door by 5. Funny thing how normal this seems even though its completely against anything I would ever do. I guess it's different when it's not just some girl from a club and you know each other.

****************************** Miranda

A club on a Friday this ought to be interesting. I haven't been to a club since I was maybe 24. Not to mention that we're going to a gay club, I swear only Autumn gets me into these situations. And what is she going to be doing, I mean she's straight so it's not like she's going to find a girlfriend. I guess I can just go with the flow. 

She came over around 8 to help me get ready. She was wearing a black tube dress which barely covered her lady parts on the top and the bottom. I was wondering who was trying to get some, me or her. We settled on a tight royal blue bandage dress with a deep V plunging neckline. It was so tight it added double the sway to my walk. 

This place had a nice crowd of girls ranging from 21 to at least 40. All kinds and types femmes, butch, tall, short, thick and thin. We went straight to the bar, if I was really going to do this I needed a drink to start. We both had a shot of patron and downed it with beers. World here I come. 

"Hello ladies." She leaned in to hug Autumn. 

"Hey Sandy, how are you?" She's an attractive woman and seems happy to see Autumn. Autumn seems just as happy.

"I'm good Autumn, I could have sworn you were off limits to the ladies." I knew it, I'm good. 

"I am but my friend isn't. Sandy this is Miranda, Miranda this is Sandy. She works for one of my suppliers, wait, that makes you seem like you sell drugs." Soft hands but firm hand shake. 

"Pleasure to meet you Miranda, my friends and I are sitting at a rather large booth if you would like to join us." Full eye contact and acknowledgment, I like. 

"Thanks Sandy we would love to." Its a good thing Autumn answered because I'm too nervous to even move. 

We walked over to a circular booth in the corner with 3 other ladies already sitting there. Oh dear. 

"Miranda?"

"Hey Toni." She stood up to greet me with a tentative handshake. I pulled her in slightly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 

"What are you doing here?"

"The same as you. Miranda these are my friends Ashley and Jada and you've already met Sandy."

"Pleasure to meet you, this is my friend Autumn."

Ashley stepped out and Autumn went in and sat next to Sandy who had switched seats with Jada. I sat next to Autumn and Jada came in after me. 

"Excuse us ladies." Ashley and Toni went off to the dance floor. Ashley is very beautiful and young so why would Toni flirt with me. Seems like Toni has more than just a friend with her, no one dances that close with a 'friend' and her hands on her hips inside her shirt. I need to look away.

"How do you and Toni know each other?" Jada said, gorgeous lips and big blue eyes, with a confidence just like Toni, of course they would be friends. She has such nice tanned skin. I wish I tanned that well. 

"I teach at her school, she's my student."

"Oh that's awkward." She had a cute laugh.

"Yea beyond awkward." 

"Would it be awkward if I asked you to dance?" 

"Nope."

"Then will you dance with me?" She had a beautiful smile, radiant. 

"I would love to."

She looks slighly taller than Toni and much more feminine. She was at least 5'11" when wearing black stiletto pumps and she had long brown wavy hair that fell to the middle of her back. She was wearing tight jeans and a blue button up shirt that was so tight and only had 3 buttons done, showing of her navel piercing and her beautiful breast. 

She led me to the dance floor and we started moving to the beat of the music. She was a great dancer and lots of fun, but every so often I caught myself looking for Toni and every now and then we would make eye contact. Never making it obvious for Jada to notice. After a few songs we went to sit down where Sandy and Autumn were doing their fair share of flirting. Autumn noticed me and asked if I would go with her to get a drink and I did. 

"You're officially off limits to Toni's friends." She looked serious.

"What, why?" I was practically pouting, Jada was so sexy and hot.

"We put it together that she's 'the truck driver' and you're 'the professor'. So Jada will probably hear about it by the time we go back and well Sandy already knows."

"Uggh great so I can't have Toni or Jada. I don't like this." I get it code of friendship I would imagine, but why if Toni and I agreed to keep it simple and it's not like I'm their professor. 

"Excuse me I'm Valerie and I was wondering if you would like to dance." Mmm she looks good enough to eat. Well since everyone at the booth is off limits I'm sure she is not. 

"I'd love to, I'm Miranda."

"Nice to meet you Miranda." I waved to Autumn as she waved back and winked. 

She too was a good dancer and I found myself lost, watching her body. She would come in real close and I could feel her body heat around me. Whispering compliments here and there. She was able to dance all sorts of music and kept to the rhythm. She must be good in bed when she can dance like this. How did I ever marry Steven? Finally after about an hour of dancing we took a break at the bar and I noticed Autumn waving to me. 

"I have to go, my friend and I came together."

"Thanks for the dance."

"Thank you, you were amazing." She had pulled me in with her hands at my waist so I wrapped mine around her neck. 

"Do you think we could do it again some time?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"You're number maybe and a date, tomorrow night if you're not busy."

"I can make room for you." She took out her phone and we exchanged numbers and she kissed me on the cheek, just a good night kiss. I think I can do this. 

I left to find Autumn where she was sitting at the table next to Sandy, actually against Sandy as Sandy had her arm wrapped around her. This girl is too much. She's not even bisexual. I mean she can appreciate a woman's body, but that's about it. She tried in college it just wasn't for her. 

"You ready or would you like to stay?" I had a smirk she knew what I meant.

"As much fun as we are having I have to work tomorrow morning. Sandy always a pleasure." She turned and kissed her full on the lips. This girl really is too much. 

"Pleasures all mine Autumn. It was nice to meet you professor."

"Likewise, are Jada or Toni around to say good bye to."

"Jada's somewhere and Toni left a lil while ago. I'll let them know you said good bye."

"Thank you Sandy." 

We left for home and Autumn stayed at my place. She was going to go home but apparently she had actually managed to spend some time dancing with Sandy and was tired. I offered one of the guest rooms but the truth is this house is way to big so she asked if I wanted her to stay in the room with me. I didn't even need to think about it. I had been lonely since Steven had moved out and I no longer had anyone working here, having her in the same bed made me so happy. I'm putting this house on the market tomorrow and going to look for a new place, I can't take the emptiness. 

By the time morning rolled around I was ready for whatever the day held for me. I never work weekends so I'm free to do anything. 

"Autumn what's proper dating etiquette?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well Valerie has my number and I have hers but I probably won't have time to see her during the week. I was thinking of asking her to hang out with me today since you have to work."

"Well you know now a days people text." 

"I hadn't heard and how does this text thing work?" I was being sarcastic, I wasn't the most high tech person but I wasn't that slow either. 

"You can say 'hey' or 'how are you'"

"I'll give it a try."

"Let me know how it goes, I have to go to work. I'm glad you're getting back into living your life and not just letting it pass you by." 

I did just that, I said, 'hey' and she said she had just been thinking of me. I must be kind of unforgettable. We agreed to have lunch and go to the Getty as I wanted to see their newest exhibit. She said she had never been and thought it was a great idea. She came by around 2 and we went to a small restaurant by my house. 

Conversation came easy between us and I found out that she was a lawyer for a small firm. She was a junior partner and working on a promotion. I was upfront and honest about the divorce after she noticed the tan line. She was kind of dejected after I told her I wasn't looking for anything serious since I had just ended a ten year relationship. I realized afterward I should have left that part out but I was just trying to be honest. She said it was fine with her. 

We went to the Getty and I was really comfortable with her. Every now and then I would grab her hand just because and sometimes she would wrap her arms around me when we were looking at something together. We stayed well into the afternoon and decided to go out for dinner. Since we were already in the area we agreed to go to Geoffrey's. It was night time and the sun was close to setting. 

Dinner was amazing somehow it turned to lots of flirting and soft caresses. I like being touched and not taken for granted. I liked that she asked me what I was thinking and that she wanted to get to know me. I liked her and she liked me, it seemed simple enough. I felt myself more and more attracted to her as the night went on and I contemplated whether I wanted her to come home with me. Truth is I don't think I'm ready.

When the moment of truth came around. She kissed me good night and I felt like I was floating. She held my face in her hands and kissed me with a delicate touch but with a want for me. It was as if she was scared to kiss me but needed to have me. I kissed her back. I wanted to taste her and find everything she had to offer. She let go of my face and wrapped her arms around my waist and I wrapped my arms around her neck. 

I finally pulled away considering we were standing at the door. 

"Would you like to come in?"

"I do but I don't know if you're ready for me to come in."

"I know that I like kissing you and well we can go from there, if you want?"

"I do like kissing you."

So she bent down and kissed me again. I wanted her I needed her I needed to feel wanted again. 

I opened the door and led us in. 

*******************************

Toni

Damn that woman can move her hips. I swear if Jada gets into her pants, Ima be so mad. She is soooo .....not mine. She's nothing to me, so it's not like I can tell anyone to back off. Yet here I am with this hot girl, that I know wants to go home with me and I'm thinking of the one woman I have to keep my hands off. 

The way she moves her hips, the way she places her hands on her neck, the way her dress rises when she moves. Her legs look so delicate and sexy, how they would look and feel wrapped around me. Fuck, I have to stop, snap out of it Toni!

Think of Ashley she feels good to hold. She moves well, and wants me and she's good at it, good at making me feel good. I can feel her ass on me, her warm skin as I wrap my hands around her waist. I need to forget, I need to feel you again Ashley. I need this. 

I turned her around and pulled her in close as I worked my hand down her panties and felt her wet pussy. She looks at me and raises an eyebrow as I trace her lips up and down feeling the heat from her pussy, the slickness of her juices seeping out.

"Let's go I rather be in your bed than dancing with your finger." My bed again I don't know about this. Before I had time to think she pulled me away and I got one last look at Miranda in her blue dress, with that deep neckline, her chest looks so edible. They're begging to be touched and licked. With that dress she sways her hips even more than usual, it's so tight. 

I actually almost tripped on my way out because I was staring for so long. 

We got to the car and I debated asking if we could go to her place. I didn't have a good excuse as to why I couldn't go to mine. Unfortunately one of the drawbacks of sleeping with someone who knows you, they know at least some bit of your life, such as studio all to myself. 

So what's another night of going to my own place and being comfortable. We were off into the dark night and soon we were pulling into my building parking lot. I went around, opened her door and she pushed me up against the car. 

"So whose the woman in the blue dress?" She was unbuttoning my shirt as my hands held on to her hips. 

"Who?" 

"The woman you were watching all night." Her hand went and squeezed my breast. 

"Uhhh....A friend." She left my shirt open and pulled me to the elevator as a couple came out. She smiled sweetly and pulled me in. 

"Really because if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were fucking her." She pushed me up against the elevator wall as she walked her hands up my shirt, playing with my nipples through my bra it was a little difficult to concentrate. She had a devious look in her eyes, it wasn't even jealousy. 

"Nah, aint no fucking, just friends. Now what you and I do, that's fucking." I got a grip of my self turned her around pushed her up against the wall and cupped her pussy with my right hand. Her jeans were barely thick enough to be called jeans and her moan made it clear that she could feel me. Just then the elevator door made a stop and I walked out. "You coming?"

"Not yet but I will be." She pushed herself off the wall and into my body and I wrapped my arms around her kissing her with pure lust and undeniable want. I pulled her up and into my arms as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I walked with her to my door, our lips never parting, reached in my pocket took my keys and led us in. 

I climbed onto the bed on my knees and we laid down. I pulled away just long enough to remove my shirt and pull off my muscle shirt, her hands immediately went to undoing my belt and pants. I reached down and pulled her up and she felt weightless as I removed her shirt and red lace bra, as she removed mine. She was fascinated with my breasts, immediately wrapping her lips around my nipple and teasing the other one mercilessly. I pulled her head in tighter, I needed her to consume all of me. She moaned right into my breast as I worked my hands in her hair. 




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 02



I worked my right hand to her pussy and she was so wet just for me. I traced her lips as I watched her squirm. When I snaked two fingers into her she bit my nipple forcing my hand in further and the harder she bit the further I pushed. My mind was going crazy with lust. I pulled her into my body and caught her lips when her head came up. 

"Tony you are one fine ass woman."

"Thank You." I started pumping my fingers inside of her as she wrapped her legs around my waist and started riding down on my hand. 

"Oh fuck, yes...yes...yes. Fuck me."

As I felt that she was ready to cum I started circling her clit with my thumb. She wrapped her arms around my neck and bit down on my shoulder to muffle her moan, that would leave a mark. It felt good to feel the pain from her bite, it made me feel alive for that one moment I knew she was in a state of euphoria because of me. I laid her down and she was twitching in my arms. 

She was a woman who knew how to please and definitely how to be pleased. I knew she wasn't a long term thing but in the meanwhile why not enjoy the benefits. It was definitely a long night of pure unadulterated sex. It was lust and desires that we both wanted filled that we were both more than happy to satisfy. 

The next morning I woke up to an empty bed and a note saying:

Thanks for another good fuck. Call me whenever you want more. Ashley

Well at least she leaves a note, I just make sure to not leave anything behind. Its kind of weird I was half expecting for her to be asleep or something. I guess now I know what it feels like to be on the other side of the bed. I'm not saying that its wrong to be here, I'm just not exactly used to it. I need a shower to get my mind right.

I wonder how Miranda's night ended up, I saw her dancing with some other girl before I left. I wonder if she dates women regularly I mean she was married or is married, divorced? How do I not know, I want to know her, I should invite her out and not offer myself up for dessert this time. I wonder where she lives, what she likes, where she went to school, what matters to her, does she have kids? What the hell is wrong with me, I don't want to know all this stuff about anyone let alone my professor. Shower, I was headed to the shower. 

As for my weekend I contemplated calling Ashley to get my mind off Miranda. Miranda kept popping up in my head in her blue dress with her amazing cleavage, sexy walk and those sexy dance moves. However, I didn't because well I didn't want to build any sort of bond or attachment or any resemblance of stability. If we were going to continue this I needed to take back the control. I spent the weekend at my dad's garage and gave him the date for my graduation, he was happy that I was getting a degree. Hell he was excited that I graduated high school, he was ecstatic that I was finishing college. 

By the time Monday's class came along I was in need of a Professor Garcia-McCalister fix and let me tell you she didn't disappoint. I came in early and sat in the second seat in the last row closest to the windows. I loved to sit there and be distracted by the snow covered mountains to avoid staring at her gorgeous body while she gave her lectures. 

Thinking of the cold snow would help cool me down when I would stare at her gorgeous body for too long. The second seat helped avoid me being too close when she passed out anything. For once she was early, about 20 minutes. I had arrived 10 minutes prior and was working on some homework for my next class, I was also the only one there. 

"Hello Toni."

"Professor!" That was higher in pitch than I usually talk, damn it. She was wearing a white skirt suit, with a 2 button blazer and to my eyes nothing but a bra underneath I would guess. Fuck me, she was sexy, gorgeous, beautiful, stunningly beautiful. 

"Hmm, so you do know I'm still your teacher, I was wondering after you called me Miranda."

"Sorry," I worked on clearing my throat. "I .....didn't mean to be rude I just didn't think it was appropriate for my friends to know you were my professor and make anything awkward." She had me wrapped around her little finger and was playing with me like a cat and with a mouse. She sat at the front edge of her desk, with her hands resting on the desk next to her, her breasts pushed outward and her leg crossed. Swinging her foot back and forth as her red heel dangled off her toes. I was feeling hot and after a long silence she spoke again. 

"Are you okay Toni?" I gave her just enough time to force her off balance. My turn baby, this game is and always will be mine. I walked over to her and stood in front of her, she was stunned but did not let on too much. I adjusted her necklace, anyone who may have walked in would have thought we looked inappropriate, especially considering I'm clearly a lesbian. I picked up her necklace from between her breast and turned it slowly to take the clasp to the back of her neck, allowing the back of my knuckles to brush against her skin lightly. I felt and heard her exhale slightly and pulled in close to her ear when I was done.

"I'm better now." I gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek and walked out the door. I needed to give us both space. I considered looking at her but I could feel her frustration from a mile away. I don't know who she was dressed so seductively for, but I was sure as hell going to think it was because of me. 

I went back in 2 minutes before class started, walked right behind a student she was speaking to. I had noticed she looked at me as soon as I had walked in the room and casually went back to her conversation. 

"Toni." She called as I walked past her. The other student went to their seat. 

I turned back with a mischievous smile, I had put my hood on outside, I know what adds to my charm. 

"Yes, professor." I walked back in front of her as she came around her desk. She handed me some sort of fabric that felt slightly damp.

"You forgot this."

I looked down and for the first time in a long time I felt like I might have been about to blush thank goodness for the hood.

"Thank You. I was wondering how to get it from you." I said with a huge smile. It was her white lace thong. 

I have no idea what happened in class but I could tell that she too was not on her A game, simply because we would always flirt throughout the class. Nothing obvious to anyone else. Today I stared out the window with her thong in my hand playing with it and every now and then she would look at me and look away quickly. By the end of class I wanted to just make love to her in her office, on that desk, anywhere it didn't matter where as long as it was with her, but I knew that wouldn't happen. Wait, have sex not make love, right have sex with.

I left class as quickly as possible and washed my face in the bathroom. I have a meeting with her tomorrow, God I hope I have more self-control. 

I was early and waited for her session with the other student to end. He walked out around 11:35 and I knocked. Self-control Toni, for the love of all things that are holy, have some self-control.

"Come in Toni." I walked in and smiled as she looked up at me. I had never seen her in glasses she looked like the sexy librarian. "Have a seat." She seemed cheerful. 

"You usually wear contacts?" 

"Yea I didn't realize I was out when I threw out my last pair last night." She seemed normal as if nothing had happened.

"The glasses add to your beauty." What the hell, where did that come from? She's beautiful when she blushes. At least it is true I just hope she doesn't get bothered by it considering what happened yesterday. I smiled shyly and looked away, I was now officially nervous and this is not something that usually happens to me. 

"Thank you. So what can I do for you Toni?" Sleep with me, I love how she says my name.

"I have my first draft for my final paper." 

"Let's get started."

Two hours flew by and again I was late to work. However these two hours were much different from the first. This time there was much more sexual tension between us but it seemed we were both trying to avoid letting anything happen. She took a seat in the chair next to me in front of her desk. Occasionally her skirt would rise and I would look at her skin, delicate and begging to be caressed. A few times our hands would touch and I would linger a little too long. 

We spent half the time on my paper and the other half talking about ourselves. She sat next to me while we talked laughing and genuinely having fun together. Being in her company was enough to make you smile. She was a completely different person from the one I met so many weeks ago, she was genuinely kind. I was able to see the woman within, beyond the facade. 

Miranda didn't have kids and she grew up in Silver Lake. Now she's selling her Beverly Hills mansion and buying a place across from the Silver Lake Reservoir. How do I know this, well we started talking about ourselves and she wanted to get to know me and before I even realized it she had me opening up and talking to her like she was one of my friends from childhood. 

I asked about the girl from the club and she said she figured they may be dating but she wasn't sure. Explaining that she's not looking for anything serious, after the divorce. She then asked about Ashley and I felt oh so compelled to tell her the truth the whole truth. Don't ask me why but she provided a comfort zone when talking to her that I felt like just telling her everything. I told her we were sleeping together but this was a first for me and so I wasn't sure what we were. But I also explained that I don't do relationships almost telling her the part of the Syl story from high school slip.

There was definitely some flirting going on. I think in the classroom we both know that there is a danger in getting caught as well as the fact that eventually there will be other students there. In her office we were both fully aware of the fact that it was just the two of us and there were no tangible boundaries. If one of us pushed too far the other would have to stop it and the question became did either of us have the will power to stop it. 

Finally the deal breaker for me was when she said her back hurt and so she turned to lean on the edge of her desk. I could see the seam of her garter belt underneath her tight skirt. My mind started racing with images of her on a bed with only a bra, a garter belt, and stockings. 

That just sent me into many ideas and I can honestly say the room became much hotter. Finally she just pushed herself up and sat on her desk again crossing her leg, all I wanted was to remove each stocking one by one and kiss my way from her toes to her pussy. Damn it I was lost in sexual desires. Of course I was the one who couldn't resist the tease, I was the one who pushed our boundaries.

When she had her leg crossed I smirked because a part of me knew she was teasing me. I leaned forward and ran the back of my index finger up along her calf muscle to the top of her stocking. This caused her to stop talking all together and just watch my finger. I traced from the front to the back and all around. Then I went back down her calf with my whole hand and took of her shoe. 

"Toni, what are you doing?" I caressed her foot again with only the back of my hand. 

"Seeing how far I can go until you stop me." I uncrossed her leg and stood up in front of her. 

"You know I won't stop you, so the question is how far do you want to go?" I leaned into her, thinking she would go backwards but she didn't move back. My body was between her legs and pressed up against her chest now, she brought her hands to my chest closer to my neck and I kissed her right on her neck. 

"Miranda you're the professor you have to set the example."

"Well then... Toni.... you should probably take a seat." I couldn't help but smile. It wasn't loud or forceful it was barely a whisper but I knew I had to respect it whether or not I thought she meant it.

"Yes Ma'am." I could hear her groan when I pulled away, putting her shoe back on. 

Our conversation continued on to lighter topics such as the music playing in her office. 

She had Incubus playing from a small sound system, where her Ipod was attached. She had all the albums as the songs played randomly. Incubus was my favorite band but I didn't mention it, I didn't want her to think I was some lovesick kid who was infatuated with her. Which I clearly am not... I think.

There's an Incubus concert coming up, I wondered, if maybe just maybe she would want to go with me. I could invite Ashley, but then that would make whatever we're doing a lot like dating and I don't want or need that right now. Miranda does owe me a favor according to her and I doubt it would get her fired. Would she be up for a concert, she's not exactly old or anything. She's probably a few years older than me but who doesn't want to go to a concert of a band they play in their office. 

"Hey Miranda can I ask for that favor?"
 "Sure just remember as long as it doesn't get me fired." She smiled.

"Well...you see...there's...um..." Fuck get a hold of yourself Toni it's a concert not a date, quick and easy. I had my hands in my pocket.

"There's an Incubus concert coming up and well I didn't want to go alone so I was wondering if you would like to come with me? My friends aren't into their music and I have an extra ticket." 

Her silence worried me but I knew she was thinking over the whole situation. 

"I promise to be nice and behave myself. Please."

"Behave how?" She wanted to flirt but knew I wasn't one to stand down. I took her gesture of kindness and answered honestly. Take it slow and remember who you are Toni, low and slow keep your composure kid. 

"Keep my hands to myself and watch my mouth before I talk." I looked down while I spoke, averting her eyes. 

"I'll go if you let me pay for the ticket."

"No the favor includes the ticket, you can buy me beer or a shirt or a souvenir or something." 

"Deal."

"You'll come?" That was too anxious, relax. 

"Sure, you'll pick me up?"

"I don't see why not." She had a huge smile.

"Deal."

"Thanks I appreciate it." I leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek more out of reaction to thank her than anything else. I think I lingered to long.

Then I got the dreaded call from work that I was late.

I ran out of there and barely said good bye as I ran out. I contemplated another kiss on the cheek but thought it may have been pushing it too much. 

******************************* Miranda

God, her kisses make me all tingly and she doesn't even touch my lips. She was so excited when she was asking, I've never seen her so nervous. I'm glad she's not always so in control, I was beginning to wonder. I mean she is super hot and sexy and handsome. 

It was so nice talking to her I haven't talked to anyone like that in such a long time. I mean Autumn knows my whole life story but with her she was interested in who I was. She listened attentively and asked questions. She's mature for her age and just ... amazing. 

She's right though I should set the example, how did I allow her to get me so rattled. That's just it Toni has this spell on me that whenever she's around me I have no self control and let myself go to my desires.

I forgot to ask about the concert date. Should I tell Val about this, nah, I mean were not serious or dating and I wouldn't expect her to tell me whenever she goes out with someone else. Hmmm, I do want to see her again though, I should invite her to dinner.

I went to the one person I could count on to know everything about being social, Autumn. I asked her about dating etiquette and calling someone. She said her usual answer, text her. It seems like the new dating world is too technological. I went with her advice. I asked her to dinner, and she asked if I wanted to go dancing afterwards, which sounded great to me. 

The week went by fairly slow because I was so nervous about my dinner date. I picked up Valerie at 8 and she looked beautiful. I wanted to get her in bed by the end of the night and just have my way with her body. I needed to remember what is was like to be with a woman. I sound like a horny teenager, but then again I've felt like that a lot lately.

At the restaurant we talked and got to know a little bit more about each other and I asked if she was seeing anyone else, not considering that she would ask me right back. 

She said she wasn't and I responded the same. I mean Toni and I are not seeing each other in that way, we're just acquaintances. She seemed pleased by my answer and we were off to the club. 

At the club I was getting so turned on, by all the beautiful women dancing all around me, their bodies bumping against mine. Valerie was having her way with me. She knew how to dance and was good at making me follow her lead. An hour later I was so turned on when she kissed me I thought I would melt from the heat within my body. Dancing with her was like our bodies were moving to the beat, dancing to different songs.

She kissed me again and asked if I wanted to go back to her place and I agreed. What we were going to do I don't know, but since last time at my place we just had coffee and talked for a bit I thought, hoped that we could go further tonight. 

She led me to her bedroom and she sat me in her chair facing her bed. Nothing was spoken, she undressed for me and for my eyes only. Revealing her succulent breast, encased in a light blue bra with black satin corset accents. I felt my hands fidgeting wondering what I was supposed to be doing. I knew where this was going but she wanted me to watch. 

I watched as she removed her jeans and worked them over her hips and down her thighs. Then a matching set of light blue satin corset style accented panties made an appearance, it was the perfect contrast with her light almond skin. Accentuating that one part of her body I wanted to touch and taste. I wanted to stand and straddle her but I remained in the chair and started to touch my breast over my silk blouse. She stepped out of her jeans never even having to take off her heels, what a pro. A woman in lingerie and heels was definitely a plus, because you know that they are dressed up just for you. She took the time to get dressed for me and what she thought would tease and entice me.

Finally she sat at the edge of the bed and motioned for me to come over. My pussy was now throbbing from the show she had just put on for me. She reached up and undid the buttons on my blouse as I stroked her face, feeling the velvety skin under my fingertips. She was delicate and smooth. I put my hands back as she removed my shirt. Leaving her hands behind me and undoing the zipper on my skirt, pulling it over my hips. I was wearing only my garters and stockings, no undies tonight. I wanted this. I wanted her. I wanted her to take me like no one had before I wanted to cum on her. 

I was sex deprived and needed to be pleased. 

I stepped out of the skirt and straddled her body as she caressed my curves. I felt her shudder at the touch of my thighs next to hers. I reached behind her and unstrapped her bra and revealed those delicious breast that had been in hiding. I pulled back just a bit and took a pink little nipple into my mouth, sucking like I was starving and needed the nutrition. I had wanted this for so long, I needed to feel a woman's heat on my body. Truth be told I had wanted it to be Toni, but for now that wasn't an option. Maybe it was an option I felt I couldn't take. 

She slid her hands to my back and sliding into my panties kneading my backside, gently at first, soon it was much harder pulling me into her making my pussy press into her stomach. I moaned into her breast, feeling my clit being stimulated. 

I pushed her back onto the bed and traced her breast with my fingers while I sucked at her nipple going back and forth, making sure neither one felt neglected. She was looking away, her body twitching under the touch of my fingers, her body thrusting against me. Her hips looking for the stimulation she needed to get off. But I was busy exploring her body looking for the spots that made her moan I was drunk with power teasing this woman. Making her want me needing me to get her off. 




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 03



Just as a side-note this chapter will be a little slower than the previous ones but it will also be a little happier. It's less about the cousin's relationship and more about Adam trying to get use to his new surroundings.

This chapter was meant to be a lot longer but it was taking me forever to write it and despite wanting to finish it before I went on holiday I knew I was never going to do that so I split this chapter in two - the ending to chapter 4 is the ending I originally had for this but that'll come later. Hopefully this is enough to satisfy the readers until I can will myself to finish the next chapter

Story first, sex second. 

*

Adam woke with a throbbing pain on his face, from the bright sun he could tell it was afternoon by now. He had no memory of what happened last night past getting punched in the face by Liam. Christ his face was in agony.

"Ah, you're finally awake." A soft female voice came from the side. 

Adam turned and saw her, a young woman, around about his age, was sitting at a table with a book in her hands. What struck Adam about the woman was that she was very beautiful, smooth olive-toned skin, long, sleek, black hair, a little red flower on top of her head, light brown eyes that looked totally at ease, not helping himself Adam darted his eyes down to the woman's chest, she was wearing an orange bikini top which was stretched against her grapefruit sized breasts. The woman was smiling a dazzling white smile at him and for some reason Adam felt relaxed.

"I was wondering when you would wake up." She continued.

"Where am I?" Adam asked as he sat up, he looked around the room, it looked to be made of bamboo or some other type of tree, like a hut. From the window Adam could see miles and miles of rolling green and brown hills and from behind him he could smell the sea.

"You're in Hawaii." The woman calmly told him.

"Hawaii? What the fuck happened last night? How did I get here?"

"My dad found you in his fishing boat when he was coming home last night, guessed you snuck on at Vegas. He found you just as you are now, half naked with a broken nose."

"Broken nose?" Adam turned to the nearest mirror, sure enough his nose had been broken, and badly. There was dried blood around his mouth, a deep red stain covering half his face.

"Liam must be a better fighter than I realised. Oh shit Liam, hey can I borrow your phone real quick?"

"Sure."

Adam quickly picked up the house phone and dialled Liam's mobile, only stopping to remember what numbers to dial.

Liam answered the phone after several rings, from the sound of his voice he felt just as bad as Adam.

"Hm, yeah, what... fuck, what?"

"Liam. It's Adam."

"Adam, where the fuck are you?"

"Hawaii."

"Hawaii? The fuck are you doing there? What the fuck happened last night, I woke up in the fountain outside the hotel, my head is killing me."

"I don't know, the last thing I remember was us in the hotel room, we were drinking and doing some coke, then we got in a fight. You broke my nose."

"Shit man, I can't remember anything past the hotel, I have no idea how you got to Hawaii."

"I'm with this girl who told me I was asleep on her father's fishing boat."

"When were we near a harbour?"

"I don't know. Look Liam I'll call you back once I know what the hell is going on."

"Alright, sorry about the nose."

"It's fine, talk to you later."

"See you."

Adam hung up the phone, the woman was smiling at him.

"Sounds like a fun night."

Adam laughed softly. "Sorry you had to hear that, it's been a strange night."

"I'll say. You're lucky dad didn't toss you out into the ocean."

"I suppose I should thank you then Mrs...?"

"Miss. Miss Kanani Kealoha."

"That's quite a name."

"People just call me Kay;"

Adam shook Kanani's hand. "Thank you Kay, my name's....

"Adam McAllister. I checked your wallet, see if there was a number to call. Here."

Kanani handed Adam his wallet. Immediately he opened it but there was no money, no notes, no coins. Even his card was missing.

"I swear it was like that when I found it."

"It's ok, after last night I wouldn't be surprised if I had threw my card away. Christ what happened to me?"

"Well you're welcome to stay if you want, if you need to save up the money to get back home then you shouldn't need to waste it on rent."

"Save up? You mean your dad won't take me back on his boat."

"I wouldn't think so, he wanted to chuck you out into the sea but I told him not to. Besides he's not going to waste the money on gas."

"Well you're kind to let me stay here."

"Least I could do, I've got a spare room anyway, might as well use it. Don't worry, I won't start charging you until you get a job."

"Charge? I thought you were letting me stay here."

"I need to make something out of this Adam, I'm not doing this out of charity."

"And here I was thinking you were a nice girl Kay."

"I let you use my phone, that was nice. I've just met you Adam, this trust thing works both ways."

Adam laughed, he felt like he hadn't laughed in years. He liked this girl, this Kay, she was kind, she was funny and she was beautiful.

"Ok Adam I'm just going to call my dad, look around the house if you want, bathroom's to the left, second on the right is my room, stay out."

Kay left with a smile, Adam stood up, his whole body racked with pain but he managed to stand up with little difficulties. Adam walked slowly out to the porch, the air was hot and humid but he almost didn't notice, the view was so stunning. Kay's house was in a small neighbourhood, probably only 7 or 8 houses in a circle, a road went by each house, it was a roundabout but it had only one entrance/exit which went away and over a hill. The houses were all the same tree-hut style as Kay's, everyone shone in the bright sunlight, everywhere he looked Adam saw a new colour whether it was a tree, a flower or occasionally and animal.

He liked it.

"So you're the stowaway huh?"

Adam turned to one of the neighbouring houses, he saw a man in his early 50s siting on his porch. He had a friendly smile and kind green eyes, he was wearing the typical Hawaiian outfit, crazy shirt and shorts.

"I am, had a little too much to drink."

"I'd say, old Kale told me he picked you up in Vegas, you're a long way from home. Hell of a night."

Adam chuckled, the neighbour stuck out his hand for Adam to shake. "Ray."

He took Ray's hand. "Adam, you're a stranger in these lands yourself ain't you Ray?"

"Ha, what gave me away, the whiter-than-white skin, the crazy shirt?"

"The accent, I'm from Britain myself and I can recognize the accent anywhere."

Ray smiled as he thought for a moment "You want to come over for a beer Adam."

**

Kanani arrived back an hour later to an empty house, she spent a good 5 minutes searching every-room of the house before she heard laughing from Ray's house. She walked out into the sunlight to see her old and her new friends sitting on the porch. She just caught the end of their conversation, Ray was struggling to tell his story without laughing.

"...and so Davie lobs this bottle over the fence and the next thing we hear is glass smashing, not just the bottle but a fuckin greenhouse. We all start running but Davie's so shocked he can only stand there as this brick-shithouse comes running out."

The two men just started laughing, Kanani just smiled at them but they both knew she was there, Ray was the first to turn to her.

"Oh my beautiful Kay, what brings a princess like you to this wretched paradise?"

"Hello to you too Ray, see you've met my new friend."

"Yep, me and Adam here have been reminiscing about the good old days of Britannia."

"Britain huh? I thought you a Las Vegas native Adam."

"Nah, I spent about a year in Vegas but it's a long road that brought me there. I take it you two are friends then."

"Ray came into this town about 10, 12 years back, not too different from you, except he was on the back of a truck. He was suppose to be working for some big company but God conspired against him."

"Anytime I tried to get here the vehicle I was in broke down and by the time I arrived the position had been filled. Spent a good couple of months living off expenses the company paid for before I met Kale."

"Ray and dad started as drinking buddies but they had an idea, a business plan. And they decided to go for it."

"Back when we started there was hardly any car salesmen around so me and Kale pooled our money, worked a few jobs, didn't waste anything then about three, four years after I got here we opened for business. It's been difficult but we're doing good for ourselves, I've been running the company for just over a year since Kale retired, became a fisherman which is how he came about you."

Adam nodded his head, intrigued by the story. "Sounds like a good story, what did you do before selling cars."

"Nothing special, just office number crunching, you know the drill; white shirt, tie."

Kanani giggled. "You gave that up for shorts and colourful shirts."

"I'll give up a hell of a lot more fro you my sweet."

"Oh Ray, when will you learn that ours is a doomed romance. Hey Adam, my dad's coming round for dinner tonight, you're welcome to join us if you want. Maybe make him stop hating you."

"I'd like that thank you."

Kanani turned and headed back inside, Adam watched her, admiring how gorgeous she looked in the sunlight.

"She's a kind girl isn't she?"

"She's always been liked that, volunteers down at the animal sanctuary. Listen Adam, I know we've just met but I like to think we're going to be friends..."

"Friends? No offence but I'm not planning on staying that long."

"Look just listen to me, Kay likes you, I can see that clear as day, why else would she keep a stranger in her house so I'm going to make this clear. As your friend I'll say this; don't do anything to Kay that you'll regret. As Kay's friend I'll say this; if you hurt her you best pray it's me who finds you because I'll kill you quickly, unlike Kale."

"Wow, I've been here two hours and already I have death warnings. Weird place."

"Get use to it Adam. You'll get plenty before the week's out."

The two men laughed as they opened another beer.

Over the next few hours Adam wandered around the neighbourhood, he just strolled around getting use to the surroundings. He found himself liking the quietness of the place, it was such a change from the fast-paced, bright lights of Vegas. Yeah the heat was a little too much but as the day went on it got cooler and cooler.

He arrived back at Kanani's house just in time for dinner, she and her father were already inside.

"Adam, glad to see you could make it."

"You kidding Kay? After everything you've done for me I wouldn't miss this for anything. Feel a little bad that you're doing this, I should've done something for you."

"You're broke Adam what could you have done? Besides I like cooking, good to have a first-time taster."

Adam smiled and turned to who he could only guess was Kale, he was a large man, tall, burly and on the bad side of 60. He looked like 30 years ago he could kill you with a single punch but even with a little extra weight he'd still do some damage. His skin was the same olive tone as his daughter but with more than a few wrinkles, his hair was long, down to his neck 

and in some form of good shape. Finally the last thing Adam noticed about Kale was his eyes, one of them was a dark brown, much like his daughter but darker, the other was milky-white, a dead eye, he could immediately tell Kale was blind in that eye.

"You must be Kale, I've heard a great deal about you from Ray. Glad to meet you conscious this time."

A slight twitch at the corner of Kale's mouth told Adam he found the joke humorous but it was very brief and soon he was back to the grim expression.

"I apologize for the manner in which we met, I've lost all memory of that night, don't remember getting on your boat. I'm sorry."

"Just make sure it doesn't happen again, next time Kanani won't be there to save you."

Kanani leaned into Adam and whispered in his ear. "Dad wasn't kidding when he said he was going to tip you into the sea."

"Duly noted. What you cooking Kay smells delicious."

"It's called Hawaiian Chicken, it's a meal my mother did perfectly, this is as close an imitation as I can get."

"Don't sell yourself Kay, I'm sure it'll be delicious."

Kanani smiled at the compliment but Kale didn't, while Kanani went back to finish up the meal Kale spoke in a low, hard voice. It scared Adam slightly.

"Adam. I don't know you, I don't why you're here and I don't know if you're planning anything with my daughter. I know she's old enough to make her own decisions but she's still my girl and ever since her mother died she's been the most important person in my life. So if you hurt her, I will blind you, I've been cutting fish for 40 years and I've got pretty good with a knife so I will blind you."

Adam sat in stunned silence, not knowing how to react to Kale's threat. It wasn't until Kanani came back that the silence was broke.

"Hey that's dinner ready. What you boys talking about?"

"Your dad just threatened to blind me."

"Ah the 'Hurt me daughter and I'll blind you' speech. Haven't had one of those for a while."

"This is normal?"

"Normal for dad. It's been pretty effective if a little annoying. But I let him give his little speeches, keep him off my back for the most part."

"Well it's definitely effective I'll say that. I could really use that meal right about now."

The three of them went to a large table near the kitchen, Kale sat at the head of the table, Kanani to his right and Adam to his left. After a quick prayer they began eating.

"Mmm, Kay this is really good. Seriously this is amazing."

"Really? You're not just saying that?"

"I mean it, it's delicious."

Kanani blushed at the compliment, something her father picked up on.

"Oh come on dad you don't have to hate Adam just because he's a stowaway. Give him a chance."

"I'm not completely stupid Mr Kealoha, I'm actually quite nice once you get to know me. I'm interested in hearing how you became blind in your eye there. Did you harm anyone's daughter?"

Kanani had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. As was the general consensus of the night Kale wasn't pleased.

"I got this when the last asshole that was cheeky to me tried his luck with a bottle. Smashed it into my face, I've now got a piece of glass in my eye and it can't be removed without the risk of nicking an artery. So if I look like I have the headache from hell I probably do."

"Sounds unpleasant, sorry to hear that. I was almost blinded myself when I was younger, gave me this scar."

"Not the same thing Adam."

Adam smiled as he bit into a piece of chicken. "You really don't like me do you Mr Kealoha?"

"I do not, I think you're a drunk junkie and a failure and the only reason I haven't kicked your ass yet is because my daughter doesn't want me to for some reason."

"Ouch, tell me how you really feel Kale."

Kale looked at Adam, a look of disapproving and disgust on his face. "That's it, I'm sorry Kanani but I can't stay here, this disrespectful little shit needs to be out of here by the morning."

Kale stood up and walked away, Kanani went after him, trying to calm him down to no avail. Adam smiled and continued eating his chicken. Kanani returned to the table, a slight smile on her face.

"I don't know if you're dumb, brave or both right now Adam but my dad's not used to people talking back to him, a lot of people round here know him well enough to be scared."

"I'll be honest with you Kay I'm still a little buzzed from Vegas, when that runs out I'm going to shit myself around your dad. I'm also going to be a little snappy and probably an asshole."

"I'm use to junkies Adam, my own brother was one for several years and I had to hold him here for his detox. He's better off now but it was a dark time for him."

"I'm sorry to hear that? I had a relative addicted to drugs. Don't know what happened to her."

Kanani watched as Adam stared into space, clearly remembering this relative he lost touch with, she walked slowly forward and rubbed his shoulder.

"Thanks. And thank you for dinner, you didn't need to do that you know."

"And I told you I wanted to, I like cooking Adam. Besides it was worth it for you and my dad."

Adam had to smile. He finished his meal then got acquainted with the house, it really was tiny, the kitchen and living room took up about 75% of the whole place with only a bathroom and two bedrooms with a porch outside. It was also pretty bare, yes there was the usual stuff, TV, sofa, a table with chairs, oven, fridge, bed, all that but there was only one TV in the whole house, one sofa, one table, the bedrooms each had one bed and one chest-of-drawers and the bathroom was a toiler, sink and a stand-up shower, not even a bathtub. 

The whole minimalist look appealed to Adam in a way he wouldn't have expected, he was already getting use to the heat and it had only been a couple of hours. That night Adam heard Kanani doing something outside, he followed the noise and found her walking out the backdoor and down a set of steps that had been carved into the hillside leading onto a large beach. In the moonlight the beach looked equal parts haunting and beautiful. Adam stood on the steps, looking out to this magical place, the serene nature reminded him of the pond back at home.

God home? Where was that these days?

"You going to stand there all day or are you going to join me?"

The sudden shout from Kanani grabbed Adam out of his trance. He continued down the steps and onto the beach, Kanani was sitting on the sand, her arms wrapped around her knee. She smiled sweetly at Adam who sat down beside her.

"Sorry if I gave you a fright Adam, I heard you follow me from the house and I wanted you to hurry up."

"Sorry."

"Don't be, I'm usually out here on my own, nice to have someone to talk to."

"Why are you out here anyway? Why aren't you asleep?"

"I don't know, I've been doing this for years, coming out here at night and listening to the waves but... I've always considered it a type of insomnia but I'm not sure what it is. Maybe I just love the peacefulness of it all, I mean listen to that."

Adam did listen, the crashing waves were gentle against the soft sand, the night air gave a cool breeze to the otherwise hot weather, even though it was very late the place was still pretty light and Adam could see every part of Kanani's beautiful face.

"Do you know anywhere this peaceful?" For the second time in minutes Kanani brought Adam out of his trance.

"Um, yeah, yeah I do actually. Back in Glasgow there's this pond, it's completely hidden off from everywhere else, like surrounded by these big, claw like trees and bushes that surround it and it's got this walkway all around made up of bark and leaves. I found it by accident when I was sledging with my cousin, we lost control and crashed through the bushes, I had to cover her up to protect her and that's how I got my scar. God, it's been a long time since I told that story."

There was a silence that passed between the two of them but it went unnoticed by Adam, he was remembering how happy Lexi had been when she told that same story to Liam and Maggie.

"Adam? Was your cousin the one who got addicted to the drugs?"

"What, yeah. Yeah that was her? How'd you know?"

"You have the same look in you eye last time you mentioned her. What's her name?"

"Alexandra, though I just call her Lexi. I don't know her last name it's been changed so often."

Kanani out her hand on top of Adam's and locked their fingers together, Adam would never have known it but her touch was just what he needed just then.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 03



***********************************

Toni

Just three more sessions; hold it together, Toni, I told myself. Ashley leaves for San Francisco tomorrow and then it's over with. We saw each other for the last time this morning, and I can honestly say that whatever we had was nice. 

I've had Miranda on my mind for three months now. This sort of thing never happens to me, the sort of thing where I sometimes catch myself daydreaming about her, wondering what she's doing, longing for the touch of her lips one more time. Since that dance at the club, I haven't been able to go one day without thinking of her for prolonged periods of time. 

I sit and try to figure out why I want her so much and I have come up with two theories: A- either I just need to do her to get her out my mind or B- I'm in uncharted territory and way over my head. I'm hoping for A but I think I know its B. I like her, I actually really like her. It's not just sexual or physical but so much more.

I love the way she talks to me like an equal and how she never backs down from an argument. She always tells me what she thinks- whether or not I like it. She calls me just to say hi and, when we get coffee, she always orders for us not just herself even though we will trade off who pays. When I'm with her at her office she pouts when another student enters. I love the way she looks at me when we talk and the way she texts me good morning even if I haven't sent her a text.

I've fallen in love with her and it didn't even occur to me that it was happening until it was too late. We text each other every night, and even when I am on a night shift, she'll text me throughout just to see how I'm doing. She tells me that she's up doing paperwork but I know it's because she wants to check in with me and make sure I'm doing alright. Sometimes, we will eat our dinner together over the phone, her conversation and laughing filling the empty hours. Only my dad has ever cared that much, and even he doesn't like I feel she does.

Not to mention the fact that I take extra time to get ready when I'm going to see her. I make sure to wear her favorite cologne, which she mentioned she liked when we danced that night at the club. It took every ounce of self-control not to make her mine, then and there. I wanted to take her back to my place and show her how a person who cares about you can make you feel. But I didn't because it wasn't about that; in that moment, it was about being intimate with each other. Having her in my arms that night made me realize what was missing. I realized that I was just going through the motion of life, and that since she came into it I was living again, enjoying every moment. I don't just want sex; I want to make love to her and worship her body. FUCK! I fell in love and didn't even see when she sneaked in and took hold of my heart. I hope she doesn't hurt me because my hurting her isn't going to happen. 

I knew I was taking a chance by initiating anything with my professor, but for the last three months I have felt something for her I haven't felt in a long time, if ever. The last time I had felt anything close to this was with Sylvia and even then it was different. I don't even know if I can describe how I feel about Miranda. It's this want to be around her and talk to her, this need to hold her in my arms and just be with her. 

It's been a long time since I've asked anyone out. I know the risks of rejection and yet something tells me if I don't try it'll be worse. I care about her the way I care about my friends. I love spending time with her even if it's just coffee. The thought of having someone to call my own- that right there is the best part. 

I know that she flirts with me and she feels something; the question becomes the same it has always been: am I worthy of more? Is there a possibility that she will want to be with me and only me? Will she want a relationship with someone younger? Will she want someone who isn't even half as financially stable as her? We belong to different social classes and, as much as I want to say that it doesn't matter, I can see the differences between us. 

I have to work to survive; she does it because she likes it. I have to make a lot of sacrifices to be able to have what I have; she doesn't. My dad accepts my way of life; her family doesn't and that can place a strain on any relationship even if all the odds are in its favor. 

But none of this matters if she doesn't say YES.

"Toni, what are you still doing here?" I was leaning on the wall next to her classroom door. She walked out and I followed her to the stairs where I took her bag full of blue-books to carry for her. It was as if she was tempting me, wearing my favorite white skirt suit. She had only worn it one other time and I had fallen into her web. Women worry about panty lines and let me tell you there was nothing there so do you really have to wonder what was underneath. 

"Do you really have to ask? I just turned in my final and I graduate on Saturday." I knew if I prolonged asking I would chicken out. "Let me take you out on a date, just you and me." She tried not to smile but it was there. 

"Walk me to my car?"

"I always do so..."

"Toni, you know I'm a lot older than you. Why do you want to go out with me?" Her sexy confident smile was gone and she sounded defeated. If she only knew how much I had dreamed of being with her over the past few months.

"Do you want a detailed list or will it suffice to say that I think you're beautiful and would be honored to be in your presence." That made her blush.

"You know you're a smooth talker," she replied with a knowing smile. "How can I know I can trust you?"

I stopped walking and she did the same. This story sounded so familiar. She turned to look at me, and I knew that if I wasn't honest and put my feelings out there that I would end up where I had started so many years ago.

"I've never done anything for you not to trust me. It may seem like I'm spitting game but it's the truth. You're beautiful, Miranda, and I love talking to you and spending time with you. When I'm with you I'm happy, happier than I have ever been. I have no experience with relationships or dating, but the one thing you need to know is that I respect commitment. I would never lead anyone on and I don't lie." I handed her the bag. "If you don't trust me then don't say yes. If you think I'm some player then you've already hurt me. I told you once and I've told you twice that I want you, Miranda, not just for sex or for one night. You have my number; let me know if we can be more than friends or if I'm not worth it."

I walked away because I was hurt. I may be confident and smooth but it's just me being honest. I'm not spitting game or trying to get her to bed. To not be trusted right off the bat and be judged based on her past...

"Toni..." I ignored her as she called my name. She could call me on my cell when she knew what she wanted. "TONI."

I knew she wouldn't come after me; technically, I was still a student. 

I headed for the student parking lot. When I got to my car, I sat there for a while just resting my head on the steering wheel. Crazy thing is, I have never slept with two women at the same time because I only sleep with them once. I don't lie to women and say I'll call you and then don't. I make it clear from the first instant I'm just looking for fun, no strings. I don't give false hope or flat out lies; I'm always honest and if the girl doesn't like it then we go our separate ways. 

From day one things were different with Miranda. I always made sure there was mutual respect and only honesty. When we would spend time together during her office hours, we would spend half the time getting to know one other. I knew she was divorced, selling her place, and had bought a new home. She came from money and her parents didn't like the idea of the divorce or that she had no children and was a successful business woman who worked on her career instead of a family. It isn't that she didn't want a family, she just wanted children to be raised in a home full of love and not lies. 

I know she loves to hear me talk about cars, and I know she pays attention because she asks questions. We have so much in common and are so similar but it's our differences that make us work. I mean, we work in the sense that we never get bored of talking to the extent that we always lose track of time because conversation never fails.

The best part is how comfortable I am with her. I remember the first night I met her and how beautiful she was but how she acted like such a bitch. Then when I saw her in class, I mean she looked like she was dressed to kill, elegant and classy. She was gorgeous and beautiful, everything a woman like me would love to come home to. Before she came into the picture I couldn't even think of settling down and being with just one girl. Now? Now, she's all I want. 

The more I think about it the more unreasonable I sound. The truth of the matter was that in that moment when she asked me how she could trust me all I could think of was what Sylvia had said so many years ago, how it had turned my whole world around. My thoughts were heavy as I got to work and received her message.

--Toni, I am so sorry if I offended you but that was never my intention. Please give me a chance to explain and maybe we can go on that date. Just you and me, baby, please.--

I wanted to answer but I was at work. Plus I felt like an idiot for acting so dumb earlier. As my shift went on I thought of her and only her. After Friday's shift I had the next two weeks off to help her move after which I would start my new job. Finally my shift ended I went home only to find Sandy at my door.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her suspiciously as she looked really mad.

"Why haven't you answered her text?" She demanded. What the hell was going on?

"How do you even know she's been texting me? My phones been off."

"I know. I've been calling and so has Jada. It's not like you to disappear off the face of the earth."

I opened the door and led her in.

"I was working. What does it matter? We didn't have plans, and I'm sure no one has died or you would have them to call through to me on the radio." Now I was mad. She was my friend but I felt like I was being scolded like a child.

"Don't fuck this up Toni. For the love of your father, don't just give up on her. You are so in lo... into her that you haven't been interested in even going to the club. All you ever do is spend time with her during her office hours and even when you hang out with us you're always texting her. I can tell it's her because of that stupid smile you get."

"How do you even know about her text?" It was her turn to blush and in that instant I knew the answer. "You're fucking Autumn!" Her eyes went wide but she didn't try to deny it as it wasn't a question.

"You're so vulgar; I'm not fucking her. I make love to her." I flung my shirt I had just taken off at her as she smiled. I imagined that her smile was similar to the one I had when I thought of Miranda. "Anyways, this conversation is not about me. Here, this is Autumn's address." She handed me a slip of paper. "Go pick her up."

"Who? Autumn?"

"No, stupid, Miranda. She's there with Autumn. She called and came by but I left before she got there so I could come see what the hell was wrong with you."

"I can't go." I handed her back the slip of paper. All I wanted was to shower, go to bed, and pretend nothing had happened.

She took the paper and sat on the recliner facing the bed. 

"Change, shower, whatever it is you're gonna do, and I'll be waiting for you to explain what's going on with you guys."

I hoped she'd leave, but when I was done with my shower and dressed in sweats and a muscle shirt, she was sitting in my recliner- probably texting Autumn from the smile on her face.

"Do I look that stupid when I text her?" I asked and she laughed, raising her eyebrow.

"Worse. Now tell me what's going on with you guys."

"Nada, nothing, zip."

"T, I was sitting right there at the club when you sat next to her, held her close, whispered sweet nothings in her ear and then made out with her like you were two teenagers in a movie theater- and there's the smile again. And, if I'm not mistaken, you were sleeping with that other girl all this time. I have never seen you like this with anybody. I don't think I've ever seen you this happy."

"Will you go away if I tell you?"

"Yes. After you promise to go see her."

I started with the day I met the most beautiful Bitch in the world- How even after dropping her off I couldn't get her out of my mind. After spending the night with Sylvia and her girlfriend, I still wanted her. I talked about how I felt when I figured out she was my teacher and how I apologized for my attitude. Then our regular office visits and the run in at the club the first two times; the first time I kissed her and how she didn't stop me; the thong I have in the drawer next to my bed that she gave me; the constant flirting and getting to know each other. I talked about everything right up until today after the exam. After over an hour of my countless stories Sandy slapped me upside the head. 

"Ouch! What the fuck, San?"

"One, you over reacted and two, why didn't you answer her? I mean, I have never seen you act this way about anyone. Ever. You're in love with her and you know it. What's holding you back?"

I felt the tears and, not being one to cry, I waited hoping to hell they wouldn't fall. 

"I'm scared to get hurt. I've never felt so weak around anyone. I can't even look her in the eyes too long because I'm afraid she'll see how I feel."

"That's why you won't really open up to her." She mulled over the thought. 

"It's easier to remain unattached than to have your heart broken. I learned that the hard way," I said, my voice hoarse from talking so long and unshed tears.

"NO." Sandy adamantly shook her head as she glared at me. "You took one bad experience and based the rest of your life on it. What are you gonna do? Live the rest of your life based on ONE experience or are you going to actually LIVE your life?" We stared at one another for long moments. "That wasn't a rhetorical question, T."

"I'm going to call her?" I asked hesitantly.

She stood up and smiled, carefully placing the paper with the address on my nightstand and smoothing it out.

"Only you know what you want, babe; the rest of us only want you to be happy." She kissed the top of my head and left.

First instinct, call for a second opinion from Jada. But my mind had already made the choice for me. I sprayed some cologne, pulled on a sweater, threw on a beanie, put on my Jordan's, and grabbed my wallet. First stop flower shop, stop number two dinner from Mario's, stop number three Autumn's house. 

I was scared shitless as I knocked on the door with flowers in hand.

Autumn came to the door in her pajamas and I wondered how Sandy got the straight girl to fall for her. Sandy could have had anyone but she wanted Autumn- Miranda's best friend. Go figure. 

"She's in my bedroom. Come in and I'll go get her." 

"Nice hickey; San can be very possessive." I couldn't help the evil grin as Autumn jerked and turned to look at me, a guilty hand flying to her neck as a blush crept across her face and down her neck. "Do you mind if I go get her, please?" 

"Break her heart and I'll find someone to kick your ass," she threatened, the moment almost ruined by her embarrassment.

"If I ever hurt her believe me I'll be kicking my own ass."

"Good. Take as long as you need. I'll be watching TV. Just don't get too naughty, I just changed the sheets."

"MMmmhhhmmmm."

I walked to where she pointed and my breath caught in my throat. This was the first time I was in a private setting with Miranda where I didn't have to worry about anyone or anything. She was facing away from the door laying down on the bed in a set of black silky pajamas. I walked slowly to the side of the bed. When she saw it was me, she turned to face away from me. Cute. I'll have to be the adult. I set the flowers on the bed, and as I sat on the bed, I picked her up with one hand under her knees and the other under her back and dragged her into my lap.

"I'm sorry." 

Turning her face towards me, she laid her head on my chest and inhaled.

"Who do you smell so good for?" She placed her left hand on my chest and kept her head down.

"You." I pulled my hand from underneath her knees to grab her hand on my chest and give her a kiss on each fingertip.

"Who do you look so good for?" She brought her hand to my neck and finally showed me her gorgeous eyes which were rimmed red. Damn, I had made her cry. The realization brought a rush of sadness and guilt but I knew I would make it better. I brought my hand to her cheek to stroke and feel her soft skin. 

"You." 

I leaned in and, for the first time in my life, I was ready for the rest of my life. With a beautiful woman in my arms with her lips on mine, I wanted nothing else but her. Her kiss was soft and hesitant, her lips delicate and inquisitive as though she was searching for something unknown. I wasn't scared, though; I knew what I wanted. I held her close poured all my feelings into this one kiss, trying to show her what I was afraid to tell her. I wanted more but I was afraid to pushing too far. This kiss was it; everything I had waited for was now real, but I wanted more. I pulled away and I heard her whimper. I couldn't help but smile. 

I licked my lips.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted. You can trust me." I looked into her eyes and saw the look of a person who wanted what was right in front of them. How had I missed it? It was the same look from all those days in her class. It was probably the same look I had when I thought of her being in my arms and of holding her close. It was the look I probably had when I thought of being able to make her happy and spend my days with her. 

"I bought us dinner; it's not exactly a date but it's a start. Will you come over to my place and have dinner with me?" She kissed my lips again and I couldn't help but smile. What had I been missing all these years? Or maybe I hadn't been missing anything but I was simply waiting for the right woman. She pulled away and stood up between my legs facing me as I held her in my arms. 

"First, we talk about what happened?" She was looking for my eyes but I didn't want her to see how vulnerable I was around her. 

"I think you interrupted San and Autumn. How about we talk at my place, please?" I pulled her closer but she kept her distance. 

"I'm supposed to sleep here. Remember the house is packed up and my bed isn't being delivered for another few days. Toni, why won't you look at me?" 

I didn't want to offend her so I finally looked up.

"Miranda spend the night with me. We can talk at my place and you can take the bed. I'll sleep on the recliner. Just come home with me please."

"Anything for you," she breathed. I liked the sound of that. I stood up and held her in my arms. I felt like her protector because, for the first time, she wasn't in heels and it seemed like I towered over her. "I took your height for granted. Wait, what do you mean I interrupted Sandy and Autumn?" Oh crap.

"Autumn?" I grabbed the flowers and handed them to her with a flourish trying to distract her from her line of questioning. 

"They're beautiful, Toni." Her smile was back and I couldn't help but leaning down and kissing her. My hands were holding her face and hers went around my waist.

"Am I interrupting?" I could hear the smile in Autumn's voice. Miranda let go smoothly and stood next to me. I wanted her close and automatically I wrapped my arms around her waist as she rested her body on mine. 

"Yes, but it's your house. Autumn, what's going on with you and Sandy?"




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 03



"TONI!" Shit. Let's see how many women I could piss off in one day.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know no one knew." I was laughing, though. It was funny that we were both so caught up in our own worlds that we didn't see what was right in front of us. 

"No one knew what?" Autumn had the biggest eyes, contemplating the question and answer as if she was asking me a question. I just shrugged my shoulders; this was her life, not mine. Autumn gave a resigned sigh. "Um, Sandy and I have been seeing each other for a month now." Had she said it any faster it would have been one long word. 

"Don't look at me, sweetie, I just found out before I came over," I said to Miranda as she looked up at me. Her gaze turned back to Autumn.

"You are so lucky she wants to take me home. Tomorrow you and I are having one long talk, and you have a lot of explaining to do." Miranda's eyes narrowed as a trapped look settled over Autumn's face. Then a thought occurred to her and a mischievous light shone in her eyes.

"She's taking you home, huh?" Now she was flat out smirking. 

"Yes I am; I'll drop her off on my way to school tomorrow. You can tell her then how close you and San are." 

"TONI!" This is much more fun than I thought.

"Relax I don't know anything."

"What time do you have to go in tomorrow?" Miranda asked me.

"I have my last final in the morning at 8. I'll probably drop you off around 7 if that's okay?"

"Yeah, it gives me time to get my car in the morning."

"Okay Autumn I will be here in the afternoon."

"Alright, make yourself at home if I'm not here."

As we left, Miranda gave Autumn a hug and went to grab some of her stuff in the guest room. When it was my turn, Autumn gave me a lecture.

"She's always changed for the people she's with, but with you she's herself. She's been hurt before so please don't be like all the jerks in her life. I know you're a good person- Sandy talks about you like you're a saint. Be good to her and she'll be good to you."

"I will; don't worry. She keeps me honest, she keeps me alive, and she doesn't even know it."

"I'm ready," Miranda said from behind me.

"Here I'll grab those."

It didn't take her long to remember that we had a pending conversation but the smell of the food was a good distraction. I could just tell her right now when she couldn't really look at me or, at least, I couldn't see her judging her reaction. I did need to be open with her so its important for to me stop running and hiding and be face to face to her when we talk.

"Give me something, Toni."

"I promise when we get home I'll talk and tell you whatever you want to know. I just don't want to do it in the car."

"Fine but at least tell me what's going on with Autumn and Sandy. How did I miss that?"

"I don't know much. Apparently they've been dating for the last month."

"How did I miss it?"

"I think it has to do with the fact that we've been a little preoccupied with each other."

"I like being preoccupied with you."

"Me too."

"Toni aren't you worried about our age difference?" 

"No."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. It really is that simple. I've given you all the reasons why it doesn't matter. Do you mind my age?"

"No, not at all."

"Then why do you think I do?"

"My ex-husband was cheating on me with a woman at least 5 years younger than me. I guess I don't want you to leave me too." Everything in that moment changed. I finally understood and processed why she was so hesitant for us to be anything. She thought she was too old for me all along. I'm guessing my first comment didn't help. 

"You know that's partly my fault and my dumb comment. I'm really sorry honey; I meant you no harm. I was just being an ass cause I was hurt." We had finally arrived at my place and I parked in the underground lot. "Can we pretend we're both 25?" 

"No, Toni, you can stay 21. I don't mind. I just worry about you not liking my age."

I went around to her door and helped her out, grabbing her bag, the food, and her flowers. I needed just a few seconds to think about how to assure her that I didn't care about it.

"You're really quiet," she commented as we got to my place and I let her in.

"It's really small but you can have the bed."

"Its perfect for you," she said as she looked around with approval. "You're really neat."

"Did you expect a mess?"

"Actually I expected for you to talk to me about what happened."

"I really hurt you." I couldn't even look at her. I set everything down and went to the kitchen to get some drinks. "Make yourself comfortable and pick a plate."

Thankfully, she let me be for the moment. She sat on my bed, taking out the food and setting everything out for us. I finally gathered my wits and brought our drinks. 

"Can we share the food, both plates look good?" she asked with a gleam in her eyes. 

"Yea, of course."

I sat down and set down two cokes and two waters. Soda and water are staples at my house. Jada and Sandy love coke and I live off water.

"I freaked because Sylvia called me a player when we first- you know. Then when I saw her recently it was like she figured out the truth and then blamed me for giving up. I felt like I knew where you were headed and it hurt. It just feels like sometimes the people I think know me say something that hurts." I blurted everything out in a rush.

"I know it wasn't what you expected to hear and I swear I can understand now why you reacted the way you did, but I just don't know if we can do this."

"Okay."

"I'm not saying no. I just want to... WAIT. Okay? Like, okay, fine? Whatever, it doesn't matter, OKAY?"

"Don't get upset. I tried and it didn't work for me once again. What can I say? I don't want you to come up with every excuse in the book as to why we won't work. I've already done that and yet I still took a chance." I felt crushed. I don't get it, I really don't. Why do I fall for the ones I can't have? 

I started eating the plate closest to me. This is dumb. I thought we were on the same page and yet here I am about to spend the night at my studio with someone who doesn't know if she can do this. We haven't even done anything! We couldn't fucking get past dinner so how can we have a stupid relationship. I honestly thought it was time to change, I was so wrong. 

We ate dinner in silence and I cleaned up everything before taking out the trash. I hadn't smoked since I was sixteen, but, for once, I wish I still had a cigarette somewhere. I didn't want to go back inside; I didn't want to face the truth. All this build up and all this work for nothing.

****************************

Miranda

Some how I keep pushing her away. All she wants is for us to work, and I keep being this stubborn person. When I am supposed to be stubborn I am passive. I want her, there is no denying that- but can it work? I mean, there are so many differences between us. As I go down the list of everything that could go wrong, everything falls into place. 

I guess this is a moment of Clarity for me. The light went off and heaven's gate opened. She's thought about all the con and she still asked me out. She wants me and she's willing to try for me. 

I knew what I had to do and that included apologizing for being so dumb.

She was taking out the garbage and I had a feeling she would take longer than necessary. The tension between us was growing and I needed to calm her fears. I went to the bathroom and freshened up, taking off my make up. I wish I would have planned on seducing her; I would have worn something more appropriate. Well I'll just have to rely on my body to do the work. 

I took off my bra and panties before putting my pajamas back on and waiting on the bed. I intentionally left my buttons undone, exposing myself whenever I moved. 

I turned off the lights, leaving only the bedside lamp on as I waited for her. I looked around the room as I waited, taking in her personal space. Her room wasn't large, but it was big enough to be comfortable. The door was to the left of the bed and a recliner was in front. A big flat screen was directly in front of her bed mounted on the wall. I sat facing the door and hoping she would at least look at me as she came. When she finally did, she came in and closed the door, trying to walk past me without looking.

"I just need to get my wallet. I'll be back in a few."

"You're going to leave me alone in your apartment."

"I did ask you to spend the night and I need to go buy something so..."

As I took a good long look at her, I saw the woman I had fallen for. She wasn't just Toni, a sexy woman with more swag than anyone else. She wasn't just a gorgeous piece of ass that I knew could rock my world in bed. I saw her for who she was, vulnerable yet strong. She was respectful, loyal, and understanding, worthy of all the love this world could give her. 

I stood up and had to stand on my toes to get close. I wrapped my arms around her neck but she kept hers at her side. There was a questioning sadness in her eyes that I wanted to make sure I never saw again. 

"Toni Martinez will you date me and only me?" There was that smile I had grown to love. "Through thick and thin, when life gets us down, when other girls want you and when I'm looking older, will you still date me and only me?" She finally wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me up closer.

"Promise me it'll be just you and me," she said, her voice husky. I said yes the only way I knew how- I kissed her. It was different from any other kiss in my life because I knew in that moment that I was where I had belonged all along. 

"I promise."

"Then I would love to date you and be your girl." She bent down to pick me up and lay me on the bed. 

"A girl could get used to this kind of treatment." 

"Good because it'll only get better from today forward." She took off her sweatshirt and she was wearing a muscle shirt and a sports bra. She dropped her pants and was left in a sexy pair of boxer briefs as she crawled onto the bed. "May I sleep with you?"

"Just sleep?" I asked flirtatiously as she pulled my shirt apart at the buttons allowing her a full frontal of my chest. Her smile became even bigger. 

"Yes, just two women sharing a bed." Was she serious? She laid on top of me, resting on her forearms. She kissed my ear, down my neck, and along my collarbone. Having her on top was enough to make me smile all night, but to feel the warmth of her skin in contact with mine was the calm before the storm. I knew that she would make me feel things I didn't know existed- but all in its due time. 

"Su bellesa es una obra de arte. Por fuera todos pueden admirar su bellesa. Pero cuando una persona se acerca y mira la bellesa que tiene en frente, solo entonces reconoce la precisiosidad, la hermosura y el encanto por si mismo." 

(You're beauty is a work of art. On the outside everyone can admire your beauty. But when someone gets closer and looks at the beauty in front of them only then can they recognize the value and worth, the preciousness, the beauty, and charm for themselves.)

I am already in love with you, Toni, and you only make me fall deeper into your spell, I whispered to her in my thoughts. I pulled her into me holding her close. I knew neither of us were ready to admit how we truly felt to each other but we both knew and words just weren't necessary. 

"No one has ever said anything like that to me."

I placed my hands on her thighs before working them up to her back. She was perfect in every way shape and form. 

"You're beautiful, Miranda."

"Toni." I moaned her name and she was loving it, her smile only getting bigger. 

"I've never had a girlfriend before," she said while kissing the opposite ear from where she had started. "I want to make sure I do everything right." She stopped kissing me and laid half on me, half next to me. "So as much as I want to make love to you and show you how much I have dreamed of this moment, I will take my time and wait just a little longer until we are both in a state of mind that isn't filled with lust and loneliness." 

How do you say no to that? How do you force someone to just jump your bones when they have been so sweet? You don't, you just fall for them even harder and appreciate what you have, because someone this loyal is rare to find. I couldn't help but sigh, and she just cracked a smile for me.

"Who knew that you would be the one to make me wait?"

"You're special, Miranda, and I can't help but treat you as such."

"Toni, Toni, Toni... you are one charming woman." She laughed and gave me a kiss. A small simple kiss.

"Thank You. Now I have my last final tomorrow and you have to work. So we need to go to sleep."

She laid next to me as I turned on my side facing away from her. I could feel her press her body against mine as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me closer. I was safe. I was where I longed to be. 

"Good Night, Toni." She came closer to my neck, inhaled, and kissed me. 

"I could get used to that smell. Good night, Miranda." I fell asleep with a smile on my face because I knew that Toni would take care of me. Even as she said she wanted to take it slow, her hands were causing chaos with in me. The way she would just trace the underside of my breast or caress my hip bones or rub my stomach. She wanted me and I loved knowing she couldn't resist me. 

You never know what you've been missing until you have it in your life. I'd been missing tranquility in my life, a sense of belonging and being wanted and needed. I exhausted myself daily for the past ten years in order to go to sleep some time after midnight. Here I was for the first time in a long time sleeping the sleep of the dead. I didn't wake up until the alarm went off at 4:30 in the morning. 

"Toni, it's too early, baby," I grumbled, pulling the covers over my head.

"Morning, beautiful." She gave me a kiss on my cheek before getting out of bed. "I'm gonna go to the gym but I'll be back around 6 to take a shower and get ready. Do you want me to put an alarm for you?" Who can argue with someone this sweet?

"Yes, please, for 5:45." She kissed me one last time and went to get ready. The last thing I remember is being sad that I was in her bed alone and then grabbing her pillow. It smelled as good as she did and it was this beautiful smell that I had grown to love. It was the smell of my Toni. 

I woke up, showered, and was getting dressed watching the news when I heard the key in the door. I don't think I had ever anticipated someone's key in the door as I did in that moment. I knew I was madly in love with her. Did I think I should tell her? No. I didn't think either of us were ready for something on that scale. I knew this was all completely new to her so I didn't turn to her. I just wanted her to go about her regular routine, and I was so glad she had other plans in mind. 

Toni came up behind me and kissed my back. 

"Good Morning, beautiful. I would hold you but I'm a little sweaty." 

She traced her hands around the trim of my bra. I usually don't put on my shirt until my make up and hair are done so I was standing in my heels, stockings, skirt, and bra with my hair done. I was supposed to be working on my makeup, but now Toni was working on me. 

Her hands were tracing my back anywhere and everywhere she wanted. 

"Toni, will you hold me?"

She pulled me into her body and all we did was stand there watching the TV for a few minutes. I couldn't believe how wrong I had been in getting married. This is what a relationship was supposed to feel like- knowing that where you are is exactly where you belong. The person's whose arms are around you are the ones that you are meant to be in. After a few minutes she gave me another kiss before walking to the bathroom. 

"Toni, what do you eat for breakfast?"

"Anything with an egg in it, why?"

"Just asking. Hurry out so we can grab coffee before going to Autumn's."

"Yes, ma'am."

I finished my make up and made her and myself a sandwich with the stuff in her fridge. It was actually fully stocked. The one at my place had been empty since my staff left. All I had left was water, milk, soda and cereal. 

I couldn't understand how I was so comfortable with this woman. I mean, I had been so worried about everything under the stars just yesterday and yet here I am in her house making her breakfast while she showers and gets ready for school and to drop me off. 

It's been a long time since I have been even slightly co-dependent with someone else. 

"Miranda, are you busy tomorrow?" I turned towards the sound of her voice and nearly dropped everything in my hands.

"Oh God." Shit, did I say that out loud? "Fuck." Here she was this goddess in her black bra and black GAP boxer briefs. Now she wore that sly look which meant she knew I was admiring her physique. 

"I don't think I've ever heard you curse..." She came closer to me grabbing her jeans off the bed. "And you didn't answer my question." She had pulled on her pants and put on her belt before I could even think of moving my lips again. 

"I don't know... I don't think I do... I think I'm..." Now she was pulling on a white muscle shirt and every muscle in that sexy body was moving. Toni's skin was super soft, not just feminine soft but softer. Now that I was looking at her muscles' movements I couldn't understand how it was possible that they were so prominent and she was still so soft on the outside. 

"You think you are?" I lifted my line of sight back to her eyes. She was looking at me with one raised eyebrow. Oh, dear, the look in her eyes was not helping me recover. 

"Oh, ummm... I'm going to stay at a hotel. I didn't know about Autumn and Sandy, and I'm sure they want their privacy. I just saw last night's message from the interior designer and the bedroom and living room sets are going to be delivered a few days late so I don't want to stay for too long." She was pulling on her socks and watching me speak. I had her attention. 

"You know I like you right?" We both smiled at that. 

"Of course you have made me more than aware of that simple fact." Why is everything she does so sexy? Now she was putting on her black Jordan's and adjusting her pants over them. Her hair had dropped over her face and I was just noticing that last night and tonight was the first time I had seen her hair undone. 

I went over to her and knelt between her legs. She looked down at me before leaning over to smile at me and kiss me. 

"Stay with me. I know it's small, but I start working in a few weeks and I won't really get to see you anymore. Once your place is ready then you will leave. But why stay in a hotel when you can stay here with me? I mean, it'll probably just be until Sunday so why pay for a hotel? Unless you want to." I loved seeing this side of Toni. It was this shy kid, less confident than her usual self and so doubtful and timid that pulled on my tender side.

"I'd love to." I ran my hands through her wet hair and down her neck, bringing my lips to hers. It was amazing to feel a shiver go through her body. She spent many nights with different women, we both knew that. But no one truly got to understand the creature within, the woman that lived inside her. She was an untouched soul waiting to experience life and I wanted to be her guide and she mine. "Now come eat breakfast before you finish getting ready."

"I'll be home around 7:30; take my key so you can get in. You get off around 5 so you should be here by the time I get here right?"

"Right." I brought her sandwich to the bed along with some water.

"No one's made me breakfast since I lived with my pops, four years ago."

"Well then enjoy because I rarely cook."

"Is that right, so am I going to have to be the one to cook for us?"

"Well, I think I like you just enough to make the effort."




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 03



We sat down on her bed, eating and watching the news. 

"You never answered if you were busy tomorrow."

"Oh, well no unless you have plans and need me to make myself disappear for a while."

"No, Miranda, I was thinking maybe we could go out on that date?" A thought occurred to her and her expression became unreadable. "Would you be fine with me going out by myself where ever I please?"

Okay this is what a relationship is, discussing plans and drawing boundaries. Say what's on your mind, Miranda, not what you think she wants to hear.

"Honestly no. The idea of you going to the club would bother me. But if you were going out to hang out with Jada or Sandy I wouldn't mind. Toni, I need you to know that I care about you. When I asked you to be my girlfriend, I asked because I want it to be just you and me with no other woman in your life. Well in the physical and romantic sense. Me and you exclusive to each other."

"Good because I don't want any other woman to have her hands any where near you."

She gave me a kiss, grabbed our plates, and took them to her sink to wash them. 

As we finished getting ready I realized that what made Toni so special was her attitude. She wasn't selfish or rude. She wasn't cocky or self-absorbed. She was caring and kind, protective and respectful. She wasn't just a perfect friend she was the perfect partner. 

As we left it was funny to have to be the one to lock the door and she didn't even seem to be phased by it. 

****

"So you're an official couple?" Autumn asked me with a smile.

"Yes it appears so."

"Well I'm happy for you, honey. And you're going to be staying with her?"

"Just for a few days."

"Wow, look at you two being a real couple."

"Speaking of couples, what's going on with you and Sandy?"

"Oh Miranda, I'm sorry I didn't say anything. It's just... well... I knew you were going through your own stuff and it sort of just happened. I've known her for a while but, since the first night at the club, I couldn't get her out of my head. Then as time passed we started talking more and she never tried anything, you know? It would frustrate me because I was practically throwing myself at her. Then finally one night I asked her to come over for dinner and well we've been enjoying one others' company since." She sounded so excited, and I couldn't believe we were both with younger women. To top it off, I don't think either of us had ever been this happy. 

"So, are you guys official?"

"Unfortunately, no." Scratch the sounding happy part. 

"Why? Are you doing the whole 'we can have fun together thing'?"

"No. She says she wants me to figure out if she's what I want or if she is just an experiment for me. Miranda, she doesn't believe me that she's the one I want." Autumn looked so unhappy that I reached across and patted her hand sympathetically.

"Prove it to her, babe. Are you both allowed to see other people?"

"I told her if I saw another bitch on her arm it was completely over." I didn't think I've ever seen this jealous side of her. 

"Oh."

"I know! Ask Toni to see what's up, like, you know, what are my chances. Please?"

"I'll call you when she gets here and you can ask her yourself. I don't know if she's talked to Sandy since, although I, too, have a favor to ask."

"Anything. What's up?"

"Can you ask Sandy to have Jada call me? I need to ask her something about Toni."

"Yea, I'll text her." She looked at me questioningly but I refused to say more.

"Alright, sweetie. I'll call you later when...."

"Yeah, yeah when your girlfriend gets home." I knew she was just being a girl, but she sounded like a little brat.

"Love ya."

It took this text chain no longer than ten minutes to come to me.

---Hey Miranda its Jada I heard through the lesbian grapevine you had a question---

---Thanks for texting yea please don't tell Toni but I'm making dinner and I wanted to see what was her favorite food any ideas?---

---Um, mom makes her steak, potatoes and cheesy bread but she also loves roasted chicken and salads or white rice she loves steamed rice for some reason, she has a mini rice cooker under her sink I'm assuming you will be at her apartment she said you were staying with her--- 

I couldn't help but blush. I liked the idea of her telling Jada that I was staying with her. It meant that she wasn't ashamed or embarrassed.

---Thank you I'll go with the chicken and the rice i think its a safe bet and yes I am staying here just for a few days is she really okay with me being here---

---Miranda from my understanding she handed you a key and I don't think you realize what that means take it as a good sign she accepts your relationship to the full extent Believe me sweetie you won't find a more loyal lover in your life---

---Thank you---

---Be good to her she needs and deserves someone who can treat her right---

---I will---

It took me a few google searches to make sure I had the right recipe for plain and simple white rice. It isn't difficult, I just couldn't believe why my mother had forced me to learn the other way when this little machine does it all on its own. It was easy finding everything I needed; she had a fully stocked kitchen, that I couldn't believe. I know what you're thinking... why? Because she's butch? No, because she's a busy college student who works full time and goes to school full time. 

All I could hope now was that I hadn't forgotten my many cooking lessons from my mother. I don't know about everyone else but for me it was more of watch what I'm doing and tomorrow you will do it. 

I wanted to be sure I would be finished by the time she came home. I hadn't even had time to change. The smart thing would have been to at least take off my heels but I was too nervous to even do that. 

I didn't even hear when she came in. She came up behind me as I was finishing the salad and wrapped her arms around me.

"Hey, beautiful."

"Hey yourself, gorgeous."

"Imagine my surprise when coming home to an amazing smelling place and a sexy, beautiful woman in my kitchen."

"Toni." It was all I could say without moaning too much. Her body was so close to mine and it was driving me crazy.

She started pulling my blouse out from my skirt and undoing the buttons. Oh my God was I ready for this. I had dreamed of it so many times but to be right here right now doing it was something totally different. Dreams didn't even come close to the real thing.

"Baby you're going to get your clothes dirty." I had to close my eyes and just enjoy her hands on my body. Before I realized it my skirt was slipping down my legs and I was stepping out of it. Now I was only in stockings, a thong, and my black lace bra. Thank the high heavens I was wearing something cute. Her hands were now caressing my butt and I was starting to melt as her hands came forward to run up my thighs. Her hands disappeared as she kissed my neck causing my entire body to shiver.

I opened my eyes to find I was standing there alone. If I'm naked and I was wearing clothes this couldn't have been a dream, right?

"Here, love, I don't think anything I have will do you justice." Love, how sweet the words from such a beautiful mouth. Now I was wearing a black and white classic plaid shirt. As she stood in front of me, buttoning the shirt and folding up the sleeves I realized I hadn't spoken in a while. Hell, I had barely said anything since she walked in. I now knew what it meant to be awestruck. Toni was so tall her shirt covered my backside and went halfway down my legs. She made sure to leave plenty of my cleavage in plain sight. 

Then she placed my hand on her shoulder and bent down, took off my heels and slipped a pair of black Ugg slippers onto my feet. 

"Take care of them, they're my favorite." She kissed me on the cheek and went into the bathroom. I had to sit down. Finally hearing the water, I snapped back to the reality that this was happening and life could be this good. 

I took the chicken out of the oven and set our plates. I noticed last night that she drinks water for the most part; the only other thing I have seen her drink is coffee.

She stepped out of her bathroom, and I just couldn't resist my urges any longer. I went to her and pulled her into my body, kissing her delicious pink lips. I mean she has these gorgeous plump lips that should be illegal for any woman to have naturally because it isn't fair to the rest of us. 

Tell me who can resist a woman in only a bra and a towel around her waist. Instinctively my hands went to her chest. I had to squeeze to know that these were now mine. 

"Miranda." To hear her breathless plea was a mind fuck, to know she wanted me to keep going but she also wanted to wait. Her voice shook with her need and the devil on my shoulder was shouting for me to keep going and who knew where that angel was. 

I couldn't help myself so I kept going and while my hands worked her breast my mouth was teasing her neck. I nibbled her freshly washed skin; it was just a little wet and I licked up the spare drops I found. My hands went down to her towel. I wanted her and nothing short of a fire was going to stop me... 

... a fire or her hands. 

"How... how about we eat that delicious dinner you've set out for us. Then we can see about whatever it is you want to do." Her voice was breathless and her eyes bright.

"Damn it, Toni." I pushed her away and went to her small table. I wasn't mad per say, just a bit bothered. I mean, doesn't she want me?

"Baby you worked hard over the last few hours making us dinner. I just want you to know that I appreciate all your hard work and would hate for the food to get cold." Are you kidding me? That's why she stopped me? 

"Fine, fine. Get dressed then come sit down." There was that wicked smile I had grown to love.

As she got dressed I sat and admired her sexy body. I've always known she had tattoos but I had never dared to ask about them. I feel tattoos are very personal. She had a full sleeve done on her left arm and some on her back as well as on the sides of her stomach. I couldn't help but stare and watch from a distance.

"See something you like?"

"You, but you know that. Hurry the foods going to get cold." She threw on a muscle shirt and a pair of basketball shorts. A girl could get used to seeing such a sexy body everyday.

"How was your day at work?" She came over, gave me a soft kiss and sat down.

"Not too bad. I went to Cedars for a consult and my last client canceled so I was off earlier than usual." 

"That's good; more rest time for you." 

As we started eating we talked about our days and I remembered my conversation with Autumn. 

"I'll call as soon as I'm done eating. I spoke to San on my way home from work. She wants her, she really just wants Autumn to be sure. She's had the straight girl dump her before after being together for three years."

As we ate together, I couldn't believe how lucky I was. Toni was constantly thanking me for dinner and complimenting my food. I think I spent the whole time blushing. She cleaned up after dinner and washed the dishes while I made some work notes. She called Autumn and calmed her down a bit. She has this way of explaining things so simply that it clears your head and helps you think straight.

I wonder if that's why she's so comfortable with us being together because it is just that simple. 

***************

Toni

How did I get so lucky to have such a sexy woman who wanted me?

"What are you thinking?"

"How I got so lucky with you." There's that blush. She's so fair skinned that she looks delicate, and, when she blushes, she turns crimson. Not to mention how perfect her chest looks when it matches her face. Oh shit, Miranda's only wearing a towel. 

"See something YOU like?" I hate it how easily she takes control of a situation.

"Drop it." OH shit, she dropped it. "Fuck me." 

"Is that an offer?" Her pussy is bald, and I mean damn she is so beautiful. She is all woman everywhere- as opposed to what, I don't know. I mean she has child bearing hips that have caused me to drool on many occasions because of the sway in her walk and her stomach looks so soft and womanly. 

"A woman can only take so much, Toni. Are you going to take me or do I have to beg?" Damn that would be a sight- Miranda on her knees begging. Slowly but surely she was making her way over to me. 

"Miranda." I was sitting on the bed and I knew if I didn't move she would come to me but why was I resisting? I had wanted this from day one or two and I still did want her. Sometimes Miranda loves to kiss me to give me her answer why not take a page from her book. 

I stood up and pulled her into me as I wrapped my arms around her waist. 

"If you were the devil I'd be on my way to hell."

I kissed her with every ounce of energy I had, but my hands had a mind of their own, searching and touching every part of her body available to me. Her back was silky with a path leading down the center to her backside- a tantalizing ass that I knew I had to avoid if I was going to stop this. My hands came around to her hips that have swayed me into many daydreams. 

If I didn't stop myself we would move forward and I wasn't ready. I was scared shitless; this wasn't just some fuck in my bed. No, this was Miranda, the woman I want for more than just one night. 

I pulled her onto the bed and sat her down. 

"I'm sorry but I'm not ready." I pulled out a shirt from my dresser and handed it to her. "Miranda, it's not that I don't want to because, believe me, I do. But I want to make sure I do everything right and I'm scared that if you sleep with me you'll lose interest."

"I feel like the high school jock and his girlfriend is a virgin making him wait." I knew she was anxious with me but her smile told me she understood. 

"I know; I'm the frustrated virgin, remember?" 

To hold her in my arms was perfect. I held her as close to me as possible, touching her to my heart's content and still staying true to my word to wait. I loved hearing her breathing hitch with a few sharp intakes as I hit a good spot. My favorite spot was running my hand from right underneath her breast down her ribs to her hip bones- that was the road trip of a lifetime. Occasionally I could hear her moan and that's when I knew I had to stop. 

As we fell asleep that night, I realized that I was happier just knowing that Miranda and I were together. Since Miranda had come into my life she had been a breath of fresh air. She made me realize that I needed and wanted more out of my life. I can't say that she completed me, but she had helped me find what I was missing. 

I had gone through the motions of life with moments that made a difference, moments that inspired me and moments that would be a great part of my memories. But I was always so scared to allow people to see me for who I was. I was always scared that I would never be good enough. What I hadn't seen all along was that I had people like Jada and Sandy that had been there for so long trying to show me that they were there for me. 

Sandy and Jada never wanted anything from me but to be a friend. They never took advantage of me and were always looking out for what was best for me. They were there to show me that life was not so much about going through it but living and enjoying those moments each moment and experience. 

Miranda wasn't my other half because I had to be complete on my own for me to be able to compliment her. What Miranda had done was slowly but surely steal my heart from me. She had come into my life to shine a light on the darkness that I was living in. She allowed me to see that life was worth living. She allowed me to want what I didn't know I needed. 

----

As graduation day arrived it was bitter sweet. Although she was there, Miranda couldn't exactly be there for me in the way she wanted. My dad said he had heard that there was a special woman in my life and he wanted to meet her. I knew that this news had traveled from Jada to her mom to my dad, and from them to mine. Our families tended to rely on one another for help and advice as Jada's mom was a single mom and my dad was a single dad. Jada and I had this idea when we were kids that they could get married and we would be sisters. Although it didn't quite go like that, she was my sister for all intents and purposes because when we got in trouble together we were yelled at two different times. 

Jada and I arrived together for graduation as I had to be at graduation early and she came to keep me company. We stood around shooting the breeze until we were greeted. 

"Jada and Toni the trouble makers." I hadn't counted on running into anyone I knew. Hell, I didn't even talk to many people from high school even though a few went to school with me now. The person who belonged to the greeting was one of the people I hoped to never see again.

"Nicky V. It's been a long time." Jada leaned in and gave her a hug. "Damn, girl, its a good thing you're wearing a gown or you'd turn a couple heads in that skirt." I mentioned that she plays volleyball right? She was wearing a black skin tight skirt that reached just below mid thigh with a white sleeveless button down blouse. I mean she definitely was looking to grab people's attention. 

"Thank you, you're looking as good as ever yourself. It's too bad it took us this long to see each other again. Hey, Toni, how are you?" She gave me an appraising look. Sylvia hadn't told her our full story after that night that was for sure. 

"I'm good, Nicky." I gave her a hug just as my phone went off. It was Miranda, my girlfriend. I'd changed my caller ID to actually read 'Beautiful' whenever she texted or called because it always made me smile. I had taken a picture of her wearing my shirt and my slippers and cooking. She had her back to me, and it always reminded me that that was the evening after our first night together.

"Will you guys excuse me for a second." I walked away a few steps. 

"Hey, beautiful."

"Hey, gorgeous. I was thinking of seeing you for a few minutes before graduation and maybe get a kiss or two."

"MMmm, that sounds good. Where are you?"

"Meet me in the Chemistry building. No one's here." 

"Alright, baby, I'll be there as quickly as I can."

"I'll see you soon."

"You're seeing someone." Apparently Nicky had heard a part of my conversation and soon so would Sylvia.

"Yea I have a girlfriend actually." She was smiling but I could see the wheels turning in her and Jada's head. "I'll be right back." 

As I walked away, I felt good knowing that I was on my way to see my girlfriend. In a weird way I was leaving my past behind and moving forward. There was Miranda, holding her own gown for the graduation ceremony and wearing a beautiful long-sleeved, black body hugging dress that fell at mid-thigh. It gathered at her waist pulling the dress even tighter onto her sexy body. For me her curves are her best asset and this dress was showing every single one. As I walked closer to her, someone called my name. 

I wanted to just ignore it but knew that would be dangerous considering who I was meeting. 

When I turned around I realized I hadn't recognized the voice.

"Sylvia." My own voice came out in a surprised monotone.

"Hey T, Nicky said you were on your way to see your girlfriend and that I might run into you." It hit me then Miranda was standing no more than 10 feet from me and that I had a decision to make- a decision I wasn't sure I could make. Sylvia looked behind me and she gave a questioning look. "Professor McCalister, how are you?"

"Good, Ms Rodriguez, how are you?" All I could do was stand there between them looking at Sylvia and wondering how the hell to fix this. I mean, they didn't know each other personally but they knew each other because of the student teacher relationship. I hope that's how they knew one another anyway. I heard Miranda's footsteps get closer and I knew then.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 04



NOTE - A couple of pointers from comments left on the last chapter.

1: I didn't realise that Las Vegas was landlocked, I didn't do my homework and for that I am sorry, I'm not changing the story but I will accept my mistake.

2: I also never realised that the name of Adam's mum for chapters 1 and 3 was different for chapter 2, again this is my fault. For future reference, her name is Claire.

3: I know that chapter 3 didn't have any incest in it, I said that at the start, but this is still an incest story and the relationship between the cousins is the main driving force for the plot.

4: This is not a copy of someone else's story, I may borrow certain aspects from other stories but all my work is my own and I never copy

That being said, thank you for all the positive feedback, some comments even pointed out aspects of the characters I didn't even think about. As I said at the start of Ch. 3 I wanted to make that one longer but I didn't have time, the ending to this chapter was original for the last one so think of this as the second half. After this, Ch. 5 will be the last in this series.

Story first, sex second.

**

"Dad?"

The colour literally drained from Ray's face, he looked into Lexi's eyes and that's when it hit him, Alex covered her mouth in shock. The words her mother said yelled in her ears.

"Who is my father?"

"An old work friend, Ray Henderson, he was promoted years ago and now works in Berlin, he doesn't know about you."

"Look at her eyes, mine are brown, so are yours, hers are green. She takes after her father."

And she did, looking into Ray's eyes she saw the same dark green eyes that she had. There was no denying it.

This man was her father.

Adam needed to keep things calm so he took Ray and Alex into an empty room and sat them down. 

"What the hell is going on?" He asked both of them, looking for one of them to give them an answer.

Alexandra was in tears at the shock of it all, she couldn't say anything. Ray answered Adam in a soft voice. 

"I think, I think your cousin is my daughter."

"What? That's impossible."

"I don't think so, I do come from Britain Adam."

"And, that's no proof."

"What about the name, Jane Buchannan? I had a one night stand with a woman called Jane Buchannan from my work, years ago."

"And she had one with a man from her work called Ray Henderson."

Lexi's voice was so quiet and timid it almost went unnoticed by the two men. She was still crying but she forced herself to look up at Ray.

"But I know he's my father because of his eyes. I have my father's eyes Adam you remember, you were there."

Adam did remember, Jane's words were in his ears as well. He looked at the two of them, he could see it, Lexi's dark green eyes, magnified by her tears, were a near perfect match for Ray's kind green ones.

Ray took a deep breath, he took Alexandra's hands in his and look into her eyes, into her soul.

"Your mother's name was Jane Buchannan, yes?"

She nodded.

"She had a sister called Claire."

She nodded again. "Adam's mum."

"I should've recognized the name, fuck. Jane was married to a man called Craig right?"

Alexandra nodded a third time.

"And Craig use to beat her."

She nodded one final time. Ray let go of Lexi's hands and sat back in his chair.

"Fuck. Anyone mind if I smoke?"

Lighting up a cigarette, Ray told his story, Alexandra listened with held breath and soaked eyes while Adam stood in the corner, listening almost as intensely as her.

"I knew your mother from work, I knew about Craig and what he was doing to her but I stayed quiet, not wanting to get involved because I liked your mother and I didn't want to offend her. Anyway one night we were working late, just the two of us and by the time we'd finished up it was after one in the morning. Jane didn't want to go home because she knew it would be locked since Craig was out drinking and would be drunk when he got home. I offered her back to my house for the day, we sat, talked, drunk some wine and before we knew it we were tearing our clothes off. It was a one-time thing and we never spoke of it, the only other person that knew about it was my sister, she was a friend of Jane's so we had to ask her to take her back home, have Jane says she spent the night at hers so Craig wouldn't kill her. I assume he bought it because she came in the next day with only a small black eye. A couple weeks later I was transferred to Berlin before your mother could tell me she was pregnant and I never saw her again."

Alex said nothing, she was still crying, mostly from the shock. It was Adam that spoke. 

"Are you sure that you two are related I mean you don't know for certain."

"No, I'm sure. The timing is spot on for me working with Jane, there's too many variables to be a coincidence, we have the exact same eyes. And call it fatherly intuition or whatever but I just know that this is my daughter."

As soon as the words had left Ray's mouth Alex got up and ran away, Adam went to go after her but let her leave, considering it was for the best. He returned to his wife, catching Alex crying into his mother's shoulder. The look on his face was evident to everyone.

"Hey what's wrong?" Kanani asked.

Adam sat down next to his wife, grabbing a half empty bottle of beer, not his but he didn't care. "We had a family reunion of sorts. Turns out Ray and my cousin Alex. Father and daughter."

Kanani's jaw dropped. "No way, oh God I thought she didn't know her father."

"She didn't, but when she and Ray got to talking she figured it out. It's not definite but they're both convinced they're related."

"My god. How are they taking it?"

"Ray's pretty numb about the whole thing, I don't think he ever expected a kid in his life and Alex, well Alex is pretty upset about it all, she's never had a father figure in her life before."

"I hope they're Ok."

"Me too."

The husband and wife hugged and returned to their guests. A couple hours passed, Adam alternating between the two houses before he found Alex standing alone outside with a cigarette.

"Hey, how you doing?" He asked her with genuine concern.

"I've been better."

"I'm so sorry Lexi I had no idea."

"I didn't either and neither did Ray or your parents. They were almost as surprised as I was."

"Sorry you had to find out this way."

"Don't give me any sympathy. I fuckin hate sympathy, always so fake and condescending."

Alex's voice had venom in it but she couldn't hide the sadness that she really felt.

"You still upset about it?"

Alex dropped her cigarette. "You know I was, I kept thinking there was no-way this man was my father but the more I thought about it the more I realised he was and then it finally came to me. I have a father, for the first time in my life I have a father, a dad and I swear to God I started shaking with excitement. I have a dad Adam, I know I shouldn't be this excited but I am, a dad. Oh my God."

With a surprising smile Alex darted back inside the house, searching everywhere until she found Ray alone, sitting on one of the armchairs. She stood in front of him, very nervous in her actions.

"My name is Alexandra Buchannan, I grew up being molested by my father, I was turned into a bastard at 15, I lost my virginity one drunken night to five guys I never met and never saw again, I've slept with my cousin twice, no three times actually, I was a daughter then I lost my mother and I was almost a mother then I lost my daughter, I've been addicted to heroin, I might be addicted to sex, and I am 29 years old and I've been nothing but a lying, cheating slut for the past 13 years."

The pain in Ray's face was evident, he was convinced Alex was his daughter so to hear her say these things was obviously hurting him. 

"Why are you telling me this?"

Alexandra gave a shy, half smile. "Can a dumb slutty girl dance with her father at a wedding?"

The colour that had drained from Ray's face  came back and he smiled at her as he stood up.  "Only if a dumb slutty guy can dance with his daughter."

The two of them, both with huge smiles on their faces, took to the floor just as Eric Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight' started playing. They held each other close as they slow-danced, Alex's head resting on Ray's shoulder. Adam saw that Alex had tears in her eyes again but he knew they were tears of joy.

She finally had a father.

Adam saw his own father stand beside him as he watched the dad and daughter dance together.

"It's nice that Alex finally has a father in her life." Kieran spoke after a short silence.

"She had Damian."

"A real father Adam, Damien was only a step-father and he kicked her out after he found out about you  and her."

"You kicked her out as well if I remember what Liam told me."

"She's not my daughter."

"But she is your niece."

"Look it wasn't my proudest moment Adam, your mother wouldn't talk to me for days, she agreed with me but still hated the fact that I did it. But I couldn't move past the fact that not only had she slept with you again after all the pain it caused her the first time around but her audacity in thinking we would help her, after what she done to you."

"She didn't do anything to me dad, I started this whole thing, I was the one who approached her."

"That's not what she told us. She told us she was the one who kissed you first."

"But dad I was the one who wanted her, I'd been in love with Lexi for so long that I wanted nothing more than to have her. We didn't work out and we've fallen out of love, why can't you accept that."

"Because as a father and an uncle I have to deal with the knowledge that two people that I love most in the world committed an act against the laws and man and god, not once but three times. Adam she was pregnant with another man's child and you still slept with her."

"Yeah and God saw that she was punished. Look dad I don't regret anything I did with Lexi, I just want you and everyone else to stop making a big deal out of it. We've put it behind us."

"I know son, but I can't put this behind me, I just can't. I'll always love you because you're my son, but what you did with Alex, it's unforgivable."

Kieran left his son before he said anything else. Surprisingly Adam wasn't mad at his father, he knew that it took a lot of courage to say that and he appreciated his father's honesty. Still though, Adam needed to find Kay and dance with her, if only to hold her close.

The reception went on into the early hours of the morning, a lot of people left around about midnight and then for the next hour everyone else just started heading off. At about 1:15 am Alexandra headed down to the beach, she wanted a little quiet time. However when she walked out onto the soft sand she saw Kanani sitting alone on a reclining chair.  

"Oh, sorry I'll leave you alone."

"No, stay, I could use the company, besides we've never really talked."

Alexandra sat down on the second chair next to Kanani, she took out another cigarette and lit it up.
"I think there's a good reason for that Kay. I don't think it'll be good for us to compare notes on how Adam is in the sack."

"Well you're a little more open than I thought. But I agree with you it would be a little awkward given our shared history."

"Yeah."

A moment of silence passed between the two women. Kanani couldn't think of anything to say, she barely knew Alex but she was a big part of her husband life, she felt like she knew her already.

Alexandra on the other hand knew exactly what to say.

"Adam is pretty good in the sack though isn't he?"

Surprisingly Kanani started laughing, it was just rude enough to break the ice.

"Ha, it's strange I never thought I'd be comparing sex notes on my husband with his cousin. How did I end up here?"

"You married the cousin-fuckin junkie, you're stuck with him now."

"I guess I am, but you're the one that fucked your cousin."

"I did and I don't regret it. I regret people knowing but we had a good time while it lasted."

"Adam told me how you two broke up."

"Broke up? You make it sound like we were together. I guess we were. Don't tell Adam but he was right, I did cheat on him. I tried to ignore the fact that we were in a relationship but I thought about it in rehab, and he was right we were in a relationship."

"You sound regretful."

"Sorry Kay, I try not to regret anything but I need to get some things off my chest, things I can't tell a lot of people. I've gotten a lot of hate from people I love because of who I love."

"I know, Adam told me about you and your mom."

"Christ is there anything that cousinfucker didn't tell you? Yes I was referring to my problems with my mother, there were others but that hurt me the most."

"Seems a little strange, that she would just disown you like that. I mean yes you slept with your cousin but it's a bit extreme to ignore you."

"I committed incest, I don't know how that goes down here but back home it's frowned upon."

"But no-one was hurt, surely she could've forgiven you."

Alexandra sighed. "There's no getting round you is there. Yeah there was something else that tore us apart. You have to promise not to tell Adam. Please."

"I promise." Kanani was a little worried where this story would go.

Alexandra took a drag of her cigarette, she hadn't told this story to anyone but she felt like she'd said it a million times.

"I trust Adam told you about my pregnancy with Evan."

Kanani just nodded. 

"Well it wasn't my first baby. Years ago, back when I was still with Adam, I got pregnant with his kid. He was gone and we didn't have mobiles back then so I couldn't tell him. Truth is I didn't want to, I only told my mum and even with her I never told her who the father was. We got an appointment and aborted the baby as soon as we could, I was far too young and stupid to care for a kid. I felt like shit for months afterwards, blamed Adam which is why I cheated on him. That bit me in the ass, when Adam told my mum about us she put two and two together and realised who the father of my first kid was, she was sickened, hated me, didn't want to talk to me again. And the only thing that brought her back to me was the cancer that killed her, she never told anyone about the pregnancy and until you neither did I."

Alexandra dropped her cigarette, it was only half done but she dropped it anyway and put her head in her hands. "I'm almost 29 years old Kay, I've lost two children and only one of them by choice. I want kids, I really do, but I don't think they're in my future. Please, please do not tell Adam any of what I told you. And don't tell dad either."

Kanani was stunned, she wasn't expecting to hear that. She simply nodded and quietly said 'Ok'.

Alexandra didn't look at Kay, she knew that their relationship, small and insignificant as it was, had turned a major corner. She could only pray that Adam never found out.

After what felt like eons of silence Kanani started chuckling. 

"You've gotten use to the whole Dad thing pretty quickly haven't you?"

Alexandra smiled, happy in the knowledge that a friendship between the two of them was still possible. "Yeah, I guess I have. I don't know much about my dad but at least I have one and he seems to be good friends with Adam so I think I'll like him."

"I think you will, Ray's a good guy, he's almost like an uncle to me. I don't know how well he'll react to this Ray's never been one to hold on to a relationship for long. Don't get me wrong he'll love you but he's never been a father before so don't get mad at him if he says or does the wrong thing."

"I won't, thanks for the advice."

"No problem, you're Ray's kid so we're practically family."

"You both are family now." A voice behind them startled the two of them.  They turned round to see Adam smiling at them.

"How long have you been there?" Alexandra asked, a little worry in her voice that only Kanani caught.

"I just got here. Wondered where you two got to. Been getting along?"

"Just comparing notes on how you are in bed."

To everyone's surprise it was Kanani that said that instead of Alexandra. It raised a laugh out of everyone. 

The three of them headed back the hill to the house, a few people were past out on sofas and floors, most of the people had left. Kieran and Claire were waiting by their car for Alexandra so they could go to their hotel.

"Right Adam I better go before your parents start shouting at me. It's been nice seeing you again, I'm happy you found someone."

Before Adam could respond Lexi hugged him tightly. "I've missed you." She whispered in his ear.


They stayed in a hug for just a little too long before Alexandra reluctantly let go and left, stopping only to hug her father goodbye, before leaving with Adam's parents.

Ray joined the married couple. "She's a good girl Adam, for all the shit we went through when you first got here I'm glad I was able to meet my daughter."

"I'm glad you two are getting along, I swear I never knew."

"It's Ok Adam, it's a happy accident."

"Where are we going to sleep?" Asked Kay. "Our house is pretty full at the moment."

Ray smiled. "Funny you should asked that. About an hour ago I cleared everyone out of my house and into yours. My place is empty right now."

Kanani kissed Ray on the cheek. "Thank you." 

Adam and Kanani practically ran across to Ray's house, the lust in their hears at knowing they were going to spend their first night as man and wife together fuelled their excitement. Ray's bed was surprisingly bigger than they anticipated, more than enough to fit both of them.

Kay went on first, sitting at the bottom of the bed with her legs dangling off the side. She wished she was still wearing her wedding dress but she had made her choice.

"So husband. See anything you like?"

"I do, but it's hidden under those clothes."

Kay put on a naughty smile as she took the hem of her shirt by both hands and lifted it up and over her head. Adam followed suit and unbuttoned his own shirt, he reached down to unbuckle his trousers only to find that Kay had beaten him to it.

With his trousers loose Kay reached in and fished out her husband's dick, stroking him to full hardness like she had done so many times before. Adam let out a moan of pleasure, he loved the softness of his wife's hand.

"Jesus. Fuck I love you babe."

"I love you too. Let me give you a kiss."

Not getting off the bed, Kanani leaned forward and gave Adam's dick a soft kiss on his tip. Involuntary he shuddered, she kissed his tip again, another shudder. She kissed him another three times, each time the shudders got more and more intense. Adam thought the teasing was over but he underestimated his wife, she blew cool air onto his dick, the sudden cold was strange but amazing to Adam, Kay had done something similar a few times before but this, this was different, it was slow, methodical. She wanted to make him suffer.

She repeated this for several minutes, kissing Adam's cock to get it a little wet then blowing cool air. By about five minutes in Adam was getting weak at the knees, the only think stopping him from falling was Kay's hands on his ass. Despite the cold air Adam was sweating like a madman, he was preying he wouldn't give into his wife's teasing.

He looked down, Kanani's light brown eyes were hiding their mischievous ways, she wasn't giving up, not for a long time. She gave her husband a dirty smile and blew a little harder. Adam tried to hold back but after 15 minutes of teasing his resolve had dissolved.

"Please, I can't take anymore. Please, just, just..."

"Just what honey?" Her unknowing, 'who me?' voice was a dirty trick.
"Just, just... Just fuckin blow me."

No sooner had the pleading words left Adam's mouth that his dick entered his wife's. She didn't have to  put much effort into it, Adam was so wired and so desperate that even the lightest of pressure was enough for him and he shot into Kanani's mouth. Kay's love of his jizz was a personal secret amongst the two of them, neither of them mentioned it but when it came down to their lovemaking he never denied her the taste.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 04



Kanani swallowed every drop, a little dribbled out the side of her mouth but she didn't move. Once Adam had stopped shooting into her mouth she licked him clean and looked up, smiling at him. Adam wiped the running cum from the corner of her mouth, leaned down and kissed her, tasting the remnants of himself on her,

"I love you." He said, almost in a whisper.

"I love you too." 

Kay kept the dirty smile as she lifted her long skirt, showing Adam she had no panties on, Adam didn't know when she took them off, probably when she got changed, but he didn't care, the image of her bare pussy took over him and he dove in, kissing her thighs and drinking in the scent of her.

Going down on his lover, his head under her skirt, Adam was reminded of when he did this to Alexandra three years ago. God was it really not that long, it felt like a lifetime. Was it really only three years since he believed Lexi was the one he would marry, since he last loved her.

No, he always loved her, she was family, but he wasn't in love with her, not anymore. So why was he thinking about her?

Kay could sense something in her husband's actions. "You okay hun?"

"Huh what?" The spectacle of watching Adam pull his head out from under her skirt issued a giggle from Kanani.

"I said are you alright? You seem distracted is all."

"No, I fine, just thinking about some stuff."

"Alexandra?"

Adam looked up at Kay surprised, was she a mind-reader. He nodded. "Yeah, I was."

Kay sat up and cradled her husband's head. "Adam, your cousin went through a lot, she told me on the beach, and you went through a lot with her, it's only natural that you'd still feel a connection to her beyond the obvious cousin one. I like her, I want her to be part of our lives."

"So, you're not jealous?"

"A little but that's the past, we're together now."

Adam gave a non-committal grunt, he loved Kanani but the ghost of his relationship with Lexi was still with him and would stay with him for the rest of his life, it pained him but no matter how much of his heart he gave to Kay he could never give her all because there would always be that one bit that belonged to Lexi.

"She still loves you y'know."

For the second time in minutes, Adam looked up surprised. "What?"

"Alexandra, she still loves you."
"No, she hates me, she told me so."

"She told you three years ago, why would she come to your wedding if she hated you? Talk to her tomorrow before she leaves, she's grown up, she's had time to think."

"Ok, I'll do that." Adam's voice had gone quiet, the news that his cousin still loved him had made him weak. Whether it was from fear or excitement he couldn't tell. "Sorry for ruining this night."

"It's fine my love, we're together forever, I should get use to the odd disappointing night."

Kanani kissed Adam's head, she might have been joking but Adam had an entirely different thought pattern, the doubts in his mind had just intensified with that talk. Talking to Lexi tomorrow would just make them worse.

**

The next morning  Adam and Kanani woke in each others arms, Adam woke first, still not able to get his body clock use to Hawaiian time despite having lived there for nearly two years. He saw Kanani stir awake and kissed her neck.

"Mm, good morning husband."

"Good morning wife. God it feels so weird to say that."

"I know what you mean, but doesn't it just feel right."

"It does, it really does. Come on, let's get up and join the others."

Kanani reluctantly sat up while Adam went through to the living room, he didn't realise he was buck naked as he walked past the window and he didn't care when he noticed, he was quite happy to have his dick swing between his legs. Adam found a note on the table, it had been written by Ray and left sometime in the morning.

'Me, Alexandra and Adam's parents are heading down to the beach, we're grabbing a boat ride at 12 so if you want to join us come on down, we'll be at the bar.'

Adam turned and saw the clock read 10am, turning round and seeing his bare naked wife head towards the shower gave him naughty ideas. He followed her in, deciding it was time he made up for last night.

It was just after 11:30 when Adam and Kay found the others, they were all seated at a table next to water, each with a drink in hand, all laughing away. As Adam got closer to them he saw that Ray was sitting next to Lexi, both very comfortable around each other, he was surprised at how quickly they had managed to become friends but he figured it must be natural given their shared genetics.

Ray was the first to spot the couple. "Adam, Kay. Over here."

Kay sat down next to Claire while Adam sat at the head of the table, Kay on one side, Ray on the other.

"So we miss anything?" Adam asked no-one in particular.

"Just swapping stories about you, your parents were telling me how you got that scar, two years and didn't even tell me. I told them about the boating trip, the one we went on with Kale. I swear he went on healthy then after three days he cut his weight in half."

The group was laughing, even Adam raised a smile even though it was at his expense. The group had a couple more drinks before 12 rolled around, when the time came around Ray and Kieran went off to grab the boat, Kanani and Claire went to the little girl's room leaving Adam and Lexi on their own. 

"Not joining the girls, I though you women all went to the bathroom at the same time."
Lexi stood up and walked slowly round the table to the edge of the pier, lighting a cigarette as she did. "They do, I don't see the point, it would just be awkward if I was there."

Lexi sat on the edge on the pier,  her bare feet just grazing the water. "Besides, I don't think your mother's ever really gotten over the fact that we fucked."

Adam sat down beside his cousin. "I know what you mean, my dad flat out told me he was disappointed about us."

"Ha, who would've thought a little harmless incest could fuck up our lives so much."

Adam found himself laughing with Alexandra. Almost by instinct, he put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. 

"I don't regret anything I did with you." He whispered in her ear.

"Me either."

Adam and Lexi looked at each other and for the briefest of seconds Adam believed what Kanani told him last night, that Alexandra still loved him. In her eyes Adam swore he saw hope, hope that this wasn't just cousinly affection, it was something more. Adam was sure it was hope, Lexi's eyes never held any hope which made this feeling all the more obvious, but maybe it was just his own reflection, maybe it was his own hope.

All these thoughts rushed through his head in barely a second before he turned away.

Lexi smiled, then she turned back to look at the ocean. 

"Do you still have nightmares?" Adam asked her. Lexi looked up at him confused. "About Craig." he explained.

"Oh right, no, not for a while now. When I was with you they bugged me for a bit but when I lost the baby they were gone, replaced."

"With what?"

"Nightmares about the baby, people blaming me for it's death. I can't believe you remembered that, I must've told you that damn near ten years ago."

"I had a sorta nightmare last night, reminded me of you."

"I'm honoured."

Adam smirked. "I'm suppose to look out for you."

"Careful, last time you said that we ended up fucking. And unless you're a sadistic cunt I recommend dropping the subject."

Adam smiled and Lexi's unashamed blue humour just a gust of wind blew through the palm trees.

Alexandra looked up at the tree as she spoke. "You've struck good here Adam, nice little place. So when you running away?"

"I'm not Lexi, I'm here to stay."

She turned to her cousin. "Please. I know you Adam, I know you better than you know yourself. Sooner or later you're going to pack up and run away because that's what you do, that's who you are."

"Not this time."

Lexi gave a smirk, telling Adam she didn't believe him, then she threw her cigarette in the sea, stood up and walked to the boat. Adam watched her leave, Kay was wrong, Lexi didn't love him, they had just matured and their friendship improved. He would take a friend over hate any day, but would he take a lover over a friend? He didn't know.

*

The boat trip went better than Adam expected, his parents had accepted Kanani into their family easily, even Alexandra was getting along with her. Ray wasn't given the exact same courtesy - since he had just came into their lives so suddenly - but he wasn't ignored and once Kieran found that he and Ray shared an interest in Glasgow Rangers they hit it off immediately.

Being on the boat Adam could see the extent of the damage Alexandra's heroin addiction had given her. She was wearing a bikini top and a sarong dress, both a light blue, and it almost shocked Adam how skinny she looked. Lexi wasn't horrible skinny but Adam could still remember how she looked only 10 years ago and the change was incredible. He remembered the day he opened his door to a 19 year old Lexi and seeing her for the first time after so many years, her smooth curves, her long, flowing dirty blonde hair, her golden skin. All of that was gone now, her skin was white, slightly pasty but nothing a good, long shower couldn't help, her hair was much shorter now, reaching just to her ears and her curves had all but disappeared, Adam could see she wasn't all skin and bones but it was still a jarring change. It was like Lexi was two different people, if it wasn't for her eyes Adam might not have recognized her and even they looked different slightly. Adam would never say it to her face but Alexandra looked a lot older than her 29 years.

While looking at his cousin Adam spotted a new tattoo on her shoulder, he knew about the Welsh dragon on her hip but he'd never seen this one before. It was a bright red rose, the petals blooming on her shoulder then a stem running half-way down her arm with sharp thorns all over. It was very well made and had an air of danger and beauty, sorta like Lexi herself. 

"You checking out the new art?"

Lexi took Adam out of his trance. "Sorry, yeah. When'd you get that?"

"I got in in rehab, there was a tattoo artist there who gave me it. I figured it was a good warning, you know 'Every Rose Has It's Thorns' and that shit. With everything I went through I need to remember that."

"It's looks good, I like it."

Alexandra gave a smile, it was small but it was enough.

Kanani jumped into the conversation. "You planning to get anymore?"

"Not planning to, I might get another couple. Nothing as big as the Rose obviously but I'm not ruling out anything just yet."

"I almost got a tattoo once." Ray joined in as well. "I was going to get this big sort of demon dragon thing, all over my back. Would've been expensive as hell but I was sure it was worth it."

"What stopped you?" Lexi was the one who asked, wanting to know more about her father's life.

"I got divorced. That set me back a pretty penny. Once it was all over I looked back and realised I made a good decision in not being that silly. Not that you're silly baby you're tats are nice."

"I'm so glad you said my TATS."

The off-brand humour raised a laugh from everyone, even Claire. After driving for a few minutes Ray stopped the boat, they were in the middle of the ocean but could still see the mainland in the distance. 

Ray cleared his throat and gave his best 'I-Know-What-I'm-Talking-About' voice. "Alright ladies and gentlemen, we are now about to embark on a journey under the sea, I am Raymond Henderson and I do NOT have a licence to teach this stuff but I'm close enough. Ok before we start we are short two oxygen tanks so two of us are going to have to stay behind."

"I'll stay behind." Said Claire. "I get claustrophobic at times and the mask won't help."

"I'll stay with mum." Offered Adam. 

"You sure hun?"

"Yeah Kay. I haven't had a good chat with mum in a long time, it'll be nice to catch-up."

Ray smiled at how easy that had went. "Alright with that sorted let's get suited up."

It took only a few minutes to get Kieran, Alexandra and Kanani ready for diving, since Kay had done it before she helped out before readying herself. When everyone had got suited and booted they went into the sea, Kieran and Lexi were a little hesitant but they had come this far and weren't backing out now.

Soon all four of them were in the ocean leaving Adam with his mother. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" She asked him, reading her only son like a book.

"It's nothing just, I never really asked you how you felt. You know, about me and Lexi."

"The fact that my son and my niece slept together?"

Adam nodded, for the first time he was feeling slightly ashamed about his affair with his cousin.

"Well I didn't like it, I thought I raised you better than that. I blamed Alexandra for a while, believing my sister and her pig of a husband had made her into a sexual freak. When I found out it was you that came onto her I blamed myself, thinking I was a bad mother, that you did what you did because of something I'd done. It wasn't until much later, later than I'd like, that I saw it, you fell in love with Alexandra the moment you saw here and there was nothing I or anyone else could've done to stop you."

"So... are you mad at me?"

Claire put her arm around her son as she had done many times before but not for several years now. "No Adam, I'm not mad at you, I'm not even ashamed of you, or Alexandra. I love you both and what's happened had happened. You've both moved on and we managed to survive without this ripping our family apart. You have moved on haven't you son?"

Adam tried to look his mother in the eye but he couldn't. He could lie to anyone, his best friend, his cousin, his father, his wife, even himself. But he had never been able to lie to his mother, whenever he couldn't look her in the eye she knew he was lying. 

"Jesus Adam, you're married for God sake."

"I know mum it's just, dad talked to me yesterday, then Kay brought up some memories last night and then I talked to Lexi a couple hours ago and everything's making me think that Lexi is a bigger part of my life than I realise. I love her but I don't know how much I love her."

Claire's voice changed slightly, it was a subtle change but not lost on Adam. "Adam Brandon McAllister. You listen to me right now. You love Alexandra because she is your cousin and even though you've both been closer than cousins should be,  you will always love her as a cousin. Do not confused that love with the love you have for your wife. Don't confuse yourself and mess up your life again. Please son."

Adam hugged his mother, holding back tears as he did. "I won't mum, I'm sorry."
"It's ok Adam, god you're a man grown and yet I still see you as my baby." A small tear rolled down Claire's cheek.

The mother and son let each other go, glad they got all that out of the way. "Oh mum before I forget, talk to Lexi if you can, she thinks you hate her or something."

"Hate her? I don't hate her, why would she think that?"

"Lexi's weird mum, just talk to her when we get to shore."

"Sure thing. Thanks."

The divers were gone for about an hour but it felt a lot less, Adam and Claire talked through the full hour, reconnecting after so many years apart, not just the years Adam was in Hawaii but Vegas and California as well. Back at shore Claire kept her promise and talked to Lexi, the conversation brought them both to tears but it strengthened their relationship. 

Afterwards the six of them ordered a take-away for a late lunch, huddled around a table in the living room Adam noticed the strong bond between the six of them and where it was strongest. Kieran and Claire sat side-by-side, laughing together as they played with some chicken pieces, their love as strong as it was when they met over 40 years ago. Adam sat with Kanani's hand in his the whole time, their love was new but just as strong as his parents, she had saved him and for that he would love her forever. And then there was Ray and Alexandra, strangers until mere hours ago they had connected so strongly is such a short amount of time, whether Ray was her real father or not didn't matter, to them they were father and daughter and just happy to meet each other.

That evening Kieran, Claire and Alexandra took the flight home back to Britain, as Adam watched his family leave he and Alexandra caught eyes and smiled to each other. Whatever else happened he was glad that he and Alex were finally friends again.

A few months past and Adam settled into married life with more ease than he expected. He and Kanani kept their routine of both working then whoever was home first cooked dinner and it worked, neither of them felt burdened to do all the work and there was very few arguments, certainly no big ones.

Of course the frequent amount of sex didn't hurt.

When you're married to someone suddenly everything becomes clearer and the sex changes, it becomes more about being together than just getting off. Oh they still got each other hot and heavy but more often than not they ended up just holding each other as they fell asleep. 

It wasn't until about May/June that Adam felt like there wasn't something missing, he couldn't put his finger on what it was but there was something in his life that didn't feel right. At first he thought it was kids, he hadn't talked to Kay about children but Adam always wanted to be a father, he remembered how he felt when he found out about Lexi's pregnancy, it wasn't his but the hope was still there.

But that wasn't it, the thought of children just didn't add up to what Adam was feeling. The answer came as a surprise to Adam, it was Sunday, his day off from work, that was until he was called in to cover a co-worker. That's when Adam realised that he hated his job, it had done him well these past two years but it wasn't suppose to turn into a career. His whole teenage life Adam had trained to be a lawyer until he ran away to California and never picked it up again.

That night, coming home from work he talked to Kay about taking a night course.

"I think you should do it."

"Really, you won't see a lot of me, I'll be working less hours so I won't earn as much."

"Adam,  I love you. And if this is what you want to do then I support you. Besides once you're a big lawyer man you'll be making plenty."

Adam smiled and kissed his wife, once again feeling lucky he met her. They made love that night, it was one of the most tender, emotional moments of their marriage. Over the next few months Adam worked out a deal with Ray to keep his job but also go to night school, Kanani put in a couple more hours at the hospital, even Kale helped Adam, calling in a favour with one of the professors to make sure Adam got a good spot on the course.

The whole arrangement was perfect for Adam, he was finally back on track to his dream profession, he had a loving wife and was living in paradise. But, as Adam had come to realise, paradise doesn't last.

In the middle of November Adam got a phone call that changed everything.

"Hello?"

"Adam? It's Lexi." Adam could tell she had been crying and was struggling to stop long enough to talk on the phone.

"Lexi? What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's, it's your dad. Adam he was driving home and, and, and... he got in a car accident. Adam he didn't make it."

Adam fell back, thankfully there was a chair behind him. He couldn't believe it, his father, dead.

"Where's mum, is she ok?"

"She's fine, I think. God Adam."

"Ok Lexi, let me, let me call you in the morning. I need to process this."

"Sure, bye."

"Bye."

Adam hung up and dropped the phone, the noise brought Kanani through. 

"Adam? What's wrong?"

Adam turned to his wife, he looked on the verge of crying. 




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 04



"My dad's dead." Was all he could say. 

Kanani quickly sat beside her husband and held him as he burst into tears. A grown man crying, he would've felt embarrassed if his soul hadn't been crushed.

*

Adam got off the plane, he hadn't even felt the flight he was still numbed. 

"You ok?" 

Ray's voice took Adam back in, just a little but it was enough. "Yeah, yeah. Just never thought I'd be back here."

It had been just over a month since Adam had been told his father had died. He was driving home when another driver, high on cocaine at the time, crashed into his car, Kieran died instantly while the other driver went flying out his car and broke his back, permanently paralysed from the waist down.

Claire had scheduled the funeral for December 31st, that way the whole family could be together when the New Year came around. Adam was on Christmas break so he was coming but Kanani couldn't make it out, she was doing overtime at the hospital and wouldn't be able to come. She was pissed she would miss her first New Years as a married woman but Adam had to go, Ray decided to come with him, he wanted to meet Alexandra again and introduce himself to the family. And so the two men took the long flight from sunny and warm Hawaii to dark and  cold UK. 

It's good to be home.

Adam hadn't seriously thought he'd never return to Britain but he never thought he'd be back like this. God it hadn't really been that long since Aunt Jane had died. Adam and Ray got in a taxi outside the terminal and Adam gave the address to his parents house, secretly he hoped the house had changed from the last time, he didn't want anything to remind him of his dad.

Thankfully Adam was given that small mercy, the house has been done up a little in the past few years, mould removed, windows replaced, new coat of paint and wallpapers inside. When Adam and Ray arrived the house was already surrounded by cars but Adam knew more would come, his dad had many friends and the family was pretty big. The door was open so the two of them walked through to the living room where everyone seemed to be, Adam saw from the doorway that his mother was sitting on a large armchair, surrounded by grievers and sympathisers, all of them crying with her, including Alexandra who had her arm around her aunt's shoulder.

Adam knocked on the wall, letting everyone know he was there. Immediately Claire jumped up and hugged her son, she held on to him and he held to her, both reminding themselves that they had each other. Out of the corner of his tear-stained eye Adam saw Alexandra hug her father.

After a few minutes Claire let go of Adam, she had cried into his shoulder without either of them realising.

"You ok mum?"

"Yeah, no... I don't know, I can't believe he's actually gone, just like that. I didn't even say goodbye."

"I miss him too mum."

The mother and son hugged again before they brought Adam inside and introduced him to everyone. Adam hadn't seen any of these people since Jane's funeral three years ago, some even longer. Of course everyone knew he had slept with his cousin and gave him dirty looks until they found out he was married and living in Hawaii.

Adam felt sorry for Lexi, she had to deal with these dirty looks on a daily basis, but he could see her on the other side of the room happily introducing Ray as her father. He smiled, Lexi was thick-skinned and could take a few dirty looks but she reverted back to a child trying to please her daddy when she was with Ray.

"I was wondering when I'd see you again you cousin fuckin pansy."

Adam turned round and saw someone he practically thought was a ghost.

Liam Nelson.

The two friends hugged tightly, not having seen each other since Vegas. "Jesus Liam what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean, it's your dad's funeral, you're a friend..."

"No I mean... I don't know what I mean. God it's been too long."

"It has, do you mind if we go outside, I need a smoke."

"No problem."

The two of them took a slow walk outside, Liam lit a cigarette while they strolled around the armada of cars. 

"So what happened to you?" Adam asked his former best friend. 

"I got lucky for one. After I phoned you I found your hotel room key in my pocket, no idea how it got there, so I went back up. Those two fine ladies had nicked most of your stuff but left quite a bit. I'm sorry to say this but I sold what was left, bought a boat ticket back home."

"No worries, I'm just glad you're safe."

"I'm better than safe, I'm clean. Got home and went into rehab. Got out six months ago and haven't even seen the stuff."

"That's good man."

"Thanks. Hey listen Adam, about what I said in Vegas. About loving Alexandra."

"Look don't worry about that, you were going through some shit, I don't deny your love for my cousin. Hell you should go for her, she needs someone good in her life and you obviously have a connection."

"Cheers man, I might do that. I guess I should give you your present early."

"Present?"

"Yeah, I was saving this for later but I feel like now's a good time."

Liam walked to a dark blue car which Adam guessed was his own. Liam opened the passenger side door and took out a large book. Looking at it Adam felt his heart jump.

His scrapbook, the one that he kept all his letters and postcards from Alexandra when they were younger. He had taken it with him to California then again to Vegas where he must've left it. He had forgotten all about it and the sight almost brought a tear to his eye.

"I found this amongst your stuff." Explained Liam through the silence. "I couldn't sell it and I thought if I ever saw you again you'd like to have it back."

"I do, thank you."

"It's good man."

Adam and Liam hugged once more, Adam missed being friends with Liam, both had made bad choices in their lives and they drifted apart. Hopefully now they could patch things up.

The two of them made their way back to the house. "So I hear you got married, and not to Alexandra."

"Yeah, this girl Kanani saved me from her dad when I landed in Hawaii. One thing led to another, we ended up dating and the rest is history."

"Kanani? Native I guess."

Adam nodded. 

"Right. Well I'm glad you settled down. When I was told I didn't believe it. I still don't know how you ended up on that boat."

"Maybe it's best we don't know, leave that dark night in the dark."

"Good plan."

"You heard anything from Maggie?"

"Fuck man, she's not letting me see my kids, they're growing up without me and I haven't seen them in years. I tried sending them birthday and Christmas cards but Maggie took them, she said I can't write 'From Dad', it has to be 'From Liam'. Fuckin mess."

"I'm sorry man."

"Fuck it Adam, it's your family's day, enough about me." 

Just then the front door opened and Lexi appeared. "Adam, there you are. Hey Liam."

"Hey."

"Listen we're heading out to the church now, you wanna ride with your mum or Liam or what?"

"I'll go with mum, seems right that way."

"Ok." Alexandra's voice went quiet, Adam put his hand on her shoulder.

"You ok?"

"Yeah. It's just... God I wasn't even like this at my mum's funeral."

"It's fine, nobody's judging you."

"Please, stop with the sympathy Adam. I fuckin hate it."

Movement behind Alexandra caught Adam's attention, Ray was waiting for his daughter as other guests  and family members started leaving the house to head to the church.

**

As people gathered to their seats Adam waited outside by the hearse. There was him, Liam and a selection of uncles and cousins, 6 of them in total, all of them were going to carry to coffin inside. Adam was in two minds, on one hand he wanted to get out of there, he wanted to just stay outside the church and watch the funeral from the door. On the other he wanted to stay, just to prove he didn't run away from everything. 

Sooner than he expected it was time to carry the coffin inside, it wasn't a heavy lift but it felt like the weight of the worlds on his shoulders. It was so hard to think that this was his father's body inside, it hit him hard to hear about his death on the phone but to be this close, the death this evident, it hurt him. When they put the coffin down Adam couldn't step away fast enough, he turned away and sat down next to his mother, trying hard not to let his emotions get the better of him.

The priest stood beside the coffin, she looked out across the sad faces and smiled politely. 

"Thank you all for coming. We are all here today to mourn the loss of Kieran McAllister, husband, father, brother, uncle, friend. I knew Kieran in passing but I knew him to be a good man, a loving partner to his wife of nearly 40 years Claire and a wonderful father to his only son Adam."

At the mention of his name Adam looked up, he had been staring at a spot on the floor for the last few minutes. He wasn't ignoring the ceremony, he was just trying to distance himself from it. Christ, even when he wasn't running he was running away. The next 20, 30 minutes consisted of the priest recounting stories from Kieran's life that she'd gathered from the family, how he met Claire in high school, starting in his job, the birth of Adam. They were all happy memories which Adam was happy about, no mention of him and Alexandra. The ceremony ended with a hymn and the coffin was lowered, even though the coffin had been closed Adam suddenly felt strange, as if finally knowing he would never see his father again.

Adam and Claire stood up first so they could stand by the door and have everyone offer their condolences. Adam knew he didn't look sad like his mother but nobody said anything, at least not to him. When Alexandra came up to Adam she gave him and long hug and a kiss on the cheek, for the first time in so long Adam didn't want to let her go, reluctantly he did though and kept shaking hands and hugging relatives and saying thank you to their pity. 

Pretty soon it was just him and his mother leaving the church, heading to their car, Adam heard his mother hold back tears and put his arm around her. 

"How you doing?"

"What? Oh, I'm fine. Just hard to think that I won't see him again."

"I know how you feel, I felt the same way just now."

"I'm still trying to get over this, I mean, I didn't even get to say goodbye..."

Claire hugged her son quickly and cried into his shoulder. He stroked her head softly and spoke quietly. "It's ok mum, I hadn't spoken to dad in so long, I can't even remember what the last thing we talked about."

That was a half-lie, Adam was certain the last thing he and his dad had talked about was Kieran being disappointed in Adam for sleeping with Alexandra. There was surely something after that but that's what Adam remembered the most.

The two of them got in their car, aside from the driver it was just the two of them, after their heart-to-heart on the boat they had a much better connection as mother and son and could easily talk to each other. Truthfully they both wanted to ignore the gravity of today.

"So how's Kay?"

"She's good, she's sorry she couldn't make it but she's needed at the hospital."

"I know, you told me earlier."

"Did I? Sorry."

"It's ok."

"You know, Kay and I have been discussing children."

"Really? Children? Isn't it a bit soon?"

"We've been together a couple of years and we're only talking about it. We won't be doing anything until I finish school which won't be for a couple years."

"You gotta be careful Adam, you've made some bad choices in the past."

"Don't remind me." 

Claire smiled and kissed her son on the cheek, despite the depressing nature of the past couple of weeks she was happy to have Adam with her. 

Back at the house Adam walked inside, still next to Claire, walking in he saw Alexandra and Liam talking to each other. Despite encouraging it, the thought that Liam was asking Lexi out on a date made Adam jealous for some reason. He ignored it and followed his mother inside.

The house was lively but respectfully so, it was a sad day but everyone kept their spirits up, talking and laughing with each other. Not many people talked to Adam, he didn't blame them, he was a cousin fucking runaway. A few people did ask him about Hawaii and his new wife but the conversations never lasted long. For the most part Adam stood at the back and listened to stories, Ray was a big hit, his stories about how he ended up stuck in Hawaii made people laugh and his kind persona made him instantly likeable. 

The gathering lasted a few hours, a couple people with younger children left early but most of the people stayed, wanting to be together as one big family when the New Years came around. At about 11:30 at night Alexandra found Adam.

"Hey."

"Hey, you ok?"

"You have no idea how many times I've been asked that. I'm good thanks."

"Good, listen I need to buy a pack of ciggies, can you run down with me?"

"Are you sure you can't wait, I mean mum wants us to stay for New Years."

"Come on it'll only be ten minutes, we'll be back in plenty of time."

"Uh, fine. Let's be quick though."

Adam quickly told his mum where they were going and headed out with Alexandra. Adam ignored the cold and followed the path through the snow.

"So why didn't you ask Liam to go down with you."

"Ah, you saw that did you? Look Liam's a nice guy but we just arranged our first date, I don't want one right now. Besides I wanted to talk to you."

"A date huh. Well good luck to you two, you're both suited for each other. I mean that in a good way."

"I know. You aren't jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous, we had our chance and it never worked out. I love you Lexi but I'm not in love with you."

"Snap." Lexi said with a small smile. 

"So what about you? What's going on in your life?"

"Not much, I'm doing some shit receptionist job at a bank. Thinking I might quit and go to school, actually get something out of it this time."

"And do what?"

"I don't know, I've never had a future career in mind, never saw the point."

"Well I hope you find something, I'm back at school myself."

"I know, your mum told me. I'm happy for you Adam, really I am. It's about time you stopped running and got on with your life."

"Oh so you believe I'm gonna stay with Kanani now."

"No." 

And that was all Alexandra said before she slipped into the corner shop. Adam smiled at her tenacity, she was never one to back down and he admired that about her.

In the shop Alexandra had a browse, looking for something to eat, a chocolate bar, a packet of crisps, anything. She settled on a bag of Doritos, chilli flavour and went to the till to pay for it. Waiting behind a fat woman buying bags of chocolate for herself Lexi felt a cold air as some strange man stood behind her.

"Well, well." Came a chilling and unforgettable voice. "You look familiar."

Alexandra turned round, dreading what she would see behind her. 

It was Cyril Moreno, the drug dealer that had supplied her and Liam during their heroin days and even forced Lexi to have sex with him when she couldn't pay for her addiction.

"Hello Cyril." She said as politely as she could towards this rotten sack of revulsion.

"Hello? After all we've been through together and all you can say is Hello?"

"What the fuck else do you want me to say? You raped me."

"I rather think not, you went in willingly."

"You forced me, you told me I had to fuck you to pay for, you know."

"I think you'll find I merely offered that as an alternative means of payment, you're the one that accepted the agreement."

As much as his poisonous words made Alexandra gag she knew he was right. The fat woman stepped away and Alexandra took her place. 

"10 Regal King Size." She said, trying hard to ignore Cyril's sickening breath on her neck.

"I've still got some candy if you're interested, or maybe you just want to fuck again."

"Go away Cyril."

"Come one, admit it, I'm still on your mind."

"Go away Cyril." Alexandra's voice was much firmer this time.

Cyril got so close to Lexi his snake tongue was sliding into her ear. "Deny it all you want, you still want my cock in your ass."

One of Cyril's claws grasped Alexandra on her pussy, feeling her through her jeans. He thrust forward, letting his hard cock push against her ass. Suddenly and instinctively Lexi kicked Cyril in the shin, the sudden pain floored him, Alexandra spun round and kicked him in the stomach to make sure he stayed down. Looking down at the monster gasping for breath Alexandra ran as fast as she could, out the shop, past Adam and kept going. 

When Adam saw Lexi rush past him he was confused, he looked in the shop and saw Cyril stagger to his feet, still curious as to what happened Adam followed his cousin, not an easy task since she was running to escape and wouldn't tire easily whereas Adam would and did. 

Eventually Adam caught up with Alexandra, she was at the pond, their pond. She'd climbed through the hedge and was sitting by the water, looking at the moonlit reflection on the water. She was crying, Adam couldn't believe it, nobody had ever hurt Lexi enough to make her cry. A rustle of leaves alerted Lexi to his presence as he sat beside her."

"I come here sometimes." She explained to an unspoken question. "It helps me forget some things, reminds me of a happier time."

"Who was that?"

"I don't have many happy times, even this pond isn't the best, but right now it's all I have."

"Lexi. Who was that man?"

"His name's Cyril, he's a drug dealer. He supplied me and Liam. One week, when we couldn't pay, he made me...  he made me fuck him."

"Jesus Lexi."

"I thought he was nothing, but he's not, he's just another mistake. One in my endless amount."

"Lexi..."

"No Adam, all I do is make mistakes. Everything I do fucks up myself or someone I love."

"I know."

A silence passed between them, it felt like the whole world had suddenly gone tense, waiting for the next word from Adam. There was no wind, no birds, no fireworks or cheering.

"Kanani told me about the baby."

Lexi smiled. "I thought she would."

"Is that why you told her?"

"Maybe. I don't know."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why bother? I was killing the damn thing anyway, didn't need to bother you with the problems of the dead."

"But Lexi, you were pregnant. With my child."

"So? Adam it was a mistake, we weren't careful and shit happened. I took care of it, it's the past now."

"The past... Jesus Lexi what the fuck?"

Adam turned away from Alexandra, he resorted back to the mindset of a grumpy teenager and refused to look at her.

"All this time Lexi I thought you hated me, I thought I did something wrong. All those years and it wasn't even me."

Alexandra put her hand on Adam's shoulder. "Adam, I did hate you. But I never said I stopped loving you."

Adam looked up, he didn't believe he had heard her right. "What did you..."

"Adam the reason I hated you was because I loved you. You were the first man that loved me and that I loved back, every other time it was one or the other. You cared about me, genuinely cared, and I loved you for it. But we were cousins, I could never get past that like you could but I could never stop loving you and I hated that. My feelings were so fucked up that I took it out on you and I've regretted it ever since."

Alexandra hand reached up and stroked Adam's face.

"I love you Adam."

To this day it's hard to tell who made the first move but before either of them knew it they were kissing. It had been far too long since Adam kissed Alexandra's lip, her soft lips, a warm kiss, their love was strong, even after so many years, so much hate. They still loved each other. Adam pushed Lexi gently down onto the ground, it was cold and wet but she didn't notice. With Adam straddling her he took off his shirt while she lifted her own up and over her head, her bra was a simple one but Adam took pleasure in groping her breasts over the cups. Now shirtless, Adam reached underneath Lexi and unhooked her bra, throwing the damn thing away afterwards. Adam dove in and kissed and sucked and bit Lexi's breasts, it had been too long sine he held them in his mouth and he missed them, they held a slight sag to them and weren't as big or firm as in her youth but Adam didn't care, he could still stick his head between her breasts in inhale her scent, he loved it still.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 05



This is the 5th and final chapter in the Somebody I Used To Know storyline. My thanks to all the comments and feedback it has received. Special mention to Kaidman who shared the story with a larger audience.

If anyone has any comments or questions then just send me a message, if I can get back to you I will reply as quick as I can.

Story first, sex second.

**

It was one of those moments that lasted a lifetime. Adam McAllister, 38 years old, married for 7 and with a 6 year old son, the man that could never settle, could never stay in one life without ruining it, had just destroyed himself again.

He had just forced his own cousin, Alexandra, to reveal, in front of their friends and family, that her daughter was also his. 

Adam had destroyed his own life many times over, he'd even destroyed Lexi's a couple times before. But now, there was his wife, his son, even his best friend, so many people who lives would never be the same with this news. But Adam wasn't thinking about any of them. 

He was thinking about his father, and the pint glass he was holding.

In a blind rage Kale forced the glass into the left side of Adam's face. Adam didn't do anything to avoid it, he deserved whatever happened to him. He felt a searing pain as the glass exploded, his vision went red then quickly faded to darkness.

*

2000

*

"Happy New Year."

Lexi climbed off of Adam, his dick softening as she pulled him out of her, she hadn't meant to go this far, she never wanted to sleep with Adam again but she needed support and he was there for her. As they got dressed she wondered about the implications, would he see this as the start of something or just the neediness of a lost little girl. Whatever was going through his head Adam stayed quiet so Alexandra followed suit, they remained silent as they returned home.

"Where have you two been? Midnight was ten minutes ago." The sound of Claire's anger reminded Alexandra of the pain they had both caused all those years ago, there would be time to tell the truth but not today.

"Sorry mum, we just popped out to buy some cigarettes and..."

Alexandra butted in. "And I ran into someone. Cyril Moreno."

The lie was successful, coupled with Liam's recognition of the name nobody questioned her. Alexandra had found out long ago that the best lies were ones based on truth and she had told herself enough half-truths to fool even herself.

That night Lexi lay across the old bed, looking up at the ceiling, a million thoughts racing through her mind. What should she say to Adam, should she tell him she wants to try again, would he leave his wife for her, would he run away once more, back home. She had no doubt in her mind that she loved Adam, true she hated him but she couldn't hide the feelings she'd been having, when she heard he was getting married her heart broke, that was when she knew she...

Wait, what was she doing? This was exactly the same shit that fucked everything up last time. Confusion and misreading of feelings. Adam was her cousin, there was no way they could be together, not after all the pain they'd caused everyone. She was an idiot for thinking he would leave his wife, especially for her, she was only half-serious when she told Adam he would run from her, she knew he wouldn't leave Kay.

But he had just cheated on her.

Her head aching as she tried to understand the complex and fucked up relationship she had with her cousin, Lexi went to bed that night with tears in her eyes, still confused about everything. 

The morning fared a little better, her head still hurt but not as much, she kept quiet, trying to keep any indication of the affair last night secret. It was the only time in her life Alexandra was glad they were at a funeral, she could pass her his detached attitude as depression. 

Her father left in the morning, Adam had booked an afternoon flight to spend more time with his family, Alexandra spent as long as she could with Ray, partly to avoid Adam but mostly because she wanted to remember her father, maybe not her actual father but he was close enough and wanted to be her dad. 

After he left she used every trick in the book to avoid talking to Adam, being in a different room than him at all times, making sure there was more than just the two of them in the room. Thankfully Adam was spending a lot of time with his mum but it was clear her avoidance was hurting him.

It wasn't just clear to her, Claire picked up on the tension and confronted Lexi about it, just before she was to take Adam to the airport.

"What's going on between you two?" She asked bluntly.

"What?"

"Between you and me son. There's something there, you've hardly said a word to each other all-day."

"I'm just depressed is all, about Uncle Kieran's death."

"Bullcrap young lady, you know as well as I do that my husband and you didn't get along as well as you used to. Besides, you were all talk yesterday."

Alexandra decided to use another one of her half-truths. "It's the shit I had with Cyril last night, it brought up a lot of bad memories, I remember the person I use to be and I hate it."

Claire's heart melted, she didn't fully believe Lexi but it was a tough lie, admitted that about herself. She hugged her niece.

"It's ok, you're passed that now. You're a different person."

'Yeah, how different?' Lexi thought to herself. She was still a slut, still fucking her cousin, still tearing a marriage apart. She couldn't do that, not anymore, she wouldn't be the reason for another relationship breaking up. Last night was a mistake, the result of a sad, lonely girl looking for a friend and finding a lover. 

"You ready to go?" 

Alexandra turned round and saw Adam, holding his bags, ready to return home.

"Yeah, let's go."

The two of them got into Alexandra's car and headed off to the airport, Lexi turned on the radio, hoping that would fill the silence that was going to be a part of this journey. She didn't know how Adam was feeling and truthfully she didn't care, not out of spite but if she thought about him she'd do something stupid, she had to be selfish, just this once where it was allowed.

The silence between them gave her time to think, as she did she came to the conclusion that last night was a one time thing, never to be repeated, she needed someone and Adam was there for her. Nothing more. Too many people would get hurt and she'd already hurt enough people to regret a lifetime. As Lexi pulled into the drop-off point here mind was set.

"Well Adam, it's been nice meeting you again, just wish it was under better circumstances. I'll see you some other day."

The look of Adam's face killed her, he looked like she'd just spit in his face.

"Is that it? Lexi what the fuck? Last night you told me you loved me, we had sex and today it's like it never happened."

"It was nothing Adam, just another mistake."

"What about when you said you loved me?"

"I do Adam but you're married now, and we're still cousins, we don't have a chance. Just forget it."

"Forget it huh? That's just so fuckin typical of you Lexi, you won't let yourself get any emotion from anyone, whoever gets too close you blow them off. Fuck this."

Adam stormed out of the car, as he was taking out his bags Alexandra's mind was going a mile a minute, had she just made a terrible mistake? She looked up and saw Adam walking away, she jumped out the car.

"Adam wait."

Her cousin turned and looked at her, the horrible look of depressed fury broke her heart and she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Adam, however, could say something.

"I loved you you cunt."

And with that he turned away. Alexandra got back in the car, the feelings and emotions she had over the past couple of days came rushing through her and she broke down, crying, sobbing actually, against the steering wheel. How could have been so stupid, she loved Adam, she WAS in love with him and had been for a while despite her lies to herself. Even it appeared Adam felt the same way, and she pushed him away.

Fuck everyone else, why should she worry about what they think, why shouldn't she be happy? For the first time in her life why couldn't she be happy? She considered running out and catching Adam in the airport but what would be the point, he wanted nothing to do with her right now and whether he meant it or not he would break her heart. 

Besides, history tends to repeat itself when it came to their relationship.

Wiping her tears away Alexandra started the car and drove home, she had managed to buy a small house not far from Claire's home, it wasn't much but it was home and besides, she figured 30 was too old to be renting an apartment. Unfortunately there were times - and given Lexi's history these were all too frequent for her liking - when she looked round the house, saw the double bed she slept in, saw the child's room just down hall and was reminded that she didn't have a family. She had no-one.

When she got back home that feeling hit her hard. It had been getting worse over the last few years, she knew she had a long time to find somebody, to raise a family but between the knowledge that all her friends were getting married or pregnant and the fact that she lost her own chance to be a mother twice, it wasn't a good mix.

Emotionally drained, Alexandra crashed onto her bed, falling asleep immediately on the familiar feel of cotton. She didn't know how long she slept but it must've been for a long time because it looked like morning when she woke, the soft sunlight trickled through the window. Lexi opened her eyes and looked into the smiling face of the man next to her.

"Morning."

"Morning Adam. How long you been awake?"

"Not long, didn't have the heart to wake you. You looks so beautiful when you're dreaming."

"How did you know I was dreaming?"

"I'm your husband, I'm suppose to know."

Lexi, still exhausted, leaned over and kissed Adam. They held each other closely as the morning gave them a new day together.

The sound of knocking on the bedroom door caught Lexi's attention. "Yes?"

The door opened and there stood a little girl, smiling brightly at the two of them. "Hi mum, hi dad."

Lexi beamed. "Hey baby, how are you?"

The little girl jumped up onto the bed and snuggled between her parents. "I'm good, just wanted to see f you were up. Mummy slept for a long time."

"I know, but mummy get tired sometimes, when I give all my love to you in one day I need to recharge so I can do it again the next day."

"Oh mummy, you silly."

Lexi kissed her daughter's head. "I know baby. I know."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" 

Lexi looked up and saw her husband smiling at her. 

"What about me, what love do I get?"

"You don't get any love, you have my soul and my heart. I love you Adam."

"I love you too Lexi."

Alexandra reached over to touch her husband's face but when all she felt was the pillow she realised that she was awake. The whole thing had been a dream, Adam wasn't there, her daughter wasn't there. She was all alone, it was still night-time outside, the darkness mirrored her own feelings. She cried herself to sleep.

*

A couple weeks passed, Alexandra never heard from Adam and decided best not to interfere with his life, instead she focussed on hers, she had finally handed in her week's notice and in a few days she would be leaving her secretary job at the bank and going back to college to study art. She knew it was crazy and foolish since she hadn't held a brush in years, decades even, but she needed to make that leap of faith, she'd missed so many others.

It was a cold Friday walking home from work that everything changed for Lexi. She had a date with Liam the next week having put it off due to feeling depressed about Adam, she never explained her reasons but Liam was a good guy, he never pestered her about it. She decided to stop off at a pharmacy, pick up some morning after pills, she wanted to be safe, just in case things got out of hand and Liam didn't have any condoms. Besides it had been so long she had sex that she needed a refill anyway.

Suddenly Lexi froze in her tracks. It hadn't been that long, she had sex with Adam just a fortnight ago, unprotected sex, sex that caused him to shoot his seed into her womb, the same seed that had impregnated her once before.

Terrified at her own mind, Lexi practically ran into the pharmacy and grabbed three different pregnancy tests, she ignored the knowing smirk of the cashier and paid for them before rushing home. She was barely in the door before sprinting into the bathroom, dropping her pants and ripping the pregnancy test open. Her nerves were so shredded she didn't have to wait to pee, she had to hold it in before getting in the right position. The waiting was torturous, it was the longest two minutes of her life, every second lasted a week, she kept looking at her clock, swearing it was going backwards until finally, it was time, tentatively she looked at the test, a small, pink plus sign looked back at her.

She was pregnant.

No, it was a mistake, she needed another test, just to be sure. Panicking, Alexandra grabbed the largest glass she could find and filled it with water, drinking it down as fast as she could, stopping only to breath, then repeating the process with a second test, a different brand.

Same result, positive for pregnancy.

With two tests both giving the same results Alexandra calmed down, she was still on edge but she took a deep breath and slowed herself. Being careful she took a third test, being a lot slower and calmer than earlier. She had to wait a while before she was ready but when she was she took the test, waited until she could read it and, for the third time, she saw what she feared. 

She was definitely pregnant, and with her cousin's baby.

A flood of emotions hit Lexi, depression, joy, anger, love, hate. But fear was the biggest one, fear over what she was going to do, what could she do. She knew there and then she wasn't going to have an abortion, she couldn't. After losing two children before she was even 30, Lexi wasn't going to lose another, she was carrying this baby to term, despite it's incestuous parentage. Therein lay her other problem, should she tell Adam? 

It wasn't a question of what to tell him it was whether she should tell him at all, this was a child, their child, and he had the right to know. However with Adam married and in Hawaii it just didn't seem right to break up his family like that, for all she knew Adam and Kay were trying to have kids right now. No, she would keep quiet, Adam would never know about their baby, he would have his life and Lexi would have hers. This brought up another problem, the father, who could be a replacement?

God she hated how she sounded, 'replacement', it sounded so cold, so uncaring, she did care, that was the problem. She was fucked and she knew it well. Then it hit her, the reason she had bought the pregnancy test in the first place, she had gone in to get condoms for Liam, if she played her cards right Alexandra could pretend Liam got her pregnant, say he was the father, it was risky but she could do it, no-one else knew about her and Adam plus her and Liam had had a relationship in the past so it made sense.

If this blew up in her face then it would ending hurting a lot of people. She needed a drink badly, or at least a friend, but she had no-one, she was on her own for the moment, just her and the little one.

*

The week passed slowly, Alexandra found her pregnancy hormones were amplified by her stressed nature, she couldn't sleep well, she was put-off by smells she usually didn't mind. Because she couldn't drink her younger classmates had taking to calling her Den Mother, she wasn't even the oldest one in the class but once it stuck, it stuck. She didn't mind the nickname but it did make her feel older than her years, she was only 30 but years of self-neglect, abuse and her time with heroin had made her look and feel like she was in her early 40s. This didn't help her confidence when Friday came around and her date with Liam drew nearer. Strange as it was, Lexi had never been on a proper date, she was use to one-night stands and being used in her teen tears, even Ellis had been like that, only staying with her because she was knocked up, now she had cleaned up and was ready to start a life that she should've been use to by now. Her only consolation was that Liam was in the same boat as her, he spent a great deal of his life where he didn't want to be and had also recently cleaned himself act, if he believed her plan then they could be a good couple.

The date was scheduled for 6 in the evening, Liam arrived at Alexandra's house about 15 minutes before that, opening the door for him Lexi felt a genuine smile cross her lips, she was happy to see him. He looked good, his hair needed a cut or at least a comb but combined with his five o'clock shadow, his ripped jeans and t-shirt/shirt combo, it gave him a rugged look that Lexi liked.

For her part Lexi was wearing skinny jeans, using the tightness to accentuate her returning curves, and a snug pink top with an open black jumper over the top, just a hint of cleavage was showing, good enough for a first date. Her make-up was minimal, never really liking the stuff but her self-confidence needed to make her look a little younger for Liam, she didn't know why but she wanted to.

"Hey, you're early."

"My father always told me to arrive early so as not to disappoint your lady."

"Oh, so I'm your lady now am I?"

"Only if you want to be. Nice to see you again Alexandra."

The two old friends hugged, it was soft but still firm enough to know there was something still there between them.

"You're looking good Liam."

"Thanks, you look stunning as ever."

"You're just saying that."

"Yeah, why, is that a problem?"

"Flattery will get you everywhere. Can I get you a drink, beer, wine, coffee?

"Just some water if you don't mind, trying to stay away from illicit substances."

"Coffee's illicit?"

"Just being careful."

She had to laugh at that, Liam being careful didn't sound like the man she knew three years ago, except maybe he wasn't a man then. Alexandra poured them both a glass of water each.

"So what do you have planned for this evening, I'm warning you I expect fine wining and dining."

"Sorry, nothing too extravagant. I'm afraid this will have to be a simple affair for our first date. I'd like to do a little catching up with you and not have to worry about anyone overhearing us, I figured a simple walk around town and maybe a quick bite to eat would be enough."

"Sounds great, small, simple, personal. I like it." The tone of her voice told Liam that she meant it.

The two of them left Lexi's house and took a slow walk into town, no destination in mind.

Liam started the conversation "So what you been up to? I got bits and pieces on New Years but nothing definitive."

Lexi swallowed the memory of her New Years, sex with Adam at their pond. She couldn't think about that just now. "I'm actually in the middle of things right now. Just quit my job at the bank, going back to school, an art university."

"That's great, I remember Adam going on about how great you were at painting."

"Yeah, it's just been a while since I held a brush, with everything going on in my life I never had the chance to do what I wanted. What about you, you doing anything of interest?"

"I'm not doing much right now. My uncle got me a job at his construction site..."

"I thought you looked a little trimmer."

"Ha, no. I'm doing paperwork mostly, keeps me busy."

"Ever think of returning to the ocean, admiral?"

"Avast ye scurvy dogs, this old pirate's landlocked for the next while. I'd like to, really. But I've moved on, found a life for myself here. Is it what I imagined in high school, no but what is?"




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 05



"You see Maggie or the kids at all?"

Lexi could see the smile slowly disappear from Liam's face. "No, I haven't seen either of them since we ran into them a few years ago. I don't even know what they're doing right now."

"Sorry for bringing it up."

"No it's fine, they're my kids and they were bound to come up. It's my fault that I lost them anyway."

"Why did you cheat on Maggie?"

"I don't know. I honestly don't know."

Alexandra took Liam's hand in hers and squeezed softly, letting him know she was there for him.

"I sometimes wonder if Maggie recognized me when we saw her."

"Unlikely, remember she thought you were just some junkie I found."

"I know, but I like to think that somehow she knew, that she remembered that time at the warehouse."

Liam laughed at the memory. "Oh god I remember that, how long ago was that, eight, nine years ago?"

"Nearly eleven, I was only 19 when we met."

"Jesus what a night. I finally got Adam to play the guitar again, he hadn't touched the damn thing in months. What did we sing again?"

"Hotel California. Such a lovely place."

"Such a lovely face."

Alexandra looked up, she saw that Liam was looking right at her, she got the double meaning of what he said and blushed.

"Can I ask you something? What happened to you and Adam, at the warehouse I mean? You weren't with the rest of us when the police came."

Her blush got redder. "Ah yeah, about that. I needed to pee so Adam came outside to guard me and while we were out the police showed up and we ran. We went back to his place and that's when we... you know."

"You popped his cherry that night."

"Don't remind me."

"Ha, was he that bad."

"No, the exact opposite. So what happened to you?

"Ah I got booked. We were trespassing and technically thieving since we took a lot of stuff from those crates. Most people ran off but some of us stayed and since I was the apparent 'ring leader' I got the brunt of the charge. Had to do a few months community service."

"Aw, poor baby."

"Too right, almost missed Katie's birth because of fuckin street sweeping, people are disgusting animals."

"After the room we shared I know what you mean."

Liam had to laugh at that, the place had been disgusting, looking back he couldn't believe he actually lived in that wasteland. He turned to Alexandra, the sad smile all too evident on her face.

"Do you regret it, getting hooked?" He seemed to ask himself that just as much as her.

"Honestly. No. No I needed to hit rock bottom, you remember how I was a teen, I was a slut, I fucked guys left and right, one-night-stand after one-night-stand, all of them meaningless, just using my body because that's all I was good for, a junkie whore was just the next step down for me. If you hadn't sent me smashing into the dirt I think I would've made myself comfortable there. You woke me up and set me right."

"I know what you mean, I was the same, needed to hit bottom to stop. It was actually Adam who made me realise how bad I was."

"Was that to do with what happened in Vegas?"

"Yeah, I don't know if you know but while in Vegas Adam turned to coke and whores."

Alexandra had to laugh, mostly in shock, partly because she didn't know what else to do. "Oh god, coke and whores. Jesus Adam."

"I know, he wasn't the same man I knew from college, when I saw how far he'd fallen, how weak and pathetic he was it reminded me of us, how far we fell. I made the decision there and then I was going to get clean, I was giving up the stuff and I was going to..."

"Going to what?"

Liam suddenly tense up, he went bright red from embarrassment. "Well, uh, I was, you know, going to, kinda... win you back."

Alexandra's heart surged and she felt that same embarrassed heat flow through her. She couldn't think of anything to say but the smile on her face spoke for her.

"I liked you Alexandra, all through that horrible time we had you were the best part about it. I wanted to be with you when I was sober. It's silly I know."

Lexi stopped walking, Liam stopped with her after a couple more steps, he turned and they stared at each other, both knowing this next step was critical.

"No, not silly. Sweet. You know, you can still win me if you want, it's an easy competition."

Liam's laugh was nervous but genuine. Moving slowly he cupped Alexandra's face and kissed her, a soft, simple kiss but one that held a love hidden away for too long. Alexandra felt herself melt into Liam's arms, she wanted to go back to her place, and not just to trick him with her pregnancy.

Fuck, that damn pregnancy, the whole reason she was here. This could've been so easy, just a quick fuck and an accidental knocking up. Why did she have to fall for Liam?

Liam felt the change in her body language and pulled away, he looked at her, concerned for her. "You alright Alexandra?"

"Yeah, I'm just... just confused. The only man I ever thought I loved has fucked me over more times than I can count so I'm weary about relationships. But being with you, I think I can fall for you pretty easily. I don't know if it's the fuzzy memories of happiness I had with you or if we really do have that connection everybody looks for but I'm starting to feel it."

While still one of her famous half-truths, that was the most truthful Alexandra had ever been in her life.

Liam smiled and Alexandra felt a weight lift from her shoulders, he hadn't freaked out, he hadn't ran, he stayed with her. He gently cupped her face and looked into her eyes, into her soul if she believed she still had one.

"I think I love you too Alexandra."

That was all it took, the return of her feelings from a man she cared for, that was all it took for Lexi to turn into a child inside, giddy and excited and terrified all at once. She wrapped her arms around Liam and held tightly, afraid to let him leave.  

"Liam?"

"Yeah?"

"Call me Lexi."

*

After their long delayed heart-to-heart, Liam and Lexi returned to Lexi's house, both emotionally drained from the experience. 

"Well." Said Lexi as she unlocked her front door. "That certainly was the more interesting first date I've ever had."

"What do you mean first? We went out for about eight months."

"Doesn't count if you don't remember any of it."

"I remember all of it."

God she had to have him. "You want to come in for a coffee?"

"Depends, is it coffee or something hotter?"

Good answer she thought, where was this Liam three years ago. "The second one." She admitted bashfully.

"That's what I wanted to hear."

No sooner had Lexi opened the door than Liam dashed forward and enveloped her into his arms, the heat between them only intensified as it became one, two broken hearts melting together. Kissing each other frantically, passionately, Liam and Alexandra fell into the living room, slamming the door behind them they pushed themselves into the room until they found the arm of the couch. Alexandra sat down, bringing her head to Liam's chest level, while she unbuttoned his shirt he set about pulling off her top, her weight had increased to a healthy amount since they were last together and as a result had increased her bust size, not as big as it was when she was a teen but still impressive, as evidence by Liam's admiration of them.

Wrenching off her bra, Liam left Lexi topless as he pushed her down onto the sofa and lay on top of her, his mouth tasting her nipples and her hands never leaving her body but never staying still for very long. The way his mouth felt as it kissed every part of her breasts, the way his hands glided over her body, treating her like a queen, like a treasure, it was heaven, she almost couldn't believe it was happening to her. When she felt her jeans suddenly get looser she looked down, Liam was taking her trousers off. 

She liked Liam being assertive, getting what he wanted, it reminded her of when she was younger, how Adam had taken her violently, how she wanted him to assault her, take her willingly against her will. Her natural submissive side had shone that day and was glimmering once again after too long. A sudden shot of pleasure burst through her and she silently cursed herself for bringing up Adam when she had Liam being more of a friend and lover to her than her cousin ever did.

Liam had his head between her legs, his face pushing into her soft panties, the smooth fabric of her underwear combined with the warm, wet feeling of Liam's tongue was driving Lexi wild. She held onto him, pushing his head deeper into her, her arousal clouding everything. She didn't even Liam had taken off her panties until kissed her bare pussy. 

"Li... Liam. Please. Fuck me please goddamit."

Liam smile to himself, his male pride that he could give Lexi this amount of pleasure was loving this. He had half a mind to make her beg but it'd been a while for him since he last fucked someone as well. Dropping his trousers Liam crawled his way on top of Lexi, kissing her body as he lined up below her, the familiar feel of her cunt drew him in. 

Feeling Liam push into her, Lexi braced herself, a quick fuck with Adam didn't undo over two years of celibacy so she was still tighter than she would've liked, Liam slowed down when he struggled to get inside her. Kissing her softly as he did.

"Sorry, guess it has been a while."

"Last I checked you were the last one in here." That lie burned in her stomach.

"Why do I think you're lying?" Lexi nearly panicked but realised Liam was joking.

"You shouldn't think like that, I'm a good girl. I never lie."

"If you're good then I've no interest in you."

Lexi slapped his arm for that. "You asshole Liam, and just when I thought you were a nice boy."

"Are you sure we've met, I've never been nice."

"You have so, silly boy."

"I'm older than you."

"You have the mentality of a stroppy teenager and the emotional range of a kettle."

"Tell me what you really feel."

The two of them laughed, it felt good to laugh, it felt natural. They kissed again and held each other, rocking back and forth in rhythm, a world away from the passionate outburst just moments ago, now they felt the connection.

They weren't gone long when Lexi felt Liam stiffen and something shoot inside her, it was only a split second to realise it was Liam's cum. He looked up at her, his eyes showing the fear he was hiding, fear that she would think less of him.

"I'm sorry Lexi, I should've told you I was nearly there, it's just been a while and..."

"Shh, it's ok. I'm not angry. We both made the mistake and we'll deal with it as we can. Alright?"

"Alright. So you're not mad? We can do this again? Not 'THIS' this but like see each other."

"I'd love that, you can stay the night if you want, we'll order pizza, chat a bit then go to bed."

"Sounds good."

True to her word Alexandra ordered them a pizza, talked about the old days then made love together one more time before falling asleep together. Well Liam did, Lexi lay awake, wondering how long to wait before telling Liam she was pregnant.

*

She decided to wait a couple months to tell him, that would allow her to blame a couple missed periods as the reason for her pregnancy test. She had no idea how Liam would react but she had to tell him, she went to his house and sat him down, while happy to see her, the look on her face worried Liam.

"I'm pregnant."

Actually saying the words out loud felt like a weight was lifted off Lexi, if only for a moment. Still, a moment of freedom was better than none. Liam looked as though she has just slapped him in the face with a wet haddock,

"Liam, you ok?"

"Um, yeah. Yeah I'm... I'm... What?"

"I said I'm pregnant."

"Right, right that's what I thought. Ok. Are, are you sure?"

"Positive."

Liam chuckled nervously. "Positive, that's... that's a good one. Is it mine?"

"Jesus Liam, how could you even ask..."

"Sorry but given you're history I just wanted to, y'know, be sure."

"Well let's see, the last guy I slept with was you, and before that was three years ago and it was you again."

"Right I'm sorry. What are going to do?"

"I'm keeping it. I can't lose another baby. You don't need to be involved or anything, I just thought you should know."

"What makes you think I don't want to be involved?"

Now it was Alexandra's turn to be confused. "What?"

The smile on Liam's face added to her confusion as he held her hands. "Lexi, I fucked up my relationship with Maggie and I lost two kids who I haven't seen in god knows how long. This is my second chance, my redemption, I'm a father again and I'm going to be the best damn one I can be. I won't leave you, I won't cheat on you because I love you, more than I ever did with Maggie. I want this family, and I want it with you."

Lexi's shoulder's felt close to breaking with the guilt piling on her, but she put on a happy face and kissed Liam. "I'm glad you want to help me, I've no idea what to do."

"I know a couple things, you could talk to your Aunt Claire."

"That's a good idea, I'll need to tell her anyway. Are you going to tell Maggie?"

"I'll have to, my kids need to know they have a new sibling, doubt she'll be pleased but I couldn't give a fuck."

"Watch your language, the baby can hear everything you say."

"Give it a couple months, when that thing becomes a person, then I'll stop. But until then I can say I want to fuck your juicy cunt hard all I want."

"What did I ever see in you?"

The new couple laughed and fell into bed, making love in celebration of the life they created together.

At least that's what one of them thought.

*

"You're what?"

It was April, Lexi had moved in with Liam and was living happily - the constant guilt notwithstanding - as a couple. She'd taken her time to tell her Aunt Claire, it wasn't long since her husband had died so Lexi didn't want to burden her with any big news. By now though her bump was getting hard to hide so she decided it was time to tell her. 

Claire didn't take the news well.

"I said I was pregnant."

"Yeah I got that, Alexandra Buchannan, what were you thinking?"

"I wasn't, it was an accident I swear."

"Who's the father, please don't tell me it's...

"It's Liam. I haven't been with Adam since... since my last baby."

Claire recognized the sadness in her nieces eyes and wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, it's just the history you and my son have. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, it's not like this is your first pregnancy."

"It's the first I'm going to carry to term, I'm having this baby."

"That's your choice and I'll accept whatever you choose."

Claire kissed Alexandra's head and held her close, the two of them shared a deep relationship and this was another one of those moments that reminded Lexi why her aunt was more of a mother to her than her own one.

Claire broke the silence. "So. Liam huh?"

Lexi blushed. "Yeah, we sorta got together after New Year's, one thing lead to another and here we are. I know it's silly but we do have some history there..."

"I don't think seven months high as a kite counts as history."

"Well we do, and we're happy."

"I can see, as long as you're happy then I'm happy for you."

There was a silence again as Lexi figured out how to phrase what she had to say next.

"Aunt Claire, can you not tell Adam about this."

"What?"

"I don't want Adam to know that I'm pregnant, especially since it's with Liam's kid."

"Why not?"

"Adam and Liam have bad blood when it comes to me, they came to fights over it in Vegas. I know Adam's with Kay but I don't want anything brought up again."

"Ok, but I don't see..."

"Aunt Claire. Please. I don't want Adam to know. I'll tell him when I'm ready."

Claire was suspicious of Alexandra's motives but she didn't question them, not when those suspicions were just that. Besides, Lexi's reasons - while weak in Claire's eyes - did make some sense so maybe she was over thinking things. 

Later that night Claire got a phone-call, a strange time to be called at, she was getting ready for bed, confused and a little angry she answered.

"Yeah?"

"Mum, it's Adam. I didn't wake you did I?"

Ah Adam, the time difference made sense for the late time. "No, no. I was just about to get ready for bed. What's going on?"

"Well mum, me and Kay have some news. She's pregnant."

"Pregnant. Jesus I just got over the first one now you kids are giving me another heart attack."

"First? Who else is pregnant?"

Shit, Claire had almost spilt too much, Lexi didn't want Adam to know yet for some reason, Claire didn't understand but she wasn't about to disrespect Alexandra's wishes.

"Oh just some friend of mine, young girl. You don't know her. I thought you said you weren't having any kids yet."

"Things happen mum, this wasn't planned but we're happy."

"Well I'm glad to hear that son. Just make sure you know what you're doing in time for the baby."

"I will mum, thanks. See you later."

"Bye son."

Claire hung up and went to bed, sleep didn't come easy, her son and niece were growing up, they were both in their 30s but she still saw them as children, now they were having children of their own. She wondered how Lexi would react to Adam having a kid, should she even tell Lexi?

Claire just put them out of her mind and turned on her side, these kids were too crazy fro her to deal with right now.

*

Liam paced up and down the waiting room, his patience getting shorter as every doctor that came through those double doors made him jump, if Claire hadn't been with him he might have burst.

The date was October 1st, two weeks before Alexandra's due date and her water had broken sometime during the night, she had been in labour for 20 hours. Liam had heard no word about her in so long, he couldn't sleep from the worry, that was his child in there, premature or not he would love them. He only wished he would get the chance to.

Claire comforted the very nervous Liam, she was impressed with him and Lexi over the past five months, Liam took to fatherhood (again she noted to herself) with ease and you could tell he loved Lexi. They made a good couple and their past was a non-entity to them.

In the corner of her eye she saw Liam nod off before suddenly jumping back awake. She giggled.

"You can sleep Liam, I'll wake you if there's news."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks. I guess I should catch some rest. I'm just worried is all."

"I know you are, soon am I. But we have to keep strong, no matter what happens Lexi will need us after today."

"If... If..." 

Liam never finished his question, tiredness overtook him and he lay down on the seat, Claire let him lay there, he deserved the rest.

It was about 20 minutes later when the nurse came through. "Mrs McAllister?"

"Yes? Is my niece ok?"

"Yes, she and her daughter are fine and healthy."

"Daughter?"

"Yes, a perfectly healthy and happy baby girl, we've never seen a premature child appear so... normal, for lack of a better word. Your niece is a lucky girl."

No she wasn't. Claire knew her niece and knew her luck was awful, a cold notion perhaps but after three decades of watching the poor girl suffer bad fathers, sexual abuse, shunned families and miscarriages Claire couldn't associate Alexandra with Luck anymore. 

The nurse speaking shook her out her thoughts. "Do you want me to wake him?"

Claire looked down at the calm and peaceful Liam. "No, leave him there for the moment to catch some rest. I need to talk to Alexandra alone anyway."

"Right, she's down the hall, second left, room 13."

Claire got up and went to find Lexi, there was something she needed to talk to her about and she needed it off her chest quickly. Turning the corner into the room Claire saw Lexi sitting up on the bed, a nurse by her side and a baby in her arms, Lexi face, a mix of pride and joyful tears, was beaming at the infant who was snuggled in her arms. Alexandra looked up and saw her aunt.




Somebody That I Used to Know Ch. 05



"Aunt Claire, come look."

Alexandra had resorted back into a child, eager to show-off her new friend, Claire sat down and instantly felt the connection to this new baby girl in their lives.

"She's beautiful Lexi."

"Yeah, I know." Alexandra was close to tears as she held her daughter in her arms. "Where's Liam, I wanted you two to meet her before they take her away."

"Liam's asleep, we'll wake him up later once she's gotten cleaned up."

Lexi gave a quiet 'O.K.' and reluctantly handed over her baby to the nurse who carefully took the girl to the nursery.

"You thought of a name yet?" Claire passed time while the nurse was still in the room.

"No, we'll think of one together but I like the sound of Nicola, that might work."

The nurse had left the room. "Yeah I'm sure you'll think of the best name together. Listen Lexi, I want to ask you something, something important."

"Yeah, sure, what?"

"Your daughter, Nicola, her dad. It isn't Liam is it?"

The colour drained from the already pale Alexandra. "What?"

"Liam isn't the father is he?"

"Why, why would you say that? Why would you cast these horrible remarks about me, you're my family, the only one I have left."

"Because I'm not your only family, you still have Adam. He's the dad isn't he?

Alexandra sighed, knowing she was beat but not giving up yet. "Why do you say that?"

"Come on Lexi, I know you, a two week premature baby born healthy, I don't think so, not with your luck."

"That's really cruel Aunt Claire."

"But you know it's true, you know as well as I do that you can't have anything like that happen to you without a price."

Lexi wiped away the tears from her eyes, cruel as she was being her aunt was right. Claire waited for Lexi to calm herself before continuing.

"Besides, you didn't want Adam to know about the baby and you haven't talked to me about what he's going through so you obviously still haven't told him."

"What, what's wrong with Adam?"

"Nothing, Kaman is pregnant. Has been since April."

"Oh."

"Oh? That's all you have to say, oh?"

"Well what am I suppose to say huh? Thanks for telling me that my daughter already has a brother or sister and that her father's married to another woman making her a bastard, an incest bastard just to rub it in?"

"So Adam is..."

"Yes Adam is the father, we had a quick fuck on New Year's, what we said about Cyril was true but we left out the part where me and Adam had sex by our pond."

"What were you thinking Lexi?"

"I wasn't, I just needed someone to hold, to help me and Adam was there. We never planned it, we both regretted it and we've not talked to each other since. And in all honesty I think it'll be best if it stays that way."

"So you're not going to tell him about the baby."

"No, I'll keep that Liam is the father if he finds out but I'll never tell him. Too many people risk getting hurt here, I won't be the reason for another marriage breaking up."

Claire took Lexi's hand in hers. "I don't know whether you're brave, stupid or both. You do realise the effort that will go into this, what will you do if Adam does find out that's his daughter?"

"I'll deal with it then, I'll have plenty time to think of something, with our history she'll be in college by the time he finds out. 

*

2006

*

Adam's eyes fluttered open, the dull white of his room was enough to hurt his vision, he didn't need to be told where he was, the feel of the bed and the steady 'beep beep beep' of the machine next to him told him.

He was in the hospital.

"So you're finally awake then?"

A familiar voice behind him made Adam turn round in the bed to see Alexandra sitting on the chair beside his bed, her expression showed she wasn't happy to see him.

"Lexi, what happened?"

"You don't remember? You don't remember embarrassing us all in front of all the people your mum worked with, you don't remember making a big scene because you couldn't wait a couple hours to discuss things rationally? You don't remember forcing me to admit that my daughter is actually yours as well."

Adam did remember, everything came falling back to him. "Oh shit, where's Kay?"

"Back at Aunt Claire's house, with dad, he's trying to stop her from running out of here and back to Hawaii, she said something about burning everything you have so you don't come back. Kevin and Nicola are with Claire at the park, keeping out the way of everything. And Kale is at the police station, they've been waiting for you to wake up so they can ask some questions."

"Questions, what questions?"

"Adam, he attacked you with a pint glass to the face, you had to be taken to hospital, that's a criminal offence, he's looking at jail time."

For the first time Adam remembered why he was in the hospital, the glass to his face, it was only then he realised that he had a bandage over his left eye.

"What's going on here, what's wrong with my eye?"

Lexi felt uncomfortable, as badly as Adam hurt her this was a big deal and he needed to know. "Adam, the glass cut up your face pretty bad, most of it around your eye, there were too many shards and it basically shredded your nerves. It's not looking good."

"What? What's not looking good? Lexi, please, tell me."

"I haven't seen a doctor in a few hours but from what I've heard... there's around an 80% chance you're going to lose the eye."

Adam felt himself physically slump, lose his eye, never had he even thought such a thing would happen. But, thinking about it, maybe he had this coming.

"I deserve this." He spoke softly, mostly to himself but Lexi still heard him.

"What?"

"I said I deserved this, I fucked up badly, I made a mistake and hurt a lot of people, only fair I get punished."

"Adam, I know you're hurting but don't ever call our daughter a mistake again."

Adam looked up at Alexandra and saw a look in her eyes, a mother's pride, she wouldn't take any insult against her daughter.

"So, she is mine then. I wasn't sure if you just said that or not."

"No she's yours, you were the last guy I slept with and I was already pregnant when I started seeing Liam."

"I take it he didn't know."

"No, I should've told him, I know. I thought I needed him to think he was the father but I should've been clear with him."

"You think Liam would've raised another man's child?"

"I believe he loved me enough to, yes. Ugh, but he was so happy to be a father again and he loved Nikki so much that I couldn't tell him. Until you I never thought I'd ever have to tell him."

"Loves."

"What?"

"Liam loves Nikki. Just because she's not his doesn't mean he stopped loving her."

"Yeah, I guess."

There was a silence that passed between the two cousins, they both knew there were a lot of things they needed off their chests and a long talk was in their future but the hospital was not the place."

Alexandra stood up. "I'll get the officer then go home, tell Claire you're awake. She's got some telling off to do."

Adam gave a weak smile. "Thanks Lexi."

Alexandra turned to leave but stopped before she opened the door. "How did you know? That you were Nikki's father."

"Liam told me she was born on October 1st, 9 months after our new year incident. Easy to figure it out from there."

"Did Liam also say she was two weeks premature."

"Yeah he did, but I knew that was bull. No offence Lexi but you're not that lucky."

Alexandra chuckled lightly. "That's the same thing your mother said when she found out."

"Mum knew?"

"Of course, don't think too bad on her, I asked her not to tell, she thought I was stupid."

"Mum always was smart like that."

"Shame you couldn't take after her."

Before he could retort Alexandra had opened the door and left, Adam felt a sad smile grow on his face, his marriage was effectively ruined and he destroyed whatever Liam and Lexi had. But at least Lexi was in good spirits, no doubt she hated his guts and would most likely tear his head off the very moment they had some time alone to talk but for the moment she was good and he took that for what it was worth.

The two police officers arrived not long after Alexandra left, they already had their notepads ready to ask him.

"Mr McAllister, my name is D.I. Ross, this is my partner Detective Brown. We're here to ask you about what happened between you and Mr Kealoha."

"Before we start I want this on the record. I don't want to press charges."

The two officers were confused, Brown spoke up for the two of them. "Are you sure Mr McAllister, he put you in the hospital and from the looks of things took your eye."

"I know what he did but I deserved it, you know I'm Kale's son right? Well I hurt his daughter and he reacted accordingly, I even told me he'd blind me if I hurt Kay, although I'm not sure if he meant that, I think he's just as surprised as I am."

Ross wrote in his notepad. "How did you hurt your wife Mr McAllister?"

"Nothing physical Officer, I just... I cheated on her six years ago with, an old friend. We met up again and she had a daughter. My daughter. I deserved what I got and Kale deserved to give it to me. Send him home but don't charge him, please."

The two officers asked Adam a couple follow-up questions but with no charges being pressed they didn't stay long, when they left Adam picked up today's paper, Lexi brought it with her and left it on the table. Reading the front page he found his interest drawn to the headline:

MONSTER FATHER KILLED BY SON.

Father of three Cyril Moreno was killed last night by his eldest son Jonathan after Cyril allegedly sexually assaulted his own 12 year old daughter Lori. Sources say that Jonathan tore his father off his sister and repeatedly beat his head with a hammer before passing out from exhaustion. Both children have been taken to hospital for their injuries, no word yet on the location of middle child Vincent or their mother Karen O'Riley.

*

Adam spent the best part of a month in the hospital, his left eye was damaged beyond repair and had to be removed, it was a long and complicated procedure but he managed to get through it with no immediate problems. 

During his time in hospital Adam was visited by only a few people, his mother came most often, usually to tell Adam how stupid he was, she also told him that she'd begun dating John and was happy. Adam liked that his mother was moving on from his father.

Lexi came by a few times as well, she always came alone and Adam never questioned where Nicola was, he wanted to get to know his daughter but didn't push Lexi on the subject, they were still trying to stay civil with each other

Kale, Kay and Kevin had all gone home to Hawaii, none of them came to visit him. Ray stayed a couple days to get to know his granddaughter better, he came to see Adam once, more to warn him to stay away than anything else.

Nobody had heard from Liam since.

When he was released Adam went to live with his mother, he felt a little embarrassed, a nearly 40 year old man and he had to live with his mum again, but he didn't have much choice. Making his own way from the hospital, Adam knocked on the front door.

"You know you don't need to knock Adam." Clare said as she opened the door. "This is still your home."

"I know mum, it's just been a while."

Claire looked into her son's eyes... eye. It was difficult for her to remember what he had suffered, she was so use to his normal handsome face, now scared because he was a fool. She tried not to look at his eye-patch but it was too prominent not to.

"Come in, I'll make you a coffee."

Adam followed his mum inside, it hadn't been that long since he was last here, just six years, but he felt like an outsider, like he didn't belong here anymore. 

"I won't stay long mum, just a week so I can find a new place."

"So you're not going back to Hawaii?"

"I don't think Kay wants to see me again, Ray made that perfectly clear, I'll give her some space."

Claire picked up an envelope and handed it to Adam. "Here, Kay left this before she left, I haven't read it but she wanted you to have it."

Adam took the letter, trying hard to keep his hand steady as he did, then went to the next room to read it. Opening it up he read it slowly, wanting to get every word memorised, this was the make-or-break of his marriage right now.

Adam,

I wanted so bad to say this to your face but I knew if I saw you again I would hurt you and myself.

By the time you read this I'll have gone back to Hawaii with my father and my son. I don't want you to come back. 

You can still be a part of Kevin's life if you want but right now we need to stay apart until I can decide if I want to continue this marriage. 

I still love you Adam, but what you did hurt me more than anything I've felt before and I need my space so I can get my head straight.

Please understand me and don't fight me on this, not yet, we'll meet soon and talk but until then stay where you are.

Kanani.

Adam reread the letter twice more, he felt a single tear run down his face, was it happy or sad he didn't know, the letter was basically an ending to their marriage but hinted at the possibility of continuing, he didn't know what to think.

He was glad when Claire didn't question him on the subject.

*

Five months passed since then. Adam found himself a part-time job with a tax revenue call centre, being called a fucking twat on a daily basis seemed to fit him perfectly. It wasn't much but he was able to work around his Law degree, his third attempt at trying to actually finish the course, he was easily the oldest in the class and with his eye patch he found making new friends at school and at work quite difficult.

Still he didn't complain much, he bought an apartment not far from his mum's house and set about rebuilding his life. He still saw Lexi quite often (although still no sign of Nicola) and they managed to stay on speaking terms, just. Still though, it was clear they needed to have that long talk.

Near the middle of October Adam took a few days off work and flew to Hawaii, it was his son's 6th birthday and Adam wasn't going to miss this. Returning to the place he called home for nearly a decade brought back some memories but that was to be expected. What wasn't expected was seeing Ray standing outside waiting for him. The two former friends shook hands but nothing more.

"Alexandra called, told me you were coming." Ray explained to the puzzled look on Adam's face. "Asked me to pick you up."

"You didn't have to."

"Yeah right, I'm not gonna ignore my daughter, regardless of her mistakes with you. Get it, Kay's expecting you at her house."

Adam put his present for his son in Ray's boot and got in the passenger side, the drive up was uncomfortable, neither man wanted to break the silence. Besides they had nothing to talk about, their friendship was dead and showed no signs of coming back to life, their shared DNA with Lexi and Nicola meant nothing to either of them.

Pulling up outside Kanani's house Adam saw that some things had changed, the windows were different, the door had been repainted, he looked through the window and saw new wallpaper, new furniture, no everything near about. It was like Kay had redone everything, trying to start again and forget about him.

"How's Kay been?" Adam asked Ray before he got out the car.

"She's busy, a little tired at times, mostly sad though. When you called and said you were coming for Kevin's birthday she cried herself to sleep."

"But she told me I could come. I never realised."

"Of course you didn't Adam, you never do. She only said that because she felt sorry for Kevin not seeing his father on his birthday. It wasn't like she wanted to see you again. Now get out and get inside."

"What about the present?"

"I'll take that to my house, we're hiding the presents there for a surprise."

Adam got out and let Ray deal with Kevin's present, every step he took he felt the guilt over what he did punch him in the gut, his hands were shaking, sweat dripping down his face, he wanted to turn back but knew he couldn't, Kanani was still his wife and Kevin still his son, he wanted to be part of their lives again.

Before Adam could even knock the door it opened, Kay stood on the inside, he could tell by her eyes that she felt that same hate that she felt the last time they saw each other. 

"Hey." Adam spoke quietly after a silence.

"Hey. I saw Ray pull up."

"Right. I didn't see you at the hospital."

It was like Kanani was broke out of a trance and she saw Adam's eye-patch for the first time.

"Jesus Adam. Is that... Is it permanent?

"Yeah, your dad pretty much shredded me, had to take the eye out."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I deserved it."

Kay looked up at Adam, a tear forming in her eye. "You honestly believe that, don't you?"

Before Adam could answer he was interrupted by the happy, squeaky voice of a child.

"DAD!"

Kevin ran up to his father, Adam managed to kneel down just in time to hug him. The father and son held each other tightly, like they hadn't seen each other in years, which it did feel like. Adam couldn't stop himself from crying.

"Hey buddy, happy birthday."

"Where have you been dad? I haven't seen you in AGES."

"Ha ha, I know Kev. It's just... you know how when you do something bad, like draw on the walls, we put you n your room, away from everyone else?"

"Yeah."

"Well daddy did something bad."

"Oh."

It was clear Kevin didn't fully understand but he accepted his father's reasoning and ran off to join his friends.

"He's been asking about you." Kay spoke up quietly. "He keeps asking where's daddy, when's daddy coming back, why won't daddy talk to me anymore?"

"Sorry I haven't called, I thought you would need the space."

"It's not that it's just, whenever he talks about you I keep remembering why you're not there and it's too much for me, it's so hard for me to keep calm with him, love him but there's times when I just want to scream in his face."

"Hey, we'll talk later, right now it's our son's birthday, let's celebrate."

Kay let Adam inside to join the rest of the party, it was mostly children with their parents, a couple of family friends as well. Well ex-friends now to Adam, he noticed pretty early on when he found a quiet corner of the house that nobody ever came to talk to him, nobody checked in to see how he was doing. They all knew what he did and hated him because of it, he didn't blame them but he hated himself enough that he didn't need anymore.

After a while of being alone in a crowded room Adam had enough, he took a drink from the ice-box and went outside, finding the steps down the cliff to the beach he made his way to the ocean and sat down on the edge, getting as close as he could to the water but keeping himself dry. He missed this view, the calm blue, the bright sun, the odd cloud on the smooth landscape, the sheer tranquillity of this place, after spending a good portion of his life in paradise, the rest of the world paled in comparison. 

A noise behind him caused Adam to turn round, he saw Kanani standing there.

"I saw you come down, just came to tell you that we're moving to Ray's to open the presents."

"Right, thanks, I'll just finish this drink and come join you."

Kanani stood for a moment, trying to decide what to do next, to Adam's, and her, surprise, she stepped forward and sat down next to him. The tension between the couple was thick and it was clear they wanted to talk but they didn't want to start an argument.

"Does it hurt? Your eye?" Kay asked the first thing she could think of to break the silence.

"Not really, it get itchy at times but I have cream for that."

"Right, you know I am sorry right, my dad had no right to do that to you."

"Kay it's fine, he was just angry over what I did, can't say I blame him."