Curve Balls: The Ball Games Book Six Read online

  Chapter Eight

  Dylan

  I’m embarrassed about my behaviour in the pub, but on the other hand, I’ve had enough. I walk through the door of our home and slump on the sofa, defeated. I place my head in my hands. I don’t know what I’m going to do. What’s going to happen? I love Cam with all my heart, and the thought that I might not be enough for her is devastating. I feel my eyes tear up. Fuck, don’t start crying. Anyway, I reckon this is it. When she comes home, she might just tell me that we’re done. I guess the clues have been there all along. She’s not made any inroads towards getting a wedding date sorted. I’m a fool. What on earth am I going to do?

  After an hour of moping on the sofa, I hear a car pull up outside. It’s Dora’s. Oh please don’t let her mother come and tear a strip off me. I can’t take it. I hover at the window and watch as Dora folds her arms around Cam, hugging her tightly. She looks over Cam’s shoulder straight at me and makes a thumbs-up sign. Really? Is there still hope?

  I move to the doorway and open the door to let Cam in. She looks up at me, her eyes are red and puffy and she’s fighting to breathe, she’s so upset.

  “I’m so sorry, Dylan.”

  I pull her into my arms. “We’ll work things out,” I tell her.

  She tells me the whole story about Kid Zone and how she’s been struggling.

  I sigh heavily. “Why did you not tell me this before?”

  “I’ve been so exhausted. I’ve just wanted to sleep.”

  “So your mum’s going to try to help?”

  She nods. “Yeah. Not sure what she’s going to do but anything’s worth a try.” She takes hold of my hand. “Listen. She’s insisted I take next weekend off and tomorrow she’s going to arrange for us to visit some wedding venues.”

  I put my hand over hers. “That can wait until you get Kid Zone sorted.”

  A tear slips from her eye.“No, it really can’t, Dylan. By next weekend, I want us to have a date fixed. I love you. I want to be Mrs Ball.”

  I wipe the tears from her eyes and place my hand behind her neck, bring her closer to me and fix my mouth on hers. I kiss her gently, tenderly, letting her know how much I love her, through touch alone. She sits up and wraps her arms around me, and it’s not long before the fire between us ignites. We strip each other of our clothes quickly. My hand sweeps down her bare chest, cupping a breast. She groans, arching back, her nipple hardening beneath the tweaking of my fingers. My fingers leave her breast and trail down her stomach, dipping between her thighs until they stroke at her clit. Cam moans, moving her own hand until she clasps my girth in her palm, fingers holding me tightly. She runs her hand up and down my shaft as I continue to tease her clit and then slide a finger inside her, followed by another. She fucks my fingers as I fuck her hand.

  “Enough, I need you.” I pull out of her hand and push her back on the sofa. Then I tease her, rubbing my dick in her wetness.

  “Dylan, please,” she begs.

  I push inside her, I can’t get enough. She lifts her hips up to meet me, and as we fuck, we give it our all, telling the other through passion how much we mean to each other. As we come, mine just after Cam’s, we’re hot, sweaty, panting and spent. I pull her into my arms.

  “In future, we tell each other everything, okay?”

  “Yes,” she says, still short of breath. “Dylan, I love you. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “I love you too, Mrs Ball to be.”

  She smiles and we nap, wrapped up in each other.

  Before I doze, my final thoughts are thank fuck for that. I can’t imagine a life without her in it.

  Chapter Nine

  Cam

  My mum comes bustling through the door at seven-thirty with a massive grin on her face. Oh god, what’s she up to?

  Her eyes narrow when she sees me. “What time did you get here?”

  “Ten minutes ago because traffic was light so you can calm your pants. I took your advice and used the time for other things, which we will not discuss any further.”

  “Good girl,” she says and sits down at a table, wrapping her arms around herself. “It’s not very warm is it?”

  “It’ll get there soon. The heating’s on a timer, and so, of course, I don’t switch it on until I have to because the space is so darn big. Heating bills are a pain in my arse. Anyway, what was the huge smile when you came in?”

  “I came on. I don’t think I’m in the menopause after all. I think it was flights and stress messing my cycle around.”

  “You must be the first woman in the universe ecstatic that she has her period.”

  “I’m over the moon, instead of over the hill.”

  “Coffee?”

  “Cup of tea please, love, if I can. Then I thought you could tell me what’s what.”

  I make us both a drink and join her at the table. “Okay, the staff will start arriving at eight.”

  “Okay, well I thought we’d make it look today as if I’m hanging around bored, rather than being here to shove a firework up their arses.”

  “Mother!”

  “They’ll act their usual selves that way, and I can have a nosey at what they’re up to. Then I’ll think up a plan of action. You can tell me what you do and what everyone’s roles are, and that’ll help me see where you can make some changes.”

  “You’re going to love this, aren’t you? Your eyes are all sparkly, like when you start a new project.”

  “Project Firework. What do you think?” My mum winks.

  “I think I’d better get cracking in getting this place ready for opening.”

  At just after eight Beth walks in. “Morning, you two.”

  “My baking is in the kitchen waiting for you, Beth,” my mum tells her.

  “Thanks, Dora.” Beth looks studious. “I need to have a chat with you about the business later next week. I’m changing things a bit.”

  “I assumed you wouldn’t need me for much longer with all this here.” Mum looks a little glum.

  “Now, don’t be jumping to conclusions, Dora. I might be going for world domination. All will be revealed, but at the moment my energies are concentrated on this.” She puts her hand in her bag and pulls out two pink envelopes, handing one over to each of us. We both tear them open.

  You are invited to celebrate the engagement of

  Miss Beth Woods and Mr Leo Coleman

  6pm sharp

  Tuesday 14 February 2017

  Rother Hotel

  RSVP

  “I already asked Gemma, and she’ll close up that day so you can definitely come. I want my best friend and my business associate and second mum there. Here,” she gets another invite out and gives it to Mum, “Can you see that Tyler and Lindsay get this?”

  “Course, love. How exciting. Bit of a surprise this. Not giving us much notice are you?” says Mum.

  “I know! We were just chatting about it, and the idea came up. I rang a couple of hotels thinking they’d be booked solid, but Rother had a cancellation five minutes before my call.”

  “Meant to be then,” says my mum though she’s looking at Beth quizzically. Beth doesn’t notice.

  “So what’s the dress code?” I ask.

  “Well, it’s a hotel so why don’t we all get dressed up? There aren’t many excuses to buy a nice new dress are there? I’m looking forward to treating myself. And, Dora, guess what?”

  “More surprises? God, you’re like Cilla Black today. Will there be a long-lost relative coming through the door in a minute?”

  Beth looks confused.

  “It’s a TV programme from years ago. She forgets we aren’t as old as her.” I tell her.

  My mum narrows her eyes at me. “Cruel. Children can be so cruel. Sorry, Beth, what’s your other news?”

  “I’m going to buy a Valentine’s dressing up outfit. You’ve inspired me.”

  “Oh my God, no,” I say. “Don’t encourage her with that line of thinking. She’ll talk about her and my dad again. Some visuals you ca
n’t get out of your mind.”

  Beth giggles.

  “Do you know what, Beth. It’s fabulous to see you looking so happy,” my mum tells her.

  “I really am,” Beth replies. “And I’m finally learning to enjoy the moments, not fear what might be around corners.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” says mum and she has a swig of her tea.

  A couple of my staff come through the door and frivolity over, it’s time for work.

  Dora

  Beth’s up to something. That woman is a control freak. I’ve known her since she was a little girl and unless she’s had a personality transplant or a knock to the head, there’s something fishy going on. Anyway, I’ll have to put it to the back of my mind for now as I need to work out what’s happening here. There’s one thing I’ve discovered. Cam has no confidence in some of her staff, and either does their tasks for them or redoes them when they aren’t done the right way. It’s a double-edged sword. They’ve given up because what’s the point if she changes things. She’s got to let some of that perfectionism go. There are two other girls who are permanently chatting and not keeping an eye on the children properly. Yes, I know that’s primarily the parent's job, but they’re supposed to be checking that food isn’t taken into the ball pools, etc. It causes a hell of a lot of work when food or drink is dropped in there. I see them look busy when Cam is around, then the minute her back is turned they’re chatting again.

  She’s out of the office again when a party is on, making sure everything’s okay. The staff should be able to do this without her. She has got to cut them some slack and get those other two off their backsides.

  My phone rings. It’s my boy.

  “Hey sweetheart. Everything okay?” My first thoughts are always about the baby now.

  “Yeah, fine. Lindsay felt a bit easier today. Not as nauseous.”

  “Oh, let’s hope it’s finally waning.”

  “Yep. Mum, I need to ask you a huge favour.”

  “Oh, okay, go ahead.”

  “I’m in a mess with my emails and paperwork. I reckon if it’s sorted out I could leave Smiths and concentrate on my YouTube career, but there’s too much for me to get my head around while I’m running about after Lindsay. I’m cracking under the pressure, Mum. I’ve too much on.”

  “Oh, Tyler. Why didn’t you say earlier? Do you want me to come round and look after Lindsay for a bit? Only I’m with Cam at the moment, but I could pop by later?”

  “I was hoping you’d help me with the emails and paperwork. Like, be my PA a bit. If you get me organised I’d be able to pay you for the hours you do.”

  I trace circles on the table with my fingernail. “I don’t want paying, love, you’re my son. I’ll come by at teatime and look over things, see what needs doing. I’ll pop to the supermarket on the way and make tea for everyone.”

  “Mum, that’d be brilliant. We’ll both be home around six.”

  “Great. I’ll see you then. Don’t worry son, we’ll get you sorted.”

  “Mum, you’re amazing.”

  “Yeah, don’t you forget it.”

  “Never.”

  We end the call, and I text Tim.

  Dora:Tim, love, you’ll need to get your own tea. I’m going from Kid Zone to Tyler’s to help him with some business stuff and make them their tea.

  I get a message back a minute or so later.

  Tim:Thought these kids had moved out? They’re more trouble now than they were when they were little! See you later. I’ll have my tea at the Red Lion.

  I bet you will, I think. Two courses for £7.99 at the moment and that includes a pint.

  Cam listens as I tell her my observations. Then she sighs.

  “So basically I’m my own worst enemy?”

  “Well you’ve a couple of bone idles, but yes. Like I say, most of them aren’t bothering because you correct everything. You have got to learn to delegate.”

  She sighs.

  “I’ll be interested to see what you’re like when Gemma’s in. Exactly how much do you give your Deputy to do?”

  She casts her eyes downward. “Not as much as I probably should.”

  “Well, at least we have a starting point you can work off. You need to call a staff meeting. Admit your faults. Apologise and then say it’s going to be different. Get some staff training done and then back the hell off, I advise. “Then if the bone idles remain the same, I’ll sort them out.”

  “Mum, you have to be very careful with employment laws. They’ll sue me if you step out of line with them.”

  “Oh, I won’t step out of line,” I say. “I’ll just treat them like naughty children, something I have experience of with my once diva daughter and little terror, Tyler.”

  “We were a handful at times.” Cam smiles.

  “Yeah, but you grew out of it all fast enough. Both you and Ty make me and your dad very proud. However, I don’t want a daughter with exhaustion other than if she’s had too much sex, so get yourself sorted.”

  “I’ll think everything over tonight,” she says. “Are you coming in tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I want to see what the place is like when Gemma is here.” I pick up my bag. “It’s been fab spending the day with you today, seeing my businesswoman daughter at work in her empire.”

  Cam smiles. “Thanks, Mum.”

  “I mean it. Now I’m off to the supermarket and then to Tyler’s. He wants me to look at some of his emails. Says he’s too many.”

  “I think Ty’s really struggling, what with his full-time job, the computer stuff and Linds being so poorly with the baby.”

  “Yes, well, I said I’d have a quick look, see if there’s anything I can help him with.”

  “What’s Dad doing then?”

  “Going to the pub. Don’t you be too late home either.”

  “I won’t. I’ll make sure I’m out of here by nine.”

  “Your hours are too long Cam. Something else to try to work around with Gemma. If you split the shifts properly between you, you can let her close up more.”

  She shrugs. “I always worry it’s not been done properly.”

  I make a theatrical groan. “How many times has Gemma locked up for you, and it’s all been okay?”

  She bites her lip.

  “At least once a week for eighteen months right?”

  “Right,” she admits.

  “So that’s at least seventy times. You’ve got to let this go a bit, love.”

  She sighs. “You’re right. I will try. I’ve a lot to think about tonight.”

  “Well do that instead of thinking of England,” I quip.

  She rolls her eyes at me. “I’ve told you, no more discussion of my sex life, Mother.”

  I laugh, grab my bag, kiss her cheek and leave the building saying night to any of the staff I see on my way out.

  Chapter Ten

  Dora

  “Jesus, Tyler. 5,432 emails.”

  “I know Mum, and that’s only from the last few weeks. I can’t keep up. A lot of them will be nonsense, but I don’t have time to find out. There are business opportunities in there, but I can’t tell what’s spam, people who want to rip me off, or genuine offers. I’m going to lose this book deal if I don’t get myself organised soon.”

  “Ty, are you willing to give me your passwords so I can sort these out? We’ll set you up a separate personal email and let this be your business email. I can do some tomorrow while I’m at Kid Zone and keep working through it. I can use my own computer.”

  “Yeah, no worries Mum, that’d be sick.” He goes to write his details down for me.

  I put them in my purse. We’ve eaten. Lindsay says she’s only felt sick once today and hasn’t been physically sick, so hopefully, that’s finally on it’s way out. She’s fallen asleep on the sofa. I could bloody well join her. I’ve been up since six-thirty, and it’s now twenty-two minutes past nine.

  “Right. I’d better get back to your Dad. I’m looking forward to a nice soak in the
tub and then bed.”

  Famous last words as the phone rings and my world tilts on its axis.

  “Mum.”

  “Cam, what’s wrong?”

  “Dylan was with Dad in the pub. Dad got bad chest pains. They phoned for an ambulance. They’ve taken him to A&E at the General.”

  I feel the blood drain out of my face. Not Tim. He’s still young for goodness sake. He can’t have a heart attack.

  “I’m on my way, Cam. I’ll see you shortly.”

  “What’s up, Mum, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  I tell my son his Dad’s been taken to hospital. He wakes Lindsay to tell her where we are going. She looks worried and wants to come, but we tell her to wait at home. Then Ty drives me to the hospital in my car, as thankfully, I never took him off my insurance. It’s the longest journey of my life, and all I can think is Tim, please don’t die.

  “Indigestion?”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose.

  “Indi-bloody-gestion?”

  Tim looks at me shame-faced. “I had a fry-up at breakfast. Then I had a McDonalds for lunch, and then I went to the pub for tea where I had two pints to drink and ate gammon, egg and chips, followed by a jam roly-poly.”

  “Well, you may as well stay here then cos at some point you’re going to have a heart attack,” I bellow.

  “I know.” Tim looks shame-faced. “It’s been a wake-up call. I thought I was on my way out. The doctors told me how much damage I’ll do to my body if I carry on.” His shoulders slump, and he pouts like a kid who didn’t get what he wants for Christmas. “I just thought I’d have a day of treating myself.”

  “Treating yourself to a trip to hospital. Great plan there,” I snap. Then I burst into tears. I fling my arms around him, almost knocking him over. “I thought you were going to die, Tim. I couldn’t bear it. Please stop eating crap and stay alive.”

  “I’ll do my best,” he says, putting his arm around me and kissing my cheek.

  “Sorry, kids.” He looks at Cam and Tyler, contrite.