Our Little Secret

Chapter 44

Jack
My phone starts ringing as I hit the highway; the caller ID tells me it is Miles.

"What's up Miles?"

"Hey, dude, wanna come over and hang out? We finally got our pool table fixed."

I immediately think of Sarah. She has been in my mind all day and, though I don't want to admit it, I have missed her. I was looking forward to go home and spend time with her.

Don't I get a break?

The conversation we had earlier today pops into my mind. She wants a fucking break I will give her one.

"That sounds great Miles, see you soon."

"Awesome! Later, dude."

I pull up into Miles driveway and cut the engine. Truth be told I am not overjoyed to be here. I am tired from all working and want Sarah's comfort. Nobody makes me relax like she does.

I open the door and head out. Miles mum open the door with a warm smile.

"Sup Mrs. Miles?"

"Hello, Jack. Lovely to see you dear."

I smile widely at her. Nothing beats Miles mum. "It is nice to see you too."

"Jeremy is in the basement," she informs and head back into the kitchen again.

I head down the stairs. "Thanks." I call out after me.

"Hey, man." Miles is standing by the billiard table with his younger sister, Ella. "Alright, Ella, Jack's here, now scram."

"But I want to play too!" Ella's voice is really light and high, I guess it is because she hasn't hit her puberty quite yet.

"Yeah, well, we are going to have guys talk so you can't join. Now get out of here!"

"Mum! Jeremy won't let me play!" Ella wails loudly up the stairs.

"Jeremy be nice to your sister!"

"Why does she have to join? I want to be alone with my friend!"

Mrs. Miles comes down the stairs with an annoyed look on her face. "Ella you get to play one game and then the boys will be on their own down here, understood?"

"Yes, mum!" Ella says, ten times happier already.

"Good." She says and walks back up.

Miles is wearing a pained look on his face and I chuckle. "It ain't that bad, dude."

"You don't have to live with the little rat," he complains and poke Ella with the cue.

"Don't mind the ogre, Jack." She ignores Miles and smiles sweetly at me. Ella has had a crush on me, ever since she realised that boys aren't that bad.

I smile back and pick up a cue.

"Since you both are older than me, you have way more experience than I and you can be more precise. Therefore I think it's only fair if I get to play with one of you." Ella declares with a deadly serious face. She is a horrible loser and will do whatever it takes to win. Miles rolls his eyes behind her back.

"And since you're an idiot," she continues and turns to Miles. "I think it's only fair if I play with Jack." I can't help but chuckle at her.

"Come on, Ells, give him a break." Miles points out with a grimace.

"Don't sweat it, Miles, let her play. Ella and I usually make a good team. Right Ellie?" She nods eagerly with a huge grin and Miles make a noise of disgust.

Ella is one of the few girls I care about. Partly because of her age, but also because she is like a little sister to me. I have known Miles almost all my life and therefore know Ella as good as him.

We start to play and, even though Ella is quite bad, Miles gets his ass kicked.

"You suck." I chuckle as he misses the hole and Ella lets out a giggle. Miles glares at us from the end of the table. It is my turn to take a hit and I do so right into the upper hole on the left.

"Hooray!" Ella cheers and makes a jump.

"Whatever, you'll miss your next shot."

"As if! He's better than you," Ella argues and Miles make a face at her.

"Yeah, Miles, I'm better than you!" I tease him with a grin and take my next hit. The ball eases into one of the holes without any problem and I make a victory pose.

"You're getting your ass kicked, bro." Miles eyebrows shoot up at Ella's comment.

"Watch your language, young lady."

"Why? You talk like this all the time!" Ella's face wrinkles into a frown, her blue eyes narrowing at her brother.

"Yes, but I'm grown up, so I can talk like this. You, on the other hand, are just a kid and shouldn't talk like that."

"Grown up? The only thing that has grown on you is that big head of yours that's filled with air."

"Oh burn!" I chuckle and hold up my hand so Ella can high five it.

"Shut up, Jack." Miles snaps irritated. "You better be nice or I will throw you out," he continues, turning to Ella. She makes a puppy face and stands stubbornly next to me.

"Are we going to play or not?" Miles mutters, but I can see the corners of his mouth turning up.

"The game is fully going and you're getting your ass kicked." I mimic Ella's words with a grin.

"Whatever." Miles rolls his eyes.

Ella continues our round with a miss and it is Miles turn. He easily eases two balls into the holes, but misses his third shot. Taking my turn, I lean down and start aiming. Just as I am about to take my hit, my phone comes to life and it is Sarah who is calling. Miles gives my phone a quick glance and his eyebrows shoot up when he sees whom it is that is calling. He then gives me a big grin and winks at me.

In return I give him an eye roll and the finger before I press the green button. Ella's eyes widen when she sees this and Miles scowls at me. He may be as "bad" as he wants, but he has some serious issues about keeping his baby sister as innocent as possible. I can't help but feel as cheery as Miles look, but also a bit troubled. Sarah barely ever calls me, so something must have happened.

"Hello?"

"Where in the world are you?" Disappointment hits me as I hear that it is Karen calling and not Sarah.

"Uh, I'm at a friend." I mumble a bit taken aback, why is Karen calling on Sarah's phone?

"Well you better get home, now." Boy is she pissed.

"Why?" I ask, starting to get angry myself.

"Because I say so."

"You're not my mother." I hiss furiously and glance over the table. Miles is looking at me with a puzzled look.

"Jack, don't start this again." Karen threatens with a rough voice.

"Why the hell not? I'm almost eighteen, you can't tell me what to do!"

"Jack, you get over here. Now!"

I don't get a chance to answer because she hangs up. Furiously I stare at the phone. She actually believes that I will follow her little commands?

Hell no.

"Everything alright, mate?" Miles asks with a frown, leaning on his cue.

"Yeah, everything is fine. Shall we continue our game?"