The Honeymoon Period (The Austin Series) (8 page)

‘Damn it,
Mia,’ he moaned. ‘That’s a question with far too many answers. They’re
all
hot.’

‘Even Gangsta
Granny?’ I giggled.

‘Well no,
not
her
,’ he laughed. ‘That’s just gross. Ok, if I
had
to narrow
it down to a top three, don’t ask me to go lower than a top three as that’s an
impossibility, third place would be Melinda May from Agents of Shield,
seriously
hot leather outfit, then Lara Croft, but top
has
to be Xena Warrior
Princess. I know she’s old school but my dad loved the show and made me watch all
the dvd's with him when I was old enough. That leather and metal outfit is
awesome
.
Wow, the teenage wet dreams I’ve had about that you wouldn’t believe, I even
got wrist strain, she’s serious wank material,’ he groaned with a shake of the
head and I laughed.

‘
Ewwwww.
How do you and Lexi put it, Doug? O yes,
way
T.M.I.’

‘Sorry,
used to sharing info in depth like that with Gabe, forgot it was you for a
minute.’

‘Please
don’t ever forget again,’ I chuckled as he went a bit scarlet and focussed on
the road. He really did like his leather gear, I made a mental note to tell
Lexi Xena was a definite outfit for her for any fancy dress parties we may attend
and Lara for me to please Gabe. Doug dropped me off outside the campus gates
and I dipped my head back into the car. ‘Thanks for the lift Doug, see you over
the weekend?’

‘No
problem, I can go and report back to his grumpiness that you’re safely
installed on campus.’

‘Look after
him for me? I want him happy for tonight.’

‘I’ll try
my best Mia, good luck for later and remember if you need me, ring me,’ he
nodded and gesticulated with phone fingers to his face. ‘Even if it’s for a
second opinion on your dance or skimpy outfit.’

‘Bye Doug,’
I laughed as I shut the door and waved him goodbye. I sighed and headed to
English and found Lexi already in her chair.

‘Morning,
how’s it going?’ I asked.

‘Good, you?’

‘On edge. He’s
got another Physio appointment later and I’m worried for the therapist’s safety
if he’s told sex is still banned. I swear it doesn’t matter how many times I
relieve him, he’s brewing the next batch in the hope that we can finally do it.
He’ll go insane if he can’t soon. Christ, it’s killing me too, every time I see
him all I can do is fantasise about ripping his clothes off and jumping him. Sex
would seriously help with his irritability, I’m convinced of it. Please can we
talk about your sex life instead? How goes it?’

‘I thought
he was looking after you with toys and stuff.’

‘O he is,’
I nodded firmly. ‘He’s even purchased me a lockable white painted wooden chest
with
Mia’s Toy Chest
written in purple on the side and has filled it
with even more vibrators. I swear I’ve got more toys than Ann Summers now and it’s
costing me a fortune in bloody cleaning wipes. It’s great and all, but it’s
nothing compared to him. I need him so badly, Lexi. You tricked me with another
question and didn’t answer mine.’

‘Shit, too
bad, I can’t answer now, Taylor’s just arrived.’

‘We’re
going to have that conversation, soon Lexi. Also, once he’s permanently out of
his sling I’d like to come home for at least some of each week.’

We headed
to the cafeteria for lunch when History ended and I had a muffin and a coffee.
It was usually just a coffee, but Gabe kept getting annoyed with me not eating
regular meals given I’d fainted on him again a couple of weeks ago. The doctor
had just reiterated that it was low blood pressure and low blood sugar, so
regular eating, hydration and not getting up too quickly would help.

‘So you’re
really not going to tell me about how you’re finding sex in a relationship as
opposed to one night bangs?’ I asked.

‘It’s good,
really good,’ she nodded, avoiding looking at me.

‘Lex “
Good,
really good”
is not
great, fucking great
. What’s up?’

‘I have a
great time with him and the sex is good,’ she shrugged. ‘There’s just no …
oomph
.
I don’t know ... the way you and Gabe look at each other, everyone can see
exactly what you’re thinking and what you both want to do to each other. I
don’t know if I’m happy to settle for less.’

‘Gabe and I
are only like that because we can’t and we’re desperate, don’t compare.’

‘O come on
Mia, you were like that the minute you saw each other, before you even started
fucking,’ she retorted giving me an annoyed scowl.

‘Are you
thinking of ending it?’

‘No, but
I’m not sure I see myself with him for good either. I need the loo,’ she said
rising quickly. ‘See in you English?’

‘Sure and
Lex, whatever I have going on with Gabe, I’ll always find time for you if you
need me, ok?’

‘I know,
you’re the best. See you in a while,’ she smiled as she swung her bag over her
shoulder. I sipped the remains of my coffee and pecked at my muffin and felt a
hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Milo.

‘Hey
partner. How you feeling after that work out last night?’ he smiled.

‘Hey Milo,
pretty good actually. I’m really going for it with the swimming and running as
well as our Thursday Pilates and the gym.’

‘You’re
killing me on that treadmill now, I’m having trouble keeping up with you,’ he
said, with a fake pout.

‘Milo,’ I
laughed. ‘Don’t let your ego be bruised. You’re still king of the weights. No
way I can press what you do and you
slay me
on the rowing machine.’

‘I’m laying
all my focus on that treadmill. I can’t have a girl out do me, Mia.’

‘So what
time does Jenny arrive tonight?’

‘She’s not,
she had to cancel,’ he sighed as he pushed his hand through his short black
hair.

‘
No
.
Seriously? O God, you were so happy last night. You must be gutted. Are you
sure things are ok?’

‘Yes, she’s
just busy with work. I think I’ll get the train home and go and fit in around
her.’

‘You don’t
drive?’

‘No,’ he
laughed. ‘Way too expensive. So Gabe’s hoping for better news today?’

‘Yes,
Doug’s taken him and we’re hoping he can ditch the sling permanently. I’m just
really worried about his swimming. It was such a nasty tear and with the
fracture as well …’ I let out a heavy sigh. ‘They keep warning him that he may
not be able to swim competitively, but he’s insistent he’ll be fine. I just
wish he’d listen more to the experts. We’ve had a few arguments about it, he’s
seriously
grumpy at the moment.’

‘Are you both
doing ok?’

‘Yes, it’s
just been a lot of added pressure lately.’

‘You know
I’m always here if you need to talk, right?’ he asked with a reassuring hand on
mine on the table.

‘I know,’ I
smiled. ‘It’d be nice to just get back to normal and date and go out, you know?
God, I
so
need to go out and dance and get hammered, it’s been weeks.’

‘Come out
tonight. Me and the guys are going out, who knows where we’ll end up but you’re
welcome to join us. Lexi too. You know you’re pretty hot property on campus as
it is and that You Tube video has only added to it, the guys will be buying you
drinks all night hoping you’ll look their way. I’m sick of them nagging me for
your phone number.’

‘Ah, thanks
Milo, but I actually have plans tonight. I’m taking Gabe out to cheer him up.
When this is all behind me though count me in for sure.’

‘Shit, we’d
better move or we’ll be late,’ he exclaimed as he looked at his watch. We
grabbed our bags and I binned my empty coffee and half eaten muffin and set off
at a quick pace following him.

‘Don’t tell
me you’re scared of Jenkins too, Milo?’

‘On my own,
no. With you, yes,’ he laughed. ‘He seems to have it in for you.’

‘I know and
I don’t understand why. I’ve kept up to date with everything else going on the
last few weeks and my last assignment got a decent grade, but he seems to like
to dig at every opportunity.’

‘I’d talk
to him, that or make a complaint, I’ll back you up as I’ve seen and heard it.’

‘Well, if
it carries on next term I’m going to have to ask to have a word.’

We just
scraped in as he was about to start and I avoided eye contact as I scurried to
my seat next to Lexi and unpacked my bags. At least no comments were made. I
looked across at Gabe’s empty seat and dug out my phone and sent him a text.

Hey
boyfriend, good luck with Physio, let me know how you get on. Will be back
around 6 and I’ve a table booked for 8. I’m looking at your empty chair and I
miss seeing you in it <3 xx

I picked up
my pen and started scribbling and nodded when Lexi asked if I wanted another
coffee in our break. I needed something, it seemed like such a good idea at the
time agreeing to do this dance, but now after my conversation with Doug, I was
starting to worry how he’d react. My phone vibrated, it was Gabe.

Hey beautiful.
Just out and heading home. Sling is finally gone, I ripped it in half :-) I
also have two bits of VERY good news for you. Can’t wait to see you and share.
Thanks for being so patient with me over the last few weeks, you’re the best
girlfriend and I’m so happy you’re mine. I love you Mia Page. G xx

I told
you that’s what girlfriends do, but thank you for saying thank you. Are you
seriously not going to tell me the good news? I’ve everything crossed it’s a
green light for sex :-) because I now look like this :-O with all the sucking
of this
8===D I’ve done
. My mouth
needs a break ;-) I love you too Gabriel Austin. M xx

I rapped my
pen on the paper praying he’d been given the all clear, five weeks without and
I was climbing the walls, plus it would cheer him up no end.

What do
you mean
8===D?? Mine’s bigger than
that!! 8========D is more like it Page xxx

‘You ok? You
seem a bit on edge,’ asked Lexi when she returned.

‘It’s
tonight Lexi, I’m wondering if it’s such a good idea, the way his moods are
swinging he may take it the wrong way.’

‘I told you
it wasn’t a good idea before we even went to see strippers Mia, this is so
bloody far beyond a good idea.’

‘I thought
it would chill him out.’

‘You’re
really going to take your bra off in front of a live audience, who will be
whooping and lusting with a tense and irritable Gabe sitting there?’

‘Well, I’m
hoping this will stop him being irritable, plus it’s no different to going topless
on the beach, Lexi and I asked him about that and he said he was fine with it,
plus I’ll have nipple pasties on. It’s just dancing, I’m a trained dancer.’

‘This is so
different to topless on the beach, Mia. Topless on the beach is wandering to
the sea or the beach bar and back, it’s run of the mill every day, guys just
staring at your tits. This is shaking your ass, hanging upside down on a pole
and grinding. You’re selling them sex and they’ll be wanting to fuck you.’

‘O please,
like they don’t think that when you’re standing next to them at a bar fully
clothed. Trust me, if the last few weeks have taught me
anything
it’s
that all men think about is sex. Keep talking Lexi, the more you try and put me
off, the better I’m starting to feel about it. He’ll be so turned on, he won’t
care.  I’m doing this, this is
so
on.’

‘Your
funeral.’

We wrapped
up English and I called a taxi to pick me up from the bus stop as we walked
over there.

‘You’re
seeing Doug later, aren’t you?’

‘He’s
stopping over,’ she nodded.

‘Say thanks
to him again for not letting my secret slip.’

‘Yeah, I’m
pretty impressed he’s kept it quiet. I did have to slap him the other night though
when he asked if we could actually go tonight and see you perform.’

‘Lexi.’ I
burst out laughing.

‘Well, Christ.
It’s bad enough seeing the guy you’re with eye up another woman, I don’t need
him seeing my best friend half naked and thinking of you like that.’

‘He’s only
had eyes for you since he met us both, Lex and you know it, but I agree it’d be
a bit weird.’ I was glad I hadn’t mentioned that he’d offered again this
morning, or he’d have got more than a slap from her.

‘Better
hope Robert or one of your dad’s haven’t come up for a surprise weekend and
call in for a lap dance.’

‘O God,
don’t joke about things like that, can you imagine the embarrassment?’

‘Well, at
least your real dad wouldn’t be able to argue that it’s a job only a man should
do.’

‘True. I
also thought a tampon tester would have to meet with approval too.’

‘You should
be a bloody vibrator tester the amount you’ve got. Get paid for it as well as having
fun.’