The boys in my life

Haley stepped out of the shower, one towel wrapped around her thick brown hair, and the other around her slim figure- now bronze from the summer sun. She glanced in the steamy mirror as she spun around to grab her clothes. The familiar deep green eyes peered back at her, the envy of many of her friends and the reason that she turned heads wherever she walked. She smiled, flashing her white teeth at her reflection. With a roll of her eyes, Haley pulled on a thin, halter dress, and pushed the door open. A smile wound its way across her face as she caught sight of Alex. He turned to glance over at her, and their eyes locked- green and blue. In one swift motion, he pushed himself off the leather couch and came over to her. He took her hand lightly in his, fingering the beautiful, new wedding ring on her fourth finger, and leant down to meet her lips with his. She kissed him back hungrily, snaking her free hand up and around his neck. He grinned and slowly moved his lips downwards.

“We’ve got to go soon. Your parents have that stupid lunch,” he whispered into her ear, his breath warm on her throat. Haley nodded, her green eyes pleading.

“Just a little longer,” she mumbled back. But Alex slowly pulled away from her, untangling her hand from around his neck. Striding back to the couch, he fumbled around for her handbag and handed it to her with a lopsided grin. Her knees felt as if they would give way underneath her. As he walked towards the door, Haley kicked on a pair of white heels and, with one last look at her wedding ring, followed him.

They pulled into her parents’ driveway half an hour later, and Haley stepped out as the car came to a halt. Alex took her hand gently and they strolled up to the front door. Her mother- a rosy cheeked, dark haired woman- answered.

“Oh hon, how was the honeymoon? I heard you went to Tokyo of all places! You should’ve been more imaginative! Now, on my honeymoon…” Haley glanced at Alex who shot an amused grin back at her. Her concentration drifted away from her mother’s detailed description of her honeymoon where they had, by chance, conceived her- she didn’t want to know. As they strolled into the house, Haley’s fingertips caught her husband’s. They entwined half-consciously, Alex’s hand warm against her own. Her mother still blathered on, oblivious to Haley’s lack of attention. Then she caught sight of her own husband- Haley’s aging father- and raised a plump hand in greeting.

“Adrian, dear! Haley and Alexander are here!”

“Alex,” Alex corrected under his breath. Haley squeezed his hand with an apologetic smile.

“Oh, how was the honeymoon?” her father asked, extending his arms wide open. With an embarrassed giggle, Haley stepped into his hug. She tightened her arms around him

“Dear”, her mother twittered, “the Morrisons are coming over as well, I was hoping you could entertain them. They don’t know you’re married yet, they were away on holiday the day of your wedding.” Alex looked questioningly at Haley.

“Who are the Morrisons?” he asked carefully. Her mother’s birdlike eyes flickered to Alex.

“Just family friends, Alexander,” she replied. “Their son is about your age, I presume. One year older than our little girl. In fact, I’m sure Haley was-”

“Mother!” Haley interrupted, her cheeks reddening. Then she turned to her husband. “Al, what she means is that we were quite good friends.” Her mother cocked an eyebrow, her mouth firmly closed, so she would refrain from speaking any more. Sometimes it seemed she couldn’t stop herself.

“Son,” her father said quickly to Alex. “D’you know how to barbecue?” Haley nudged him with her elbow.

“Yeah, sure,” he replied. “My parents used to host barbecues all the time.”

“Great.” Her father slung an arm around his shoulders, dragging him off to the sunny garden.

Haley patted her clammy hands against her dress. She was dreading the Morrisons’ visit. A fleeting look at the clock told her that they should be arriving at any second. When her mother had mentioned them, Haley’s heart had dropped like a stone. It had been an awkward moment, and she wasn’t sure how to introduce Alex to the Morrisons’ son, Carter. Then the doorbell rang. A lump rose in her throat.

“Answer it hon! I’m getting the salad!” Her mother’s voice bellowed from the kitchen. Haley’s gaze skittered to the door. Her legs refused to move. The doorbell rang again- more shrill than before. “Just get it, Haley!” Haley took a deep breath. When she opened the door, she saw three familiar faces peering back at her.

“Haley, you’ve grown so much!”

“Hi, Mrs. Morrison, Mr. Morrison...Carter.”

“Hey Hale.” Carter’s voice was deeper than she remembered. She finally got the courage to look into his eyes- a soulful brown. “How are ya?”

“Fine thanks, Carter. You?” she squeaked back.

“Really good. I just got a new car- a Mercedes Benz.” He thrust a hand behind him and Haley caught sight of a shiny black Mercedes poking out under the overgrown bushes lining the driveway.

“Wow, it’s flashy.” Immediately Haley’s face burned. “I mean it’s…nice.” Carter laughed.

“No, it’s fine. That’s what I thought when I saw it. But it drives well, so it’s good.” He took her hand, and Haley flinched, pulling it slowly out of his grip. “So where’s this barbecue?” Carter declared brazenly.

“The garden,” Haley said.

“Hi Karen, Adrian,” Mr. Morrison said with a large grin.

“Graham, good to see you could make it in one piece! I heard there was an accident on the motorway!” Haley’s father answered in the same jolly tone.

“There always is,” chuckled Mrs. Morrison. “But we left home early, so we could get here in time.”

“When’s the barbecue?” interrupted Carter with a sparkle in his eye. “I want to see for myself what an amazing cook you are, Mr. Barker.” Haley’s dad guffawed.

“I’m not that great, and anyway it’s not me cooking everything today. My son-in-law’s doing a great job so far,” he said proudly.

“Evie and James are here?” Mrs. Morrison asked.

“No, my other daughter,” he said, annoyed. “Haley’s husband, Alex.” Carter’s eyes widened and a flicker of surprise flitted across his face.

“You’re married?” he said incredulously.

Haley glared at him. Was that so hard to believe? She wasn’t a promiscuous girl who played the field. In fact, Haley was the exact opposite.

“So you’re not little Haley Barker anymore,” he said with a regained casualness.

“No, I’m Mrs. Haley Sparks. Is there a problem with that, Carter?” He shook his head.

“No I’m just saying that I didn’t think I would live to the day that you got mar-”

“Don’t say it.” Haley held up her hand. Carter chuckled.

“Lets see what this husband of yours can cook up, then.”

“Alex, this is Carter- a friend of mine.”

“Yup, just a friend.” Haley glared at him before he could say anything else. Alex thrust his hand out and they shook hands roughly.

“Nice to meet you,” he muttered. Carter peered over Alex’s shoulder.

“So this is the grub then,” Carter sniggered.

Alex threw a backward glance over at the table that had been moved outside for the barbecue.

“D’you think it’s OK?” Alex asked.

“Yeah, I love it.” But Carter’s glance wasn’t fixed on the barbecue. It was on Haley. “And you don’t know how much I want it.” Haley’s fingers tightened into a tense fist as her heart flipped over inside her chest.

This wasn’t going to be as easy as she had thought.