1.18 The Setup

They arrived at lucky dive and grabbed a table at the front. Spencer was getting to know Hazel and soon they were joined by Jake.

"So who is this singer?" Jake asked.

"An old school friend her name is Kay."

Just then the lights when up and the music started and there stood Kay giving her all to the crowd. Matt couldn't believe his old school friend was not only beautiful but a very talented singer. He noticed Jake's eyes never came off Kay while she performed and when the first set was over she ran straight over to Spencer and asked, "I thought Matt was coming?"

"Kay, this is Matt." She looked at Matt and in shocked, "Matt is that really you? Where are your curly locks?" Hugging him tight. Jake laughed at Matt and said, "You had locks?" Matt glared at him as Jake sat back down then spoke to Kay, "This is Hazel my girlfriend." as she approached the bar.

Kay smiled at Hazel, "If he is any trouble just let me know." Hazel couldn't believe that Kay was being nice and replied, "Thanks."

"It's just my job, singing but I am really nice." still talking to Hazel. Then she turned to them all and said, "I have to do the next set." Jake was glaring at Matt. "Kay before you go this is Jake my roommate."

"Hi Jake, I have to get back up there speak after the set ok." Matt smiled and replied, "Ok."

"Dad, Kay is really good."

"She is and is looking for a place in Lucky Palms too." Hazel started to panic and Matt asked her to get some drinks at the bar, "Haz, I'm not dating Kay I'm dating you. She and I are old school friends. You have nothing to worry about I promise. Although by the way Jake is behaving I am worried about Kay."

She felt Matt's arms surround her and she whispered in his ear, "I'm just happy and don't want this thing with you to end." Matt kissed her and added, "It won't. Besides we are taking off early, remember?"

Jake came over to where Matt and Hazel were and asked, “Matt my good friend…” Matt knew what he was after and cut him off, “The answer is no.” Hazel left them too it, “Matt please I would really like to get to know her better.”

“I’m not letting Kay be another notch for you. If you want to know her you are on your own.”

After the performance Kay needed a drink she noticed a familiar face, “Jake, right?” 

“Yeah Matt’s friend and you are Kay. You have a great talent.”

“Thanks and what do you do?”

“I’m a trainee fire fighter. Listen would you like to go on a date?” Kay looked at him smiling, “You are sweet but the answer is no.” Jake had never been turned down before. “I promise we will have a good time.”

“Jake, thanks for the offer but I know your type. Love ‘em, leave them type! Good luck with your career though.” Leaving Jake speechless Kay headed back to the table.

Matt made his excuses as to why he had to leave and Hazel went with him. Spencer had a horrible feeling they were going to rush things. He didn’t have an issue with being a grandparent but at the right time. He just hoped his son would think things through first before anything happened.

“Why are we here? We would have the house to ourselves.” Hazel asked.

“That’s the point; I wouldn’t trust myself being alone with you and in a house with lots of beds.” He wrapped his arms around her and Hazel replied, “I want too, don’t you?”

Matt was taken aback by Hazel and her response, “You know I want to but I think we should get to know each other first.”

“You slept with that woman.”

“That was a stupid move. I told you that but I’m not seeing her but you. If I slept with you now, you would think that’s all I wanted when I want more from us a lot more.” 

She tried moving her hands below his waistline but he stopped her, “Stop trying to tempt me.” Then Hazel started moving her hand again and this time got further. Hazel could feel what Matt wanted and was continuing to arouse him. 

“Haz we mu…” then he kissed her with urgency down her neck while his hands slid down her exposed back. Then it was as if Matt had alarm bells go off in his head. He pulled away from Hazel leaving her surprised, “We can’t, not now.”

“Why?”

“I have an idea what our first time should be like and it’s not this on the park floor.” Hazel turned away from him but he put his hands around and added, “Don’t be like that. You know what I mean.”

“I guess but when I’m around you I can’t think straight.” Hazel added.

“It will be worth it in the end.”

Monte Vista

Kirsten hadn’t been here since she was a teenager. The room she used to share with Jake was still the same. She couldn’t remember that last time she had slept so well. Kirsten did find it strange that the house was quite. When she phoned Jake he assured her he would be there early evening and then he went on to describe how he had met someone and he really liked her. Kirsten wondered if her brother was so keen for her to settle down would he ever take his own advice.

Kirsten had been to the market to get some ingredients to try her hand at cooking again. Growing up she was never taught to cook as it was all done by staff but when they came here to get away from it all her Mum tried to teach them both how to cook. Jake got the hang of it better.

She had finished making the dinner and looked at the clock and said to herself, “Jake where the hell are you?” 

She looked out the window and saw the down pour of rain that had just started, “When he gets here I’m not going out in that and help him bring in his stuff.” 

She tried his mobile but it was switched off. “Damn you Jake don’t you know by now to charge your phone. Then she realised her phone needed to be charged and went to put it on charge in her room.

The front door opened and in walked Andrew covered in water from the rain and he shouted as he was taking his coat off, “Jake, thanks for the key otherwise I’d be standing there forever waiting for you to get your ass to the door. The food smells great I’m starving.” He turned around only to see Kirsten standing there in shock.

“Jake gave you a key and he…” as she trailed off. Andrew wasn’t sure what to do at that moment as he nervously said, “He told me he wanted company because you didn’t want to come here.” Kirsten was angry at Jake for what was now clear the set up but at the same time was pleased. She knew at some point they would have to talk.

“It looks like that brother of mine will have some explaining to do.”

“I’ll leave if you want.” Neither Kirsten nor Andrew had moved since they had discovered the setup. Kirsten had a choice to make, either kick him out or let him stay and for a few minutes stayed silent then said, “Stay tonight as you are soaked plus didn’t you say you were hungry?

“If you are sure…” Kirsten just looked at him and replied, “Your bed is at the top of the stairs as my room is down here and bathroom is downstairs over there.” 

Andrew got dry then sat with Kirsten to have dinner. Most of the meal was spent in silence until Andrew broke it by speaking, “We have to sort this out. We can’t create an atmosphere and avoid each other forever.” He went to touch her hand across the table but she pulled away. 

Andrew softly asked, “Kirsten I know you like me so why are you doing this?”

“Because I know what I’m like. I mean I haven’t been in a real relationship for a long time and…” Andrew got up and started to walk around to her as she watched him come towards her. He pulled her close while leaning against the table, “There are no if’s or but’s anymore Kirsten just you and me alone to get to know each other.”

She looked into his eyes, “The truth is I lied to you. I do like you, it’s just I don’t love you because for me this is new so I’d have to spend time with you to get there.” As she felt his firm chest beneath the shirt her heart started to be beat faster. She had to remind herself that if this was going to be a relationship there was no sleeping with him even though her body was saying right here on the kitchen table.

Andrew saw the look on her face and asked, “Are you ok?”

“I was just thinking…” again trailing off.

“I hope it was me you were thinking about.” Kirsten thought, ‘If only you knew.’

Andrew saw a texted on his phone from Jake, ‘Sorry for the little lie but hope things work out.’ After he read the texted he switched off his phone. When Kirsten pulled away Andrew felt lost without her in his arms even though it had only been seconds, “Come back here, you.” Kirsten ignored his request with a smile and sat on the sofa waiting for him to join her. ‘Look at her, I really want to make love to her but I mustn’t. You can do this remember she needs to trust you and it will be worth the wait.’

He sat down as Kirsten put the television on. Suddenly she moved his arm out of the way resting her head on his chest listening to his heart beat while putting his arm around her. Then she slid her head to his lap to get comfortable.

He kept his hand placed on her hip slightly stroking it as he moved his hand back and forth. Looking down at Kirsten when the adverts came on he realised that she had fallen asleep. He had no choice but to stay with her while she slept.