Chapter 5
1249 Words
After saying goodbye to Flash, I walk into an empty house. No surprise—my parents are lucky to come home once a week.
I flick on the kettle. Tea sounds good. Just as I reach for a mug, my phone buzzes.
Unknown number.
Hey, Jess. It’s Alec. I can’t stop thinking about you. P.S. I hope this is actually you 😂
I grin like an i***t. Lucky no one’s here to see.
Don’t worry, you’re not being catfished. This is Jess. And… I haven’t stopped thinking about you either.
I settle onto the couch, tea in hand, waiting for his reply. The phone buzzes almost immediately.
You free tomorrow after school?
Before I can type, my phone rings. My heart jumps. I take a deep breath and answer.
“Hey.”
“Hey, beautiful,” Alec says, voice low, warm. I can almost hear the smile. “Figured calling would be easier. What are you up to?”
“Well, I just got home from talking to this rather sexy cleaner at school. Now I’m on the couch with tea, about to watch TV. But then a better offer called.”
He chuckles. “Sexy cleaner, huh? Must be Mr. Garcia.”
I nearly choke on my tea. Alec’s laugh fills the line.
“The old silver fox still has it,” he teases.
“Please. He’d have been my first choice. I settled for the mediocre new model.”
Alec gasps dramatically. “Ouch!”
We both laugh, easy and natural.
“So… tomorrow? I’ll pick you up around five. Out of town, maybe Lillyville? Less chance of being spotted.”
“Sounds good. But I’m not getting on your motorbike.”
He laughs again, rich and deep. “Don’t diss the bike. But I was taking the Jeep, smartass.”
“Gas station then. Five.”
“Perfect. I’ll be counting the hours.”
We linger on the line, neither wanting to hang up.
“Bye, beautiful,” he murmurs.
“Bye, Mr. Garcia Junior,” I shoot back before ending the call.
Seconds later, a text pings: Cheeky. P.S. 5pm tomorrow cannot come quick enough 😉
I fall back on the couch, kicking my legs like a kid. Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.
---
The next day drags painfully. Between classes, I scan the halls half-hoping to see Alec, half-praying I won’t—afraid my face will give me away.
The only cleaner I bump into is Mr. Garcia. Cue another embarrassing grin.
When the final bell rings, my stomach twists with nerves.
---
By five, I’m showered, dressed in my maroon dress, black stockings, ankle boots, trench coat, and Nan’s silver earrings. Hair half up, light makeup, and a spritz of perfume. I hope Alec likes it.
At the gas station, I text: Here. Dark grey Hyundai i30.
A red Jeep Wrangler pulls up. Alec leans out, grin flashing. The knots in my stomach tighten.
“You look gorgeous,” he says as I climb in.
“Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself. Now pick your jaw up and drive.”
He laughs, saluting. “Yes, ma’am.”
---
The ride starts in awkward silence until he asks, “Like Italian food? I booked Bello Italiano in Lillyville.”
“Love it,” I say, then chuckle. “Honestly, I love most food.”
His smile grows.
“So, Jess—are you from Chatswood?”
“Yes and no.” I explain about my parents, Australia, the nanny. By the time I finish, I feel like I’ve overshared.
“That explains a few things,” he says cryptically.
I raise a brow.
“Your accent,” he clarifies, laughing.
I slap his arm playfully. “Australia and Britain don’t sound the same!”
“Eh.” He shrugs. Soon we’re laughing, hands brushing until they tangle together. Neither of us lets go.
---
Dinner is cozy, music in the corner. We eat, talk, laugh. But when I ask about him, Alec freezes.
“Yes, I’m from Chatswood,” he says flatly.
He wipes his face, avoids my eyes. “Sorry, Jess. Some things I’m not ready to talk about yet.”
I hesitate, then smile softly. “Then tell me what you are comfortable with.”
Relief floods his face. “Fair enough. My dad’s a criminal lawyer. The worst kind. My mom…” He trails off, stands abruptly. “Bathroom.”
When he returns, we finish in silence.
---
Outside, Alec stops, running his hands through his hair, cursing under his breath.
“I’ve f****d this up, haven’t I?” His tortured expression rips at me.
I grab his hand. “No. You haven’t.”
His eyes soften. “I like you, Jess. I really like you. From the first time I saw you.”
I blink. “Yesterday?”
He shakes his head, embarrassed. “Library. Weeks ago. You were reading, smiling, hair in a plait over your shoulder. You stopped me dead in my tracks.”
My cheeks warm. No one’s ever looked at me like that before.
I stand on tiptoe, grinning. “So that’s what you meant—‘a way to meet me.’”
He groans, laughing. “Yeah. Thought I sounded like an idiot.”
“Oh, I definitely noticed you, Alec Parker.”
Our lips crash together. The kiss deepens, urgent, until footsteps interrupt. An elderly couple passes, smiling awkwardly. We both laugh breathlessly.
“Come on,” Alec says. “Let’s take a drive.”
---
At the lookout, the town sparkles below.
“Beautiful,” I whisper.
“Sure is,” he says—eyes on me.
I laugh, and before I know it, I’m straddling him in the driver’s seat. Our kisses grow frantic, my hips moving against him, his hands exploring, until the blare of the horn startles us. We laugh, but Alec slows, gripping my hand.
“Jess, wait. Not here. Not like this. I want you, but I want to do this right.”
I pout, frustration and longing swirling. “What’s wrong—me?”
He cups my face. “No, baby. You’re perfect. I just don’t want to rush.”
The frustration melts. How can I be mad at someone who wants to be a gentleman?
I kiss him softly. “You’re right.”
He smirks. “Told you—I can’t control myself alone with you.”
“Fair. But I jumped you first.”
We laugh, then sit quietly, heads resting together.
---
On the drive back, jealousy prickles.
“Alec… am I the first girl from school you’ve been interested in?”
“Of course. Audrey flirts, but I always shut her down. Until you, Jess—I meant it.” He kisses my hand.
I believe him.
---
Back at the gas station, Alec drums his fingers on the wheel. “I want to be with you. Will you be with me? Just… can we keep it secret until you graduate?”
I grin. “Pretty sure my dry humping made that obvious.”
He bursts out laughing, pulling me in for one last passionate kiss.
When we finally part, it’s past ten-thirty.
“Guess I’d better go,” I sigh.
“Not fair, you tease,” he calls as I slip out.
I lean in for one last kiss. “Play your cards right, Parker, and you’ll see me after school too.”
His smile follows me all the way home.
- Writer
