Page 35 of Summer, in Between
‘That’s hilarious.’
‘Yes, funny was exactly where I was going with that one.You’re making me very confused, Paul Lightwood.’
‘I’m making you confused, Cat Kelty?’
‘Yes, you are.Suddenly you’re working with my dad at my house, and then from out of nowhere you ask me out, then you ignore me at the party, then you have lunch with my family.You were a massive hit.Even my Nonna likes you, and when it comes to me, she doesn’t like any single one of your species.’
‘My species?’
‘The male species.Anyway, that doesn’t matter.You can see why this is confusing, yeah?’
‘When you put it like that,’ says Paul, ‘I’m completely confused.You know what?You have it all arse around.Here’s where we are from my point of view.You ready?’
‘This should be good,’ I mutter but I step forward and rest my elbows against the railing.
‘First, Mick asked my boss if he knew anyone willing to get on the tools for the summer, and he asked me.I didn’t even know it was your house.And it was just a party.Anyway, I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time.’
‘What?’
‘Forget it.’He pulls his hood up over his head.
‘You wanted to ask me out?Since when?’
‘Last summer I wanted to but let’s face it, you are younger than me.’He turns to me, a half-smile.‘Anyway, last year I was in a pretty messed up place, but that’s a story for another day.And your old man scared the crap out of me last year.’
‘Really?’
‘Your dad still scares the crap out of me.He scares the crap out of all of us.We all know that Mick Kelty’s daughter is out of bounds.You have no idea what it was like just to see if you wanted to go to a crap Gap party.I should be up for some sort of medal for that, just saying.’
‘And your second point of confusion?That’s right, the party, where I ignored you.Not sure how you came up with that conclusion, given it was you that left me there.That was a bit shit, really, taking off like that.And the look on your face when you thought I was trying to cop a quick feel of your bum, Cat, which I wasn’t.Your Dad just offered me a job.’
‘I think I like it better when you’re the strong and silent type.’
‘Can you let me finish?Please?’
I open my palms.‘Go for it.’
‘Thank you.As I was saying, you have a pretty messed up idea about me.I’m not saying that I’d have a crack at a stop sign, but I’ve done things that I’m not very proud of, I admit that.And I’ve probably been with more girls than I’d want to count.’
‘Now you’re just bragging.’I roll my eyes.‘As if I didn’t know that.Every summer you have a different girl in your car.You have a different girl every week, every day.Anyway, it’s fascinating to hear about your love life, but do you have a point?’
‘Yes, I do.My point is I want to be with you, but not like I want to.’
‘What?’
‘This is all coming out wrong,’ he says.‘You’re so different to anyone I know and not just because you treat me like shit.You’re tossing up between being a freakin’ doctor or a lawyer.’
‘What are you actually saying?’
‘I’m saying you’re funny and you’re smart.Of course, you’re beautiful but it’s more than that with you.I saw you at the Pav at New Year’s and thought about talking to you then but kept away.I had a few drinks in me.I knew I’d be seeing you at your house and needed to look your old man in the eye.Anyway, you’re no New Year’s hookup.You are more, so, so much more than that.You’re not like other girls.’
‘Umm, you know that’s not the compliment you think it is?’
‘I’m not finished.Then the next day, I’m hungover like a dog, and there you are at Sadie’s,giving me nothing.It was obvious you had no idea that your dad had hooked me up with the job and it was also obvious that you weren’t happy about it.’
‘I was just surprised, that’s all,’ I say.‘And you were flirting with me.You know you were.“Can I buy you a drink?”’I lower my voice in imitation of his.
‘Oh God,’ he puts his face in his hands.‘I was not.But yeah, okay, I was, I admit it.But I need to be smart here, not be me, but beme.I work for your dad.And all I want to do right now is kiss you.’
