Sanctuary of Mine (9 page)

Mackenzie

‘Don’t be silly, I’d totally blow you off too.’ Levi is on the phone. I can just imagine his faithful puppy dog expression and feel like a complete
bitch for standing him up. He seems cheerful enough though, even offering to still come around and help me pick out something to wear. Knowing he has way more fashion sense than I do, I gratefully accept. We hang up after he promises to be at my house by five pm. That gives me a full hour to shave my legs, get the hair in my girly areas under control and wash my hair.

Before I hit the shower, I need coffee. All I’ve eaten today is a small tub of Greek yoghurt with pomegranate, accompanied by a small tin of tuna. My body is craving sugar. While I have made tiny steps with the therapist mum and I have being seeing, there is still this inner debate I have to deal with. I’m a lot happier now, especially since Tyler is making life that much more fun. But there is still a part of me that is reserved, waiting for it to all come crumbling down. Part of me thinks it’s inevitable. That’s life, right? But the other part of me wants to get the fairy-tale ending for a change. Being miserable is hard work, yet I know baby-steps are all I can manage right now.

Taking my coffee with me, I head up the stairs towards the bathroom. On the way I’m confronted by mum and Jim. They are dressed up as they usually are on a Saturday evening, heading to the club for a meal and to play the pokies.

‘Hey kiddo, you heading out tonight?’ asks Jim.

‘Yeah, I’m just hanging out with a friend.’

‘Well
, be safe and call us if you need a lift home.’ The look of concern on mum’s face is undeniable. My heart is still frozen to her warmth but the pleading in her eyes seeps through me. She’s trying to reach out to me, offering our relationship a lifeline. If I don’t take it now, we may never reach a good place.

‘Sure thing, mum, but he said he’d give me a lift home.’

‘He?’ smiles Jim. I blush and take a sip of my milky coffee.

‘Uh-huh. His name’s Tyler, he’s a boy from school.’

‘Well you just let him know from me, if he so much as looks at you wrong I’m gonna give him a knuckle sandwich, okay?’

‘Sure Jim, I’ll be sure to tell him.’ He’s grinning from ear to ear. He’s only joking, but it’s nice that he feels protective of me. With my dad back on deployment, he sees it as his job to take over the protective side of a parent. It’s kind of nice, actually.

With mum and Jim gone, I get to work on making the best of what I have. Never before has my body seen so much attention. Waxing, plucking, shaving – you name it, I’m doing it. I want my skin to be as smooth as silk when Tyler runs his hands all over it tonight. It’s only as I step out of the shower that I glance the time on my watch.
Shit!
It’s ten past five, which means Levi should already be here. Grabbing a towel I race down the stairs, the sound of the doorbell resonating through the house. I fling open the front door to see a bemused Levi leaning casually against the pillar.

‘The whole drowned rat thing you’ve got going on totally suits you,’ he laughs.

‘Shut up
, you ass!’ I hiss, dragging him inside so that the neighbours won’t see me in all my towelled glory.

‘Okay, okay. But seriously, I’ve been standing here for the last ten minutes. Just what have you been doing up there?’

‘For your information I was preening myself.’ I sniff haughtily, exaggerating my fake displeasure at being interrupted.

‘Hmm, well looks like you could still do with some work. Come on,’ he says, linking his arm with mine. I don’t know whether to be insulted or pleased that he is at least being honest.

Half an hour later my outfit is sorted and Levi has applied makeup to my usually bare face. I didn’t go easily, putting up barriers each and every time he suggested a different item of clothing. In the end we compromised and went with a pair of pants he chose, coupled with a top I liked.

‘There, you look absolutely amazing!’

‘Thanks, are you sure about these pants though?’ I’m referring to the tight denim spandex that is clinging to my thighs like second skin.

‘Abso-friggin’-lutely! Your arse looks totally hot and your legs look like they go all the way to your arm pits. Trust me, on a shorty like you that’s a huge compliment.’

I roll my eyes at him. ‘Well, thanks a million.’

‘You’re welcome,’ he grins. ‘What shoes are you going to wear?’

‘I was thinking Doc Martins?’

‘No. Way. Don’t you have any heels?’

‘Only one pair, but I don’t want to be walking around in them for long, they hurt my feet.’

‘Honey, for fashion you must suffer. Go grab them; I think your date just arrived.’

I hurry down the hallway to the garage to grab the heels that I left on the shoe rack while Levi answers the knock at the door.

‘Hey … Levi, didn’t expect to see you here man.’ I can hear the surprise in Tyler’s voice. To be honest, he sounds a little sheepish, which probably has everything to do with the fact he made me cancel on the guy who is now standing in front of him.

‘I’m not staying. I just dropped by to say hi to Mackenzie.’ Levi is completely gracious, giving Tyler an out for stealing me away from him for the night.

‘That’s cool man. Is she ready?’

‘She’s just getting her shoes.’

It’s been a while since I’ve worn heels. To be honest, there has never been an occasion to wear them. I try to remain steady as I walk down the hallway. When I enter the front foyer, Levi and Tyler’s heads both swivel in my direction. Levi is full of smug satisfaction as Tyler lets out a low, long whistle.

‘Can I just say – wow!’

‘Thanks,’ I mumble, trying not to let my cheeks turn pink from the sudden attention I’m receiving.

‘Really – you look hot.’ I have to admit, I do look good. Levi had taken the time to straighten my hair and apply kohl around my eyes. Normally I think they look remarkably plain, but tonight, they look incredibly sexy. I get the feeling I’m going to need to employ his services more often if this is the kind of reaction I get from Tyler.

‘Okay then, I’m off. You guys have fun,’ says Levi as he scoots past us, kissing me on the cheek as he goes.

With Levi out of the way, I feel free to take in how handsome Tyler looks in his denim jeans. The sleeves of his white shirt are rolled up to his elbows, exposing his tanned forearms. His buttons are open just a little to reveal the blonde hair on his chest. I snap my mouth shut, realising I’ve been ogling far too long.

‘You don’t have to stop staring on my account,’ he
says casually. God, his voice is so smooth and husky. It’s hard to believe he is only seventeen. He certainly has the looks of a man in his early twenties.

‘I was just …’

‘Appreciating?’ he finishes for me. I smile.

‘Yes. Appreciating.’

‘Well lets go then before we both get carried away with our ‘appreciating’.’ God damn him. He knows just how to look at me so that I go weak with desire. Fuck. I’m in trouble for sure.

Mackenzie

‘So, where are we going tonight?’ We’re in Tyler’s dad’s car, heading towards Clovelly.

‘I’m taking you to meet my parents – I thought we could have dinner together.’ He eyes me warily as he navigates through the traffic.

‘Meet your parents?’ I try not to sound hysterical as I panic on the inside.
Meet his parents? Yikes! Eat dinner? Double yikes!

‘Is that okay?’

‘Um, sure.’ I’m confused. I thought we were going out on a date. And having sex. Guess I had Tyler pegged all wrong. I’m glad that I at least made an effort with my appearance since I’m going to meet his folks. He reaches for my tiny hand and takes it in his big one.

‘They’re gonna love you, don’t worry.’

‘I’m not worried,’ I lie. He squeezes my hand and offers me a sympathetic look. I didn’t realise I was so transparent. I’m going to have to work harder at disguising my feelings. This boy seems to be able to read me like a book.

We pull onto Campbell Street – one of the most expensive streets in the area. I’m tongue tied as I take in the view of the ocean from the street. Tyler’s house sits at the very top of the hill overlooking the landscape and affording a perfect view of what Sydney’s beaches have on offer. Compared to my house, his could have a suburb name all of its own. It looks relatively new, three levels of magnificence that offers everything there is in modern architecture. There are lots of glass windows and smooth lines. I can see up on the second level the kitchen from the street. It looks like his parents are sitting at the kitchen counter sipping wine. My stomach churns. I’m nervous as hell.

‘Ready?’ Tyler is offering me his hand, dusk kissing the back of his head and making his features seem darker.

‘No. You didn’t tell me you were loaded.’

‘I’m not loaded – my parents are. Does it bother you? Money, I mean?’

‘Not at all. I’m just worried I might not be good enough for your parents,’ I say honestly.

‘Are you kidding me?’ He pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my forehead. His scent instantly relaxes me. ‘Have you ever met my parents?’

‘No …’

‘Well then, I can assure you have nothing to worry about. They may have a nice house but they’re not hung up on money. Dad’s a self-made man. They know everybody starts off somewhere.’ I sigh in relief.

‘Come on, I’m dying to introduce you.’

Linking his fingers with mine, he leads me up the front stairs towards the entrance door.

‘My room is there,’ he says pointing to the garage.

‘In the garage?’ I say, surprised.

‘Yeah, affords me a bit of privacy from the rest of the house.’ The gorgeous grin on his face is evidence enough that he’s happy about that.

‘Will you show me later?’
Bold, Mackenzie. And kind of slutty.

‘You bet your arse I will.’

We enter the front door and are greeted by a Pomeranian. It’s a yappy little thing, happily dancing around my feet, urging me to pat it. I don’t really do small dogs. They’re usually too arrogant. But I pat her anyway, not wanting to offend Tyler with my
lack of interest.

‘That’s Grace, my mum’s dog.’ We leave her to trail after us as we take the stairs up to the next level. We are greeted by two sets of eyes that are eager to see who their son has brought to dinner. The expansive open-plan kitchen combined with living area makes me feel like I am suddenly the centre of attention. I guess I am.

‘Mum, Dad – this is Mackenzie.’ His mum seems surprised, a little gasp unmistakable as it escapes her lips. She recovers well, though, stepping forward with a smile and offering me her hand.

‘Hello, Mackenzie. It’s lovely to have you here. Please call me Judy.’ She steps back so her husband can greet me. I instantly like him. While Judy is fair-haired like Tyler and has the same blue eyes, her husband is dark haired with rich dark brown eyes. They are kind, but seem to hold a lot of sadness. It’s almost like his smile doesn’t quite reach them.

‘Mackenzie, it’s wonderful to meet you. Tyler’s been talking a lot about you.’ He offers a warm hand and I accept it, quietly ecstatic at his little revelation.

‘Yeah, Dad, so not necessary,’ Tyler groans. His complaining breaks away any tension that may have been lingering.

‘Sorry
, son.’ He turns his attention and smile back to me.

‘Can I get you a drink, Mackenzie?’

‘Yes please, Mr Redding. Just water thank you.’

‘Oh
, call me Bruce, Mr Redding is my father,’ he laughs.

‘Okay.’

We sit comfortably around the kitchen bench, talking while we wait for dinner to be ready. They ask about the subjects I’m taking at school and what my family is like. I try to answer as honestly as I can without divulging all our dirty laundry. I find it hard to concentrate on the conversation. It is going to be a real effort for me to eat enough without offending his parents. I’m worried they will assume I don’t like Judy’s cooking. Perhaps I can pretend I’m not a meat eater.

When dinner is served, Judy calls me over to the kitchen bench where she is dishing up food onto our plates. While Tyler’s and Mr Redding have their plates full, mine is still empty.

‘What do you eat dear? Everything, or are you more a vegetable kind of girl?’ I relax and let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

‘Only a little bit of meat for me please. Vegetables would be great, although I don’t need the potatoes thank you.’

‘No problem, I tend to skip those too,’ she smiles at me. When we are all seated, I look around at all our plates. Mine has the least on it, but I’m going to try to eat it all because the last thing I want to do is alert his family to the fact that I have an eating disorder. It’s my secret. My relief. My way of coping. There is no way I’m getting into a discussion here about why I eat so little.

Thankfully, no one pays any overt attention to what I am eating. They happily chat with me, even divulging a few stories about Tyler when he was a small child. In my opinion, it doesn’t seem like he’s changed one bit. I’ve eaten the two mouthfuls of lamb that were served to me, and a few forkfuls of vegetables, but that’s it. There is no hiding the fact that I haven’t eaten much.

‘You finished?’ he whispers in my ear. I nod, and to my relief, Tyler clears my plate before anyone has chance to say anything.

‘Would you two like dessert?’ His father offers.

‘Sorry, Dad, we’ll pass. I’m going to hog Mackenzie for a while before I have to take her home.’

‘Okay, just don’t make it too late a night – you’ve got football practice in the morning.’

‘Sure thing, thanks for dinner.’

‘You’re welcome honey. It was lovely to meet you, Mackenzie. Come back and visit us soon, won’t you?’

‘Thank you both, I will be sure to do that.’ Tyler grabs my hand. His touch suddenly commands my whole attention, sending electricity jolting straight through me. There is lust laced through his eyes. He hurries me down the stairs double time. We have unfinished business. He knows it and I know it.

There is an internal door that leads into the garage area. It looks nothing like a garage at all. The brick walls have been lined and plastered, painted a neutral coffee colour. There is a large queen size bed in the middle of the room, a rug at the base of the bed. In the corner of the room is a door, which I assume leads to a bathroom. On the far side of the room is a cabinet littered with framed photographs. I’m interested to see who Tyler values so much to keep on display, but I’m distracted when he steps in behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. His breath is hot as hell on my neck.

‘Sorry about dinner, but my parents were dying to meet you.’

‘You did kind of spring it on me.’

‘I did, didn’t I? Is there something I can do to make it up to you?’ He trails his tongue down the soft skin of my neck towards my shoulder.

‘What you’re doing is just fine,’ I breathe as he swings me around to face me. The deep seated lust in his eyes tells me I’m in trouble. Wicked trouble. The kind that may end up with me being one satisfied young lady.