Melting Ice

Chapter 24

Clove

We get back to the beach house early afternoon, just in time for when Kayla, Brianna and Xander get back.

"Did it work?", I hear Xander whisper into Kayla's ear as they walk upstairs and out of earshot.

"How are you guys?", asks Carla noticing Cato and I holding hands.

"Never been better, thank you Carla", I say letting go of his hand to hug her.

"Anything for my best friend. What are you guys doing tomorrow afternoon to evening?", she asks.

"Nothing at the moment", Cato says holding my hand gently once again.

"My parent are having a barbecue, would all of you like to come?", she asks

"Totally!", I say, "Thank you, once again for everything", I hug her again before she sets off home, hands in pockets.

"I'm gonna start on dinner", Cato says kissing me.

"I can help", I say following him out.

By help, I mean sitting on the table whilst Cato cooks fish and chips, sometimes coming over to kiss me or to tell me to stop throwing spoons at him.

"You love me really though", I say closing my eyes and pouting for him to kiss me.

"Kiss the fish", he jokes getting back to work, "I will kiss you later". Just to annoy him even more, I jump on the table and wrap my arms around his waist whilst singing, "I love you, yes I do. Bla bla bla bla spoon".

"Wow, I have a unique girlfriend", he laughs turning to pick me up and kiss my softy on my nose.

"Awh, I love your nose kisses", I giggle holding his head.

"Do I get one?", he asks bringing his face closer for me to kiss, which I do, "Mine are better".

"Sure", I says kissing my nose softly again.

"Stop", Cato laughs swatting my hands away, "That tickles!". Eventually I stop, only to jump on his back as he cooks away.

"I really love you Clove", says Cato feeling for my hand, "I was only joking about the whole nose kissing thing".

"I know, silly", I say quietly.

Dinner was delicious to eat, and to smell.

"Thank you Kayla, Xander and Brianna for all you've done. You are all truly amazing", I say holding Cato's hand softy under the table.

"Without you, our lives would be miserable", adds Cato squeezing slightly.

"It's okay", says Kayla, "We hated seeing you mad at each other", she looks at Xander beside her and smiles.

"I know that we may not be blood related but you are the closet people I have had to a family", adds Xander smiling.

"Carla's mummy is funny", giggles Brianna, "And the daddy is silly".

"Sounds like the same people I used to know then", I agree.

"Why did Carla move?", asks Kayla eating fish.

"Well, when her brother, Taylor, lost the games", I begin, knowing what they mean by "the games","Her parents didn't want any reminders of him. So they left, we were only 6 at the time though".

"Stupid games", mutters Kayla, "Stupid fucking games".

"Kayla...", I warn watching her eyes turn dark.

"Kayla, Kayla. Look at me", says Xander touching one of her cheeks, "Who am I?".

"Your a mutt", she hisses, "A monster".