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Chapter 21: Spoil My Night

In the following weeks, Rachel carried on at work in a much similar fashion. Feeling at battle with Adam, always wondering what he was planning, confiding in Kim on occasions, and constantly wishing to be curled up in bed with Eddie. Which was where they found themselves in the present.

Rachel had her head resting against his shoulder, and a hand laying on his chest. She did find the feel and sound of his heartbeat rather comforting. And felt content with the way their legs were intertwined.

"Does that mean you're coming to the Christmas night out then?" Rachel craned her neck to smile up at Eddie, noting the way he smiled back at her with just as much happiness.

They'd been talking of Waterloo Road's night out for Christmas, and even though Eddie was no longer a staff member, Rachel wanted him there more than anything. Especially if Adam was going to make an appearance.

"I suppose it does."

"Good. Because you never know, it might just put Adam off from hovering over me all evening."

"Are you saying you wouldn't mind me hovering all over you, Miss Mason?"

Rachel stretched up again, taking a hold of Eddie's chin as she did so, "of course I wouldn't," she kissed him deeply before pulling away, "I think I'd rather enjoy it."

Eddie tilted his head, eyes flicking between Rachel's own and her lips, "not as much as I would."

"Oh really now?"

Eddie smiled at her for a long moment, giving Rachel a look which made her breath catch in her throat. She even had to look away briefly, swallowing the lump in her throat at the amount of love in Eddie's gaze before bringing her eyes back up to meet his.

"Absolutely," he eventually whispered, leaning forwards to press their lips together once more.

They both smiled into it, and Eddie ended up rolling them over so that his weight was on top of Rachel's. Another thing that she found extremely comforting, to be this close to him.

Rachel did have to admit that a knot formed in her stomach whenever thinking of the evening out the following day, to mark the end of term and the Christmas holidays. That was mainly to do with the fact that Adam would almost certainly make an appearance. But as Rachel got lost in another heated kiss with Eddie, she allowed herself to believe that everything would be alright. All because of Eddie being by her side throughout it.

….

Adam felt as though he wasn't making enough progress with Rachel, as Christopher kept telling him on multiple occasions. So hearing of the Christmas night out, he saw that as a potential opportunity. Maybe just to stick the knife in a little bit more. And if they were lucky, her boyfriend Eddie would be there too. Christopher had already told him that it's all too easy to wind him up.

For Adam, he was most definitely happy to go along with that taunting. Because he had to admit that he was jealous of this Eddie bloke. That should have been him with Rachel, and he would go great lengths to change that.

But not without the help of Christopher, who was willing to get some revenge of his own. Adam didn't fully know what had gone on, but apparently Melissa had ended up with some charges surrounding her bigamy. And Christopher had placed that blame on Rachel and her boyfriend.

Anything concerning Melissa always bothered him. If she was affected by something, then Christopher was known to stoop extremely low to put that right.

It didn't bother Adam all that much, but it just gave him more ammunition to go through with whatever they had to do. He just wanted Rachel to be his.

He dialled Christopher's number, wanting to get his opinion on the evening out the following day.

"Adam. How's things?"

"If you're on about the Rachel situation, I've barely seen her today. On some… course or something."

"Right. We need more action and less faffing about."

"Well that's one of the reasons why I called you."

"Go on."

"Waterloo road's Christmas night out tomorrow. I'm thinking about showing my face."

"If you are then so am I. Maybe it'll turn up the shock factor for Rachel and hopefully her bit on the side if he's there."

"Yeah well. Like I said, she's already putting two and two together."

"Let's make tomorrow the icing on the cake. She can finally confirm that me and you are very much still friends."

"Just as long as this ends up with me and Rachel together."

"Adam, Adam. Don't go all soft on me. I've got motives here too you know."

"Yeah, I know that," he paused briefly, and Christopher sneered, "tomorrow it's seven o'clock. So I'll get a taxi to yours at quarter to. Ish."

"Sounds like a plan to me my friend."

The thing was, Adam thought as he hung up the phone, it wasn't much of a plan. Not yet anyway. Sometimes Christopher was a make it up as you go along sort of guy. So they would just have to see what the following evening holds.

….

Eddie was sure he was making it obvious, how beautiful he thought Rachel looked, as she walked down the stairs. It was probably clear in his facial expression. She could read him well anyway.

In fact, Eddie was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't expect it when one of Rachel's hands slid around his neck, the other around his waist.

"Hello you," she spoke, smiling sweetly at him as he looked down.

It didn't take long for Eddie's arms to wrap around Rachel's waist, bringing her close to him.

"Hello yourself," Eddie let out a breath he didn't realise he had been holding, "you look absolutely beautiful."

Rachel had never been the best at taking compliments, but Eddie adored the way she blushed under his gaze, and bit her lip. Particularly when she bit her lip, Eddie's eyes were drawn to the action immediately.

"You don't look so bad yourself Lawson," Rachel grinned as she smoothed a hand across his chest, "is this a new shirt?"

"Well, thought I'd make the effort."

"I might have to borrow it at some point."

Eddie's grin matched Rachel's at her words. And the effect she was having on him only furthered, the image of Rachel in his shirt flashing before his eyes.

"That, you most certainly can do."

It was in a swift movement that Rachel stretched up to kiss him, all too briefly, barely giving him the chance to respond before she pulled away.

Rachel was teasing him, Eddie knew. But that could always work both ways, and he would get her back for that at some point.

"Come on then Lawson, we'd better get going," Rachel spoke, squeezing his upper arm slightly as she made her way towards the door.

Eddie smiled as he followed her out the door. For a long time now, he had been in love with Rachel. And just as he thinks that he can't love her any more than he already does, that changes. Something which Eddie was more than happy to endure.

….

Christopher was starting to wish he hadn't bothered coming to this night out. There were far too many questions from the staff, about who he was and what he was doing here. Saying 'a friend of Adam's' seemed to shut them all up, but they were a nosy bunch.

But then he reminded himself why he was here, to wind Rachel up. And start putting a proper plan into action. Both of those things gave Christopher a thrill. That coupled with the alcohol, would be enough to keep him going.

He checked the time on his phone before glancing across at Adam.

"Wonder where my perfect sister is?" Christopher spoke sarcastically, keeping his tone low as a way of not attracting attention. Luckily the music assisted with that.

"Not a clue," Adam responded, "it is only quarter past."

"Just wish she'd hurry up. This lot aren't exactly top class company."

"And I have to work with them."

Christopher was about to respond when he heard the faint sound of the door opening and closing. Adam nudged his arm, and he looked up to see Rachel walking in. And even better, with Eddie by her side. Somehow it was far easier to wind up the latter than the former.

It was Eddie who clocked them straight away, giving Rachel's hand a slight squeeze to draw her attention. Christopher was glad that he'd be able to see her reaction first hand.

She frowned as she set eyes on him, but behind that Christopher could tell that she was panicked. That's what he liked to see. Obviously hadn't been expecting him.

They both gave a quick wave and hello to the staff despite their confusion. Quite clearly not wanting to raise suspicions. That ended up working in Christopher's favour, giving him more time to think. Apparently only few of the staff knew of Rachel and Eddie's reconciliation, so were happily chatting away to each other about that.

Eddie then reached him and Adam first, slightly ahead of Rachel as he motioned his head towards the corner of the room. Maybe another way of not drawing attention.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Eddie queried, keeping his voice low but anger very much evident.

"Oh well it's nice to see you too."

Eddie scoffed whilst Rachel looked up at him. As she began to speak, Christopher just knew that he'd made the right choice by coming. Rachel and Eddie were already riled up, and that was only going to get worse. Or better, in Christopher's opinion.