Page 45 of Silver Tears

Rolling my eyes, I move down to his end. He lies on his side and pats the tiny space in front of him, winking at me. “Hop on in, precious.”

Narrowing my eyes at him, because I know he’s loving every moment of my awkwardness, I lie down beside him. He places his arm over my waist and pulls the blanket back over us. I try not to move in case my leg brushes against his leg…or any other body parts. “Will you relax, Mills. You’re as stiff as a board.”

Relax! Humph!

How am I supposed to relax when a guy who is one of the most popular and gorgeous boys in the Bay is lying right behind me in nothing but his boxers? He chuckles behind me when I continue to stay rigid. This is going to be a long and sleepless night!

SEB

Ifrown when I’m unable to move. Opening one eye, I grin when I discover the reason. Somehow during the night, I’ve ended up lying flat on my back with Mills draped on top of me. My hand is under her top, holding her waist and our legs are tangled up together, with her head resting against my chest.

“Who the fuck are you?”

My eyes shoot up to find Milly’s mum standing there in nothing but a T-shirt that stops mid-thigh. Her hair is stuck up and messy, and black mascara is smeared under her eyes.

I tap Milly’s arm to wake her, and she mumbles and cuddles into me. “Mills, wake up.”

She opens one eye, and for a second she pauses, disorientated. I see the moment she realises she is lying on my chest when her eyes widen. She rushes to move off me, but our legs are still tangled, and she ends up falling backwards and rolling off the sofa. She lands with a thud onto her cute butt. Her mum clears her throat from behind her and Mills freezes and looks at me. I nod my head and smirk.

She whizzes round and jumps to her feet. “Mum! You’re awake. I didn’t expect you to surface until at least dinner.”

“I need a coffee. Who’s the handsome hottie?”

Mills blushes and scratches at her head. “Mum! You can’t call him a hottie. You’re old enough to be his mother!”

Her mum chuckles and winks at me. “I say it like I see it. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes.”

Milly groans and covers her face with her hands, and I can’t help but laugh along with Andrea.

“I’m Seb Collings. Milly’s boyfriend. It’s nice to meet you.” I’m conscious I’m dressed in only my boxers, so I don’t stand up and offer her my hand.

Andrea arches a brow, tilting her head. “Boyfriend, huh? You kept quiet about this one.”

I can feel Milly’s stare burning a hole in the side of my head. “I hope you don’t mind me stopping here last night. It was late and Milly didn’t want to leave you both.”

Her mum bats my comment away. “Ah, it’s fine. Just don’t knock my daughter up and we won’t have any problems. This young girl is going places. She’s a brainy little thing.”

“Mum!” Milly groans, rolling her eyes dramatically. “You can’t say stuff like that!”

Andrea gives her a pointed look. I don’t miss the way she is shaking. That will be the alcohol addiction. “I can say that. I’m your mother. Do we have milk in? I need a coffee.” She turns her back on us and heads into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry about her,” Milly murmurs, still red in the face. Without thinking, as if on instinct, I walk over to her and kiss her on the top of her head.

“Don’t stress about it, Mills. It’s fine. I like your mum.”

She groans. “Of course you do, because you enjoy watching her embarrass me!” I hold out my hands in mock defence and she playfully nudges my side.

“We’re out of milk,” Andrea shouts from the kitchen.

“She can’t start the day without her trusty white coffee with two sugars,” Mills grumbles.

“I’ll go grab some,” I offer, pulling on my jeans and trainers.

“You don’t mind?” Mills asks hesitantly. “I promised Charlie bacon, eggs, and hash browns as well. Any chance you could pick some up?”

“Not a problem.” I throw my T-shirt on and grab my jacket. “Anything else you need? Painkillers? I think she’s going to need them today.”

I leave the house and drive the quick journey to the high street. I head to the mini-supermarket and pick up milk, bread, and orange juice. Deciding I’ll save Mills the need to cook, I head over to Gina’s.

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