Sunshine Kisses

‘And when you came back from what she possibly assumed was more than just dancing…?’

‘She was doing shots. Fuck. And you think that’s because of me?’

Alex’s eyes said: obviously.

Erik crossed his arms and leaned against the bathroom cabinets. ‘So what do you suggest I do?’

‘I’m driving back to uni first thing in the morning. Mum and dad and the Briars won’t be home until late tomorrow. You’ll have the house to yourselves. Make her breakfast, then talk to her. That’s what you two do, isn’t it? You talk. About everything.’

He said it as if the concept repelled him.

The red-haired girl appeared in the doorway before Erik could respond. ‘She’s changed. I’m going back to bed,’ she said to Alex with a yawn.

‘I’ll be there in a minute.’

‘Thank you,’ Erik called as she walked towards Alex’s room. She responded with a wave of her fingers before slipping in and closing the door.

‘Erik…’ Abby groaned as they walked back into his room, but a small smile appeared as Erik brushed her hair back and tightened the blankets around her.

‘Hey, Sunshine,’ he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. ‘I’m going to leave water and some painkillers next to the bed, okay? Take them when you can. I’ll be on the sofa if you need me.’

‘No.’ Her arm shot out with surprising speed, given her state, and caught a fistful of t-shirt. ‘Don’t go,’ she whispered.

He looked up at Alex, torn. His brother smirked, unruffled as ever. ‘You going to tell mum and dad about the girl in my bed?’

Erik shook his head.

‘Great. I won’t tell them about the girl in yours. Goodnight.’

Erik woke with a start, brushing at the soft fluff tickling his nose. Warmth flooded the right side of his body, and a sleepy moan sounded near his chest, bringing flashes of the night before flooding back.

Abby.

Abby getting plastered at the party. Him tucking her into bed. Her begging him to stay.

He’d slipped under the sheets intending to keep a respectable distance between them, but Abby had rolled into him immediately, head nuzzling into his arm until he lifted it and draped it around her. She’d sighed happily as her head dropped onto his chest.

‘I love you,’ she’d said, her voice muffled by his shirt.

Erik’s heart had tightened. It was nothing, really. They’d said those words so many times over their lives. But the exchange was becoming harder for him each time. ‘I love you too. So much,’ he had finally whispered into her hair, pain stabbing his chest with every syllable.

‘Erik.’

‘Mhm?’

‘I don’t want you to date Claire.’ The words had been mumbled, barely audible, but they had made Erik’s heart stop.

‘Who should I date then?’ Quiet. ‘Abby?’ he had asked again into the darkness.

Then a soft groan, followed by slow, deep breaths. Erik had sighed and shut his eyes. ‘Goodnight, Sunshine.’

In the grey early morning light, Abby was still clinging to his side, one leg curled over his, exactly where she’d passed out. It dawned on Erik that it had been years since he’d slept as well as he had the night before. The peace and comfort he drew from her felt endless.

Her eyelids fluttered open, showing tiny red eyes, and she yawned adorably.

Erik kept his voice low as he said, ‘Coffee?’

She grumbled appreciatively.