Cock & Bull - Laura Barnard Page 0,87

be he feels more invested in us than he first let on?

‘Can’t we just go back to how we were?’

I make the last step and curl my body into his chest. I press my cheek into him, begging silently for him to accept me. To forgive me.

I wait for what feels like forever, until finally I feel his arms around me. He cuddles me to him and smells my hair. My heart starts to unclench.

‘Sorry I’m acting so crazy,’ he says, letting out another sigh, his voice kinder. ‘I just… I saw my dad driving away and I was just so panicked about what he’d said to you. Then I saw you upset and… it was just a lot in a short space of time.’

‘It’s okay.’ I should be asking him what he’s afraid his dad might have told me. What he’s still keeping from me, but right now, in his arms, I don’t want to risk being out of them again.

The fear I felt the last few minutes is enough for me to realise that Ella is right. I’ve fallen head over heels for the guy. The guy that doesn’t do relationships. The guy that won’t open up, that has secrets, but that also smells my hair, cradles my face and looks deep within my soul when we make love. I can’t help but hope that he changes his mind at some point. Either that or we manage to sell up and move back home before my heart is completely broken beyond repair.

Chapter Forty-Four

Saturday 31st October

We’ve been decorating all day for this stupid Halloween party Ella insisted on, the sad part is that we don’t even know if people are going to come. Clooney says he’s spread the word to all his mates that he’s DJ-ing and that should bring in a small crowd. Now that we’re sort of together, or well, more realistically, sleeping together, I feel shy seeing his friends.

They’ll all be watching us and judging me. Everyone already thinks I’m a monster for reporting his dad. He tried to explain to his mates that it was him, but they all just thought he was taking the blame for me. Pussy whipped some of his mates apparently said.

‘Don’t be so nervous,’ Clooney says, sliding up behind me, wrapping his hands around my waist. ‘Did I mention that you look fucking phenomenal?’

I giggle. Actually giggle. I’m not a giggler.

‘You did, a few times.’

I stupidly let Ella order our costumes from the local fancy dress shop. She’s made me a slutty nun. It was better than her outfit, a slutty nurse. I don’t understand why every Halloween outfit for a woman has to be the slutty version. I’m sure even if I tried to be a pumpkin it would be with some knee high tights and stripper heels.

Although right now, with Clooney lusting on me, I’m kind of pleased. He’s dressed as Freddy Kruger. Basically just jeans, a white and red stripy t-shirt and he’s drawn some stupid scars all over his face. I told him it’s not very sensitive to acid victims. He just laughed and told me I was very PC. Apparently they don’t do that crap here in Ireland. Well, sorry for being sensitive.

It’s annoying that he still looks hot, fake face scars and all. I look around the pub as people start to arrive, my tummy dancing with nerves. We’ve got cobwebs all over the place that actually remind me of the first time we saw inside. Between that, most of the lights being out due to the epic disco lights he borrowed, and the danger tape, it looks pretty awesome.

An hour later I’m shocked to see that Clooney did well and we’ve actually attracted a large young crowd. The place is packed. Every young person in the town must be here tonight. That and a few of the local old men who grumble about the loud music and young’uns acting rowdy.

I wait until there is a slight lull before I allow myself a wee in the toilet. God it’s been crazy, but I can’t complain. We need the money in that till.

The door swings open and I hear someone enter whilst I sit on the loo.

‘Okay, I’ll admit I’m shocked,’ a woman says.

‘I told you it was true. I was shocked too,’ another gossips.

Ooh, toilet gossip. Who doesn’t love a bit of that?

‘But it’s not like he’s ever going to be anything more to her than a fuck buddy. You know what he’s been