~"overpriced phones"~
Ike watched as Kayla yelled into the phone.
"Look Mr. I’m sure that you have your reasons but I really do think that these damn expensive phones should be water-proof. I mean where I live it rains practically any day…..so you are telling me that….no let me finish..so you are telling me that I cannot claim my warranty on this?….Okay..thank you..I WILL NEVER BUY ONE OF YOUR PHONES AGAIN!"
She slammed down the phone and stared at it. Ike couldnt resist a chuckle. Kayla’s head snapped up and she smiled at him.
"Ike I can’t believe those people. I spent so much money on that phone."
"You can always use mine.."
"I know.but it was MY phone…..and….its the number my Mum has."
Ike waited for an explaination.
"Ike..she must have been ringing for some reason..she doesnt normally phone. I mean..maybe somethings happened..maybe.."
"Kayla..she has always dealt with situations by herself. I’m sure she’ll be fine."
"I hate her so much for doing this. I hate her sooooooo much."
"Yeah..I gathered that."
Kayla’s frown vapourised..
"I’m so sorry Ike, this is turning it to a hellish sorta trip isnt it? It was all supposed to be fun and I…I guess I owe you an apology."
"I dont want one.."
"Ike I know you do..and it is probably better if I get it off my chest..so here we go."
"Keryn..plllleeeeeeaaaaasssssseeee"
"No Taylor.."
"Pllllleeeeaaaase.."
"Would you stop it you sound like Mackie."
Taylor stopped. Then started again.
"Plllllllleeeeeeaaaaassssseeeee"
"Taylor there is no way known I am eating room service again..I am going out with Kayla. Dont you get sick of the half warm food?"
"Not if I can eat in bed."
"Typical..Typical…."
Taylor jumped out of bed and wrapped his arms around Keryn attempting to stop her physically.
"Now you are really acting like Mackie."
The two, embraced in struggle, heard knocks at the door.
"Taylor, let go..that’ll be Kayla."
"No."
"Taylor…"
He looked at her in the way that he does when he is about to get his way. She shut her eyes tight.
"I am not looking at you. I refuse. I dont care how much I want to look at you..I cant..I have to go out with Kayla."
His arms loosened..
"I just wanted to hear you say that."
"Say what?" keryn asked as she let Kayla in.
"How much you want my body and can’t resist me."
Kayla having just come in raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
"Kayla dont listen to him..he is crazy..lets go."
Keryn pushed Kayla out and pulled the door shut.
"What was all that about?"
"You dont want to know.
Taylor was sitting in bed watching the cartoon network and eating his room service when Ike walked in.
"Dude man …dont you knock?" demanded Tay as his orange juice went flying.
"Why didnt you tell me?" It was short and sharp and Taylor was stuck for words.
"Tell you what?"
"You’re my brother..tell me about…last bloody night."
Taylor had now forgotten about the orange juice that was covering him.
"I dont know what to say."
"You bet you dont."
"Ike..how could I have told you?"
"I dont know..but you could have."
"Ike, anything I said who have made you going mental..you probably wouldnt have believed me."
Ike stopped pacing and turned to his brother.
"I love her. I almost lost everything yesterday. You could have warned me."
"I am so sorry Ike..you have no idea."
"Yeah….you better be."
"But isnt everything okay now."
"That’s not the point."
"yeah, but she needed me yesterday and I wasnt there. You could have…"
"I know..I know..I am so sorry…I was so shocked that I didnt know what to do. I couldnt have just told you..it would have killed you. Ike..you’re my brother."
"Exactly."
They both stared..
"I’m sorry Ike.."
"I know."
They paused, both watching the cartoon.
"You should clean that orange juice up before it stains."
"Thanks for the words of wisdom Ike."
"Kayla just tell me."
"Keryn..I am so mad at myself."
"Just tell me."
"I went out with Dan."
"Yeah I know, for about half your life."
"No..the other Dan."
Keryn looked confused.
"Dan as in Dan, mysterious Dan?"
Kayla nodded.
"Oh Kayla…"
"Keryn I felt so bad..but I had to see…see if it was a sign…and I know that I have hurt Ike. I dont know why I did it I love him so much."
Kayla was crying by now.
"Kayla listen..Ike will love you for as long as it takes you to love him back."
"I dont love him back."
"Love him back the way he loves you…he understands these ‘Dan’ issues of yours..he was there for the end of it. He respects your needs."
"I know..thats what makes me feel so bad."
"Well thats fair."
"Yeah I guess…what am I going to do?"
"Nothing..just dont do anything wacky for a while."
Kayla smiled…
"I’ll try…hehe well I am on a boat. Will he forgive me?"
"Hasn’t he already?"
"Yeah..I guess so….what would do without him."
"Die.."
"Yeah.." Kayla giggled.. "that is an understatement."
Margo smiled at her family. They were so normal..it was getting to her. She had to get out of the house. Sitting at the breakfast table she felt sick. In both ways. She excused herself and went into the backyard to calm herself. What could she do? How could she tell her family? They would kill her. She sat down on the grass and began to cry.
Melanie tried the number again. She must really hate me. Kayla had obviously disconnected her phone so she couldnt get through. Never before had Melanie felt so alone. The silence was deafening. Sitting on the King size bed she felt small and unloved, and maybe that was exactly what she was. Maybe. She lifted the covers and crawled into the bed.
Ike had left and Taylor was trying to make himself look presentable. Not that he wasn’t already and not that Keryn didn’t love him the way he was. He just wanted to look extra special. There wasn’t any particular reason either…he just felt like it. Fumbling around in the bathroom he found his lynx deodorant. He sprayed on, well, a generous amount..as all teenage boys do. Sniffing the air, he was pleased. He smelt manly.
Ike, in the room next door simply sat on the bed. Somebody had been in while he was out and cleaned up the room and put the beds back in order. He just sat on the edge and thought. Thought about how nothing ran smoothly and how he should have realised and how she probably thinks he doesn’t care. He didnt even noticed her walk in. She put her bag down and sat next to him. They just sat for a while. Understanding the confusement.
"You know Ike, it wasnt your fault. There wasnt anything you could do. Just by being there when I had to..had to..realise what I want was all you could do, and you did. I owe you all the happiness in my life. You know that."
He smiled and sighed.
"I know. But thats not the point. As much as I say to myself and to you that I’m not worried I just create this little lie…"
"But Ike…you dont have to be worried I’m not going.."
"It’s not about you…this is about, this is about what I cant give you."
"That is rubbish. You are the stable, calming influence. You are the one that deserves my apologies. I dont give you what you want, dont you see that. I am forever running off….bringing my problems into your life..and you dont need this..I mean..for God’s sake you are getting off this boat to go record an album. I dont deserve a place in your life."
"Would you shut up for just a second and listen to what your saying? Kayla, I am your boyfriend. That means that it is my job to listen to your problems and it doesnt matter that I am a ‘Hanson’ all that matters is that you like the real me."
"I do like the real you."
"I know that. Just dont fret. I am here for you..as much as I can."
"No more silly ‘I’m not giving you enough’ okay?"
"Yeah..and no more ‘you deserve better’ crap…okay?"
"Deal"
Keryn burst in the door and was hit by the smell. Then she saw Taylor..
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph!! What the hell!"
"Surprise!"
chapter thirty~eight
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