Unplugged (Blue Phoenix, #3)(18)

Ella hops off the chair and heads out of the kitchen, leaving her colouring behind. Louise leans against the kitchen counter and crosses her arms.

“So...?”

“So?”

“What’s going on? I knew I saw something happening when you were drunk the other night! Cerys, this is a bad idea.”

“This? There’s nothing happening!”

“No, apart from the fact you two are acting weird. When he first arrived you made polite conversation, now you hardly speak or look at each other.”

I can’t tell her we kissed because I won’t allow myself to replay the moment or the hidden fantasies about rock stars.

“He’s engaged, Cerys! Okay, I don’t like her much, stuck up cow, but she’s who he wants.”

I cringe at the talk of Liam wanting Honey. “They split up, that’s why he’s here.”

“Oh, right. Did he tell you that before or after you got into his bed?”

“Louise! I haven’t got into his bed! Give me some credit!”

Louise sighs and shakes her head. “I know he’s my brother, but he’s also one quarter of Blue Phoenix. There’s a reason they have a reputation. If he’s dumped Honey, good; but I doubt he’s looking for someone new, more likely sex to make himself feel better. Sorry to say that, but it’s probably true. And you. What about Craig?”

Louise has this all wrong and her tone riles me. I can’t argue with her because if we fall out, I have nowhere to go. I take a calming breath. “Louise, nothing is happening. I don’t want it to. You’re right, my life is complicated enough without getting involved with Liam. And yes, you’re probably right; sex is all that’s on his agenda.”

Louise’s shoulders relax. “Okay. Good. I don’t want to sound horrible, but I’m worried about you. You’re in a bad place and however much I love my brother I don’t trust his motives.” She rubs my arm. “Is that true about Honey? Why hasn’t he told me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s hoping they get back together?”

“God, I hope not. I can see right through her. She wants trophy wife status. Stupid Liam wants to settle down which is a contradiction to his lifestyle. One weird situation.”

And that’s the problem at the core of this, Not only Honey, but also the fact rock stars don’t go back to their humble beginnings and whisk away the girl they kissed once. Especially, not a girl with a four year old, and an ‘it’s complicated’ relationship status.

CHAPTER 9



CERYS



Ella hops around the garden in her red boots, cheeks reddened by the cold. The snow stopped falling long enough to take advantage of the white playground so I swaddle Ella in coat, scarf, and gloves and follow her out. If she sings ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman?’ one more time I’m going to scream, so this has to be done and quickly. Ella saw the movie Frozen once and she’s obsessed. I pray the DVD won’t be available anytime soon.

I’m midway through rolling a snowball into something large enough to make the snowman’s body when another sails over my head and hits the fence. I look round at a laughing Liam. Seeing him jolts my heart every time, as if he’s an apparition from my past returned to remind me of when I was younger. The Liam I knew years back was scrawny; he’s not a solid, muscular guy but has a wiry strength about him I find more attractive than beefy guys. I grit my teeth against my body’s flaring to life as his green eyes meet mine. His long red hair is pulled back into a ponytail and his full mouth tilts at one corner in response to my scrutiny. I know I shouldn’t engage with him, but it’s difficult.

Liam’s attitude toward me is gentler than before he left too. Well, more than gentler if you count the kiss. Kiss. I look away before he recognises the desire I’ve tried to hide from him for the last couple of days.

“Bad shot,” I say.

“Oh, if I’d wanted to hit you, I would. I wasn’t sure how you’d react though.” Liam bends down and scoops more snow into his hand, then holds it as if about to throw the ball at me.

“You made the right choice,” I reply pouting in warning.

“You can help build a snowman,” Ella says. “Mummy is too slow.”

“Because you keep stomping on the balls I make!” I say and poke her.

Ella giggles. “I like snow.”

Liam rubs his cheek. He’s wearing his beanie and a leather jacket but doesn’t have gloves on. “Sure, I’ll help.”

Liam sets about rolling snow into a ball and being incredibly patient with the four year old who throws snow at him. He retaliates with snowballs of his own and I brace myself for my turn. While they play and fall in the snow, I keep my distance from the exchange. Hearing Ella laugh after days of quiet sadness makes and breaks my heart. Liam knows everything about mine and Ella’s situation now and, for some reason, is making an effort to be nice to Ella, which is kind of him but hurts too. Not because he emphasises how little attention her dad used to give her, but because his friendship and affection will leave us after Christmas.

“Let’s get Olaf finished, Ella, it’ll be dark soon,” I say.

Liam and Ella are covered in snow with matching red faces. I shake my head at them both. “You’ll need a warm bath when you get inside, missy.”