Three next days passed very quickly for John Paul, especially when he found for himself a new hobby, which consisted of a ride with Spike on the motorcycle. He never thought that one day he would admit that he love it and will jumping to the sidecar every time when Spike opens the garage. He knew that sometimes he irate his new owner when he was still demanding another trips, but he couldn't do nothing with that. He has been boring for all day and the trips have been...well, very exciting. Spike should understood him.
'There's no chance we're going for a ride today.' Spike warned him loyally, when John Paul tried his tricks to change his mind. 'We're staying here, buddy. For once it's not raining in this bloody village.' He said firmly and threw blue ball ahead, letting it rolling after green gross in the middle of the park. John Paul waggled his tail in response, knowing that in the end Spike will give up and they go for a ride like always, and ran after blue ball which man has bought for him few days ago. Craig will never go with me to the park, even if I bring him a ball. He's too lazy to move his ass from the couch and play with me...but unfortunately not so lazy to "play" with Sarah. God, I hate this cow so much! She took my Craig away from me...My Craig.
'Come on, buddy.' Spike called him and raised up from the bench like something was burning him on the bum. 'I need to stretch one's my legs.' He added and secretly glanced at his wristwatch. Right. You need to stretch out your legs, cause it's time when Darren appears in the nearest shop. You still thinking I'm so daft? But even if he didn't want to go, John Paul took in teeth his ball and politely followed the man, didn't want to wear more Spike's life. He understood him perfectly, John Paul not once has been in love, and he knew what is unrequited love, especially when your object of love it's straight as a stick and doesn't notice you. But he couldn't understood why for the Name of God, from many hot men around, he has chosen Darren?! It could be everybody...Even Craig! But Darren? Craig is more gay than him.
'Be quiet, buddy.' Spike fizzled to him and leaned against the tree, when he was secretly observing Darren chatting with some fit bird outside the shop. They were giggling and flirting with themselves, forgetting about whole world. John Paul squeaked as he noticed Spike's sad eyes. Just go to him, Spike. Waiting is the worst thing you can do now. But man didn't move even for a millimetre. He just standing and watching.
John Paul couldn't watching him in this state any longer, he just ran toward Darren, didn't bother about Spike's quiet shoutings, and barked so loud as he could, immediately catching his and her attentions. Darren poured at himself cola when he gnashed with too much force the can in his hand and sent John Paul murderous look.
'Shouldn't you be in home now, Chelsea?' He asked unfriendly and threw can to the nearest garbage bin, sending the girl apologetic smile. As it turned out, unnecessarily.
'This lovely doggy is yours Darren?' She twittered happily. 'She's so sweet, Darren. And this eyes! Come to mummy, sweetheart!' Can't you find for himself a girl who would have a brain?
'Not exactly.' Darren replied reluctantly, looking around like he was searching for somebody. 'I need to do something with this stain and receive the order, cause this dump won't do this like it should be. Can you wait for me here? It won't take me too much time.' That's something new. Normally you're spending in bathroom no less time than Steph.
'Course, hunny. I'll be waiting for you how much it'll be needed. Even an eternity.' She replied with a smile, showing a row of her shining teeth. Like a doll. Darren winked to her and disappeared in the shop. The girl turned toward John Paul, and to his dismay, she tried to touched him, but she abandoned this idea when she heard quick steps behind herself. John Paul waggled his tail happily. It was Spike. My hero.
'Oh, hi there!' She twittered to him, her hand immediately ran through her hair, uncovering her big, green eyes. So you catch your another victim. It take you only...ten seconds. You're good.
'Hi.' Spike replied with fake smile and stood next to her. John Paul immediately sat down next to his leg, giving him a support. Finally you came. Shame you didn't do it, when Darren was still there. No, that I said it with sarcasm. Really.
'I'm Natasha.' She introduced herself, flirtatiously winked to him. 'So it's your dog then?'
'In some way.' He shrugged, his eyes scanning all neighbourhood, when he was trying to find Darren. 'You're alone?' She giggled and winked again to him. I watched her for all time and believe me, she didn't hide him in her handbag...Maybe you try to look around? In the SHOP exactly.
'You're a really bad boy.' She waged her finger and giggled. Spike rolled his eyes at this, hardly refraining himself to not say something nasty to her. 'I'm not alone...Yet.' She smiled widely. 'Are you living here?' Her eyes carefully scanning his body. You're too daft for him, babe. Forget about him.
'Yea.' He nodded, shuffling nervously on the feet.
'So probably you know Darren Osbourne, don't you?' Spike gnashed his teeth, already having enough her. 'He's so hot...But you're not worse, I see.' She added.
'Yes, he's hot as hell.' Spike agreed, didn't bother about her shocked expression. I wonder in which part...
'Excuse me?' She asked unsurely.
'You're lucky girl. Everybody's know Darren Osbourne. He's demon in bed.' Spike looked defiantly into her eyes with a smirk. She stared at him shocked, with opened mouth. 'Believe me I tried not once.' Darren won't be happy if he find out what you tell his chick. Especially about the last part.
'So, you two...' She started, her cheeks reddened. 'It's not possible. He doesn't like guys. Not like that!'
'Believe me everything is possible.' Spike said with a smirk. She was trying to said something, but any sounds came from her mouth. 'You want some tips?' She tightened her fists and looked with disgusted at him. Spike valiantly survivor her look, in the soul celebrating his small victory.
Finally without words, she turned on the heel and quickly walked away, from time to time turning toward Spike and giving him evil glares. It's sad that you can only afford yourself for this. Very sad. John Paul waggled his tail when he felt Spike's hand on his head, gently scratching him behind ears. Surely it was his the most favourite caress, especially when the man also kissing him on the head, causing at him this feeling, like he has been a kid again. But John Paul had nothing against to this, for once he could have a dad about who he has been always desiring. And now he get occasion to check how's that feel.
He licked Spike's hand in a gesture of thanks that he carried about him so much and didn't kick him out when John Paul upset him or has done something wrong. He has never spanked him or shout at him. But even if he was so good and patient for him, John Paul's heart prompted him, that his place is with Craig and nothing could change it. He knew he was pathetic, but he just fell in love in that skinny, moodily man and missed him with all heart. Yes, he loved him, and he even couldn't tell him that.
He felt as Spike's fingers stopped moving through his fur, and his body tensed suddenly. John Paul raised up his head and waggled his tail as he noticed Darren carrying with himself grating of fruits, his face frozen in shock as he saw them.
'What are you doing here, Spike?' He asked, his eyes nervously looked around. 'And where is Natasha?'
'Who?' So you change your strategy and now you'll play dump to Darren? It's very mature.
'Natasha, my...' He bit his low lip and glanced at John Paul like he was looking for a help. 'She said she'll waiting for me...Even an eternity.' He finished weakly, trying to sound amuse, but it didn't work. His eyes telling different story.
'Everyone has a different notion of eternity.' Spike said in cheerful tone, trying to cheer up his friend. 'Maybe she's waiting for you in pub?' He suggested gently without looking at him, when he understood that he didn't help him. He couldn't stand Darren's look, full of sadness and hurt.
'Yea, maybe. I'll check when I come back.' He nodded and send Spike fake smile.
'You need so much vitamins that you bought all grating with fruits?' He asked him amused, noticing how sweet is Darren looking now with his red ears and cheeks when he's embarrassed.
'Frankie wants us to make drinks and cocktails with fresh fruits. It's her another stupid, summer idea.' Darren rolled his eyes and smile slightly when Spike laughed quietly. 'And what are you doing here, today?' He glared at him suspiciously and laid on the ground the grating.
'I was with Chelsea in park. Playing with a ball.' He fling up blue ball in his right hand. 'We didn't have nothing to do.' That's not true! We have things to do, but you don't want to do it, cause they collide with hours which you spending for stalking Darren. We'll have more time for a ride, if you talked with him few days ago, Spike. So don't lie you have so tight schedule.
'Recently you don't have too much things to do.' Darren said with a smirk, crossing his arms against chest. Spike nervously gulped. Maybe he's not that blind as I thought.
'Why are you thinking that?
'Cause from five days I still seeing you here. Strangely you're always on the same time as I.' Darren approached him. 'Are you spying me?' He asked amused, noticing Spike's nervously looks. Course not. He's only...stalking you.
'Course I'm not. We just always playing here, that's all. It's just strange coincidence.' Sometimes you're so funny, Spike.
'Very strange coincidence.' Darren said quietly, looking straight into Spike's eyes. 'Tell me the truth, Spike. You want more money? Or...Maybe you want Steph's phone number? I noticed you two like each other from the first sight...You could be a great couple, if she won't be with Max now. She's very sweet and...' Darren mumbling until Spike came closer to him and gently lifted his chin, ending the same his speech. Darren stared at younger man with widen eyes. 'What?'
'If I want more money I'll talk with you or Jack in pub. I like Steph, cause she's amazing woman, but I don't want her phone number. And I don't think we could be a great couple. We're different. She's more like a lady and me more like a....ramble. Besides Frankie doesn't like me, so I don't think she'll want to see me as her son-in-law.' Spike replied, deeply looking in Darren's frightened eyes. 'Maybe you're my type and that's why we're meeting each other so often.' Darren laughed nervously at this.
'Yes, very funny Spike. Now tell me the truth.'
'Maybe I told you the truth, but you don't want listen me?' Darren stared at him speechless, immediately walking back from Spike's hand, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable being so close with a DJ.
'You can't saying this things to the men, Spike. It's small village. They may think you're...'
'That I'm what?' Spike snapped angrily, having enough this ridiculous game.
'You know, Spike.' Darren scratched nervously his head. 'If you say that you fancy me, they'll think you're...' Oh, my God. Don't tell me you didn't notice it yet? It's so obvious, Darren!
'I could this on my own, Darren! It's not hard to buy some fruits. I don't need a babysitter!' Darren tensed as he heard behind himself Craig's irate voice. He totally forgot about him. Before he could answer to him, John Paul passed by Darren and stood in front of Craig, waggling his tail reluctantly. Craig.
'Chelsea! My God, Darren you find Chelsea!' Craig shouted happily and threw himself on the knees, hugging the dog closely to himself. I missed you too.
'It wasn't me Craig.' The man lifted his head above the dog, his face frozen as he noticed another man standing closely to his stepbrother. 'Spike found him yesterday. You should thank him.'
'Thanks for what?' Craig snapped and raised up, giving a DJ unappreciated glance. 'He should bring Chelsea to us, yesterday. I was worrying about him!' Please Craig, don't behave like a last bastard. I don't want to hate you.
'You were worrying about him so much, that you moved your ass only twice, Craig!' Darren yelled furiously.
'Relax, Darren. I have mouth so I can defend myself.' Spike chimed out. 'Let him speak what he wants. I don't care about this.'
'So you should start care, cause everybody in Hollyoaks thinks you're loony! Even Darren.' Someone don't beat you up enough, I see. If you say one word, you may have a luck and you come back to home with new collection of bruises.
'Oy! I've never said something like that!' Darren cried indignantly. 'Don't listen him, Spike. He's lying!' He looked at him with pleading. He needed to believe him. They were friends.
'I can't believe Chelsea was with him all night, in his room!' Oh, if you could know how many nights I spend there.
'In my bed, exactly.' Spike corrected him with a smugly smirk.
'Great. Now I need to clean him up.' Craig snarled and grabbed John Paul from his dog-collar. Darren stared at him speechless, couldn't believe in what he heard. He never thought that Craig can be so cruel. 'Come on, Chelsea. We're going to home.' He pulled roughly his dog from the dog-collar, didn't worry if John Paul wanted to go or not. Stop it, Craig. I don't want to go with you! Firstly apologize Spike!
'Can I petting him for a goodbye?' Spike asked Craig and leaned toward the dog.
'No! Take your hands away from my dog!' Craig snapped and pulled the dog forward. 'Come on, Chelsea. We're going home. Everybody were missing you badly, babe. Darren you coming with us?' The oldest man looked unsurely at Spike. 'You need a permission from him, before you decide?' Craig asked him sarcastically.
'Sorry Spike, better if I go...' Darren started quietly, avoiding DJ's look.
'Yea, I know.' Spike replied coldly. 'See you tomorrow, in work.' He added and walked toward his home.
'But tomorrow we're going for a jog.' Darren said quietly.
'I'll be very busy, Darren. I need to clean my room.' Spike said and walked away.
'I believe it can take all day.' Craig mumbled and moment later fizzled with pain when stepbrother punched him painfully on the arm. 'For what?!' He cried shocked.
'For the pink elephant in the jar.' Darren replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes. 'Why are you hate him so much?' He asked and took the grating from the pavement, and quickly followed his stepbrother.
'I heard some news about your "saint" friend Darren, and believe me, better if you stop meeting with him.' Craig replied firmly still tightly holding John Paul's for a dog-collar.
'From who? And what news?' Darren demanded, tensing immediately.
'Just keep away from him. He only brings troubles for you, nothing more.' Craig warned him.
'I'm older than you, Craig, and believe me I know what is good for me.' Darren snapped angrily, didn't like this all conversation.
'It was only advice.' Craig said drily. 'But really, stay away from him.'
'If you don't say me what's going on, I won't listen your stupid advices.'
'Look, Gilly said...'
'Gilly?!' Darren cried amused. 'Everybody's know he's always lying and colorized facts!'
'I'm pretty sure, this time he wasn't lie.' Craig argued.
'It's miracle then.' Darren grumbled and rolled his eyes.
'Fine. Do what you want, but don't complain later.' Craig snarled. 'I warned you.'
'I won't. Surely not at your arm, little brother.'
'Stop calling me like that!'
'Never.'
'Idiot.'
'You're idiot. It's you who trying to strange own dog.' Darren pointed at the dog who tossed himself from side to side, trying to caught a breath. Craig immediately released the dog-collar and nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
'It's because you caught my attention!' Craig yelled at his stepbrother and gently patted his dog on the back to calm him down.
'It's you who started this stupid conversation about Spike!' Darren send him odd look, feeling totally lost. Craig's strange reasoning was difficult to understand, but it wasn't nothing new for Darren. He get used to this years ago, since his first meeting with this "little" boy. 'I know Spike isn't a saint, I'm not that blind, Craig. But I know that he never hurt the person about who he cares.'
'And how do you know that?' Craig asked him with a snort. 'He saved you from flying mop?'
'No, idiot. I meant Chelsea. You never carried about Chelsea so much as him. You only complaining at this dog and repugnant him his life.'
'That's not true! I love Chelsea!'
'Your life sucks cause you wanted it, Craig. It doesn't mean you can destroying Chelsea's and Spike's life too. Craig Dean is one. If you don't sort up your life, nobody do it for you. Instead of chiming out to somebody's life, do something with your own.'
'It's ridiculous.' Craig shook his head with a snort.
'And I think it's sad.' Darren said quietly, his eyes met with Craig's. The younger man understood he said it seriously. Darren thought he was a loser.
'That's not true, Darren. You're doing this because you're angry at me.'
'Think what you want.' Darren replied and walked ahead, suddenly wanting to be alone.
'We don't finish yet, Darren!' Craig yelled, but older man didn't stop on the track. He sighed heavily and looked at the dog who silently sitting next to his left leg, looking at him with sadly eyes. 'Maybe in some way he's right. I'm ruining everything.' He didn't have this on mind, Craig. Don't dramatize, only do something with this. At once listen your older brother. 'Come on, Chelsea. Everybody are waiting for you...There's no time to bother what this jerk said.' I think different. But Craig couldn't listen him. He just walked ahead, calling John Paul to join him. Like this conversation with Darren never happened.
* * *
John Paul was lying peacefully under the table in the pub, listening girls laughs and Craig's mumbling who has drunk too much drinks and became very cheerful like for his taste. Yes, Craig Dean was definitely drunk, even if he was saying something different. John Paul wonder if he knew that they were drinking for the eighth time for his quick return to home.
'What are you doing, Ms. Hayton?' Craig asked, giggling like a nut.
'It's time for a toast, Craig!' The girl named Ms. Hayton replied and almost kicked John Paul on the head, forgetting that he was still lying there. Oy, be careful!
'Again? I guess we drink, enough, Nancy. We need to get back.' The pretty girl said quietly, barely sitting straight on the chair. So not only Craig will be have a big hangover tomorrow.
'We need another toast, Hannah!' Craig yelled, forgetting that they weren't in pub alone and everybody were observing them with curious. 'You don't raise one's glass for Chelsea?' He made puppy-eyes. Don't mix me on this, Craig.
'But only one drink, Craig.' Hannah sighed and laid her head on Nancy's forearm.
'Cool. I'll get drinks for us.' He said in cheerful tone and headed toward counter occupied by many thirsty clients. John Paul quickly followed him, making sure that nothing will happen to Craig, and he won't make a fool of himself...But on the other hand, why he carried so much? After what he has done to him, he needed a punishment. Now, he won't defend him tonight, he was sure about this.
If John Paul could, surely he would roll his eyes now, seeing what his owner was doing. Firstly Craig almost has poured some drink on customer when he was trying to bypassed him. Then he started laughing without any reasons, catching everybody's attention and confirmed the same that he was so mad as Darren saying all the time. Finally when he dropped his wallet and fell down on his knees to raised it up from the floor, he pushed some young girl straight into one of the tables, destroying the same her top and breaking her heel. He was a total disaster tonight and John Paul knew he reached the top now...
'Mmm...what a sexy girl I see.' ...Or maybe not yet. 'What's your name, sexy?' He asked with goofy smile as he slowly raised up from the floor, with eyes firstly scanning long legs his "sexy" girl, and then mini skirt in tartan.
'Kris Fisher, moron.' Craig jumped terrified as he heard behind himself Darren's voice. 'He's a new barman.' Craig looked with horror at cheekily smiling Kris, couldn't believe that such legs can belonging to the man.
'Ewww' Craig screwed his face with disgusted. 'Why nobody tell me about this?!'
'Cause nobody loves you.' Darren replied drily and put on the counter empty glasses.
'It's stupid reason.' Craig mumbled and wiped his hands on his jumper.
'Only that?' Darren lifted his eyebrow. 'Wow, I hope you'll be drunk every day from now.'
'What do you mean?' Craig tilted toward him. 'I'm not drunk, Darren.'
'If you say so.' He shrugged without interest.
'Really!' Craig argued. 'I'm the same Craig as always.'
'Oh, really? I didn't know you fancy men's legs.' Craig gnashed his teeth as his eyes landed on the tall man, smiling insolently to him.
'What the hell are you doing here?!' Craig snapped to him, crossing his arms against chest. 'It's not your shift tonight.'
'Jack called me.' Spike replied and ordered cola for himself. 'So since when you're into men, Craig Dean?'
'I'm not! And take your fucking hands off from me!' He yelled and patted hardly Darren on the back, trying to catch his attention. 'Oy, what your stupid boyfriend doing here?!' He shouted almost at all pub.
'Shut up, Craig!' He whispered by the teeth. 'Spike isn't my boyfriend.'
'But you fancy him.' Craig said bluntly. 'If you don't fancy him, you won't follow him as a puppy.' Craig smiled widely when something clicked on his head. 'Now I understand what do you have in mind, when you said Spike "loves" dogs...I bet he loves the dark one's.' Darren hid his head in hands. He completely forgot how embarrassed Craig can be when he drink too much.
'Does he compare you to the dog?' Spike chimed out, enjoying this little Craig's show.
'Shut up too, Spike. I don't want to hear you both.'
'Why is he so sad?' Craig asked stupidly, giving Darren odd look. 'He should be happy. It's first time when someone's fancy him.'
'I'm pretty sure many birds fancies him.' Spike said firmly, gently squeezing Darren's tensed shoulder. 'You know, I have more sexy legs than Fisher.' He grinned to the youngest man, trying to change the subject.
'I bet you have.' Craig snorted sarcastically and took a long sip of his drink. 'Arrogant bastard.' Suddenly Spike tilted toward him.
'You're so sexy when you're angry and drunk.' He whispered to Craig's ear and before Craig could react, Spike disappeared in the crowd. Craig felt as his jaw dropped to the floor.
'If you forget Nancy and Hannah are waiting for you.' Darren said drily.
'Oh, right.' Craig mumbled. He took his drinks and wanted go back to the table, when he something recalled. He screwed his face and growled.
'What the hell are you doing, Craig?!' Darren cried frustrated.
'I just imagine something.' He replied and ran his hand over his face.
'You with Kris in bed if I didn't warn you?' Darren asked him amused.
'Worse.' Older man lifted his eyebrow and looked questioningly at stepbrother. 'I imagine Spike in black boots on the high heels and in black mini skirt.' He closed his eyes and shivered. 'That's a nightmare.'
'You need to go to the psychiatrist.' Darren said and rolled his eyes. 'With you is worse than I thought.'
Craig mumbled something under his breath and with a snort headed toward the table where two women were sleeping peacefully with heads on the table, completely forgot about drinks and surely about all world.
* * *
'Hold on, Craig! We're almost in toilet!' Spike said and opened widely door, letting the youngest man coming up and quickly locked in the nearest cabin. Darren and John Paul quickly followed him with hope, they didn't late. They sighed with relief as they heard characteristically sound approaching from the closed cabin. That was close.
Darren ran hands over his face and send weakly smile to Newt, whose he didn't notice earlier. He was washing his hands and shocked observing two men and a dog, didn't understand what exactly happened. Now you know why your parents are telling you that alcohol is wrong. You just saw living example, why you shouldn't drink.
'It was Craig?' He asked unsurely.
'Yes. He drunk a little too much.' Darren replied, pretending that he didn't see Spike's stupid smirk. A little? Don't kidding us!
'I see that.' Newt snorted and approached the dog, gently stroking his golden fur.
'But you need to confirm that he's really fast.' Spike broke the silence and leaned against the wall. 'It took him about five seconds.' Strange isn't it?
'For me they're two options, which explaining why it happened so quickly. One of this is like Spike said, he's really fast, however the second...' Newt started, giving both man knowingly look. Spike bit his low lip trying to not burst of laugh as he understood about what Newt was saying. Darren closed his eyes for moment and knocked to the cabin's door. I don't know why, but I feel it'll be something really embarrassment.
'Yes?' Craig asked quietly.
'Can I ask you some question?' Darren asked him weakly.
'If you have to now.' Craig replied drily.
'When you came to the cabin...' He massaged his temples, trying to not listen Spike's and Newt's giggling. 'Did you before you use the toilet, slip off your pants or unzip them?' Now you know Newt, that alcohol can eat up your brain and do a small kid of yourself.
'I really needed to go to the toilet, Darren. I didn't think too much clear then.' Darren hit his head on the cabin's door, when other men burst of laugh.
'I really don't want to know what Frankie will say when she see you in this state. I don't know how we go back to the flat, Craig...and go through all pub.' Oh, dear.