Guarded Heart (The GH Series)

Chapter Forty-Three

We had such an amazing time down the beach, having fun, spending time together like any other group of friends. I tried to keep it so that it was more of a friends-based trip to the beach rather than being loved up with Ashley.

Loved up. I never thought I would see the day again when I would use that term. Loved up. In love. Over the heels in love. I am more than self-aware that I have it bad for Ashley and sneaking her glances when she was messing around with Fiona on the beach, didn't go unnoticed. She winked back at me and continued to torment Fiona.

We made our way back home, in fits of giggles and as we entered the front door, Fiona stopped dead in her tracks. "I haven't been on a beach for years." I never once stopped to think the impact it would have on Fiona since she was pretty much a recluse when I moved in with her. "It was amazing. So, thank you all for a blast today."

My heart swelled with pride with how far Fiona has come. "I'm glad that you had fun Fiona, I think we are too used to having it on our back doorstep so to speak. I never once thought how you would feel having the sand between your toes."

"It was amazing Callie. It was almost freeing. Are you going to miss it Callie? Sarah said that you often disappeared there, especially when you needed to think."

"I will miss it, yeah. But now that I have a great woman in my life, I don't anticipate having the need to take as much time out to reflect on my thoughts."

"Awe you softie!" Ashley smiled at me and I poked out my tongue.

"Now don't be telling the world I've gone soft!!"

At lunch, we talked about our impending move to Glasgow and how different things will be, but I also expressed that I am so glad that I will still have my best friend close by.

"I don't know about you lot, but after having so much fun on the beach, I feel as though I could use a recharge and take an afternoon nap before dinner and our impending night out." Fiona threw her suggestion out to us all. We were all very quick to agree and with our alarms set for five, we all went to our rooms and promptly crashed out.

***

Later in the evening we were sitting in the local pub and Ashley was looking around. "So, this is your local then?" It's not something that she is used to. Noticeably quiet, antiquated and a dire need to be brought into the twenty-first century.

"I was expecting something a little more like Darcey's if I am honest." Piped up Fiona, making me chuckle.

"Darcey's is a gay bar sweetie, this is just your everyday local pub."

"Oh, my goddddddd!! It has a jukebox!!" Why did I sit here?  We could have sat anywhere else but no, we had to do it so Ashley would spot the jukebox, making me groan out loud.

Ashley and Fiona jumped out of their seats to go and check out the jukebox, leaving us to get the drinks in. "We will get the drinks in then shall we?"

"Yes, please babe!!" I rolled my eyes and went to the bar with Sarah and got a round of drinks in.

"Honestly, they are like two schoolgirls chasing their crush the way they are moping over that jukebox."

"It is cute though." I noticed Sarah biting her lip as she checked Fiona out.

We took the drinks back to the table and they both came bounding over full of giggles. I knew instantly that they had fired money into the damn thing. "We've picked a few songs." Fiona's enthusiasm and happiness was infectious and lovely to see.

"Yippee..."

"Jeez, sarcasm much babe!?" I laughed and apologised, and I personally couldn't wait to see where this night will take us all.

We chatted endlessly and actually enjoyed the music that the girls had selected. I had gone up to the jukebox myself and selected a few songs for us all.

The drinks were flowing, we were all getting rather...merry shall we say, and I dragged everyone up to the dancefloor for one of the songs that I had chosen.

Ben Haenow's Something I need started booming around the pub and I grabbed Ashley and danced with her.

I thought the song couldn't be more apt than what is going on in my life right now. I love how he sings about waking up and looking at his love and how we only get one life and spent his time staring at his love so he wouldn't lose his mind. It was everything that I had lived through, everything that happened recently.

Unbeknown to Ashley, I woke up not long after she fell asleep last night and I lay there, watching her sleep, feeling all the love in the world engulf me and right there, in the stillness of the night, I knew she was more than enough for me.

The song continues about him going over the edge after a week from hell, but how the love and support he received from his love, helped him get through it.

Of course, when it came to the chorus, I slung my arm around Sarah and we belted out the lyrics at the top of our lungs, aptly looking at Ashley when I sang 'I wanna live with you.'

We all danced merrily to other parts of the song, swinging each other around the dancefloor, but I knew I had to get Ashley in my arms for the last part that means something to me.

Singing in her ear about how damn glad I am that we made it to where we are now and as the song ended, I placed a loving and deep kiss on her lips.

"You blow me away every single time. Who thought loving you would be so easy?" Ashley touched my face softly.

"Wait...you love me?" I acted shocked and Ashley laughed.

"Babe, honestly!! You are such a tease." Pulling her close, I whispered into her ear.

"Yes, and you are more than aware of that..." I heard Ashley let out a small growl, making me smile. "But for what it is worth..." I move my thumb over the lip whilst licking my own. "I love you more..."

I placed my lips on hers and our bodies melted into each other and I eventually smiled against her mouth. "I so need to fuck you babe..." Her hoarse whisper came out of her mouth.

"Later...I will try what you said yesterday." Ashley arched her eyebrow to question me. "How can I deny you?"

"You may get a sore head."

"But if I do, I'm sure it will be worth it." We vacated the dancefloor and went back to the table.

The drinks were going down a little too easy, but I remained the same as I always have done of late, drinking water in between.

"I pure love you gals..." Fiona was clearly away with the alcohol fairy.

"We love you too Fi."

"I mean it...ah pure love you."

Sarah and I looked at each other and that is the most Glaswegian we have ever heard Fiona speak. "You Glaswegians are mental on the booze."

"Well, we know how to party." Then a loud hic circulated the pub and I smiled.

"Awe, you have the hiccups babe."

Ashley was trying to focus; I knew she was away with the alcohol fairy aswell now and she clutched her head. "Shh, not so loud."

Sarah and I were buckled with laughter at the state of Ashley and Fiona. "Maybe it's time we got these two ladies' home...I'm wanting to screw mine something rotten."

"CALLIE!!"

"What?" I smirked at Ashley.

"You seriously have no filter at times."

"So what? I'm preparing them so when they get home, they can put cotton wool in their ears..."

I watched Ashley flush with embarrassment again and she apologised to Sarah and Fiona. However, they were too busy being in fits of laughter.

We grabbed out jackets and bags and fell out the bar laughing and genuinely feeling a great buzz amongst us all. "Callie?"

I froze on the spot. I recognised that voice. Before turning around, I muttered something to myself, I do not have the energy to deal with him tonight.