Page 58 of Silver Tears

“I agree. I think it would be good if you went with her. I can trust that you’ll look out for her, can’t I, Mr Collings?” It’s more a statement than a question.

“You certainly can, sir. Milly’s happiness and safety are of utmost importance to me.”

I blink when my dad leans further into the car and offers his hand to Seb. “I’m glad we had this chat. You can bring him to the family dinner one Sunday.”

“Oh no, Seb has better things to be doing than that,” I protest hurriedly.

“I’d love to Mr Silver. It will be nice to get to know the people who are important to Mills. Just so you know, I may be an Ace, but me and my brothers, we’re different. We don’t believe in the old ways and traditions.”

The two males look at each other, and it’s as if a silent truce takes place. I watch on in complete shock. “I’m glad to hear that, son.” He pulls open my door and gestures for me to exit. “Curfew time for you. I’m sure you have studying to do. Those exams won’t pass themselves.”

I nod my head, unable to formulate any words. I’m still reeling from what has just taken place. My father and Seb shook hands. Even more shocking, my dad seems to have a begrudging respect for my fake boyfriend.

“I’ll pick you up in the morning,” Seb states as I clumsily exit the car. I nod my head, still unable to process what just happened.

Dad places an arm around me, and we watch as Seb reverses and drives off into the night.

“Maybe he’s not as bad as I thought. I still don’t like it. He’s corrupting my little girl.”

I roll my eyes and duck under his arm, walking towards the house. “Dad! He isn’t corrupting me. And I’m not seven anymore!”

My life is full of over-protective and over-bearing men and now I have another one to contend with in Seb Collings. God help me if he gangs up with my family and they all work together. I head straight for the stairs. I need to wash away the scent of Collings and sort my stupid head out. What was I thinking before? I snort to myself. I wasn’t thinking, and that’s the problem. When he’s around me, my rational brain leaves the building. It’s strange. Ryan never thought about my pleasure when we were together. It was all about him. Me getting him off. With Seb, it’s different. His focus is my pleasure. He’s never once asked me or made me feel pressured into pleasuring him. I’m so confused right now.

SEB

It’s finally Friday—the weekend is here at last. I head into the cafeteria and spot Mills in the queue for food. She’s still pissed at me for setting up that tab at the supermarket. She’s argued with me about it all week, but I’m having none of it. It’s done now, and it means she isn’t spending all her earnings on food. Now she can spend her money on herself, which is how it should be. I come up behind her, placing my hands on her hips and making her jump.

“Why are you queueing for food?” I ask in her ear, squeezing her hips gently. I inhale her scent. She always smells so damn delicious.

“Err, because I’m hungry.”

I glance across the busy dining hall and lift my fingers to my mouth and whistle. Hugo’s head shoots up and I beckon him over with my hand. The little guy rushes to his feet and scurries over as fast as he can.

“Hugo, queue for Milly’s food. She’ll have a jacket potato with cheese and coleslaw and a diet coke.”

Mills turns to face me, and I wrap my arms around her tiny waist. My girl has a body to die for, that’s for sure. I flinch, realising I referred to her as my girl. She isn’t mine, of course. Well, she’s mine for now. Tam seems to have backed off, but I still see her stealing longing glances at me.

“I can get my own food,” she insists, frowning up at me.

I lean down to kiss her forehead. “Nonsense. You’re dating an Ace and none of our girl’s queue for their own food. Hugo, I’ll have the tuna pasta salad and a Lucozade.” I let go of her waist and reach for her hand, wrapping it within mine and guide her towards our table. I don’t miss the stares as we pass. The gossip train still isn’t quite over us dating.

“It’s our date day on Saturday, so I hope you have something good planned,” I remind her as we weave through the tables, eventually reaching ours.

“When did I agree to this?” she asks, frowning. We didn’t, but she doesn’t need to know that. I’ve decided I’m going to monopolise her weekend again. I actually can’t remember how I filled my weekends before I had a fake girlfriend. It hasn’t been as boring or hard as I thought it would be.

“You have me Friday night. Isn’t that enough?”

I sit myself down, then pat the seat beside me. With a roll of her eyes, she sits down and says hi to Eliza. I throw my arm over her shoulder. “Well, now I’m stealing your Saturday as well, so you better plan something amazing if you want to top my date last weekend.”

“Do tell. What was the amazing date?” Eliza asks from across the table. Archer has been busy nuzzling into her neck and whispering something in her ear that I didn’t think she was listening.

“He took me to an activity farm. We fed the baby goats, held baby chicks. We had a tractor ride, and did all things farm related.”

Eliza nods her head, studying me like a puzzle. “Who knew you had it in you, huh?”

“Listen,” I say, holding up a hand, “just because I haven’t dated before doesn’t mean I don’t know how to wine and dine a girl. I know what Mills likes, and I knew the animals would be a hit.”

“Are you coming to the party tonight? If you want, Milly, you can come and get ready at mine with Vee and me?” Eliza suggests to her.

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