A Family Affair - First Born Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    He looked at her with a compassionate gaze and led her to his bike. “It will be okay.”
    Ellen nodded, wanting it to be true. She sat behind him, and watched as he started the engine. It kicked into life.
    “Try and lean with me, and hold on tight,” he called out, pulling her arms around his waist to demonstrate.
    Ellen hadn’t been on the back of a motorbike, and the idea of doing something new and reckless suddenly seemed like a good idea. They roared down the laneway, and into the main street, and accelerated. The bike was faster than she would have imagined, and the feel of the wind stronger. She caught her breath, surprised by the exhilaration. It was a new way to experience the city, and Ellen would have enjoyed the ride, if she wasn’t hurting so much on the inside. 
    The distraction didn’t last long, and before long, they pulled into the multistorey car park attached to Kane’s apartment building. He had described it, and it was vaguely how she had imagined it, but Ellen had never been there before. Once Kane turned the engine off, the pain she had been feeling quickly returned, and the tears ran down her cheeks again.
    He led her inside, and sat her on the couch, where she cried inconsolably for the next couple of hours. At some point, Kane made dinner and she tried to eat a mouthful or two. However, the only thing that tasted right was the wine, and thankfully he continually topped up her glass without being asked. It was gradually numbing the pain and blocking out the memories of seeing Tom with that beautiful woman.
    Ellen was starting to question certain aspects of the relationship which she had previously taken for granted, and Kane just listened patiently. The evening passed quickly and a warm haziness started to spread through Ellen’s body.
    “I’m probably over-reacting,” she kept saying to him.
    “Maybe,” was all Kane would say, trying not to draw any conclusions.
    Ellen’s head started to spin when she tried to stand up.
    “Wow, I’ve got you,” Kane said, leaping to his feet to support her wobbly frame.
    “I think I’ve had too much to drink.”
    “It looks that way.”
    “Kane,” Ellen said, with genuine appreciation. “Thank you for looking after me tonight, and for listening. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t answered your phone.”
    “I want you to promise to call me again, day or night. If you need me, I’ll be there.”
    “Thank you.”
    “What are friends for, right?”
    Ellen looked around. “I should go. It’s late.”
    Kane shook his head. “Not a good idea. You can hardly walk, and I’ve had too much to drink as well. You can crash in my spare room. I’ll give you a ride home in the morning.”
    “Are you sure?” That option sounded easier and smarter.
    “Actually, I insist.”
    Kane led Ellen into his spare room where she found a comfy bed waiting. He kicked a few things out of the way and found a new toothbrush and oversized tee-shirt for her.
    She had talked her heart out tonight, and everything should have been looking better, but to Ellen’s horror, as soon as Kane shut the door and wished her goodnight, the world started to close in around her. Her emotions went into overdrive. If Tom decided he didn’t love her anymore, how would she recover? Her life revolved around him; his love defined her in a dangerous manner. For the first time she saw how risky it was to give everything you had to one person; to trust that person enough to give him the keys to your heart. If Tom changed his mind about their relationship, Ellen’s world would be broken into a thousand pieces. It would be impossible to mend the damage. Why hadn’t she seen this before?
    Ellen’s mind was racing so fast, and when the tears came again, they seemed endless. Her door creaked open again after a few minutes. “Sorry, Kane,” she whimpered.
    He walked in and sat on the edge of her bed. “It’ll be okay in the morning, you’ll see.”
    “I