Sparks and Hearts

Alcohol, Conflict and Adrenaline

The stunned silence broke when Barricade cleared his throat ''Good evening.'' His tone sent shivers down my spine; as I turned, his eyes immediately met mine '' You came,'' as a beaming smile spread across my lips, and I jumped up into him, embracing his fake human holoform as tightly as I could. ''Thank you.''

''Of course'' He smiled against my cheek.

I turned to my aunt with a glare '' May I introduce my boyfriend, Cade.''

I could see Ruth assessing him silently as he did the same with her but held out a hand in a confident and polite smile. ''Pleasure.''

''Hello.'' She shook back, smiling a little. ''Well, I suppose she could do worse.'' Eyeing him up and down one more time before leaving.

Quite the contrast of welcoming mum suddenly pulled him into her taking him by surprise slightly ''thank you so much for saving my girl over and over.'' kissing his cheek. ''Welcome to the family.'' She smiled, seemingly more smitten with him than me.

Barricade quickly recovered from the unexpected contact ''You're welcome.''

She clapped her hands excitedly, and everything was coming together as she wanted; even her special guest had shown up, ''anyway, that's enough introductions, Bea; get Cade a drink and let's get to the tables for some dinner, hmm? Places everybody!'' She announced.

I grabbed his hand, leading him into the house, '' Back in a minute, I'll put your stuff in the boot.''

Removing my jacket and went into the kitchen, now fully stocked with the previously hidden alcohol. While Barricade wasn't drinking, it didn't mean I couldn't have another.

As I got to make myself another, he watched intently, I made eye contact, and he ran up and down my figure before coming back with a glazed gaze and smile, sending shivers down my spine. Then, he began to lean in and me to him.

"Ah, yet more tattoos." We paused, looking to my aunt, who spoiled the moment.

"Yes, what of it?" I exclaimed.

"You are your father's daughter; what did I expect.''

"Auntie, they enhance, and I'm much happier with them. So I'm not having this fight again. Of course, you're entitled to an opinion, but I don't want to hear it."

''Surely you don't find them attractive?'' She looked to Barricade expectantly.

''Ruth!'' Mum's voice called to which she responded, walking away,'' be right back.''

''No rush 'Karen''' I seethed under my breath.

''I thought her name was Ruth?'' Barricade looked confused.

''We call her Karen the Kraken; it suits her down to the ground'' I laughed ''It is Ruth, but just look up the definition of a Karen online and observe; you'll soon get it,'' I swore I saw Barricade's holograms flicker for a split second, and I hoped it wasn't malfunctioning, please, not tonight.

However, once Aunt Ruth returned, grabbing another glass of wine, suddenly Barricade's jacket came off, revealing arms full of tattoos not previously there; my aunt's face suddenly flattened as she looked at him while he stared right back, then it occurred to me, he was challenging her. The stare-off felt like it lasted longer than it did. Still, even she dared not take him up on the silent offer, his air of authority was strong, and she knew not to push him settling to look at me smugly before turning away to a more suitable company.

''Thank you,'' I said, grateful he'd defend me like that; better still, he pulled him into him, wrapping his arm around my waist and giving me a firm but reassuring squeeze. ''Always, why does she feel the need to do that?"