Page 46 of Wishes for August

“Last one in pays for mum and dad’s next cruise!”

I looked down at Caleb and he reached out a hand to me.

“Oh, sorry baby, I can’t afford a cruise,” I joked before I sprinted after her, leaving my boyfriend on the cold ground, his mum and dad chuckling at his expense.

Swimming in winter was every bit as painful as I had expected. My limbs tingled and my skin burned as I hit the water - I don’tthink I had ever been so cold before. But I could not hide the fact that I was loving every second we spent with Caleb’s family.

After we’d all had a very short dip in the water - long enough to say we actually swam and had not just felt the water - we dried up and dressed in warm clothing. Then, covering ourselves in fleece blankets that Ronan had unpacked from the car, we sat on the wall that ran along the beach and drank hot chocolate.

“Your sister is a lot of fun. She’s so much like you,” I said to Caleb, and we both turned to watch Ashley refill her mug from the thermos.

“She is, when she’s not pushing me to the ground and making me lose competitions I never signed up for,” Caleb said, but there was no anger in his voice.

“Things between you two are so easy. I’d like that with my brother. Maybe there’s a chance he and I could be friends one day,” I said.

"I want that for you Aug."

I turned to face Caleb – his smile was wide and his eyes bright. I took his chin between my hands, bringing his lips to mine. He tasted like salt and chocolate and happiness. I kissed him again just because I could.

Chapter 25

Caleb

The train was quiet as we made our way to the town southwest of London where August’s half - brother Declan lived. It was the middle of January and the weather was grey and miserable, a fine mist coated the ground and dark threatening clouds filled the sky.

Next to me, August sat staring out the window, his hands gripping the signed football in his lap. It was his brother’s birthday and we’d been invited to have dinner at their house. August had wanted to get him something special so I’d pulled up a few of my contacts to get the football signed by three current members of the national football team. August held the black and white ball like it was trying to escape, his grip tight and unflinching. I bumped my shoulder into his and he turned towards me.

“Excited or nervous?” I asked, looking down at his hands.

He released the ball slightly before answering, “Both, but more nervous.” I reached over and took one of his hands between mine and placed it on my lap.

“He’s going to love you August, I just know it.” I saw the uncertainty in his eyes, but he nodded anyway.

Over the Christmas break, August had confided in me that watching Ash and I together had made him think he wanted to get to know his own sibling. It had taken him a few more days before he decided, on New Years eve, to call his father and arrange to meet Declan. It just so happened that Declan’s birthday was a few weeks later and his mother had offered to host a small meal at their place.

August sighed and when he spoke, his voice was quiet, “I hope you’re right.”

He turned back to look out of the window but only dropped my hand when his phone beeped in his pocket. August pulled it out and read the message that had come through, a smile blooming on his face. He let out a small chuckle, then dipped his head as if to try and hide it.

“What’s so funny?” I asked. “Share with the class.” I leaned over and groaned when I saw what he was looking at. “How often does she do this?”

He chuckled again and my heart fluttered at the sound. “Your mum and I talk and she sends me things she finds funny. She especially loves cat memes, but this is the first photo of you she’s sent.”

I looked at the photo again - I was probably eighteen at the time and was dressed in trousers, with suspenders, a pink shirt, trainers and a backwards cap. I remembered that photo; I remembered thinking it was the coolest outfit ever. Below, the caption read: “He’s always had impeccable taste in fashion” and then five laughing emojis.

“I can’t believe she sent you that.” I shook my head, bemused at my mother’s antics though I secretly thought to thank her. During our visit, August had told my mum about his childhood and she’d hugged him so tightly that I’d braced for a rib to crack. She’d had tears in her eyes when she’d placed a kiss on his cheek. Mum didn’t say anything more but I knew right then she had taken him in as one of her own. And apparently, I wasn’t wrong if these messages were anything to go by.

“I think I’ll save this as my screensaver and then I’m going to reply back and ask for a baby photo. I want to see how cute you were.” I rolled my eyes and pulled him into me, kissing the top of his head.

“I should have bought a bigger gift,” August muttered as we stepped up to the front door of his father’s end of terrace house. I raised my hand to knock at the same time I assured him once again that his gift was perfect.

A bark and then the sounds of footfall on hardwood floors sounded before the door was flung open with the force only an excited child could possess. A young boy, bearing a striking resemblance to the man next to me, smiled up at us. His eyes were the same shade of brown as August’s but where August had wavy hair, Declan’s was straight, flopping into his eyes.

“You’re here!” he shouted, flicking the hair from his eyes and then spinning around to shout back into the house, “Mum! They’re here.” He turned back, his eyes flicking between us, and I gently nudged August who had been quiet and frozen to the spot since the door had opened.

I watched as he swallowed and gave himself a gentle shake before he stepped forward and offered out the ball.

“Happy Birthday Declan,” he started, “Da..um Patrick told me you like football, so I hope you like this.” Declan reached out and took the ball, twirling it around in his hand.

---