HEADMASTER

  “Oh no, lassie, come back to me. You’re not going there when you’re here with me like this.” He bops my nose like I’m a child. “This right here is happy time. No prisons. No feeling trapped. You should never have to feel trapped with me, Sasha. It’s not entirely your decision, but it isn’t entirely mine either. We’re in this together. And together, we will make a choice.”

  I scoot over to him, wrapping my arms around his torso and snuggling into his chest. “I don’t know what’s for the best,” I express honestly.

  “Me neither, Sasha.” He squeezes me in tightly and kisses my head. “Me neither.”

  Naked

  The car window is open, and the sounds of other passing cars rush through my ears. I smile, closing my eyes taking everything in. Kids are squealing in a nearby park, a dog is barking, and then a plane roars above my head. It’s a beautiful late autumn day—an unusual occurrence this time of year. The sun is shining overhead bringing an out of season warmth to the day.

  I am now seventeen and have been for just over a month. Liam and I are in a full-blown relationship, and I have been left to roam free inside the house. In the last six months I have been able to leave the house, but with strict instructions not to gain attention. Liam did a wrong thing and could still be punished. I—of course—don’t want to see that happen. He had protected me over the last two years, so I won’t let him get into trouble because of me.

  It sometimes feels strange to me how quickly I have adapted to this way of life. I’m only seventeen and practically married. Liam and I live together, share a bed together, and do almost everything together. When he sees my smile, he smiles. It’s almost as if we bounce off of one another. My moods affect him, and vice-versa. I assume it’s exactly like that when you’re married?

  Anyway, each day I get to spend outside I cherish. I still sometimes hate Liam for keeping me locked up for so long, but I understand why he did it. Today would normally be a good day, as it’s Saturday and he’s taking me shopping. What’s not good about it is I’m over a week late for my period and need to buy a pregnancy test. I haven’t told Liam this. I don’t want to unless I have to. To be honest I don’t want a baby. I’m way too young to be a mother. I pictured myself going through school and getting myself a job and a house first before starting a family. A couple of times Liam ran out of condoms and I mentioned the idea of going on the pill. He had said it would be difficult for me to get without mentioning my name and that I would be fine. He would pull out and that would solve the no condom issue. Unfortunately when the time came he didn’t pull out. When I questioned him he had said that it had been too good that he couldn’t help himself.

  “How about a new set of pyjamas for the winter? Your old ones need throwing out already.”

  I glance over at Liam sitting behind the wheel, his eyes carefully fixed on the road. “That would be nice. Maybe Primani will sell some decent ones.” He starts to chuckle. “What?”

  “It makes me laugh when you call it Primani.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “I think everyone calls it that.”

  He takes a quick look my way before turning back to the road. “I tell you what. We’ll take a look in that new mall off Queen’s Street. I believe there’s a Primani in there.” He winks at me.

  I swallow before saying, “I’ll need to go to the chemist for some lady things.”

  He scrunches his nose up. “Okay, I’ll probably go look in Top Man, or something while you sort that out.”

  My heart starts to calm a little as I smile at him. “I thought you may say that.” I chuckle a little setting him off before carrying on my stare out the window. When I feel a hand wrap around my own, I turn towards Liam who’s smiling.

  “You know I love you, right? That I’d do just about anything for you?”

  I nod my head with a small smile. “I don’t doubt that.”

  Satisfied with my answer, he looks back at the road. “Good. I’m glad you realise that. I would be lost without you.”

  “Well, I’m not going anywhere.”

  He glances my way before saying, “Promise.”

  I laugh again at his childlike vulnerability. “I promise.”Despite the fact I had nowhere else to go, I practically owed Liam my life.

  “We’re here,” he sings, pulling into the underground parking lot.

  We park up and first port of call is Primark. I get my Hello Kitty PJ’s which I personally think I’ll rock with them on. Liam just shakes his head with an amused smile, but buys me the PJ’s anyway. When we’re at the counter and he’s paying, I say, “I hate that I have to rely on you to buy me things.”

  He turns, noticing my sad face and places his hand against my cheek. “I took on the responsibility to take care of you and that will never change. I make great money on my construction business—more than enough to buy you a hundred more of these,” he says, lifting up the PJ’s with a chuckle. “Besides, I love spending money on you.”

  “I know,” I reply, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. “I still don’t like it.”

  He sighs when he notices he’s not getting anywhere. “Listen, I’ll tell you what. How would you like to work for me? I can give you my office and let you take on some accountancy work, bit by bit. I know you’re good with numbers.”

  “Really?” I ask, a huge smile on my face.

  Liam laughs, shaking his head. “Yes, really. There’s not much now, but I have a huge project starting the week after next and will need some help then. In fact, the timing’s perfect.”

  I squeeze his hand again. “Thank you, Liam. I won’t let you down.”

  Lightly grazing his thumb over my cheek, he says, “I know you won’t.”

  “Next!” a woman behind the counter bellows.

  Later on, we part ways and I head into the local pharmacy with enough money to buy the pregnancy test. I’m nervous as hell as I walk up and down the aisles trying to find where they’re at.

  “Can I help you?”

  I turn noticing a lady in a white coat. She has a tag that reads, “Melissa Jacobs, Pharmacist.”

  I bite my lip wondering if I should say anything. I have to, though. I can’t put this off much longer. “Erm, I’m looking for a …” I stumble on my words a little as I place a strand of hair behind my ear. She smiles at me encouragingly and that’s when I go for it. “A pregnancy test.”

  She glances at me and I can tell by the look on her face that she knows I’m very young—too young to be a mother anyway. “Follow me,” she says, smiling. I do so dutifully and we head down the next aisle. Once there, she bends down. “As you can see we have numerous amounts of tests, but they’re all virtually the same and will give the same result. This one has two in them, so you may want to take that just to make sure, but just so you know it very rarely gives a false positive result.” She picks it up, handing it to me.

  “Thanks,” I reply. I take a quick peek down at the pregnancy test, but notice that she’s still standing there. She’s frowning like she’s trying to make something out.

  When she notices I’m staring back, she says, “I’m so sorry, I don’t mean to stare. It’s just that you look really familiar. I’m sure I’ve seen your face somewhere.”

  I frown wondering how that could be when I remember that I was once abducted. My face could have been all over the news because the police are looking for me. The same police that will arrest Liam if they find out.

  Purposefully, I look away and laugh nervously. “I kind of get that a lot,” I answer, trying to sway the conversation away.

  She smiles, but I can tell she’s not buying it. “Do you want to buy that?” I nod, glad to be finally getting away. “Follow me, then.”

  I pay for the test all the while I can feel the pharmacist’s eyes on me. Once I get my change and the receipt, I rush out of the store and bump straight into Liam.

  “Whoa, there, tiger. Why the rush?”

  He smiles, grabbing my shoulders and when he searches my face, I decide it’s be
st not to spook him about the lady in the shop. He may want to lock me away again if he finds out.

  “I was just eager to come find you, that’s all.”

  This pleases Liam greatly. All thoughts that I may be in distress are gone at those very words. “You’re seriously the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Ray.” He takes my hand. “Come, let’s get you home.”

  I follow Liam away from the pharmacy, but not before noticing that the pharmacist is still looking in my direction. My heart starts to beat as I clutch onto the bag that holds the pregnancy test.

  All the way home, not only is the test burning a hole in my pocket, but the thought of that pharmacist knowing something makes the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

  When I wake the next morning, the sunshine hurts my eyes. I feel achy, but it’s a good ache, which reminds me of my time spent with Easton. After we both wake up, we continue to lie there for a while, simply chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Eventually, I realise I need to text my mum and Brett. I do both, hoping that they won’t ask too many questions. I had to be honest about where I’ve been and where I am. I just hope my mum never finds out who Easton truly is. The only way she will is if she visits the school, and I know there aren’t going to be any times to merit that. Even the teachers have said that I’m an adult now. Parent-teacher meetings are fine for students under sixteen, but not for an adult. There is one coming up shortly, but I have already been told it will only involve me.

  When I open my eyes, taking in the sunshine walls, I smile. Easton is silent, so I look across thinking he’s not there when I spot him still asleep. Of course. He’s already told me he’s not a morning person. That fact coupled with the other fact that we wore each other out a further two times last night doesn’t help either.

  For a moment, I stay still watching his sleeping frame. He’s lying on his stomach, his face to the side, his long, thick eyelashes kissing the tops of his cheeks. He’s neither smiling nor frowning. Just being. I like that. Just being. Easton and I were “just being” last night.

  One hand rests by his side while the other hand sits snugly underneath his head. He looks serene. So serene that for a moment I wonder if he’s still breathing. I’ve never seen someone look so dead when asleep before. I ponder that for a moment. Can you be dead asleep? If so, that is Easton right now.

  Coffee is definitely the name of the game. I could sit and stare at Easton all morning, but at some point coffee needs to come first. And before that, a bathroom break. Definitely a bathroom break.

  I sneak out of bed, careful not to wake Easton up, but it looks as though I needn’t be careful. He’s unmoving. The only sign that he’s alive is the slight rising of his back as he breathes.

  I walk towards the bathroom. The same bathroom I should have walked into last night. In hindsight, I am glad I went wrong. Otherwise, what happened between us may never have happened.

  Who am I kidding?

  I chuckle slightly as I walk into this bathroom. Straight away you can tell a single man lives here. Everything’s for men. Shower gel for men, deodorant for men, and shaving foam for men.

  After relieving myself, I take the journey downstairs completely naked. I’m not one for going bare, but I can see the benefit from it when being in the same house as a hunk. Already I’m needy, my thighs clenching in anticipation of what will happen this morning once Easton wakes up.

  I make it into the kitchen and realise then that all the dishes from last night are still discarded in his sink. I go through all his cupboards searching for mugs for the coffee before putting some water in the kettle and putting it on to boil. Once that’s in place, I start to work on the dishes.

  I make light work washing one dish, then two, gently humming Love Finds its Own Way by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Lost in my own world until I hear his voice.

  “Well, that’s a sight to behold. A woman in the kitchen washing the dishes as naked as the day she was born.”

  I smirk, turning to show him my schmexy smile when my eyes land on Easton. Only, it’s not Easton. He certainly looks the same. The same eyes, the same nose, the same endearing sexy smile, but it’s the hair that gives him away. It’s shorter than Easton’s and not so wavy.

  It’s his brother.

  I scream—or rather squeal—before turning around and trying my best to cover myself. Soap suds that were once all over my hands are now smacked over my breasts and my nether regions as I try my hardest to conceal myself.

  “Sorry,” he says, still smirking. “I didn’t think my wee brother had company.” His eyes unashamedly peruse my body.

  “Is there any chance you can hand me a towel or something?”

  He starts tutting and shaking his head. “Now that would be a terrible tragedy, Miss …”

  “Sasha. My name’s Sasha.”

  “Miss Sasha.”

  He winks at me at the same time that Easton appears obviously wondering what all the commotion is about. He spots his brother before he spots me.

  “Grayson, what are you doing here so—” It’s then his eyes turn to me, and he spots my nakedness. “Shit,” he shouts before taking off his shirt and hurriedly walking towards me. Concealing my body, he helps me put his shirt on while Grayson’s just standing there with a shit-eating grin on his face.

  “I’m sorry,” Easton mouths before turning to his brother.

  “What are you doing here?”

  He cocks his head to one side before saying, “I thought I would pop by for breakfast. I was hoping for one of your omelettes, but I got an even nicer surprise than that in your kitchen.” He inclines his head towards me, winking again. My face flushes instantly.

  Can the earth swallow me up now?

  “Grayson,” Easton warns.

  Grayson waves him off. “I know, I know.” He looks at me one last time before saying, “When did this happen?”

  I hear Easton clear his throat before saying, “We met a while ago, but it’s only really since last night.”

  Grayson’s head is pointed towards Easton, but he quirks his eyebrow in my direction. “Last night, eh? You never told me about this? Why?”

  I swallow hard as Easton starts making himself busy by putting coffee in the mugs. “We may be twins, but we’re not joined at the hip, Grayson. I don’t have to tell you everything.”

  I watch Grayson place a hand on his heart. “I’m crushed.” He then eyes me suspiciously. He knows something’s up. He can feel it. I can feel it.

  And this is exactly what Easton and I were frightened of. People finding out. People asking questions. We don’t have to answer to anyone, but in another sense, we have to.

  “Excuse me,” I say, clutching Easton’s shirt to me as I start to walk away. With every step I take towards the stairs I can feel Grayson’s eyes on me. I can tell he’s trying to figure me out. Is Easton having a woman stay the night that unbelievable?

  When I disappear completely, I hear whispered voices, but I don’t hang around to hear what’s being said. I don’t want to come between Easton and his brother. Family time is precious. I had hoped to stay a couple more hours at least, but I think I need to make my excuses and leave.

  I dress hurriedly before climbing down the stairs to retrieve my bag and say goodbye, but what I hear makes my ears prick up.

  ‘I warned you going there would be dangerous, brother. You should have listened to me.”

  “Shh,” I hear Easton hiss. “Listen, I’m not seeking her out or anything. We just seem to somehow—I don’t know—bump into each other all the time.”

  “Yeah,” Grayson huffs. “I’m sure that’s a coincidence.”

  I close my eyes when I feel the stab of his words. I’m not like that at all, but he doesn’t know that.

  “Don’t you fucking dare, Grayson. You might be my brother, but you’re not brother enough for a fucking Glasgow kiss. You hear me?”

  “Oh, come on, Easton. Listen to yourself. You trusted Catherine and look where that
got you.”

  Catherine? Who’s Catherine?

  “Catherine was different. I know it.”

  I hear Grayson sigh before saying, “Catherine almost made you lose your fucking job. This girl is no different.”

  I can’t listen to any more. I come down the stairs, fully aware that I’ll be face to face with them even if I can’t see them anywhere just yet. I feel a breeze and notice that the back door is open. They must be outside in the garden, so they can chat privately. Unfortunately, though, I heard every word.

  Sneaking around, I grab my handbag, phone, and shoes before slipping out quickly and quietly. I have no clue who this Catherine is, but something deep inside me says this is trouble. Trouble as in the kind he and I could get into if we are ever found out.

  My heart sinks at the thought that he may have done this before with another student. Easton doesn’t seem the type, but that doesn’t mean shit in the grand scheme of things. I thought I had trusted Liam once. Look where that got me?

  Cursing myself for being so stupid, I take the walk of shame home, ignoring the calls that I hear once a couple of minutes away from home. If it’s Easton, I don’t really want to talk to him right now.

  I get to my block of flats, virtually pulling the doors off its hinges in anger before taking the stairs up to our flat. Tiredness overwhelms me by the time I reach the door. I’m so fully immersed in my own thoughts that I forget that my mother may be home.

  She’s not in. But then I didn’t think she would be. Knowing she will be worried, I give her a quick call, telling her that I’m home and that I’m safe. She sounds happy—carefree. Just how I had felt this morning when I had first woken up.

  It’s after I’ve had a shower and I’m drying my hair that I hear the doorbell ring. I walk, towel wrapped round me as I look through the peephole. It’s Easton.

  Closing my eyes I take a deep breath before answering. He looks fraught and out of breath like he ran here rather than biked it.

  He takes one look at the towel wrapped around me and then averts his eyes over my shoulder. “Can I come in? I think we need to talk.”