So much for writing again, I write out a quick chapter to get back into the swing of things and it takes me forever to complete the next one. I did take an extended break on this one to write out a story for the Winter Holidays contest and I didn't even finish that on time. So that'll go on the back burner for next year and I'll try to get this damn thing finished.
Since the first Stuck chapter went down a lot better than I expected so I figured I'd add in a little back-story before moving on. While it's not necessary to read Stuck it's probably better than you do. Also this story does take place in the same shared universe as my other stories, specifically it directly follows Somebody That I Used To Know, likewise it's not necessary to read that beforehand but if you'd like some history towards Nicola and her parents give it a read after you're finished here, or beforehand, either or.
Story first, sex second.
*
The story of how Arthur Ross and Nicola McAllister came to be is a little different from what you've been led to believe. Some elements were made-up, most of them were true, Arthur is classed as a 'nerd' by his peers and Nicola is quite the beauty in her own carefree way (she's also a big fan of playing tricks on people). And the pair did indeed meet when they were 13, a day Arthur remembers vividly.
Arthur was helping his father clear the garden, D.I David Ross was enjoying one of the few holidays he got as a police officer and was happy to be spending it with his only son, the pair had a strong relationship made stronger because David had complete trust in his son's judgement.
So when their new neighbours pulled in across the road and David watched his son's eyes glaze over at the sight of their daughter he knew Art had fallen hard and for good reason.
Even at 13 Nicola was beginning to shows the signs of the beauty she would become, she was told frequently she took after her mother but Nicola saw elements of her father in there, particularly her nose, she had his nose no question, his eyes a little as well, for shape if nothing else. And it was with those eyes that she spotted a large, burly man with a smiling face and thick moustache approaching them, a tall, kinda lanky looking boy with glasses behind him. Ever curious Nicola skipped over to greet them.
"Hello there." David put out his large hands for the girl to shake. "Name's David Ross, I live just across the street over there. Welcome to the neighbourhood."
Nicola shook his hand, feeling she'd need both to make even a little impact against his mitts. "Hi, I'm Nicola, but most people just call me Nikki. If you want to talk to my parents my mum should be back out soon for another box, dad's trying to find the stop-cock."
It was at that point Nicola looked to the boy behind David. "And who might you be then?"
"Oh this is my son, Arthur. Christ son, you're 13 will you say hello."
"Hello." Arthur spoke quickly and quietly, trying to avoid eye contact with the bedazzling sight before him, her hazel eyes brimming with the untold happiness she would bring him, her chestnut hair shimmering in the sun, most of all her smile, her smile made him feel safe which, ironically, just made him feel more nervous in fear of getting too comfortable with this girl and embarrassing himself.
Due to her unique heritage, Nicola had matured a lot faster than most girls her age and picked up on Arthur's nervousness around her almost immediately. However she never learned how to stop having fun. Leaning in she spoke to David in a loud whisper.
"I think he fancies me."
As David gave out a hearty chuckle he looked down at his son and realised that there was a deeper shade of red and it was lighting up his son's face like a Christmas tree.
"I think you might be right."
"DAD!"
"Oh hush, if you didn't want us to embarrass you, you shouldn't have made it so obvious."
Nicola couldn't help herself and was laughing with David but her eyes were focussed on Arthur and the look in them told him she wasn't being cruel, she was just playing and it made him feel a little better.
Brought out by the loud laughter from his front garden, Nicola's father emerged at the front door.
"Nicola, who's this?"
Looking into the man's face David was struck by two realisations. Firstly the man was missing an eye, an eye-patch covered his left eye and from the scars around the patch he could see it had been missing for a while.
Secondly, David had met this man before; he remembered the name just as the man joined them on the garden.
"Dad this is our new neighbour David and his son Arthur. Arthur fancies me."
"Does he now? Well he's got good taste, hi there, my name is..."
"Adam McAllister." David interrupted. "I know Mr McAllister, we've met before. I interviewed you at the hospital after your father-in-law took your eye there."
It was then Adam made the connection, seven years ago, in the hospital, two police officers came to talk to him, and David Ross was one of them.
"Well fancy that, my new neighbours a cop and he knows me by name. Now how am I gonna hide all my drugs and bootleg DVDs."
"I've been known to take a bribe or two."
"Would that include a nice scotch?"
"Almost exclusively."
The two men laughed, their friendship sealing almost immediately, Adam gestured for David to come inside with him. "We just arrived yesterday with a few essentials, today is all the rest of our stuff, there's some drink inside if you'd like to join me and my wife."
"I'd love to, thanks."
As he went to head inside David felt a tapping on his arm, he looked down to see Nicola beaming at him. "Sir, is it alright if I play with Arthur in the garden so I can try and teach him to talk."
Once again Arthur did not share the humour his father did.
"Of course pet, and please just David would be fine."
With a courteous nod, Nicola turned back to Arthur while their fathers went inside, she could see the nervous young lad practically shaking with nerves at the prospect of being alone with her.
After a few seconds Nikki came to accept it was her job to break the silence. "Hi."
"Um, hi."
"You been here long?"
"Yeah, I mean no, I mean... it's been a few years at least, dad had to move to a smaller house since he couldn't afford a full family home for just the two of us."
"What happened with your mum?"
"I don't know if I should say, it's kinda personal."
"Trust me Arthur; I'm very good at keeping secrets. I won't tell anyone."
Arthur nerves threatened to shake him to pieces; he's hoped that the personal nature would deter her. The truth was that as much as he loved his mother he was a little ashamed at being a child of divorce, part of him felt like he was missing out of the atypical family life that made for a well-rounded adult. It was just one of those things that added to his already weakened self-confidence.
Part of him knew he should argue more, but looking into the shining hazel doe eyes of this wonderful creature he knew he couldn't.
"She, uh, she and dad divorced, about five years ago now."
"That's not so bad, my brother Kevin went through a divorce with his parents and he's fine. Oh, we have dad in common, he lives in Hawaii with his mother."
"Hawaii? That's pretty far."
