Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
LEWIS
Age eighteen
The full moon casts a silvery glow over the calm waters of Loch Bannock. Iona sits on the creaky old swing, the gentle breeze catching her hair, while I lean against the tree, my gaze drawn to her, as it so often is.
“This may be the last time we hang out here like this,” I say. The loch has been our go-to spot for years now, a place where we can talk for hours and hours, openly sharing our hopes and fears.
“Jesus, Lewis. I’m moving to Glasgow—it’s a three and a half hour drive away. It’s not like I’m never coming back.”
“Aye, you’re right.” I kick a pebble into the water. “But... it’ll be different.”
Iona tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “You’re a bundle of laughs tonight. Is this really how you’re going to send me off? And what exactly are you implying—that living in the city will change me?”
I don’t say it, but yes, that is what I think. At university she’ll be mingling with students almost as bright and clever as she is, sharing experiences with them and forming close bonds, while I... stay here in Bannock.
She deserves this—she’s worked incredibly hard for it—and I am happy for her. But I’m jealous too. Not of her, but of the new friends she’ll make—people who’ll get to spend time with her while I’m up here missing her.
Iona snaps her fingers and waves at me. “Hello? Are you still there? What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Nothing.” I stuff my hands in my pockets. “Well, actually... I heard that, at freshers’ week, free condoms are handed out by the bucket-load because casual sex among students is a given. Do you think that’s true?”
Okay, maybe I’m not just jealous at the thought of Iona gaining some new friends. It’s also crossed my mind that she might end up in bed with some sophisticated intellectual types. Lucky bastards—I’ve had a secret crush on my best mate for years.
“Well, if they’re giving out condoms, I’ll be grabbing as many as I can to help satisfy my insatiable sex drive. Fingers crossed they’ve got some glow-in-the-dark ones—I’ve always wanted to see a guy swing his thing about like a lightsaber.”
My jaw drops open, and I freeze mid-breath. Did she really just say that? Has Iona ever even seen a guy’s “thing” before, let alone a luminescent one?
She bursts out laughing at my stunned expression. Caught between shock and amusement, I scramble for a comeback. “Oh, so that’s what girls mean when they say they’re looking for a guy who lights up the room.”
“Exactly! Who needs a night light when you’ve got a glowing sword under the covers?”
“Shit, I’ve been wasting my time with chocolates and flowers. This is going to revolutionise my dating game. Glad we had this chat.”
“Remember, young padawan, it’s not enough just to have a lightsaber—you must also know how to wield it. Or as Yoda would say, ‘Know how to wield it you must.’” She even attempts the accent.
I grin. “Right, well, as much as I’m enjoying all the penis puns, how about a toast?” I reach into my jacket pocket and pull out a flask.
“What’s in there?”
“Whisky. Ladies first?”
She takes it. “What’s the toast going to be? Oh, wait, I’ve got an idea. May my love life be full of light and my partners’ sabers forever bright.”
“Great, you’ve officially ruined Star Wars for me—I’ll never be able to watch it the same way again. Have you already been drinking?”
“Nope, I’m completely sober.”
“Well, that’s worrying.”
“I think it’s the nerves. I’m leaving tomorrow, and I’m feeling a bit jittery. It’s making me babble.”
“Aye, well, that’s eighteen years of memories down the drain. Now all I’ll remember about you is that you had an unhealthy obsession with glow-in-the-dark dicks.”
“I’ll take that. It’s a more interesting legacy than being the swotty know-it-all.”
“Right, except... you’ve always been so much more than that to me. I was actually going to do a heartfelt toast, but after all your chat about lightsabers, it wouldn’t really fit the mood.”
“Oh, go on,” she encourages. “Tell me how brilliant I am.”
“All right. To my best friend and the smartest person I know. You’ll be amazing in Glasgow, but just remember, we’ll be waiting for you with open arms in Bannock whenever you want to come back for a visit.”
She tilts her head. “Hmm... not bad, but I preferred mine.”
“Well, I’m not drinking to your partners’ sabers being forever bright, so we’re going with my toast.”
She lets out an exaggerated huff. “Fine!” She takes a sip and immediately coughs, pulling a face. “Jesus! It burns.”
“You can’t say that. It’s unpatriotic.” Snatching the flask back, I take a swig and wince. “But fuck, that really does burn.”
“Ha! See?”
“Aye, well, they say it grows on you. We export this around the world—there must be a reason for it.” I take another cautious sip.
“Where did you get that stuff anyway?”
“We’re eighteen, Iona—old enough to buy alcohol. But... okay, I filled up the flask in the snug when no one else was about. But then Maw walked in and I had to hide it behind my back, although I reckon she knew what I was up to. She asked me where I was going, and when I said I was off to the loch with you, she smiled like she thought...”
I slide my hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels. “Well, like she thought you and I were going to get up to something. She does stuff like that every now and again, and it’s weird. We’ve always been friends, so I don’t know why lately she’s started thinking there’s something more between us.”
At first Iona doesn’t respond, and the gentle lapping of the water fills the silence. Then, almost shyly, she says, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course. This might be your last chance, so whatever it is, spit it out.”
“Why . . . have you never made a move?”
Shit, I’m not sure what I was expecting her to ask, but it wasn’t that. Both of us have dated here and there, but no relationship has ever lasted more than a few weeks. I can’t speak for Iona, but for me, that’s because there’s no lass I want to spend time with more than her.
“Is it because you never wanted to?” she prompts.
I steal a glance at her, admiring the way the moonlight makes her skin glow, the way her blonde waves cascade down her back. My gaze traces the curves of her body, every inch unmistakably woman. Thighs, hips... tits. I don’t know that I should be looking, her being my best mate, but they’re impossible to ignore.
I meet her sky-blue eyes, which I’ve always found the most captivating part of her, framed prettily by her glasses. “It’s not that I’ve never wanted to kiss you, Iona. But... how many couples who start dating in their teens actually stay together? Not a lot, right? If we went there, and things didn’t work out, I don’t know how easy it’d be to fall back into our friendship.” And I can’t bear the thought of losing you , I add in my head. “Plus, with our families being so close, that complicates things, doesn’t it? It’s not just our friendship at stake.”
I pause, swallowing hard. “But I’ve wanted to kiss you. Of course I have.”
She falls quiet for a while, considering my words. Then she says, “Well, seeing as I’m leaving tomorrow, this is a bit of a now-or-never moment, don’t you think? I see what you’re saying, but... I think I’d regret living opposite you for eighteen years, hanging out with you pretty much every day, and never once kissing you. Before I go, I’d like to try it, if you would. Would you?”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach. “Just checking, but is this the drink talking?”
She scoffs. “I had one sip, Lewis. It’s not the drink.”
“Oh. Right. Well . . .”
My heart thumping, I reach out and still the swing, then I lean in to Iona, inhaling the sweet scent of her strawberry shampoo. A shiver ripples through me as our breaths mingle. The kiss begins sweet and slow, but then Iona parts her lips slightly, and I seize the invitation. Our tongues meet, and I’m overwhelmed by her taste, the hint of whisky mingling with something uniquely her.
She runs her fingers through my hair and nibbles on my lower lip, and a new intensity floods through me. Fuck, I’m growing hard. Is that... okay? Panic mixes with the pleasure.
At least on the swing she won’t notice, but no sooner do I think that than she hops down and pushes me back against the tree. Shit, she must be able to feel my erection now—our bodies are flush together. But she doesn’t recoil or question it. She keeps kissing me.
Screw it, this is heaven—why should I hold back? I let go of my worries and surrender to the moment, one hand moving to her waist, the other cradling her cheek. She moans softly, which sends a thrill through me. I’ve been dreaming of this for years, but the reality is better than I ever imagined.
When we finally part, we stare at each other, both panting slightly. Iona’s cheeks are flushed.
“Wow,” she says. “ That’s what I’ve been looking for. I’ve kissed a few boys, but it was never even close to what they describe in books. That, though?” She fans herself. “You took my breath away.”
I can barely form words—my mind is still reeling from the feel of her lips on mine.
“What now?” She places her hands on my chest. “Because I’m about to leave for a five-year course, and you’re staying in Bannock.”
“Shit, we’ve not timed this very well, have we?”
“No, but I’m glad you kissed me. And...” Her gaze drifts downwards, her mouth curving into a mischievous smile. “It seems you enjoyed it.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I scratch the back of my head. “Sorry, I—”
“There’s no need to be embarrassed. If anything, I should be flattered, shouldn’t I? It’s like a compliment. Wouldn’t it be worse if you didn’t react at all?”
“Er, aye, I suppose?”
“Ha, don’t take it so seriously—it’s just an erection. I’m off to study veterinary medicine, so I’m quite aware of how animals make new animals. I only wish I had one of those special condoms on me. Then you could have popped it on, and your boner could have lit our way back home through the dark.”
I smirk. “You missed a trick there. I was sure you were going to say something about using my lightsaber to boldly battle against the dark side.”
“Damn it!” Iona stamps her foot. “I’m ashamed of myself. I bet another vet student would have made that connection. That’s what worries me—I’ve always done well in Bannock, but it’s a small pond. What if in Glasgow I can’t compete with other students and their lightning-fast minds?”
“I doubt anyone else on your course is spending their last night at home making up jokes about lightsabers. No one else’s mind works the way yours does, Iona. You’re one of a kind, and that’s your secret weapon.”
“Whereas your ‘secret weapon’ isn’t so secret anymore!” she blurts and then pumps her fist into the air. “Ha! That was pretty quick, wasn’t it?”
“It was.” I wink at her. “Thank you for being you. Other girls might have politely said nothing about my hard-on, but you’ve made it the subject of a stream of gags. Just what every guy wants.”
“I know you’re being sarcastic, but I’m amusing myself, and that’s the main thing. Anyway, fancy another kiss?”
I don’t hesitate. I take a hold of her waist and pull her firmly back against me, my self-consciousness forgotten. If she’s not bothered by my arousal, why should I be? Our lips meet again, more eagerly this time.