Page 54 of Fake Rocks
The declaration made me sag against the wall and if it hadn’t had been there, I might have fallen to the floor.
Saff’s lips found mine and we came together, tongues entwining, hands everywhere. The rest of the world failed to exist as we kissed, fiercely, passionately, intensely.
Eventually, we broke apart, staring at each other, breathing heavily. Saff took a step backwards and shivered a little in her tiny shorts and t-shirt.
“I’ll warm you up, darlin’.”
It was the lads from earlier, clearly even more drunk than before.
“No need, boys, I’ve got someone to do that for me.” Saff stepped closer to me, wrapping her arms around her body.
“Him? You need a real man, sweetheart.” One of them reached out and ran his hand along the exposed skin of Saff’s waist.
“Don’t touch me!” she hissed.
“Come on, all the writhing and touching yourself up on stage, you need something to get you off.” His hand slid around to her arse, cupping her buttock and giving it a good squeeze.
“She asked you not to touch her.” I tried to keep my temper in check as I pushed him away, but it was hard.
The guy completely ignored my request and continued to manhandle Saff, who was trying to wriggle out of his grasp.
Unable to contain myself, I flew towards him, dragged him back and prepared to launch a punch in his face.
“I’d be careful if I were you, Tris. That’s what got you into trouble the last time.” A voice I hadn’t heard in a long while floated across the air. “You don’t want to end up back in prison, do you?”
Immediately, I went limp, releasing my grip on the man who scurried away with his friend. My hands dropped by my sides as I wondered how he knew where to find me.
I turned in the direction of the voice and confirmed my thoughts.
“Dad.” My own words came out laced with contempt. “What in hell’s name are you doing here?”
29
Saff
Dad?
I spun around to face the person claiming to be Tris’ father. His features were similar, if more weathered. But Tris had never mentioned him. The only family he’d ever spoken about was his uncle and aunt and how he’d lost his mum. I also didn’t understand why he was talking to Tris about being in prison.
Jonas appeared beside me, putting my coat around my shoulders. “Shall we go inside?”
The four of us traipsed back into The Windmill, which was by now thankfully almost empty. Darren, Barney and Tommo were packing their equipment away, ready to head off as soon as they’d finished.
I could still feel the imprint of the man’s hands on my skin and desperately needed a drink to calm myself. The barman granted my request for a large whiskey and I took several quick sips to help dull the senses.
Tris and his dad stood a little way away from us, seemingly engaged in a highly animated conversation. Tris poked a finger into his father’s chest and I strained to hear what they were saying.
“Who is that?” I asked Jonas.
“I heard the same as you did. It appears to be Tris’ father and from their discussion, I’m thinking they aren’t exactly getting on well.”
We watched as they continued to talk, getting increasingly more agitated with each other. Tris’ dad turned and looked straight at me, pausing for a second before walking towards us.
“So this is Saffron, your girlfriend. Why don’t you introduce us, Tris?”
His gazed raked down my body and instinctively I pulled my coat closer around me, his penetrative stare almost as violating as the other guy who touched me up.
No-one ever called me Saffron. No matter who they were.
