Siren Call

Unexpected Consequence

The next morning, I was up early. I hadn't slept well after the dawning realisation of my true feelings for Kat. It had been racing around my head all night long. I was relieved when she had said that she couldn't stay long, as she needed to leave and get back to work, I was even more relieved that I hadn't been stupid enough to say those three words to her. It had come out of the blue. I needed some time to get my head around it myself first, I couldn't handle having that discussion with her until it was a bit clearer in my own mind, if at all. Running my fingers through my hair for the umpteenth time, I got up from the sofa, where I'd spent the hours mulling things over, and wandered into the kitchen.

I was just putting bread in the toaster as Roxy came through the front door and into the kitchen, I whirled around and held out a mug of steaming coffee, made just how she liked it.

"You, are an angel." She said, taking it from my hand and moving to sit with it at the table.

"Well, we both know that isn't true." I laughed, leaning against the counter and sipping at my own coffee.

As she sat down, she turned and took a proper look at me.

"You look worse than I feel." She said, cradling the mug between her hands.

"Gee, thanks. I love you too." I said sarcastically.

Great, there's those words again.

They made my stomach churn as I realised just how much of a difference there was in the meaning of them between Roxy and Kat. I was able to mentally pick out the exact reasons for why I loved each of them, and how my love for Kat, was something far different than the familial type of love I had for Rox.

"Seriously Ev, has something happened between you and Kat?" She asked determinedly.

The ping of the toaster sounded behind me as four slices of perfectly browned toast jolted to the surface. I pulled them out and put two slices on two separate plates, quickly buttered them all, then sat at the table, reaching for the marmite, whilst Roxy grabbed the strawberry jam.

"Nothing's happened." I said, spreading the marmite onto one piece of the buttery toast.

"Bullshit Ev, spill." She bit back, spreading jam onto one of hers, then sliding the jar over to me, as I skidding the marmite towards her.

I paused as I dunked the knife into the jam, staring into the red jelly but not seeing it as I gave her the answer she was waiting for.

"I love her." I said quietly.

I heard the clang of a knife hitting a plate, and closed my eyes, waiting to hear some kind of response. Bracing myself for it to be a bad one. But she caught me by surprise as I felt her hand against my cheek and she guided my gaze up to her face, which was lit up by a happy smile.

"I'm so happy for you Evan." She said slowly and clearly, as though she needed to be sure that I heard her. " Did you tell Kat?"

I winced as though she'd just yelled at me, and saw the confusion cross her face.

"Why not?" She asked, lifting a piece of toast to her mouth and ignoring it as it was left suspended in mid air.

"Because it came out of nowhere." I replied incredulously.

To my surprise, Roxy burst out laughing, her toast now falling back to the plate with a slight clatter. I rolled my eyes, confused as to what she found so funny, and waiting for her laughter to subside enough to ask. Before I could though she cleared her throat, choking back the laughter and gasping.