Chapter 31

“Just a little heads up son,” Scott shuffled the drinks around on the table without meeting Harvey’s gaze. He’d stumbled into the bar like a man on the run. They had weekly meetings at this bar since Harvey was old enough to drink. “my sister’s in the country for a few days and she insists on following me around.” He finished, flashing his wackiest smile in Harvey’s direction. A smile that begged for forgiveness; Scott knew of the relationship with his sister and the Regal family all too well. The years had not erased the tension between both families.

Before Harvey could voice the opposition in his head, he heard the characteristic clacking of heels against the tiled floor. He had his fair share of female companions to recognise the sound without more. His eyes mindlessly shifted towards the source of this auditory irritation.
Six inch red pumps, her right ankle adorned with a matte black tattoo of a cross, black shorts that had a tie at the waist and a ruby red, long sleeved turtle neck sweater tucked into the waist of her shorts. Her hair sat at the top of her head in a neat bun. Harvey preferred his women with wild, untameable hair. His mind viciously summoning a fading imagine of Mia. He was trying hard to hold onto the image but this was not possible. His body had no regard for time and place; a betrayal that stung at the core. His mind wasn’t his to control and neither was his body; his little friend threatening to grow at the memory of her hanging her head back and gasping from his touch.

He’d spent all of last night, twisting about. His sheets had caught and held on to her scent, making it difficult for him attain the level of composure to fall asleep. He was riled, energetic and ready and yet she hadn’t been there next to him. He’d regretted not convincing her to stay the night; he hadn’t had enough of her. That was abundantly clear.

“Harvey, it’s been too long.” Rose made no attempt to hide her displeasure. Harvey was a reminder of the reason Brad decided to act right for his wife. If it wasn’t for this brat, Brad never would have left her and she would have been his wife sooner or later. Now, she was left to find other men to secure her lifestyle, a feat that increased in its scale of complexity and challenge; the older she got, the less interested wealthy men were in her. They were all searching for the next young thing.

“Why couldn’t she wait in the car?” Harvey trailed a finger along the rim of his glass. It had been years since he saw her. After Eva was born she’d caused a scene with his mother, hinting that Brad had started up their affair again. His mother had packed up her bags, taken Harvey and Eva without a word to Brad. She didn’t have it in her to place blind trust in him again.
His father had been clueless of the events, however, Harvey had been well over the age of majority delving into the situation and finding out the facts; that being that no affair had occurred. It was all a ploy set up my Rose. It was only around that time he’d truly found out about his father’s indiscretions. Harvey had been furious to learn his father’s dark past but he had to admit it did happen before he fell in love with his wife.

“The heat will kill me.” She whined, Scott getting cut across.

“Doesn’t render my initial question any less valid.” He raised his glass and swung it to his mouth. Her eyes attempted to burn a hole through the centre of his forehead, but Harvey was unbothered. He’d grown up being a loner; people’s opinions of him didn’t matter. Far less for the opinions of a woman who tried to break up his family right after his mother went through hours of labour to give birth.

“Alright, you two.” Scott intervened. “Let’s put the pistols away.” He chuckled,

“Want anything?” He directed at Rose.

“A water.” She replied, pulling a chair out and easing into it. “Be right back.” Scott said, “Be nice.” He stared at his sister and he walked over to the bartender to make his order of water and a beer.

“How’s your father, Harvey?” Rose eyed every line on Harvey’s person. He’d really grown into his features. The last time she saw him, he was a slender eighteen year old with a pretty face. Presently, he was a rugged man, with a strong jaw and intense eyes, his shoulders and chest bulkier than she would have expected. He was striking, his tan causing her to view him as an Arabian prince; one that was perhaps disowned by his family for making dangerous decisions.

“Still not interested in you.” Harvey downed the remainder of his drink; he began unscrewing the bottle he’d bought for the table and filling his glass back up. The deep baritone of his voice suiting his appearances quite well. She imaged that he would have been able to switch from malicious to sultry real easy; like father and son.

“I see you get that attitude from your mother.” She leaned back and crossed her arms across her chest like an irate toddler.

“I am surprised you remember she exists.” Harvey almost choked himself laughing at her being bold enough to mention his mother. “You treat my father as if he were a single man.”

“He treated himself that way long before you were in the picture.” She shot back, offended by Harvey’s take on the situation. He shook his head, he’d long learned that arguing with ignorant people was pointless. He drained his glass once again and stood as Scott returned.

“You better be off to the men’s room.” He placed his and his sister’s drink down on the round table. He flashed a strange look towards Rose but she wouldn’t meet his gaze. She pulled the bottle of water towards her, cracked the seal and pressed the opening to her mouth as if nothing happened.

“I’ll call you later.” Harvey responded, patting Scott on the back and making his way to the exit. He didn’t understand why Scott continued putting up with Rose, or maybe Harvey did. He had a sister to and he couldn’t say with certainty that he’d abandon her if she made bad decisions. It was a touchy topic. This, he guessed, was the same reason why his father and mother never let Scott’s relationship with his sister alter their friendship. At the end of the day, she was his family; mental disorder and all.

Harvey climbed into his car and before he could think better of his decision, he pulled out his phone and sent a message. He wouldn’t deny himself the things he craved.

*What are your plans for your lunch break?*
He pulled his seat belt across his body and started his car, his phone’s notification sounds pinging in his ear.

*Other than eating lunch?* Mia had seen the message and her fingers worked on a response instantly. There were no hindrances in her brain; there was nothing wrong in enjoying harmless flirtation with a man she’d already had sex with. She knew where she stood with him; their situation was uncomplicated.
He couldn’t hinder the smile appearing on his face. She had a dry humour that appealed to him and he could almost hear her saying the words, a clueless expression to match.

*I want to see you again.* He didn’t want to beat around the proverbial bush. It had to be obvious as to why he was contacting her.

*For lunch?* she clarified. Meeting any time after work hours would be tricky for her to manage and she did have a free period right after her lunch hour.

*If you can spare the time.* he responded, checking his watch. It was thirty minutes to lunch time; it would take him fifteen minutes to reach the school she worked at.

*Will this be your version of a food meeting or mine?* She had to be clear about expectations. She didn’t know if having actual lunch or dinner together was common territory for flings.

Harvey’s smile deepened at the text message. If it wasn’t certain from last night, he’d definitely preferred her interpretation of ‘food’.

*You’ve made me exceptionally partial to your version of things.*

*I am pleased to hear that* she responded, attempting to hide her growing smile from the class she was supervising.

*I’ll pick you up at the school.* He messaged back, already pulling out of the bar’s parking lot.

*I’ll meet you at the corner of the street, just to be away from everyone’s view.* She said. She didn’t need any prying eyes, especially given the fact that to everyone else she was supposed to be happily married.

*I’ll comply.* he said. It was probably for the best. His sister was her student and it would seem a bit inappropriate to other teachers and staff. It was also a precaution against his sister seeing them.