Page 51 of Love Thief

“Oh, hi Becky, I’m after Kellen. Is he around?”

“No, Marcus isn’t. He’s busy… somewhere.” She could not get more bitchy emphasis on ‘Marcus’ if she tried. The phone pitches wildly as she gestures around the cottage. It looks like a bomb has hit it, stuff strewn everywhere. What is wrong with her?

“Are they still in the studio? How’s Levi doing?” I’m trying to be as polite as possible—I’m going to have to spend some time with these women over the next few months—and to be honest, I don’t want the hassle before I get there.

“No, they finished ages ago. Everyone was in the pool.”

I laugh, “Boy, you’re brave. Beginning of June, in an outdoor pool. Did you get Nikki to turn the heaters on?” I know I’m being deliberately jolly, it totally sticks in my throat, and I can see she’s waiting to deliver the killer punch.

“No we were all skinny dipping,” she smirks at me, emphasising all.

And there it is.

“Wow, brave bunch. Well, I'll let you get back to it. Speak soon.” I hang up before she can carry on with a tale she was desperate to tell. No change there, then. This is going to be a fun summer.

My phone rings, and if she’s ringing me back... But it says Xan, so I pick up.

His gorgeous blue eyes smile at me. “Hey, did you call? Why aren’t you in bed? You’re still coming aren’t you?”

I laugh at him. “Which question do you want me to answer first? Yes I called, no I’m not in bed, just going, and yes I’m still coming tomorrow. I rang you and Kell, but Becky picked up and said you were all skinny dipping.” I’m mentally patting myself on the back for being calm.

“Fuck no. The women were. It’s fucking freezing. We can’t afford to get sick. Marcus is bad enough sorting out his throat, never mind throwing himself into freezing water. He’s thirty seven not seventeen.” He starts to laugh, and I see his head move swiftly from side to side as someone hits him. “Marcus, didn’t see you there brother.” Xan is really laughing now. “I’ll pass you on. See you tomorrow, Kitten.”

He hands over to Kellen who’s scowling at him and threatening to smack him again.

“Fucker, I’m as fit as I was at seventeen.” I raise my eyebrows at him. “You saying I’m not, Kitten? Dissing my body?”

“I wouldn’t dare. But I have just spent the past week with Kasey Becker flaunting his, so…”

“Flaunting his body, what the fuck has he been doing? I’m calling him, the prick.”

I grin at him. “Only during workout hours. Oh, and dinner sometimes. And drinks. Yeah, ok, most of the time. Jonno told him to cover up. He was sick of looking at his abs.”

“Were you?”

“God, no. They’re pretty spectacular.”

“Is she praising Becker’s abs? I better get working out. And you Marcus,” puts in Xan. “He can’t beat us.” They’re shoving each other, lifting T-shirts to compare abs.

“Honestly, talk about complexes. Anyway, I should have one, too. Becky told me you were all skinny dipping.”

He makes a noise in the back of his throat. “No fucking way. They wanted us to, but none of us got in, so they got wet and cold for nothing. We’ve a busy summer ahead, we don’t want to be ill. I’ve told Gabe and Levi if one of them so much as sniffles, they’re sent home. They’ve agreed, so it might be an expensive dip for them.”

I push out a smile and change the subject.

“I should be there for 10 p.m. tomorrow night, but I’ll go straight to Marshall’s. Come home when you’re ready, no problem if you’re still working.”

He smiles at me and hits me with his gentle voice. “See you tomorrow, Kitten.”

I hang up with mixed feelings, the excited feeling I’d had a few minutes ago now tinged with anxiety. I’m happy to speak to Xan and Kell, but wondering what on Earth is going on with those women. What am I walking into? I just don’t get it. Becky was quite friendly until the wedding.

Is it that? They want to be a permanent fixture? And by permanent I mean married with money. I signed a prenup and so did he. Do they think I’m in line for some sort of massive payday when he finally sees sense and ditches me?

Well this marriage wasn’t for that reason, but they don’t know that. And besides there’s no way his family is getting one pence of my money. I’d give the lot away first.

Devon is bathed in sunset, as I arrive earlier than anticipated. We’re heading towards the longest day, so the nights are light and farming is ongoing. I can see tractors in the fields and I know who’s in them. I feel like my whole soul is lighter as we move past hedgerows and fields I know the names of. I ring Marshall as soon as I land and tell him I want to go down to the beach at Cornhill.

“I’ll have some bikes for you, midarlin’.”

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