Just a Number (Thirst Trap #2)

16. Alex

Chapter sixteen

Alex

L ate the next afternoon, I pull up in the driveway at Mel and Zack’s place.

I’m exhausted, bone tired. Everything that happened with Mel and then with the prick at the apartment, followed by a Saturday night shift at the pub. Then to top it all off, trying to sleep on the floor in Laura’s cramped little flat last night and listening to her companion for the evening snoring while I tossed and turned, before heading to the studio first thing for the kiln firing. At least that all looked okay. I had a sneaky peek before leaving and it looked like a clean firing with little to no breakages. I’ll have to properly check tomorrow once it’s cooled down enough to unpack.

The last thing I want to do is be social with Zack and lug furniture around, but the thought of having a place I can call my own, even for a short time, sounds amazing. Let’s hope I can get away with moving the sofa bed and then crashing on it for some much needed sleep.

I texted Zack to tell him I was on my way and he must hear the bike pull up because he opens the front door to the house, pulling on some trainers.

“Hey, you okay?” he asks.

“Good, thanks, mate. Thanks for this. I appreciate it.”

“No worries. It was Mum who suggested it. She had me moving some boxes out of there today and taking some stuff up for you. We’ve just got to move the sofa bed. It’s quite heavy.” He gives a wince.

“Let’s do that first then and get it out the way.” I go into the house and drop my rucksack in the corner before following him upstairs and into his room. There’s a navy blue couch near the door.

“I, uh, cleared it off and stuff, but it’ll need the two of us to get it down these stairs and up the ones by the garage.”

There’s no sign of Mel as we go past her room, but the smell of her honeysuckle perfume permeates the air. Zack suggests we take it out the front door and round so we don’t have to clear as many doorframes. And pretty soon we are heaving it up the stairs at the side of the garage. I keep hold of the end while Zack undoes the door.

It’s my first look at the space and even if I wasn’t desperate for somewhere to live, I know I’d be stoked with this place.

We heave the couch over to the wall opposite the door and ease it down before pushing it against the wall. Zack sits on it to catch his breath while I go and grab my bag.

When I get back, I head over to the kitchen space and see a note on the counter.

Alex,

I hope this is okay. We can sort out a day or two each week for you to do laundry at the house, as there are no facilities here. The wifi should stretch this far (get Zack to give you the details if you don’t already have them.) But any problems - let me know and we can get an extender. This place is yours as long as you need it.

Mel

Wow, admittedly I hadn’t seen this place before, but everything is so clean and tidy that Mel must have been busy getting it ready for me. The same perfume I smelt by her bedroom delicately fragrances the air.

“Anything else you need?” Zack asks.

“Nah, this is amazing. Thanks. I guess I should go get some groceries, so I have some food for breakfast.”

“Mum bought some stuff for you. I think it’s in the fridge and one of the cupboards.” I take a look and see milk, eggs, butter, and cheese in the fridge. And then bread and some cans and crisps in the cupboard.

“She really didn't need to do all of this.” But I’m so glad she did. Perhaps all is not lost.

“She said if it was me, she’d hope someone would do it for me. So I guess she wanted you to be comfortable. Want me to show you how to pull the couch out?”

I look over at it with a frown. “I think we had one like that at home. I should be fine, but thanks.”

“Wanna come back to the house and hang out? I’ve got some beers.”

I grip the back of my neck. “Mind if I take a rain check tonight, Zack? I’m knackered, and even though I hardly have any stuff, I want to get it all sorted.”

“No worries, man. Text if you need anything. Or just come in the back door and holler. It’s usually unlocked unless Mum’s gone to bed.” I frown at that. It wouldn’t be that hard for someone to come round from the front and just walk in.

“Thanks, Zack. I’ll see you soon.” I walk over to the door as he opens it to step out.

“Mum gave you the key, yeah?” I dig into my pocket to pull it out and waggle it in front of him. “Sweet, I’ll catch ya later.” He jogs down the stairs and raises a hand with a wave as he heads inside. I shut my door and look around in amazement. It’s only temporary, I know that. But it’s safe and having my own space is monumental after years of tiptoeing around Doug.

After making some scrambled eggs on toast, I wrestle the sofa into a bed, grab the sheets that Mel left on the leather chair, and get busy making it. The honey scent of her perfume is more prominent on these sheets, as if she’s laid on them or sprayed it directly on them. I can’t help myself from inhaling deeply.

I cleaned up after dinner and set my laptop up on the wifi, which thankfully works. I close the blinds at the two windows and lock the door before heading to the bathroom to grab a shower. Mel’s even left toiletries for me to use. She can’t help herself. She has to go above and beyond.

By the time I’m clean, I am done in, not even having the energy to find some clothes to wear as pyjamas. I crawl between the sheets, naked, and breathe in the scent of Mel’s perfume as I fall asleep.

Days pass by and I barely see Mel. I hear her car pull in and out every now and again, but I’ve mostly steered clear of the house. Zack invited me over one night for beers and gaming, but she’d been nowhere to be seen. I wasn’t sure if she’d been hiding upstairs or out for the evening.

Abby offered me a clothes rail and some drawers as she was replacing hers. Her and Tom drop them off late one morning before the bar opens. Tom and I lift the wooden drawers up the stairs while Abby carries the dismantled rail. They both look around as we enter and seem impressed with the set-up.

“Glad you got sorted.” Abby pats me on the shoulder.

“Me too. Still on the lookout for something else, but this is amazing.”

“Why leave then? You’re well set up,” she asks, quirking a brow in my direction.

“It’s not a long-term solution. Just to help me out.”

“Talk to Mel. If you’re happy here and not giving her any trouble, perhaps she’ll let you stay longer.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Tom, as usual, stays quiet but is paying attention to the conversation.

“Have you seen much of her? Mel?” Abby asks, and it’s only because I was glancing at Tom that I notice his frown.

“Err, no, trying to keep out of the way. She’s already done so much. I don’t want to end up being like an extra person she’s responsible for.” I wince at the thought.

“Maybe you should offer to cook her dinner as a thank you. Or wash her car or something?” I glance sharply at her at the carwash comment. Does she know about Mel and I? Did Mel spill the beans on the bet we’d had when I’d made her come multiple times? There’s nothing in Abby’s gaze that I can see, but I wonder if it’s a feigned innocence.

“Maybe. Or cook her breakfast, perhaps?” Her eyebrows lift at that. Ha, gotcha! So the ladies have been talking about me, have they? I hope it’s good.

“Come on Ab, we should get going,” Tom interrupts. “Glad you’re settled, Alex. I should have more shifts for you from next week if you want them. We’ll be busier over the Christmas period and then Sean is off travelling after that.”

“That would be great. As many as I can get. I can work the pottery stuff around it.”

“Ooh, do you have any of your pottery here for me to look at?” Abby asks, her face lighting up.

“Not much, just some mugs I made and a bowl.” I gesture to the kitchen where they’re kept. She gives Tom a quick pleading glance, and he gives a slight nod.

“Show me.”

I walk her over to the kitchen and show her the mug and bowl on the drainer where I washed them after breakfast. They’re pretty rudimentary. Some of my earlier stuff but serviceable. I could pick apart the flaws I see in them now that I have more experience, but the signature of my evolving design is clear in the lip of the bowl and the handle of the mug. They are both glazed in a deep blue with flecks of brown. It’s one of my favourite glazes.

“Oh wow, amazing. Do you sell this stuff?” she asks.

“Not that stuff. It’s my earlier practice. I’ve got a shelf at the Art Centre with stuff I sell. And an Instagram page too.”

“Oooh, what’s your IG handle? I’ll add you.” I tell her and she pulls up the app, searches for me, and hits the follow button. “I’d love to buy a mug from you.”

“Pick one you like from my page and I’ll bring it for my next shift,” I tell her, knowing full well that I won’t charge her. It’ll be a small token of thanks for the furniture and support she’s given me since I started at the pub.

“Awesome, thanks.” She hesitates and then stands on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on my cheek and give me a hug. My arms come around her with a squeeze of surprise. “I really am glad you’re settled. Don’t forget to do something to thank Mel. Maybe she’d like some of your pottery, too. If you charm her, I’m sure she’d be happy for you to stay longer.” She gives me a wink and turns towards the door. “Let’s go,” she says to Tom as if it’s been him holding her up all this time. He rolls his eyes as she goes out the door and then gives me a friendly nod. He pauses at the door and looks back at me.

“She’s interfering, but I think she means well.”

“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”