Chapter 17
17
LINCOLN
I’m in the cab on my way to pick up my car.
Fiddling with my phone, I decide to drop a group text to my two friends back in Scotland.
Me
Has a girl ever fingered your ass while giving you a blow job?
I receive an instant reply. I knew I would.
Owen
We haven’t heard from you in two weeks and that’s your opening text to start our conversation?
Jacob
What happened to… Hey, how are you? Or a simple I miss you. I need you to limber up, a little warmth and a cuddle, a bit of foreplay.
Owen
You just fucked me up the ass with no lube with that one sentence. Most unexpected.
Jacob
Raw.
Owen
It hurts.
I laugh to myself.
Me
I’m being serious. Have they?
Neither of them answers me.
Me
I’m asking a serious question here, lads. I need your advice.
Owen
Aw, fuck it, yes, and if the question is, did I enjoy it? That’s a big yes too.
Jacob
It’s not for me, boys, I’m afraid. The girl who did that to me didn’t lube me up, and I wasn’t expecting it. A bit like this conversation.
Owen
Yowsers.
Jacob
Feel the burn.
Jacob and Owen have been my friends since junior school and I love them like they are my brothers. They may not be blood brothers, but I spent every day with them growing up.
We even went to the same university.
Owen
Wait, hold that thought. Did you break your sabbatical?
Jacob
Jesus Christ, I pity the girl who took your newfound virginity. You must have fucking exploded.
Owen
Is she still alive?
Jacob
You’re due me one hundred pounds, Owen. I knew he wouldn’t last.
Owen
Fuck off, we didn’t shake on it.
Jacob
Asshole.
Me
Shut up, you two. So it’s all good, right? The finger up the butt thing. I don’t know what the hell she did to me, but it was fucking epic. I can’t stop thinking about it and her.
Jacob
Sounds like one hell of a one-night stand.
Me
She’s not a one-night stand.
Owen
Shit, did you catch “the feelings”?
Jacob
No fucking way.
Owen
Mr. I’m Going to be Lonely Forever caught feelings, didn’t you? Or you wouldn’t be asking.
Me
She’s different.
Jacob
Explain.
I find a photo from her social media account. There’s one that stood out for me the most when I was doing my research the other night. Long wavy dark hair, to-the-floor Cadbury-purple silk evening dress, blackcurrant lips, and she’s wearing black patent mile-high heels. I screenshot it and send it to them. That photo makes my dick twitch. Her smile might just be my ruination.
Owen
Where the hell did you meet her?
Jacob
She’s beautiful.
Owen
Way out of your league.
I chuckle to myself. She really is.
Me
I met her at the gym.
It’s a lie by omission.
Jacob
You’re punching.
Owen
She’s dream girl material.
Jacob
Better delete the chat afterward. I’m sure Skye would flip out if she read that.
I don’t know why I’ve always thought this, but I’m pretty sure Jacob has a thing for Owen’s girlfriend, Skye. Ever since the night I caught them huddled together on the beach. I could be wrong, though.
I brush off my suspicious thoughts.
Owen
Noted.
Jacob
So you like her?
Me
A lot. That connection I’ve been looking for. I think this is it.
Owen
But she lives in California.
Me
You think I don’t know that?
Owen
Christ, please tell me you are coming home or you’re going to break my heart.
Jacob
We miss you, buddy.
Me
Of course I’m coming home. I don’t have a say in the matter. My visa expires, and that is it for me. I am flying home.
Owen
Only you would finally find someone you actually like and she lives thousands of miles away.
I run over my brow with my fingertips.
Me
Trust me. I am fully aware.
Owen
What’s her name?
Me
Violet.
Owen
That’s a pretty name.
Jacob
You realize if you get married she’ll be Violet Black.
Jesus fucking Christ. That didn’t even cross my mind.
Me
We’re not getting married! I’ve only known her for a few days.
Owen
Yeah, but when you know, you know.
Jacob
Do you feel like that about Skye, Owen? Do you know?
I knew it.
He’s asked Owen this before. He’s testing the water.
You just gave yourself away, Jacob. He does like Skye. I can’t blame him. She is beautiful, all space buns and quirky clothes, but she’s not my type. This is messed up. I need to have a word with Jacob when I return to Scotland.
Owen
I honestly can’t answer that. Ask me again in a few months.
Jacob
You’re going to lose her. She’s talked about marriage and kids. You know that’s what she wants.
Owen
She’s mentioned nothing to me before. What about you and Erin? Do you feel that way about her, Jacob?
Jacob
We split up three days ago.
Owen
Hell, man, you never said.
Me
I’m sorry to hear that. Erin was tops.
Jacob
I just wasn’t digging it, to be honest.
Owen
We need to go out for a beer this week, Jacob. Wish you were here, Linc.
Me
Not long until I’m home.
Jacob
Cheers, guys. I’m okay and actually fine about it all.
I need to steer this ship in a different direction.
Me
What do I do? Enjoy the next few weeks then see what happens? She’s a manager for her father’s business. She would never leave the company, and I can never leave the hotel and spa. It’ll never work.
Jacob
So basically you’re fucked if you fall in love and fucked if you don’t explore the possibilities of what might be your future?
Jacob is always the levelheaded one out of all of us.
Me
I’m so confused.
Jacob
Why not just have fun? If you last six weeks, it will be a record for you.
Owen
I’ve never heard you like this before.
Me
Maybe I’m overthinking it all.
Jacob
Well, stop thinking at all, Linc. Just see what happens. Enjoy the next few weeks of your visa and see how everything plays out. No pressure.
Owen
Jacob is right. And if it still feels the same in six weeks’ time, then you can figure it out then. Not now though. Okay?
Me
Okay.
Owen
She’s got a fucking cracking body.
Me
You can delete that photo now!
Jacob
Or I will tell Skye!
Owen
Snitch.
Me
Right, I need to go. Off to get my car, then start my shift for tonight’s event.
Jacob
I can’t believe you still do that. I thought it was only for a couple of Saturday nights. Is this your third week?
Me
Yeah, it’s great fun.
Owen
Enjoy and remember to hold on to your boxers tonight.
Me
Will do. Cheers, lads.
Jacob
Keep in touch. We are having a big night out as soon as you’re back.
Me
Sounds like a plan. Adios.
Owen
Later, dude.
Only a few minutes away from my car, I close my eyes and rest my head against the headrest.
Part of me wishes I had dropped a text Rio’s mate, Dylan, and told him that I couldn’t work tonight. I would much prefer to be wrapped around Violet instead.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
Surfing with Violet sounds like fun. I can’t wait to see her in a wetsuit.