Turning around, I saw he had my g-string in his hand. I smiled, holding my hand out to them, but he tugged them towards his chest. “Can I keep them?” he asked, sniffing them.
“Brian!” I scolded.
“Oh come on, you’re leaving tomorrow. Let me have a souvenir. Please?”
“Okay, okay,” I said giving in. “I can give you that, considering the present you just gave me.” And it was a great present. He was always good at going down on me, but never could last long enough during sex to make me come. As I said, he always made sure I did—even after he has—but he could never quite get there through sex.
“Are you okay?” Brian asked, breathlessly.
“Yes,” I said, smiling. “Although I can’t believe I actually did that.”
Brian beamed at me. “Maybe it’s my natural charm.”
“Okay, Casanova, don’t you think we better get out of here before we get caught?”
He paused for a minute, looking serious. “Why do you not want to tell your parents about me, Angelina? You always want to keep us so quiet.”
Oh no! I should have known this was coming. This was why I kept trying to avoid him. “Brian, we have gone through this before. Besides, I can’t talk to you about this in a toilet cubicle after we’ve just had sex.” I looked in his eyes and could see the disappointment written all over him. “Look, we’ll talk later, okay? I’ve got to go. Please wait a few minutes before leaving after me.” He nodded and I quickly fled. I had to get out of there before the suffocation set in.
I told Brian from the start that there couldn’t be anything serious between us. I’m just not that kind of girl. If I told my parents they’d have me in a wedding dress and marching me down the aisle before I could take a breath.
With a frustrated sigh, I waltzed back into the hall to find David marching towards me. “Angelina! I’ve been looking for you. I want to get a dance with you before you leave us all tomorrow.”
“Blimey, the way everyone was reacting to this, you’d think I was buggering off to Timbuktu,” I sighed.
“Aw, don’t be like that, Angelina. You should be glad you’ve got so many people that love you enough that they don’t want to see you leave.”
I smiled at him, nudging his arm. “You’re gonna miss me, are you, David?”
“Nah, I’m one of the few that can’t wait to see the back of you. I’ve known you for twelve years, I think it’s about time I got rid of you somehow,” he said winking.
I gave him a cheeky grin and nudged his arm. “Come on then, David. Let’s hit that floor and show them all how it’s done.”
We hit that floor, laughing and giggling. My sister was getting all loved up by Jack, with a constant grin on her face. I was so busy shaking my ass, that I didn’t even notice Mindy at first tapping my shoulder from behind. I carried on dancing, but turned my heard towards her so she could talk in my ear. “So, did lover boy get what he came for?”
“Oh yes,” I said giggling.
“Bitch, I hate you!” I watched as she stomped off and couldn’t help the giggle that escaped me.
“What was that about?” David asked.
“Oh, nothing. I think she’s just jealous that I’m dancing with you.”
“What?” he asked, looking shocked. And I mean really shocked.
I looked at him for a few seconds trying to gauge his reaction. He must have known I was joking, but he was looking all too serious about now.
Lightening struck. “You like her, don’t you?”
“No,” he said, a bit too eagerly.
I laughed, I couldn’t help it. “Jesus, David, your face. I don’t know why you can’t admit it to me. How long have you felt like this?”
He pulled his hand up around the back of his neck, squeezing as he shut his eyes. “For a while now.”
I was almost rooted to the spot in shock. “Oh my God, David, why haven’t you said anything?”
“I didn’t know how. Plus, we’re all friends and I didn’t want to complicate matters. She may not like me, and I couldn’t look at her again if she turned me down.”
Pulling David in for a big hug, I whispered in his ear. “I wish you had said something sooner. I’m your friend, you could tell me anything. I understand why you feel this way, but I think I know what to do. Can you trust me?”
He pulled away from our hug and looked at me. “I do trust you, but you’re kind of scaring me right now. What have you got up your sleeve?”
“Oh you’ll see,” I said, walking off to find Mindy.
Mindy had this thing for games. She was very competitive and could never shy away from a challenge. I knew this would be to my advantage now.
I looked around the hall and spotted her sitting next to my mum having a chat.
“Hi darling,” my mum slurred.
“Hey, Mum, you enjoying the wedding?”
“It’s great. I think they’re about to cut the cake soon, so they can get going. I can imagine they’re both eager to start their married life.” I saw the wink and knew exactly what she meant.
“Eww, Mum, could you not talk about that stuff with me?”
“What’s the matter dear, it’s only the truth? One day you’ll find the guy that gives you that ear-splitting orgasm and you’ll never want to let him go.”
“Mum!” I shouted. “Please shut up now,” I begged.
Within an instant she started laughing, but I was too eager to complete my mission. “Mum, I need to speak with Mindy a few seconds.”
Obviously feeling the effects of the alcohol, she just waved at us. Mindy was still laughing, but I pulled her from her chair and walked a few paces away from the table. “What do you think of David?”
Mindy frowned in my direction. “David? Why do you ask?”
Eager to get to the point, I thought I’d just be direct with her. “He’s cute, right? Don’t you think he’s cute?”
“Angelina, where is this going?” she asked, impatiently.
I took a deep breath and went in for the kill. “I dare you to walk up to David and give him a big smacker on the lips. And I’m not just talking a little peck either. I want to see tongues, Mindy. Tongues!”
“Fucking hell, Angelina. We’re not in school anymore,” she said smiling.
“I know, but I know you like a challenge. Do you want to forfeit the dare?”
She looked stunned—beyond stunned—she actually looked mad. “Don’t you dare ask me that question, Angelina. You know me better than that.”
“So you’ll do it?” I asked excitedly. I know I’m twenty-six, but I can’t help but embrace the child inside of me.
“Oh, you just watch me,” she said, storming off.
I watched from a distance as Mindy edged closer and closer to David. He spotted her soon enough and the look on his face was priceless. He could see her coming, see she was on a mission, but looked confused as hell.
I walked briskly toward the pair of them, wanting to see the outcome of this risky dare I placed on Mindy’s shoulder. I hoped beyond hope that I was doing the right thing.
I started quickly self doubting what I had done, and wondered if I should pull Mindy away to tell her that I forfeit. If the outcome of this was that David thinks he was in for a shot and finds out it was a dare, he would never speak to me again.
Just as I was about to rush towards Mindy, she was there. She pulled a very shocked David to her mouth and gave him that belter of a kiss. All I could do was watch from the sidelines and hope and pray this didn’t end badly.
What started off a bit robotic, within a nanosecond turned into something more passionate. They were kissing and it wasn’t just a little kiss either. Very soon, Mindy had her hands in his hair, gripping tightly as she practically dived into his mouth. I thought she was going to swim in it, the way she was going.
David was just as bad. He pulled her to his body in one swift tug, his hands all over her back, then in her hair.
I stood there, frozen, my mouth agape. I loo
ked across at Julia and Naomi, both staring with the same shocked expression as me. Julia looked across and signalled to them, but I just shrugged my shoulders and smiled. Just when I thought they were about to get it on, there and then, they broke off the kiss. I watched as they looked at each other and laughed. She leaned in, whispered something in his ear, grabbed his hand, and off they went. David turned for a split second and saw me. I smiled and pulled my thumb up to him. He smiled back, but he still looked as shocked as anything.
“David and Mindy, ha?” Brian asked, standing next to me.
“So it would seem.” I looked across at his face and his expression was a little sad. I knew I had to do something, so I pulled him out of the hall to find somewhere quiet.
“Brian, I think it’s a good thing I’m going tomorrow.”
“Why?” he asked, confused.
“I don’t like seeing you this way. You look so sad, and I hate the fact that I’ve made you this way.”
“So stay,” he pleaded. “We can get married. I’m a good guy, with a great job. I can promise you that I will look after you. You would never have to worry about a thing. I’d be a good husband.”
I sighed. I really didn’t want this at all. Of course Brian was a safe option and that’s probably why I should never have used him like this. I told him from the start I didn’t want a relationship, and at the time, he was all too keen so he could get me into bed. I should have known that, at some point, feelings may get in the way of things. Unfortunately feelings like that are not something I have ever felt, nor do I think I ever will. I’m just not that lovey-dovey, let’s get married and have babies, kind of person.
“Brian, I—”
“Please, just think about it, Angelina. Even if it means you have to go to London for a while. Just say you’ll think about it.”
“I can’t do that to you, Brian. I think I’ve let this go on far enough. You don’t deserve someone like me. I can’t commit, I won’t commit. I’m just not that type of person, and you deserve to have someone that will want that. That will want you. One day you will marry someone, settle down, have a family, but I’m afraid that person isn’t going to be me.”
He looked like a man defeated. His shoulders sagged, his face to the floor. It was almost like I’d hit him with the worst news ever, and I felt like such an ass because of it. Why oh why can’t two people just have sex without the complication of feelings getting involved?
“Oh,” he said, shuffling his feet. “I knew you felt that way, but hearing you actually say it like that to my face, hurt more than I thought.”
God, I felt like such a dick. “I’m really sorry, Brian. God, I feel awful.”
“Don’t,” he said smiling. “I knew what this was from the beginning. You told me as much before we started this. I just didn’t realise at the time that I would fall in love with you.”
The pain from hearing that hurt worse than I thought. I placed my hands on his shoulders and he grabbed me in for a hug. “Brian, I love you, too, but as a friend. You will always have a place in my heart, but this couldn’t have continued on like this if I had stayed. I’m glad that I’m going to give you the space you need to get on with your life without me. I don’t want to see you hurt. That was never, ever, my intention.”
“I know,” he said, hugging me tighter. “I just wanted you to know before you went. I needed you to know how I felt.”
I was about soothe him some more, but a door flew open, revealing my mother. “Oops, sorry I interrupted,” she said, with more than just a grin on her face.
Oh, shit. Now I have to face the twenty questions later!
“Julia and Jack are about to cut the cake. I came looking for you so we can see it done and say our goodbyes.”
“Okay,” I said, pulling away from Brian as quickly as I could.
Smiling up at him I made my way towards my mother. She held the door open for us both and hitched her eyebrow up at me. Just as we got to her table, she sprang, “You and Brian, eh? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because there was nothing to tell, Mum. We’re just friends.”
“It didn’t look that way to me, Angelina. He looked as smitten as a kitten with his arms wrapped around you.”
“Stop it, please. There’s nothing happening between Brian and I.”
She was about to argue back when my dad’s voice came booming from the stage. “Please everyone; get your cameras ready for the cutting of the cake. Julia, you look beautiful. Your father is so very proud of you. I love you, babes, and I know that you and Jack will be very happy together.”
Everyone went “Aww” as Julia blushed. “I love you, too, Dad!” she shouted, tears in her eyes.
Jack gently stroked her face, before retrieving the knife on the table. They both put their hands together and cut into the magnificent cake. Lights were flashing everywhere, including my mum’s camera, as the pair sliced into it.
They did the traditional feeding each other a slice, then it was on to the other greedy buggers to get a piece. Including me.
We saw them both off before deciding it was time for us to head back home. I was tired and had a big day tomorrow. Julia and Jack were going to stay in a very plush hotel tonight before venturing off to the Bahamas tomorrow. I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of them going somewhere nice and warm. I don’t want to get married, but I’d never say no to the honeymoon.
Once we had cleared up a bit and made sure the rest of the cake was boxed up, we said goodbye to everyone, including a sad looking Brian. I looked for David and Mindy, but couldn’t find them anywhere. I tried texting them both, but no answer. I assumed they were extremely busy with one another. Well, at least I hoped they were.
My parents and I caught a taxi back home, and all the time we were there, my mother was itching to ask me questions about Brian. I could tell the little screws in her head were spinning. She was probably mapping out our wedding and how many grandchildren I was going to give her. I really didn’t want to be having this conversation.
Once home, I tried to make my excuses and head for bed, but my mother was having none of it.
“Oh no you don’t, Angelina. Get back here and speak with your mother.”
“What’s going on?” my dad asked.
I huffed and took back the two steps I had already climbed. How on earth I thought I could get out of this, I don’t know.
“I caught her and Brian having an intimate hug outside the hall.”
“Mum!” I protested as my dad looked on at me with mild amusement. “Listen, Brian and I are friends, nothing more.”
“So you haven’t... you know?” she asked, nudging her head to one side.
“Mum, please,” I begged, looking over towards my dad.
“I think I had better leave,” he said wisely.
I wish I could bloody do the same!
She looked practically animated. “Have you given him your flower?”
“No, I have not. I gave that to Robert Parkes when I was seventeen,” I smiled.
“I hated that boy,” she said, frowning.
“I know,” I said cheekily. “Why do you think I gave it to him?”
“Angelina Bradshaw, you are the most stubborn, insubordinate, unruly person I have ever met. I swear you were born the wrong sex.”
I shrugged my shoulders knowing I had already had this one today. “I know, I think we’ve had this conversation before.”
“But you don’t date. I’ve seen you with men, but you never seem to be in a relationship with them. Why?”
“Because I don’t need them, Mum.”
“It’s not about needing them, is it? It’s about finding someone who makes your heart sing and your belly dance. It’s about the euphoria you feel when he touches you and the feeling that you’ll explode when you’re not near him—because every time you are—it’s like nothing in the world could ever get better than this.”
My eyes widened. “Wow, Mum, that was beautiful. You talk like you know fro
m experience. Is it always like that with Dad?” She smiled timidly and sighed. “Actually, on second thoughts, don’t answer that.”
“So, come on darling. Tell me. Speak the truth for once. What’s been going on?”
I took a deep breath, nervous of her reaction. “Brian and I have been seeing each other.” She smiled, but then I continued. “For sex.” The smile went, like I thought it would, and I was flinching, getting ready for the telling off I was about to receive. Instead she did something shocking. She laughed.
“Mum, what’s so funny?” I asked, joining in with her.
“I don’t know. Hearing you say it, just sounded... funny. How long has it been going on for?”
“About a year on and off. I told him from the start what it was, and he agreed to it.”
“And now he’s regretting that?” she asked.
I looked at her, unable to say what was on my mind.
“I saw the way he was holding you, Angelina. That was not from a person who is just after sex. He’s in love with you.”
“I know. He told me that much tonight.”
“Really?” she asked, shocked. “And what did you say?”
“I basically told him that it was a good thing I was going to London. I don’t feel that way about him, Mum. I never have. He’s a great guy, but there has never been any connection there at all. At least not on my part.”
She placed her hand on mine and smiled. “I can’t force you to be something you’re not. Of course I want you married, but I want you married to someone you love. Someone who will sweep you off your feet and make you feel like you’re the most precious person on earth to him. I hope you find that, Angelina. I really do.”
I smiled, placing my hand on hers. “I know you do, Mum. Thanks. I’m quite happy as I am for the moment though.”
“I know, I know,” she said, patting my hand back. “Hopefully that will change for you soon.”
We sat there for a while after, deciding on a night cap before bed. We talked a little more about London and what it was going to be like working with Jonathan. He was one person I could never tell her about. I know we didn’t do anything, but it didn’t stop us from almost doing it. I don’t think either my mum or dad could forgive Jonathan for that.