Page 45 of Next Time I Fall (Excess All Areas 2)

Sometimes the waves were just too fucking tall to remain standing.

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“So, this guy is talking to me the whole time at the bus stop, and I have no idea,” Zoe said, laughter crinkling the corner of her eyes. Her rich mahogany bob, styled in edgy waves, was tucked behind her ear on one side. She wasn’t wearing her hearing aids. Signing was more useful, something they’d learned together when Zoe had gotten her diagnosis. Sometimes Zoe signed, sometimes she spoke. Cerys always signed because Zoe found it most useful. Speaking and simultaneously signing could get clunky. Signing rarely translated directly into the spoken word, the sentences more concise in sign.

Cerys signed her answer to her best friend. “Tell me he was cute, at least.”

“Unfortunately, not. Anyway, how’s it working out with your dad?”

“Difficult,” she signed. “I can’t decide if he doesn’t really want me around or just can’t be bothered to take the time to get to know me. Either way, his indifference hurts.”

“Did you speak to him about the studio?” Zoe asked.

“I haven’t.” Cerys continued, “I didn’t want him to think I wanted money. I figured I’d get to know him a bit better first, but he isn’t making it easy. I just need a great reference so I can get a great job and in twelve months reapply.”

Zoe’s eyes went wide. She switched to signing, three fingers to either side of her mouth. “Wow. Who the fuck is that?”

She didn’t need to look to know, but she did anyway because she wanted to check he was okay after leaving the studio. He was pulling a T-shirt on over his head, the abs he’d shown her previously on full display. She turned back to the screen and grinned at Zoe.

“J-a-s-e P-a-l-m-e-r.” Maybe one day he’d earn a sign name from Zoe, like Cerys had from their Deaf BSL tutor, but until then, she signed out the letters.

“Should I ask what he’s doing with his shirt off?” Zoe signed.

“Not what you are imagining. At least, not yet.”

“Want me to start the fire?” Jase asked.

“Sure. Come meet my bestie, Zoe. You need to sign hello. A half circle wave with one hand. Kinda like a rainbow with your palm out.”

Jase dropped down onto the sofa next to her and slid his arm around her shoulder. “Hello, Zoe,” he said, signing as instructed.

“Hey, Jase,” Zoe replied. Cerys took in the look of confusion on Jase’s face.

“Zoe’s hearing loss is recent. She can speak, she just can’t hear.” She signed something similar to Zoe.

Zoe rolled her eyes and signed. “Why do people always assume Deaf people can’t speak clearly?”

“Nice to meet you,” Jase said.

Cerys signed for him.

“Nice to meet you too,” Zoe replied.

Cerys watched as he stood and began to clean out the fireplace. A loud whistle brought her attention back to the phone.

“Did you seriously just watch his arse as he walked away and forget we were on the phone?” Zoe grinned, her hands moving swiftly through the air as she switched to signing with Cerys.

Cerys laughed. “Yeah. I just did that. Not going to lie. It’s a really fine arse.”

“Is he from Detroit?”

She shook her head.“No. From Manchester, if you can believe it. He’s recording out here. Long story as to why we are now snowbound in Dad’s cottage on the lake.”

Zoe slapped a hand to her forehead. “You’re a walking Hallmark Christmas movie.”

She shrugged her shoulders as Jase loaded crumpled paper and kindling into the grate, feeling a little guilty that he had no idea what they were signing. “It might be a little more R-rated than that. Or it might become more tragic. He has baggage. Lots of it.”

Zoe tapped the sides of her two forefingers together. “Same.”

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