Page 89 of Perfect

“Get ready for an ass-whopping,” I cooed.

He darted me an arched eyebrow.

“We’re on the same team Harlow.”

“I know. I was speaking to the bad guys.”

We both started the game with huge grins which was cool, it felt so normal to be in his company now.

I was thoroughly enjoying myself, attempting to play Call of Duty, although I was absolutely rubbish and eventually resorted to shouting at the screen. We were part of a team and I was the worst shot ever and just kept getting mowed down by helicopter fire. Connor explained that if you shot enough players, it opened up bonuses and you were given extra firepower as a reward.

Someone with a call sign ‘NinjaWarrior129’ really had it in for me and ended up being named as my nemesis at the end of the second match.

Connor was clearly amused at how poorly I played the game, but I gave it my all.

As I waited to respawn (I was starting to learn the lingo), I leaned further back against the pillows and eyed Connor who appeared totally engaged with the gameplay.

“Stop it,” he said, still heavily concentrating, there were deep groves in his forehead.

I beamed. “What?” I said innocently with the sweetest of smiles.

“Youknowwhat. You’re trying to put me off.”

I shuffled further towards him, imagining a few delightful ways Icouldput him off. He shot me a knowing look before turning back to the screen and healing my player.

Unexpectedly, there was a brief tap on the door and dad walked into the room, I jumped back like I’d burnt myself. He would have chosen thatexactpoint when I’d been about to blow in Connor’s ear. Like Maid Marion does to Robin Hood in that movie Prince of Thieves when he’s practicing archery.

As he saw us together on the bed, he was stunned at first and then embarrassment must have kicked in. Red stained his weathered cheeks.

“What?” I asked innocently enough. Did he think we’d been up to something? The thought of my dad thinking about boy stuff was mortifying.

He was now blatantly uncomfortable and didn’t know where to look. We were only sitting on the bed together, it’s not like I was straddling the guy! Dad needed to take a serious chill pill.

“I just came to see if you needed anything, Connor?” Dad began his voice a mumble. Sheepish is the best way to describe his expression. I bet he was regretting bursting in now. I found it quite amusing but decided not to wind him up.

“Nah I’m good,” Connor replied nonchalantly as he placed the controller on the bed in front of him and gave Dad a sympathetic look.

“Ah OK. Anyway, I can see you’ve got your hands full so—,” At his words, both Connor and I glanced at each other, both highly amused but managing to contain ourselves; poor choice of words Dad.

“Not now, but I did have a minute ago,” Connor announced with a twist to his lips.

His comment made my dad’s eyes almost bulge from his head. His mouth did a fishlike thing. I suppressed a giggle and shoved Connor’s arm in a ‘stop playing with him’ motion.

“I’mjokingMike. We’re good here but thanks anyway,” Connor put in, thankfully coming to Dad’s rescue. I imagine he was now a freshly rehabilitated inpatient person who would certainly knock in the future.

Dad still looked uncomfortable and he darted another glance between us.

The air was tense and fizzed with a mischievous element.

“Right. Good, well. I’ll see you both later.” And off he went, exiting the room even faster than he’d entered it; purposefully leaving the door open. He even made sure it was wider than it was before.

Connor and I both burst out laughing. It was hilarious, the panic on my dad’s face. He so didn’t expect to see me in there.

I climbed off the bed as it was almost time to call my mother. Connor took a glass of water from his bedside table and swung his legs down, rising to his feet. I admired his strong, tanned throat as he drank and the way his Adam’s apple moved. He was so manly considering he was only a few years older than me

His room was quite masculine and there were no posters or anything on the walls. It was decorated in grey and black and was much larger than the room I had. His double bed was also rather comfortable. From a sitting up point of view, I hadn’t of course had the opportunity to lay down in it… yet. I smiled at the ‘yet’ I added.

“What are you smiling at? You almost gave your dad a heart attack?” Connor drawled before draining the rest of the water and placing the glass aside. He walked towards me around the bed with sure footed strides.

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