Page 41 of The Vow We Made
10
Scotland Bound
We pull up outside Victoria’s house and my heart rate triples at the thought of seeing her.
Will shouts through the glass between us, “Alright mate? You look a bit peaky.” I try to stop my lips curling in amusement and catch his smirk in the rear-view mirror. The daft bastard is loving this.
“You promised not to fuck this up for me, Will. You better stick to it.” He knows full well, I’m nervous.
“Alright, don’t get your knickers in a twist.” His voice is all high pitched and piss taking. I hope this will be as far as it goes, at least until Victoria is safely at the airport. As much as I wanted to surprise her with a grand romantic gesture – one where I turn up unannounced, sweep her off to the airport as a complete surprise and win a place in her memory while she’s away, I had no way to find out the flight information. In the end, I took the simple option of calling and offering a lift. She made it clear she was happy to hear my voice, but I can’t be complacent when it comes to Victoria, she isn’t mine yet.
I swallow hard, opening the door of Will’s cab and taking deep breaths as I step onto the kerb. It’s 5am on a pitch-black, bleak Monday morning and the trees opposite her house are sparse and no barrier to the bitter wind now biting my face.
I bound up the steps, but the door flies open as soon as I reach the top.
“Good morning beautiful.” I have no filter for my mouth or my actions as I kiss her cheek.
Her beaming smile and shining honey eyes confirm she’s not at all put out by my familiarity. “How ya doing handsome?” A giggle escapes her lips. I can tell she’s happy to see me and her enthusiasm only increases my determination to make this 40 minute journey one she won’t forget. At least until she returns from Scotland and I can refresh her memory.
“You ready?” A stupid question to ask. She’s wrapped in a black quilted jacket, black and pink striped scarf with matching gloves and her case sits neatly by the door. It’s pretty clear she’s ready.
“As I’ll ever be,” she grins then shouts up the stairs, “Steph, I’m off.”
Grunting can be heard from above then a tall, slim figure appears, dressed in a pyjama top and little else. Her feet thud against the stairs, causing a vibration while an incoherent grumble leaks from her mouth.
The lady in question holds out her arms to Victoria. “Next time I ask you to wake me before you go, tell me to shut the fuc—” Sleepy eyes catch mine over Victoria’s shoulder while they embrace and she is clearly too impatient for an introduction. “It’s good to meet you formally, Aiden.” She pushes Victoria to the side and offers her hand. “I’m Steph, although technically we’ve already met.”
I rack my brains trying to place her. “Yes, hi there.” I don’t want to be rude, so I gloss over the fact I don’t remember her at all.
“Aiden’s taking me to the airport.” Victoria smiles to her friend who indiscreetly drops her in it.
“I knew that. You told me last night after he called, or should I say, after you’d stopped jumping on the sofa and squealing his name.” She places her hand on my arm. “You’ve made quite the impression you know.”
Victoria stares at her feet. “Oh my God, could you embarrass me any more?”
Steph giggles. “I can try, darling.”
Their girly banter and Steph’s deliberate slip-up, confirms what I’ve been hoping for. She’s interested and that makes me very fucking happy.
“What’s the hold-up Aidey-boy? We better get a—”
Steph’s bare legs have stolen Will’s focus. His eyes unashamedly drift their way up her body until he reaches her pretty face and flowing red hair. He does a double take initially, but then, very slowly, his mouth breaks into a mischievous grin. Half his concentration stays with Steph although his eyes temporarily divert to Victoria. “Alright treacle?” he nods.
“Hi Will, thanks so much for this.” Victoria squints as she looks between my brother and her best friend.
“No problem,” he replies then asks, “Who’s this then?” he asks in an all too cocky tone while nodding towards the fiery redhead.
Steph rolls her lips together and forms a sexy pout while offering her hand. “Lovely to meet you, I’m Stephanie.”
“Likewise,” he beams a full-on smile, followed by a wink meant only for her, but I catch it. I stop myself from laughing and resist the urge to ask what the fuck he’s playing at when he introduces himself.
“And I’m William.”
He’s always been Will. In fact, I can’t recall a time when he’severused William. My mum has certainly never used it and she’s had plenty of cause over the years. He glances my way briefly, knowing he’s going to pay for this little charade later. “What?” he asks.
“Nothing.” It’s probably best if I keep quiet. I’m fascinated by the game he’s playing with Steph, who, by the way, doesn’t appear the least bit embarrassed at meeting not one, but two strangers while standing in her PJ top and little else. Her interest is solely on Will and she might as well drool all over him by the way her tongue runs over her lips.
Will is no better and I bet he’s removing her PJs with his eyes in the few seconds they spend taking the other in. While we witness their strange mating ritual, I glance over to Victoria who covers her mouth with her hand. Now, I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m smelling a rat and wouldn’t be surprised if these two hadn’t met before. I have a feeling their charade is for our benefit, but now is not the time to question either of them. I’ve got to get Victoria to the airport and I’ve already wasted precious time watching my brother make a prat out of himself when I could have spent valuable time with her.
