The Heart Series: Complete Boxed Set (88 page)

A short while later, I took Olivia upstairs to change, after much persuasion and a little negotiation, we made our way downstairs for her to blow out her candles and have some pictures taken. I knew the outfit would evoke a reaction with my beloved best friend.

“Here’s the birthday girl,” I announced as Olivia ran towards Elijah, looking very princess-like in pink floral dress. She’d even let me put a ribbon in her naturally wavy hair. Thankfully, Kara was now feeding Lily to avoid the squeal that left Elijah’s lips.

“Oh my god, you look so pretty, I’m going to cry.”

We all laughed at his reaction, he lifted her up in his arms and kissed her cheek looking like all his birthdays had come at once. “I need a picture. Sam grab the camera, this might never happen again so I need to mark the occasion.”

“Oh trust me, Olivia will definitely be dressing up when she reaches a certain age and starts to take notice of all the boys,” Kara added, grinning.

“Well, that’s never happening,” Joel snorted.

Oh boy, how the tides had changed.

“That’s what you think.” Kara laughed. We all knew the inevitable would happen, regardless if Joel liked it or not.

“Well, come on, photo time. We need some great ones for the digital frame.” Olivia loved to sit and watch it slowly make its way through pictures of Joel and me, then her birth and early years. It was her favourite thing especially when she was dozing off to sleep.

We all stood together as Sam took pictures and then switched with Mark so he could be included himself. Olivia giggled her way through each one. I was certain I would look back in years to come at my little girl with happiness.

After slicing up the cake, we handed plates around. Joel fed Olivia hers to make sure she didn’t ruin her dress. We oohed and ahhed our way through it, chattering away until Elijah tapped his knife against his glass, stopping everyone from talking to look his way. Sam smiled and walked over as Elijah reached for his wallet.

“Now I didn’t want to overshadow my little princess’s birthday, but we have some news of our own.” He held up a picture, which took several seconds to register that it was a scan picture. “We’ve found a surrogate. She’s twelve weeks pregnant. We’re having a baby.”

“Oh my god,” Kara squealed.

“I know.” He shook his head still in disbelief.

I walked over hugging him hard. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, in case something happened.”

“I am so happy for you.” It meant the world to see him finally get the chance to start his own family.

“I know, I can’t believe it.” He was too choked up to speak.

“I’m going to be an auntie again.”

He smiled and kissed me again before Kara charged at him hugging him hard.

I stood back and watched the whole scene in front of me—everyone I loved in one place. Joel’s arms encircled me from behind, his lips nuzzled against my cheek.

“Happy?” he asked and I sighed just taking it all in. It was the HEA I had always wanted. It was beyond anything I ever hoped for. It was perfect.

I Trust Your Heart

C.M. King

“Faggot.”

The words cut through me like a knife, but I refused to give them what they wanted. I wasn’t ashamed of my sexuality, in fact, I’d been out and proud for over a year. My mother had been my biggest supporter, showing me the true meaning of loving her son unconditionally. My dad was the polar opposite. My parents had split when I was fourteen. They had been on the brink of doing so for many years, eventually it all came to a head, and they finally made the decision that life together had become so toxic they were better apart. I was never deemed good enough for my dad. I wasn’t a sports fan and as he lived and breathed them, we were missing that vital connection. He would take great pleasure in ridiculing, making me feel like a complete idiot, whether it was totally annihilating my clothes, my hair, my drive to constantly be immaculate at all times. I was six foot with chocolate brown eyes and fabulous sandy coloured hair that I wore gelled into a quiff. I’d spend hours in front of the mirror, it truly was my reigning glory. I had an image I was proud of and being less than perfect was not something that sat comfortably with me. My dad’s reaction the moment he learned about my sexuality would stay with me forever. I’d never seen such a look of disappointment in one person’s eyes, one of sheer horror and disbelief. I guess I’d delivered the final nail in the coffin on our relationship. Once he left, we barely spent any time together. The odd time my mother cajoled him into actually spending time with me, he usually backed out at the last minute, or I was left feeling like he was under an obligation to be there. I wondered why I thought each time would be different, openly allowing myself to believe this one time he’d try to make some effort. Each time he failed miserably. Once I turned sixteen, I told my mother no more. I couldn’t let myself be brought down by the guy who looked at me as his biggest disappointment in life. He eventually met a lady called Anne who came with two football mad boys, they easily filled that void missing in his life. I watched from afar the dad I’d always wanted him to be. It hurt but I buried it deep. He wouldn’t get to see that the extent of his hatred had a resounding effect over me. I chose to be out and proud, to dress fabulously. I lost myself in fashion. It became my saviour, and with each piece of clothing I wore my confidence grew. My personality finally became something I was proud to unleash. I was out and proud, and boy, did everyone know it.

But there were some that still had issues with that.

“Did you hear what I just said, pretty boy?” Rick’s ice-cold voice cut through me like a knife, but I refused to give him the reaction he wanted.

“Yep, I just chose to ignore it.” My brazen words were enough to unhinge him, but I wasn’t ready to bow down to this pack of bullies, not while there was still breath in my body.

“You think you are so fucking amazing, don’t you?”

A smile touched my lips. “Well, I never try to be anything less, darling.”

Rick’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Don’t fucking ‘darling’ me, or else you’ll get my fist smashed into that pretty little face of yours,” he spat, the words almost like venom in his mouth.

“Why thanks, it is rather pretty, glad you noticed.” I shot him a wink to really piss him off. I guess if I was heading for a hiding I might as well do it in style. His fist came down hard, and the sharp tang of blood instantly filled my mouth. I was only glad my mother was working late so I’d get home to do some damage control. I’d become quite an expert at it. There were always going to be people that had issues with the way I was, but I refused to hide back in the closet like a number of people I knew. I had to take the bad with the good, even though it was a painful pill to swallow.

“Next time I won’t stop at one, consider this your lucky day that I’m letting you off lightly.” He sniggered, smirking at his other gang friends.

Wow, real lucky. But I kept my smart mouth shut this time, it had had more than a bashing and I wasn’t about to make it any worse.

I watched as Rick walked off, that smug smile of his committed to memory along with the other gang members that had an issue with the way I carried myself. It was just another day in the life of being me, it never got easier but then I never was one to take the more comfortable route. I clutched my jaw, it was only bruised but the blood made me gag. I spat some out onto the grass then picked up my bag ready to make my journey home. I slipped in my ear buds, turning the music up high, instantly making me forget the pain the moment the words filled my ears. I swayed along to the beat as my head nodded slightly and I smiled. It would take a lot more than that to bring me down.  I was far too fabulous for that.

“Elijah, is that you?” Brianne asked, her voice breaking the deadly silence as I walked through the front door.

“Yep, were you expecting anyone else fabulous to enter the building?” I smiled at my own brand of humour. I always was good with the witty one-liners. I was quite the pro when it came to it.

“Well, Bradley Cooper would be better,” she retorted.

The cheek!

But she did have a point, the things I could do to Bradley Cooper. I could feel my body stirring just at the thought.

Her smile dropped the moment I walked through into the lounge. My face already becoming more swollen, even talking hurt, not that that it would ever stop me.

“Fuck, Elijah, what happened to your face?”

“Oh you know walked into another damn door.” My eyes quickly dropped from hers before she caught me out on one of my lies. They were the biggest giveaway.

“More likely a fist. God, that looks nasty. Here, let me grab some ice.” She headed into the kitchen to put an ice pack together. I slid off my jacket, quickly hanging it up, and tossed my bag onto the chair. I winced sitting down, feeling the pain surge through my jaw as I tried to move it.

“Stop it, you’ll make it worse. Here put that against it, it will help to bring the swelling down. Do I even need to ask who it was?” She pursed her lips waiting for a reply.

“I told you it was a door,” I protested, but I knew it was to no avail.

She rolled her eyes at my lame attempt to lie. “And I’m a monkey’s uncle. I swear I will chop that boy’s bollocks off and wear them as earrings next time I see him.”

“Eww, thanks for the disgusting visual,” I added sarcastically. I really didn’t need that thought in my head right now.

“I mean it, Elijah, if he so much as touches a hair on your head again, I will have him.” I was certain she would. God, I loved my feisty cousin. She was like a lioness protecting her pack, no one could hold her back when one of her own had been attacked.

“B, you can’t fight all my battles. I know you think you can, but this one I’ve got to handle myself.” I frowned at my own words, I was trying to be strong, but even I knew they held no conviction.

“Hey, come on, how about we have a Sex and the City marathon? I can make Cosmos, and we can dress up.” B grinned and her eyes flashed with excitement as she headed into the kitchen, she knew my Sex and the City weakness; I loved that show. I’d seen it about a million times but each episode it just got better.

“I swear you know me too well, lady, but I want to be Carrie so I get to wear the fabulous hat and corsage neck piece.” I stressed, following close behind.

I was Carrie to a tee, I lived for fashion.

“Fine, but how come I end up being Samantha?” She pouted, pulling out the glasses and bottles as she began to make the cocktails for us both.

I laughed. “If the shoe fits, honey.”

“Hey, I can’t help it if guys are immune to me. I have that vibe they just can’t resist,” she protested.

I scoffed at her reply.

Oh purlease.

“Yeah, it’s called opening those legs.”

“Elijah,” Brianne barked.

I rolled my eyes at her over the top response. “What? You know it’s true.”

“Well, a girl has to do a little sampling before she finds the right guy.”

I snorted at her reply. “Yes, Samantha, you keep telling yourself that.” She was such a tart, and she knew it.

“It’s not like you’re innocent here,” Brianne fumed, enraged by my comments.

Oh hell no.

“Listen, B, I can count on one hand how many guys I’ve been with, but you’d need a phone directory.”

“Cheeky bitch,” she retorted.

“Miaow, have I touched a nerve?”

I had definitely touched a nerve.

“Well there’s no way you’re being Carrie now, I’m going to make you Charlotte for being so judgemental,” she huffed, striding back into the other room with both drinks in hand and I scowled. I was no Charlotte.

“But Carrie wears the fabulous clothes, she’s a risk taker. Charlotte is so straight, and I’m not exactly like that, sweetie. Carrie is more my vibe, pretty please? After today I need to wear the hat,” I protested walking back through, sticking out my lip for dramatic effect.

“Only if you quit being so judgey, no more talk about my legs always being opened.”

“Consider the subject closed. See what I did there?” I winked for added effect.

She stuck out her tongue in retaliation. “Ha bloody ha, now if you’re finished dissecting my sex life, please feel free to hit the play button.”

“Yes, madam.” I saluted, grabbing the remote, eager to start.

“And hand me my Cosmo.”

“What did your last slave die of?” I scowled. She was so damn lazy.

“He lost his life for answering back.”

I rolled my eyes at her remark but relented and hit play. We could carry on like this all night, and I had a Sex and the City marathon I needed to get through.

* * *

“What do you think of Big?” I asked, my eyes never leaving the screen. I’d always had a thing for him, wondering if he lived up to his name.

“Heck, I’d do him.” Brianne laughed. Tell me something I didn’t already know.

“Well I kind of like him. He’s a little old fashioned, he’s mysterious but in a good way, and he’s intriguing. I’m always happy when he makes an appearance.”

“So is Carrie.” She snorted. 

“Well that’s because she loves him. I want that too, to fall hard and deep.” I frowned at my own words. Would I ever find a love like that?

“Oh you’ll find it, I’m sure. Me, I’m still trying them out for size.”

I paused the show, turning to face her. “What like Goldicocks?”

She grinned widely. “Oh, you bitch, but I’ve got to give you a high five for that one.”

“And I will accept that high five and raise you a fist bump,” I retorted, holding out my hand to begin.

“God, we are so lame.” Brianne rolled her eyes and I smiled.

“Who cares? I love you, B, you are my bitchy ray of sunshine.”

Her eyes narrowed at my remark. “Oh you’re going to make me cry.”

“Oh purlease ice queens can’t cry.” There was more chance of a pig flying by the window than Brianne shedding a tear.

“Oh I’ll just leave it to you drama queens.”

“Touché.” I grinned. I loved her bitchy retorts.

“Fist bump for the smart reply.” She raised her fist for me to meet with mine; she always did like some sort of praise when she managed to outwit me. After bumping, she bowed.

“Why, thank you.”

Seriously?

“I think you’re overmilking it now.” She really was.

Her eyes met with mine. “Well I’ve got to celebrate these rare moments. I have to take good of them when the opportunity arises.”

“Okay, B, I’ll let you have your moment, but first get me a refill. I need it to numb the pain.” I winced as another pain shot through me. God, I was in agony, but I was more scared of the fish lip I’d be sporting, I could feel it swelling by the minute.

“How is the face?” she asked frowning, staring intently.

“Hurts like a bitch, but I’ll be fine.”

“Do you need more ice?” She moved to go grab some, but I needed way more than ice to escape the pain.

“No, just alcohol.” I just wanted to forget, for a moment not to have justify my sexuality, it was their problem not mine. I guess those small-minded people would always take issue with how others led their lives, but I was not about to be dictated by a bunch of homophobes how I should live mine.

“Here you go.” B handed me the glass with a smile. I couldn’t help but grin back as I felt the alcohol begin to take full effect. This was what I needed, what I yearned—the escapism, the freedom, the ability for a short time just to forget.