We drove through the iron gates of Merivale. At night, the columned façade resembled a concrete chameleon with an array of changing colours beaming over its white walls.
“You’ve got a thing with that singer?” Sienna asked. “She seemed pretty upset. Sorry if I messed that up.”
“Wehada bit of thing. It’s really nothing, I guess. But I do like her.” I chewed on my bottom lip, trying to make sense of this “thing” between Mirabel and me.
I couldn’t work out why someone identifying as a free spirit could be wound so tightly when it came to me. Okay, there was that little detail of my developing land that should have remained untouched.
Even I regretted that decision, but it was too late now.
“She looked pretty freaked out. I can tell her nothing happened, if you like,” Sienna said while playing with her long, blue fingernails.
Guilt hit me hard again. How many girls had I hurt? All those calls I hadn’t returned. Not to mention the face-to-face confrontations after being caught hiding or doing a quick getaway.
I’d always thought we were having sex just for fun, but certain people had a way of seeping into your pores. I’d never thought that possible. Until now. Maybe it was the loss of my father, but I no longer identified with that brash guy looking for the next party.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to lead you on. That wasn’t my intention.”
She smiled. “It’s cool. I’m the one that offered to blow you. Remember?”
I smiled at her raw honesty. “Come on, let’s go in. And look, I’m tired. So…”
She opened out her hands. “I get it. You like someone else. It’s sweet. She’s a lucky girl. Although she looked seriously pissed off with you.”
I wasn’t about to contradict her. Iwassweet on Mirabel.
While I couldn’t disagree with Mirabel in describing us as being different, we were also very similar. And she knew more about me than any other woman I’d dated, which was probably why I wasn’t unclasping her bra that minute.
Sienna and I walked up the lit path, which cast shadows over the garden, almost animating the sculptures that, as a boy, I’d convinced myself came alive at night.
I wished I could be him again and start afresh. I wouldn’t waste my time chasing girls, but instead pursue science or something more satisfying than carving up old land.
I was never the bookish type. I liked making money, and I’d learned how to do that under the guidance of old college friends who played the money market. Figures came naturally to me, and I found maths a breeze. Had I not horsed around as much, I might have gone into complex mathematics.
We entered the great hall, which under the lamplights, resembled a museum. Marble statues and valuable vases sat among classical sombre paintings and contemporary acquisitions. Everything in its perfect place.
“Okay, then,” I said. “The kitchen’s always open for snacks and drinks.” I crooked my finger. “Here, let me show you. You know where the guest room is?”
She giggled. “I’ve been here heaps of times, Ethan. But that’s so nice of you. I might grab some munchies, though.” She rubbed her belly, and I smiled.
I liked her. My dick, however, wasn’t so into it. But then my dick was suddenly in conference with my brain and heart. They’d decided that they all needed to be part of the action from now on. That made Mirabel a hard act to follow. She had brains, beauty, and depth.
I saluted Sienna and trundled off to bed. I went to my room and yawned. I had an early start the next morning.
I sent Mirabel a message.Nothing happened with Sienna. She was looking for her eyelashes.
A few minutes later, she replied,Pull the other one.
I had to laugh. Of course, she wouldn’t believe me.We didn’t do anything. She wanted to, but I wasn’t keen. I’m here all alone at home, pining for that beautiful woman I watched gyrating on stage earlier tonight.
She replied,I don’t gyrate.
Oh yes, you do. And how.
Why didn’t you tell me you were building a home for the Newmans?
I wanted to, but I always forget things when I’m around you.
Crosswords.