Fulfillment by Golland, M. (best large ebook reader .txt) 📕

by playing stuff I hadn’t heard of and completely randomsongs like “Just A Girl” by No doubt and “Mister Sandman”—which Ilaughed at, because he pulled a stupid face as he played it.

It wasn’tuntil I guessed with such enthusiasm that he was playing “Eruption”by Van Halen that he gave up the game and said, ‘You win’. I’dtried to do a happy dance but obviously couldn’t, so went with thehappy-clap instead, and I was rewarded with a quick soft kiss onthe lips. It was in that moment that I decided I wanted to surprisehim and learn to play the guitar so that I could play for him. Ithought that maybe he would appreciate me learning something he wasso passionate about. It was also a gift I could give him, a gift Icould give a man that appeared to have everything.

He’ddisappeared for a short time with Lucy and Charli to cook the fish‘n’ chips. So I took that opportunity to approach Derek and see ifhe wouldn’t mind giving me some secret lessons.

I motioned forhim to come over to me then spoke in a hushed tone. “Um, Derek, canI ask you something?”

He lookedaround the room in a sneaky type of way with a cute grin on hisface. “Yeah, why are you whispering?”

“This is gonnasound completely crazy, but I was hoping you’d do me a favour.”

“Okay, sure.Fire away.”

I giggled.Yes, giggled like an idiot at his choice of the word ‘fire’,remembering Carly’s burnt fiery hole that she wished he’d put outwith his hose. I had to reign myself in again, much to myembarrassment and his amusement. “Aren’t you gonna ask what thefavour is before you agree?”

He chuckled.“No, how bad can it be?”

I raised myeyebrow at him and he sat back just a little. “Nup, still can’t bethat bad. So, what can I do for you?”

I leaned overso that I could whisper in his ear, I didn’t want anyone elsehearing my plan. “I want to learn to play the guitar as a surprisefor Bryce and I was wondering if you’d teach me.”

He shot backaway from me. “Seriously?” He sounded somewhat amused.

“Yes,seriously. There’s not much I can give a man that has everything,but this is something I can give him. I think he’d enjoy it.”

He scoffed,but in a good way. “Yeah, I think he would too. Of course, I’d loveto teach you. When do you want to start?”

“As soon aspossible, I’m kind of bored shitless at the moment and Bryce is dueto go to Sydney tomorrow for work then on to Brisbane for the restof the week. Lucy and Nic are gonna stay here, so I’ll fill them inand swear them to secrecy.”

“Sure, I likea challenge and you look like a challenge,” he said, in a mildlyflirty way.

“Hey, I mightjust surprise you and be your best student.”

“Wellconsidering you’ll be my only student then, yeah, you justmight.”

“Give me yourphone, I’ll program my number into it,” I put my hand out for hisphone and he obliged, so I entered my number into his contacts. “Assoon as you’ve got some spare time, give me a buzz.” I handed himback his phone.

Bryce walkedin moments later and placed the large platter on the coffee table.He walked over and handed me my own dish of sauce, saying loudly,“Alexis double dips.”

“And proud ofit,” I announced as I glared at him playfully and snatched it. Ithen proceeded to dip my finger in my dish and suck off thesauce.

His eyetwitched and I couldn’t help but smile wickedly at him.

My phonebuzzed in my pocket as Bryce went to fill a plate with seafood forme. I pulled it out to find a text from an unknown number:

Don’t worry, I doubledip too.

But don’t tell anyone.- Derek

I looked up atDerek standing next to the table. He gave me a wink then dipped hisprawn back in the sauce.

I burst intolaughter.

***

For theremainder of the evening the guys and Lucy practised some of theiroriginal songs and a few they planned to cover at the upcoming gig.I adored their rendition of “Hurricane” by Thirty Seconds to Marsand “Fader” by Temper Trap and I soon became really excited at theprospect of seeing them play again on stage, together with playinga guitar myself.

I found myselfstaring in between Bryce and Derek, watching them intently as theystrummed the guitars; they made it look so simple. Fuck! Whathave I got myself into? I’m so gonna suck and Derek is going tofind it hilarious, if not aggravating—possibly eveninfuriating.

“You mightwant to be careful where Derek is concerned,” Nic whispered into myear, breaking me out of my regretful thoughts.

I turned toher, confused. “What do you mean?”

“He is a veryflirty guy, just be mindful of that. You’ve kind of been staring athim.” Have I? Oh, shit! I have, but not like that.

I screwed myface up at her, slightly offended at her not so subtle accusation.“Yes, I have been staring at him and at Bryce, for a reason. I amgoing to learn the guitar as a surprise for Bryce, and Derek hasagreed to teach me. For your information, Nic, I’ve been watchingthem both play.” I turned my head back to Bryce, who had picked upon my change of demeanour, so I smiled at him.

“Oh, I didn’tmean anything by it, Alexis. I just noticed you getting friendlywith Derek and thought I better warn you that he can get quitefriendly in return...sometimes too friendly.”

“Do you speakfrom experience?” I asked her, snidely.

“No,” shereplied sharply.

I turned backto her. “Then what are you talking about, Nic? I am in love withyour brother-in-law. We have just lost our baby, and I want to makehim happy again, give him something special to show him how much Ilove him. That is why I want to learn the guitar. I can’t exactlyask Bryce to teach me, can I? So in comes Derek. He is going tohelp me, that is it.”

She loweredher voice even more. “Sorry, I honestly didn’t mean anything byit.”

“Yeah, youdid, Nic,” I answered without looking at her.

The musicstopped and everyone seemed to be pleased with their form.

“I’m going totake Alexander upstairs to bed,” Nic announced to Lucy.

“Okay, I’ll beup in