The Sweetest Feeling

Chapter Seven

The weeks just seem to fly by. It's been a month since that night. I haven't stopped or had a minute to myself, if I'm not out clubbing with Otis then I'm with Evie, Ali and Nathan who is just awesome, we get on like a house on fire as my Nan would say. He makes me laugh like nobody else can and knows how to cheer me up if I'm having a bad day, we have lunch together as often as we can and he has started tagging along to our Friday night get together. Tonight is my first gig in about six weeks, everyone is coming. The girls, Nathan, my boss Jeff and his girlfriend Kelly plus a few other people from work, I'm nervous, which is strange as I usually don't get nervous, I think it's because none of my work friends have heard me sing properly and I really want to impress Nathan. Otis isn't coming, we don't spend Fridays together, normally I go to his once or twice in the week and then we're out drinking every Saturday. It can be a dangerous thing having a boyfriend who gives you cocaine on tap but I'm sensible and only have a few lines at the weekend to give me an extra buzz, I am totally in control of the situation. I'm actually glad he isn't coming tonight though, I will have more fun. That sounds terrible; it's just that Evie doesn't like him so I couldn't relax if they were together.

Tonight I'm singing in a pub in Camden so I get changed in the locker room. I come out and Nathan is waiting for me. "The others have started walking up. I said I'd wait for you" he says. He is just so thoughtful, I'm so lucky to have him as a friend. "Thanks for waiting". I notice he is checking me out; it gives me butterflies in my tummy. I can't help it, he is just adorable. "Let me hold something for you" he says taking my guitar. I pick my rucksack up and let him lead the way. "I like your rucksack, it looks super old" he points out. "Yeah it belonged to my Granddad; he was in the army he died long before I was born. My Nan married him when she was 14; that was the normal thing to do back then. Her family disowned her because my Granddad wasn't Catholic she had two children with him and then had to raise them alone when he died. She told me stories about him and he sounds like an amazing man" I say. "Wow that must have been hard sounds like she really loved your granddad". I smile at the thought of the love my grandparents had for each other. "They both loved each other enough to run off and get married, they didn't care what other people thought, and it was just the two of them against the world. That's what I want. When I'm older, I want someone to run away with".

Everyone is getting on so well. Ali, Evie and Kelly are discussing holiday destinations, Jeff and the boys from work Paul and Steve are talking about the snooker and I can see Nathan talking to Jessie another girl we work with. She is one of those girls who want to be part of the perfect teeth and tits parade.
She seems nice but a little dim, always has a tan like she lives in the Costa Del Sol not the Costa Del Cally as its know; perfect figure, but everything else is fake. Fake hair, fake lashes and nails but the guys seem to drool over her. I know I sound jealous but you couldn't pay me to look like that, I just say what I see. She is so close to Nathan she may as well be sitting on his lap, I feel a knot in my stomach and this time it's jealousy for sure.
The landlord introduces me and I hear my friends begin to shout and whistle. "Thank you for that warm welcome, I'll be sure to pay that table at the back later" I say to a ripple of laughter. I start to sing the opening bars of 'Your love is lifting me higher' by Jackie Wilson. It's an acoustic cover that I start off slow and smooth then build up. Quite a few songs later, with the final strum of my guitar the crowd goes mental; I look over to my friends and see Nathan. He looks shocked, his jaw is hanging open. I give him a quick smile and pack up my things. I get stopped a lot on my way through the crowd, which I don't mind at all. I like to interact with the audience and get any feedback, good or bad. When I finally reach our table, Paul and Steve get down and pretend to worship me, making me cry with laughter. Evie hands me a drink and everyone starts paying me compliments, I have to admit it is nice. Jeff and Kelly say their goodbyes and the rest head to the bar to do shots, leaving me alone with Nathan. He has been quiet since I came off stage; I plonk down next to him. "Well, what did you think?" I ask. He turns to face me, he looks so serious. 'Why are you working in a bookshop? You should be on the stage or something. "Your voice is incredible" he says. "Thank you. I don't plan on being at 'The Bookcase' forever, just until something comes along". He is still looking at me, I can feel that electricity building again, the heat between us is unreal and I know he feels it too. At that moment Evie and Jessie interrupt. "Are you two coming out, we are going to 'Electric Ballroom' if you fancy it" she says. "No I'm going home" I tell her. Jessie sits the other side of Nathan, her leg rubbing against his. "What about you?" She asks in a sexy voice. "Maybe next time, I want to make sure Emily gets home ok". She looks pissed off; if looks could kill I would be in trouble. She obviously likes him. They all head off up the road, leaving Nathan and I standing outside. "Thanks for coming tonight" I say. "I had a great time. How are you planning on getting home?" He asks. "I'm going to walk. I like walking". He looks at me like I am mad shaking his head he takes my guitar and walks off, in the opposite direction. "What are you doing?" I ask catching up to him. "I can't let you walk home alone, it's 11 o'clock at night and you're tired. I live about ten minutes away, you can stay at mine". This is a bad idea. He can feel my concern- or read my mind. He walks towards me backing me up against a wall and leaning into me. "Don't worry I won't touch you" he pauses and leans in closer, I can feel my heart beating in my ears, I'm aware of every part of my body. "Unless you want me to". He grins and winks at me then carries on walking, leaving me slightly breathless.

Ten minutes later he is unlocking his front door and ushering me inside. He leads me into the living room but I stop dead in my tracks. Sitting on the couch is a short, pretty woman, his Mum. She is not alone, on the floor in front of her is a tall, slim man doing press ups. He looks up and I see that same gorgeous smile, this must be his Dad. Nathan pushes me further into the room and puts my guitar in the corner. "Mum, Dad this is my friend Emily. Emily this is my mum Carol and my dad Frank" he says. "Hello Emily, it's lovely to meet you" his mum says stepping forward and hugging me, I stand dead still- I'm not keen on hugs. "Nice to meet you" his dad says holding out his hand for me to shake. "I'm really sorry for the intrusion it's great to meet you both though". Nathan gently takes my arm and leads me back into the hallway. He opens his bedroom door and gestures for me to go in. He closes the door and I spin round. "Why didn't you warn me I was about to meet your parents? That was so embarrassing" I say. "Why?" He laughs. "Well they probably think we are having sex right now" I say. "So who cares what they think". I don't have the energy to argue with him. "Look you're tired, let me get you something to sleep in" Hold on what did he say? He sees my expression. "Well as beautiful as you look right now, you can't sleep in that". He is right, I'm wearing a black T-shirt dress that hangs off my right shoulder with the red lips from 'Rocky horror picture show' across the chest, black Dr Martins and my hair is in a high ponytail with my fringe in a quiff. I have black feather earrings and winged eyeliner, which is the only make-up I wear. I don't have the patience to sit in front of the mirror applying make-up. I'd much rather spend that time choosing the perfect outfit. He shows me to the bathroom so I can change. Inside I take out my hair and brush it, remove my eyeliner with some wipes I have in my bag and change into the T-shirt he gave me.

I look in the full length mirror, my long wavy hair running down my back, I still have a slight tan, I'm wearing his T-shirt and you can see my knickers- they are black lace ones- that's right I look way too sexy. I hope he doesn't notice. When I walk back into his room he looks up, his eyes nearly pop out of his head, then he flashes me that killer smile. "Where am I sleeping?" I ask. He points to the bed. I know this is wrong on so many levels but I'm beyond caring. This doesn't mean anything I keep telling myself. Nothing is going to happen I'm just staying with a friend. Still I won't mention this to anyone. I quickly text my Nan so she doesn't worry.

I climb into bed and watch Nathan take his clothes off. I can't help but appreciate his body. He takes off his socks and gets in next to me. "Are you going to put any pyjamas on?" "You're lucky I'm wearing boxers Emily, I normally sleep naked" he says making me giggle. "I love to hear you laugh" he says. Turning on our sides we face each other, he gently takes hold of my hand, weaving his fingers through mine. He doesn't let go and I don't want him to. "Hold me" I whisper. "Are you sure?" He asks. "No funny business, just hold me" I say turning so my back is to him. He moves closer and wraps his arms around me, I feel a bit stiff and awkward at first but I soon relax into him, we fit together perfectly. I don't know why this feels so good, I normally can't stand anything like this but I could lay like this forever with him. He soothes me. Sure enough I soon feel his erection poking me in the back. "Nathan" I laugh. "Emily, I can't help it, I have an extremely sexy girl in my bed, who is wearing just my T-shirt and Lacey knickers, plus she has her amazing arse rubbing against me" he says.
He makes me feel incredible and safe. I don't think I have ever felt safe. I fall asleep happy and smiling.