The Kissing Contract

Chapter one

From: GabiLincon@hotmail.com

To: Jellyellie33@yahoo.co.uk

Subject: HELLO FROM NYC

Hey Elle,

How's everything going? I hope you're having fun with my sloppy seconds- Natie would probably hate me calling him that! I'm joking Elle, like you'd ever land anyone like Nate.

Anyways babe, I have so much to tell you!

I've been meaning to call/ text or something but I've been so busy with everything I haven't had time! I've made so many new friends you wouldn't believe it- most of them are super models or really wealthy! You'd probably have a tough time fitting in with the elite but I manage just fine.

As well as all my new pals, I've landed myself a modelling contract. One of my friends Jimmy had me do this shoot thing and they said I was just what they wanted. Now I'm making big bucks!

Anyway, hope grotty little England's fun! Tell Natie I said hi!

I mean I know you don't see him much unless you're shagging his brother but if you see him mid-f**k tell him I'm missing him.

Love always,

Gabi- your greatest friend.

-*-

"Your kisses make me delirious," the words slip out my mouth before I have chance to stop them. Nate's stood so close to me I can feel his smirk on my skin; a thrill runs down my spine as he peppers kisses down my neck. Though he doesn't reply, his unsaid words hang heavy in the air.

Nate pushes me back onto his bed and I try not to laugh as he lands on top of me. His lips connect with mine again- this time in a frenzy of passion and I moan into his mouth. Sparks run through my veins as he cups my face with his hand, his other snaking around my waist.

I hear the slam of a door downstairs and pull away abruptly from him. "What was that?" I gasp, my breathing heavy as if I've run a marathon. Nate tightens his grip on my waist and tries to pull me back into his warmth.

"It's nothing," he mutters, his green eyes dark. His voice is husky and I try not to be affected by the way he's looking at me. Nate tries to kiss me again, and I let him, trying to put the worry out of my mind. His hand slides under my top gently caressing my skin and I run my hand down his topless back, over his taut muscles. He shivers in response, causing a smirk to rise onto my face.

"Nate," Lee's voice bursts through our make-out session- it's so close a pang of worry hits me in the gut. Nate pulls back, surprise dominating his handsome features. How Gabi ever gave him up I'll never know. A knock at the door cements my fear and I scrabble away from Nate, pulling my t-shirt down over my exposed stomach.

"Yeah?" he calls back, his voice two octaves higher than his usually gruff tone. As he answers, Nate gestures to the side of the bed. I duck down, trying to pull myself under so I can remain hidden if Lee ever enters the room. The door begins to open as I halfway under and I hear Nate cry out urgently. "I'm naked!" before a banging sound echoes through the room.

"Bro," I hear Lee chuckles from behind the closed door- it causes a pang of guilt to rip through me. Quickly, I shuffle under the bed so I'm fully hidden as his voice rings out again. "I know you've got a girl in there."

The door flies open and I gasp as a pair of shoes- Lee's old, worn Vans- appear at the front of the bed-inches from my hiding place. "Well, this is a rare sighting," he comments, his words are oddly sharp though he's speaking to his brother- the Myer boys have rarely gotten on though they are so close in age. Lee begins to pace in front of me and with every step that echoes out, I try not to wince away. Trying to breathe silently is an impossible task and I pray he can't hear my hammering heart- it feels as though it might burst out of my ribs cage at any second, exposing my hiding place.

"You without some random hoe strewn across your bed," Lee continues and I try not to be hurt by the comment. The springs above me creak in defiance as someone settles onto the bed- I'm assuming Nate is lounging across it because Lee's shoes are still pacing up and down the room.

"Don't sound too surprised Lee," Nate's voice is calm and collected- he's pretending as if Lee hasn't interrupted anything at all.

"I was about to take a shower," he adds and the bed creaks again. Lee huffs in response- I'm not sure if he's satisfied with Nate's answer or he doesn't believe his easy lie. "Why are you here anyway, I thought you'd be home at five?" Nate asks, though this time a hint of nervousness slips through his facade.

"I wondered if you'd seen Elle. Has she been round to see me or something?" Lee says, his feet finally stopping on the other side of the room. I breathe out, relief flooding through my body.

"Why would I have seen her?" Nate sounds defensive and he moves abruptly on the bed- the springs groan again, not glad for the sudden movement. I hold my breath once more.

"I know you have a soft spot for her," Lee says snappily, tapping his foot- it's what he does when he's angry or impatient. His tone conveys accusation though I don't know why; it's unlike Lee to be happy twenty-four-seven.

"I don't."

Pain is spreading through my chest and I can feel my heart sinking.

"Yeah, well just stay away from her. I don't want her being around people like you- she'll just get hurt," is the last thing he says before the sound of retreating footsteps echoes around the room and the door slams shut.

"People like me?" Nate shouts, but he's too late, Lee's probably left the house already. In the distance, I can hear the creaking of the stairs and then, a moment later, another door- probably the kitchen- slamming.

I don't bother moving from my position under the bed though the stench of mouldy gym clothes and rotten food is blinding me. Guilt runs through my veins as I think back on Lee's words. I try to shrug it off but it's hard- I'm betraying my best friend, the person who got me through my friendship with Gabi.

If he finds out...

"Elle, you can come out now," Nate mutters, his tone so much softer than the one he used on Lee. There was never a real reason for them hating each other- they just drifted apart over the years.

"I don't want to," I reply, shifting my feet and putting my head in my hands- mostly to cover my nose from the horrid smell but also in confusion and frustration. A hand slides under the bed and I grip it; Nate pulls me out swiftly, though not without minor carpet burns, and into his arms.

I pull away as quickly as I can. "Look, I can't do this anymore. Sneaking around, lying. It's not me," I say, casting my eyes downward.

I love Nate's kisses but-.

I love my best friend more than any boy I'll ever have.

"Elle, don't lie. You say this every time and still you end up in my arms." His cockiness is annoying me beyond belief. I roll my eyes and finally meet his intense gaze; I try not to let myself slip into the green pools as I reply.

"No Nate. I'm done. No more stupid games. No more lying. No more us- whatever we are. I don't want to hurt anyone," I gasp out, trying to bite back tears- the thought of hurting Lee is overwhelming and a few rare tears slip out down my hot cheeks.

"Elle," Nate's hand reaches out to touch mine but I pull it back as if his touch burns me. His gaze softens when he takes in my expression. "Don't do this. What if you're hurting me?"

I glance back at him. He could have anyone. I guess that's why Gabi loved him so much- or I should say used him.

I need him.

He doesn't need me.

"No, Nate," I mutter, reaching for the door. He stands in front of me, his hand touching the door to keep it closed.

"Lee will see you if you go that way," he mutters, trying to make eye contact with me- I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face. I turn on my heel and head towards the large bay window. Luckily, there's a tree in between our houses so I only have to climb through it to get into my room.

I grip onto one of the thick branches and swing myself into the masses of green leaves. Nate doesn't bother saying goodbye to me, its not part of our agreement- if that's what you could call it.

When I reach the other side, I pull up my window and slip into my room silently- my parents are too pre-occupied with work to notice my frequent Mayer visits, though I'm sure they think I'm seeing Lee nearly every day.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket and I answer it quickly. "Lee, hey," I try not muster as much enthusiasm into my voice as I can. Lee doesn't seem to notice the edge to my voice and I sigh in relief.

"Hey, have you just got in?" he asks and I can almost picture him c*****g his head to the side.

"No, I've been here for hours. I must've been in the bath. You know how loud I play my music," I reply, guilt hitting me again as I lie through my teeth; I run a hand down the side of my face in distress.

"Oh cool. Still up for a movie night?" he asks, his excitement becoming so intoxicating I smile.

"Of course. Round mine?" I offer and he cuts off the phone before a response is heard through the speaker.

From the corner of my eye, I see a flicker of movement from Nate's room. But when I turn, no one's there and I wonder if I imagined it at all.