Chapter 21
21
Aaron
I grab the mic and point it at her. “You are going to pay for this.”
“I don’t go back on my promises.”
I circle Holly, and when I get behind her, I bend and whisper in her ear. “Neither do I, Trouble. Choose a good song or I’ll pinken your sexy arse up.”
I can’t believe I’m doing this. If you asked me a month ago if I would get up and sing karaoke in my own bar, let alone with Holly, I would’ve laughed straight in your face. That said, I’d quite literally sing that fucking stupid Titanic song, on my own, in my jocks, if it would mean seeing Holly smile the way she is right now.
I didn’t realise it at the time, but when I picked Holly up from the airport, she had an air of tension around her that was just under the surface. I was so busy focusing on her new sense of confidence that I missed it at first. It was also easily excused because the last time we saw each other was when we kissed, and I told her I couldn’t confess my feelings to her. But now that I’ve gotten to know Holly outside of her home environment, I realise the tension came from everything she’s been through. Sure, the intimacy has helped, but I do believe that just being here in a safe environment has allowed Holly to open up and show us the spark I always caught brief glimpses of in the past.
We circle each other. “Look at you, crossing items off my list for me.”
I chuckle. I was so shocked when I read the list that I can’t remember some of the things on it. I think I’m so stuck with ghost guy that I can’t think of anything else on the list.
“You set me up.”
She waggles her eyebrows. “Here we go.”
The music starts and “It Girl.” by Jason Chen and Megan Nicole plays.
“I see you.”
She smirks, and I love her like this. Hell, I love her any way I can get her.
The intro starts, and Holly rubs her palm on her jeans. She’s nervous. I look at the screen, and apparently, I go first, and I have to hum. Easy enough so far.
When I’m done with the intro, it’s her turn. The minute the first note comes out her mouth, the bar bursts into cheers. Holy fuck. How have I never heard her sing before? If I did, my head must have been completely up my arse because her voice is sweet and sultry, and she can fucking sing.
I put the mic down and start clapping with everyone else. Holly grins at me and turns bright red. Mam comes into the pub and freezes on the spot. She stares at the stage, her mouth hanging open. Yeah, Holly is fucking amazing. People start taking their cameras out and filming Holly. I’m so proud of her right now, I can barely swallow past the lump in my throat. When it’s my turn to sing, I shake my head and indicate to her to keep singing. Someone with a voice like this definitely doesn’t need me going after it.
The bar starts chanting for her again, so she keeps singing. That beautiful smile of hers that brings me to my knees lights up the entire room.
I love this. I love everything about her. In that moment, I realise I’m never going to be able to tell Holly how I feel. The deal was that I’d help her with her list, and that’s it. So, that’s what we need to do. Telling her I love her will only complicate things, and she doesn’t need that in her life. It’s one thing justifying sleeping with her because of the list, it’s another telling her how I feel and knowing I can’t follow through. I won’t lead her on like that.
I look away and catch Mam looking right at me. She gives me a sad smile, and I know she sees it too—the love of my life who I’m going to lose in a few more weeks.
She comes over to me. “Tell her.”
I shake my head.
“Aaron. That girl has been in love with you since she first discovered boys.”
“Yeah, and she’s Spencer’s sister.”
“So what?”
“So, it can’t happen. This is a holiday fling for Holly and she’s going back home to live her life. She deserves more than this small town.”
“Just like you.”
“No, Mam, this is where I belong. But Holly deserves adventure and experiences.”
“I hate to tell you this, laddie, but she’s getting plenty experiences here if the sounds coming from her room have anything to go by.”
Jesus Christ. I swipe a hand down my reddening face. This has got to be worse than the time she asked me politely to use tissues instead of a sock when I hit puberty. “Mother, I swear to God above if you so much as hint to this to Holly and embarrass her…”
“I’ll no do that. What do you take me for?”
“You have no problem embarrassing me.”
“That’s because I’m getting you back for all the times you threw a tantrum when we were out getting the messages. I knew my day would come, laddie. Right, I’m back to my reading. She has a bonny voice, so she does.”
I nod. “Night.”
She walks away and turns back. “Oh, by the way, why don’t you take the evening times to your room? Save me from having to wear my ear mitts.”
I shake my head at my mother and smile inwardly. Even though I’d like to die and forget ever having this conversation, I know that was my mother’s way of giving me her blessing.
The song ends, and everyone goes nuts, whistling and screaming for Holly. It draws my attention back to the makeshift stage near the window. Laughing, she gives a bow. When her eyes meet mine, I can sense how proud she is of herself. She’s also giving me a full body sweep, which tells me my girl is more than a little turned on and perhaps wanting to cross something off on the list.
She lifts the mic to her lips. “Since Aaron copped out of that one, what do we say to him giving us a solo?”
More whistling, and the guys are clapping me on my back. “Go on, laddie. You’re no going to let your woman show you up are you?” Barney ribs.
“Looks like we’ve got ourselves a chicken, ladies and gentlemen,” Holly says.
Chicken, huh? I’ll show her.
“Fine. Do your worst, Holly. Better make sure it’s worth the tanning I’m going to give you later.”
“Oh, it will be. Hit it, Max.”
Right Said Fred’s “I’m too Sexy” plays over the speakers.
My palm twitches, and I smirk at Holly. Yeah, this is going to be a good night.