Love Drunk 2.0: Chapter Seven

Last chapter Keira and Josh finally announced they were a couple during Christmas dinner, sadly though Dexter did not take the news very well and ruined the entire holiday, New Year included! It has been eight months since Lainie left him and he is struggling to cope without her. Many visits to the Hayes residence has resulted in a slammed door in his face, Dexter is heartbroken but still cannot apologise for his behaviour. Will Keira ever come home and bury the hatchet with her father? If she doesn't then Lainie isn't coming home either! Can Dexter truly fix this? Meanwhile a growth spurt and a birthday have transformed Liam Maloney into a beautiful 14 year old boy, one that Cormac Hayes cannot keep away from!

"All I want is to see him for five minutes!" Damon Maloney moaned to his older brother.
"No Damon it'll hurt mum! Until dad says sorry to Kee we have to stay united in this!" Damon snorted bitterly and sneered at Luke.
"Why doesn't Kee say sorry to dad for going behind his back with Joshua Hayes, huh?" Luke wasn't in the mood for his brother's childish behaviour that mirrored their father's.

"Damon, Kee can see whoever she likes, she's a grown woman!" Luke sighed and squeezed his eyes shut in frustration, "Look if you really want to see dad then I can't stop you! It's really your decision, just like it's Kee's decision to be with Josh! You're 16! Old enough to have sex, marry and be a father! Although I wouldn't recommend any of those because your brain is still 12!" Damon growled at Luke and stormed out of the room, yes he was immature indeed!

Lainie Maloney was tired of sleeping alone, she wanted so badly to return to her husband. But Dexter's stubbornness was keeping her away! She had been strong, she had avoided facing him for eight months now. She had seen Keira and Josh a few times but her daughter was still adamant that her father had to apologise before she ever stepped foot back in the mansion. 

Lainie heard her youngest child shouting up to her, "I'm off out mum okay?" Lainie called back to him with little concern,
"Fine honey, have fun!"

But she was unaware that Damon was heading up the road to see his father for the first time, if she'd known she would have stopped him!

Damon swaggered up the hill as the houseboat he lived in with his mother and brother grew further and further away. He hoped his dad was in, he'd missed him so much! How dare his mother keep him away from him! He hated her for that!

It was only a fifteen minute walk from the ports to the mansion and as Damon arrived at the front door, he wondered if he should knock or use his key. Before he could decide, his cousin James appeared from nowhere and slapped him on the back. "Damo!!!"
"Oh hey Jimbo!"
"What are you doing here? Are you guys coming home? Is Auntie Lain going to come back???" Damon shook his head as James hung his in disappointment. "That's just bull! I wish you would all come back! Your dad is totally heartbroken man!"

"Is he in?" Damon ignored that statement, he didn't want to hear how his dad was hurting.
"Course, where else would he be? You do know that dad and Uncle Drew had to cancel their greatest hits tour because Uncle Dex wouldn't leave his studio?" Damon sighed impatiently and rolled his eyes.
"Yes Jimbo I don't live on a remote island, I'm only down the road?" James could tell that Damon was secretly upset over his parents' break-up and was putting on a brave face like he always did.
"Okay Damo! Go see your dad, he'll be over the moon to see you!"

Damon searched the house for Dexter, finally finding him furiously painting in his studio. "Hey dad!" but Dex didn't turn around, he continued to paint as if his life depended on it. He was scruffy and unkempt, and that was not like his father! He was always clean, tidy and proud of his appearance.

"Dad?" Damon tried to get through to him once more, he finally put his palette and brush down and turned to face his son.
"Damey what are you doing here? Your mother will go berserk!"
"I don't care, I missed you!" Dexter sighed and looked down at the ground.
"I missed you too kid! How is your mother?" Damon grunted and scowled in his father's direction.
"She's fine! Why do you care???"

Dexter raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side, "Damey, she's my soul mate! Why would I NOT???"
"Because of what she did to you, to our family! She left you dad!" Dexter smiled sadly and looked his son in the eyes.
"I deserved it! How is your brother?"
"Stop changing the subject onto other people! I'M the one who's here dad! They don't care, I do!" Damon shouted a little more loudly than he liked. Dexter saw so much of himself in his youngest boy and it worried him as well as made him proud.

"Damon, there is something I need to do. I know I have to do it but I can't! I'm scared it won't make a difference. But if I carry on the way I am, it won't matter if it does or not! I have to say I'm sorry to your sister and to Josh! I know this is the right thing to do, but I don't believe that a simple sorry is ever going to make it right! So I hold off, pretend that everything will go back to normal because the longer I don't apologise, the longer I can still hope! As soon as I do, then it's really over!" Damon shot a confused look at his dad, he still thought Keira owed him an apology for keeping secrets.

"Go home son. And don't tell your mother you were here it would break her heart to know you'd betrayed her."
"But dad..."
"GO! I do love you, but I want to see you under better and friendlier circumstances okay?" Dexter ushered Damon out of his studio and into the upstairs hall.

He hugged him tightly, glad to see him but annoyed that he'd gone behind Lainie's back to come here. "I'll see you soon, I promise!"

Damon headed home feeling worse than before, he didn't think his dad had anything to apologise for but obviously Dexter thought differently. Luke was standing outside the houseboat waiting for Damon's return, looking rather irritated by his brother's defiance.

"Have you told mum?" Damon asked quietly as he approached his brother.
"No!" Luke snapped and gestured for him to go inside. "You happy now?" he muttered at Damon's back. Damon put his head down and mumbled back,
"Not really no, if anything I feel worse!" and walked sadly into the house.

Luke felt sorry for Damon, surprisingly enough. He wondered what their father had said or done to upset him. Perhaps he had been rude and taken his anger and heartache out on Damon. He was tempted to phone his dad and find out exactly what was said, but that would make him just as guilty as Damon and he didn't want to go behind his mother's back!

Damon threw himself down on the couch and sighed, he could hear faint voices across the boat in the kitchen. His mother's voice was unmistakable, but the other one, a man's voice, he couldn't quite place.

"I mean I...it's...I'm not pressuring you Lainie I just feel we both need to go out and just...relax! I'm sure Luke will oblige, Mandy is a good girl and she likes your Damon very much!" Lainie smiled faintly as Rob gulped down some of his coffee nervously. He had been hinting for a while that he wanted to "court" her, his words not hers. Lainie always made the excuse that she couldn't leave Damon alone and Rob couldn't leave Mandy. But Rob always had a solution.

Lainie studied his face, older than she remembered, they were both older to be fair but wiser was another matter. Rob had always liked Lainie, even when he was with Mandy's mother he pined for her. But he knew he was never going to get anywhere as long as she was in love with Dexter Maloney.

Lainie remembered Rob crying at her wedding, making his quest for her officially over. Now that she had been separated from Dexter for a while, he was constantly making suggestions that they comfort one another over their heartaches despite Selena McLean splitting when Mandy was a baby over 15 years ago. Yes Rob went there with Selena, and Mandy was the result, as soon as she was born she was left on Rob's doorstep. Dexter felt sorry for Rob, Lainie admired him for his compassion towards her former suitor. Dexter even bought clothes, toys and furniture for baby Amanda. In return Rob named him godfather and Lainie godmother. Yes Rob Mitchell as he went by now, raised that child alone and she was a credit to him.

Finally Lainie blinked and replied, "Why not?" Rob's eyes widened in surprise and he almost dropped his cup.
"Uh...y...you mean it???" Lainie nodded and he let out a little yelp of surprise and the grin on his face was difficult to conceal. "I...will pick you up at eight and Mandy can spend time with Damon and Luke, yes...a plan!" 

Erin Maloney had just come down from Dexter's room, she had tried to give him some dinner but he sent her back downstairs with it. She and her husband had been through some tough times over the past eight months too. Erin thought that she was pregnant, but sadly it turned out to be a false alarm. She had always had trouble with conceiving but this time she had suffered an ectopic pregnancy which resulted in her having her ovaries removed. No more babies for Erin and Ash!

After her surgery she and Ash took a long break travelling while James and Liam stayed with the Mitchells. It did them the world of good and they had finally accepted that their boys were all they were going to have, and they were more than enough!

Erin lay down on Ashton's lap at the roaring fire. "He won't eat again!" she sighed as he squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
"You can't force him baby!"
"Ash!" Erin grunted, "I worry about him!" It was his turn to sigh as he rubbed his wife's shoulders and gazed into the fire.
"I struggle to feel anything for him after the way he behaved at Christmas!"

"Oh come on Ash! That was over eight months ago, can't you let it go?"
"No I can't! Lain is heartbroken! The kids are suffering, he crossed the line Erin and I can't let it go okay???"

Erin gave up trying to defend Dexter and pressed her body into Ash, feeling his warmth made her heart skip a beat, even after all those years. "Fine, but he needs to eat!"
"He knows where the kitchen is!" Ash snapped and squeezed Erin tighter.

Dexter occupied his time painting and drawing up blueprints. His new hobby was designing gadgets, but Drew wouldn't teach him how to build them. It seemed that both his best friend and his brother were very upset with him even now.

Dex thought about Lainie every minute of every day, he missed her terribly and he wondered if she felt the same. Erin kept trying to feed him but he wasn't hungry, he felt guilty that she went to so much effort but the truth was that he missed Lainie's cooking as well as her company and her touch. He thought that perhaps a walk would do him some good, maybe then he would work up an appetite.

James was pleasantly surprised to receive a visit from Mandy Mitchell that evening, but not so happy about it when they ended up arguing over Damon! "What do you mean you're spending the evening with my cousin??? Huh?" Mandy pouted and raised an arm to warn him to back off.
"Look my dad has a date with his mum, I couldn't exactly say no could I?"
"YES! You could have told him you were staying over here with me!!!"

Mandy frowned and waved her hand, "No Jamie I couldn't! There's no way my dad will allow me to spend the night with you!"
"Oh, but Damo is okay though? Mandy I thought you liked me!" James whined as Mandy smiled a little before turning heel and running out of the garden.
"I do, it's only this once! Bye Jamie!!!"

As the sun began to set, James watched Mandy leave and his heart was doing cartwheels, there was an ache in the pit of his stomach as his eyes focused on her shapely thighs and bottom. That girl, she stirred something within him and he was damned if Damon was going to take her away!!!

Ash found his son moping by the pool, wondering why he was so down he joined him and subtly tried to pry it from him. "Hey kid! Everything okay with you?" James grunted and shifted in his seat. 

"Cuz you know you can always talk to your old dad!"
"I know!" James mumbled, "Mandy is spending the night with Damon!" he whimpered and it all became clear to Ash why his son was so down.

"Ahhhhh!" he nodded, "I see!"
"No, it's not like that it's...she has to because Rob has a date with Aunt Lain!" Ash's eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat, but he tried to hide it as his son continued to wallow.

"Wow, a date? Good for Lain!" Ash stared off into space as James said something but he wasn't listening, he was worried that Dex would find out that his wife was out with another man! Interrupting his son's ramblings, Ash said quietly "Listen let's not tell anyone about your Aunt's extracurricular activities eh? Especially not your Uncle Dex!"

James looked a little puzzled but nodded in agreement. "Sure dad, whatever you say!"
"Good boy!" Ash ruffled his hair, stood up and headed back inside.

Dexter was taking that walk he had been thinking about earlier, smelling the sea air and feeling the cool breeze on his skin was making him feel better already. He thought he might head down to the port and check on Lainie and his boys. Just stand on the grass verge and watch from afar.

Rob had taken Lainie out to dinner and then a walk along the beach. They had talked, laughed, even cried over everything and anything. Ever the gentleman, Rob respected Lainie's request to keep things strictly friendly and no romance! "I really enjoyed our evening Lainie!" he mumbled bashfully as he walked her home.
"Me too Rob, it was nice to forget for a little while."

 Rob took her hand and began to blush, "Lainie I..." squeezing it affectionately he let out a long breath and took hold of her other hand.

"Lainie, when my sister tried to matchmake us all those years ago I wasn't all that keen! But when we met I was mesmerised by you! And from that day on I always was, I still am if I'm honest. But Dexter is your one and only I accept this..."
"Rob..." Lainie began but he squeezed both of her hands and frowned.
"No shh...please let me finish I...

Dexter arrived at the houseboat next door to the Hayes', the one his estranged wife occupied with their two sons hoping to ease his worries about their safety. But the sight that greeted him made him feel physically sick and he was getting terrible deja-vu!

"...and so I just wanted you to know that if you were ever willing to...then I would be more than happy to...court you properly! Lainie?" Lainie groaned as Rob blushed even more and gulped down his nerves, "Well I...understand I..."
"NO!" Lainie interrupted irritably, "Dexy! Oh God what does he want???"

Rob tried to smile but his mouth wouldn't allow it as Dexter approached him and Lainie with an angry growl. "Evening Dexter h-how are you tonight?" Out of breath, Dexter clenched his fists and stared him down.
"So this looks very cosy! Not going in for the tongue sandwich this time huh?"
"Uh Dexter..."
"No I think that would be wise considering this is not my downstairs neighbour who's knickers you're trying to get into but my WIFE'S!!!"
"Dexter, enough!" Lainie sighed sadly. "Go home please!"
"This is between me and him freckles, go inside!!!"

 Lainie was annoyed that her first encounter with Dexter in eight months was an unpleasant one, and not only that but he was treating her like his property again! "Rob I'm really sorry about this!" Lainie looked over at him sympathetically as Dexter snorted.
"Don't apologise to him! He's trying to steal you AGAIN! So what? You thought you'd sneak in here while my back was turned and try to win her over huh?"
"Dexter you're being unreasonable and as always you have misjudged the situation!"

 "Oh really? So you're not trying to f**k my wife then?" Dexter raised an eyebrow at Rob as he gasped over the expletive.
"Please do not swear in front of the lady!"
"Pah, drop the act maggot dick! Tell the truth, you want her!" Rob's anger began to take control of him and he opened his mouth to speak, but Lainie bowed her head and blinked back her tears.
"Ohhh this is so humiliating!" she mumbled and wiped her cheek lightly.

"Dexter, I am not one to cause trouble and answer back but...you are completely out of line here and you are upsetting your wife! If you truly love and care for her like you protest then you shall turn around and go home as she requested! The last time I looked you were separated, estranged even! Lainie is a grown woman and she can see whoever she pleases, be it as a friend or as a lover that is of no concern of yours!" Lainie wanted to hug Rob for finally having a backbone, but it would only have made Dexter angrier.

 Instead she looked pleadingly in her husband's direction and whispered, "Dexy please, you're hurting my feelings!"
"Oh so defending my wife's honour is hurting your feelings? I'm not supposed to get pissed off when some other guy tries to take you from me???"
"Dexy, I wasn't yours to take! I haven't been in a while now!" Dexter's temporary calmness subsided and the rage erupted once again.

 Turning his anger on Rob once again, he clenched his fists as if he was about to hit him. "I oughta knock your teeth out! As soon as my back is turned you're in there like the slippery little snake that you are!!!" At first Rob flinched and was a little scared, he didn't doubt that Dexter would hit him if he felt aggrieved enough...

 ...but this time was different! Rob had known over twenty years ago that Lainie was Dexter's, she was in love with him and Rob was fighting a losing battle. Now though, Lainie had lost a bit of that love she once had for him and there was a chance that she may be open to new romance. So he stood his ground and fought back! "Go ahead Dexter! HIT ME!!! If it makes you feel better, but you will lose Lainie forever believe me!"
"Don't tell me what to do! I'm not the one who chickened out of going on stage at the O2 arena and wet my pants fifteen years ago!" As the boys shouted over one another Lainie tried to escape into the boat shed...

 ...but Dexter came after her and spun her around by the arm. "Freckles, come home with me NOW!" he demanded as she shook free of his grip.
"Dexter, you have managed to ruin a perfectly good night, I've not seen you in eight months and all you can say to me is come home???"
"Freckles..."

 "What about the apology? Have you even attempted to contact Kee and tell her you're sorry for being a complete failure as a father?"
"Freckles! That's not fair..."
"No Dexter, what YOU did was not fair! You ruined Keira's happiness! She's with the boy she loves but she can't enjoy it because her father disapproves! How would you feel if your mother had behaved that way when you took me over to her house the day after we got together? After you came for me at the airport? You'd have been devastated!"
"Freckles..." Dexter muttered and clutched his chest.

"Dexy?"
"Ahhh, f**k me that hurts!" he grunted and bent over in pain.
"ROB CALL THE DOCTOR!!!" Lainie called in a panic.

"NO! I'm...fine it's...it happens a lot!"
"Dexy that's not normal, when were you last at your specialist?" Dexter's pain subsided and was replaced with that childish anger Lainie knew and loathed.

 "What do you care huh? I could be dead for all you care!" Rob called over to him with a hint of irritation in his calm voice.
"Dexter that is enough, if you are fit enough then go home!"
"So it's like this now huh? You're bangin' him???" As the rain began to fall onto them, Lainie's head pounded and she just wanted to curl up into a ball right there on the jetty.

"Dexter, I'm going inside now. I want you gone! I was missing you so much this afternoon and I wanted so badly to be back in your arms. I now know I was stupid to ever wish that! I think we should start divorce proceedings and soon!"
"Evelyn!"
"I can't do this anymore!" she cried, and left him alone on the jetty in the rain.

 Cormac Hayes had suffered yet another sleepless night. He was behind in his studies at college, his grades were suffering and he had recently failed his driving test. All over one person he couldn't get out of his mind! Summer was well and truly over, but when he turned 19 in July, a lot of things became clearer to Cormac. He had always been confused about his preferences, although he had always insisted that he liked the company of females, a certain young boy's attention made him question that preference sometimes.

He had been cruel to that boy on more than one occasion, to friends and family it looked like Cormac was irritated by his constant attention. But Cormac knew it was because he worried that he might enjoy it, he also worried that if any other young boy had given him this kind of attention he might not enjoy it as much...

...and this young boy in question had grown a lot over the past eight months. He had recently celebrated a birthday himself that month of September, and although he had grown bigger and he looked older, 14 year old Liam Maloney was still the childlike boy he always was. And he still adored Cormac Hayes!

 Cormac would climb over the wall at night and visit Liam. They would sit and talk about music, life and the universe! Liam loved spending time with him, but he felt sad that they didn't get a chance to hang out in public. But hanging out with Cormac, regardless of the circumstances was good enough for Liam! He didn't want to rock the boat.

Coming home from school to wait for the darkness was Liam's routine. He'd hurriedly do his homework and then he would sit in the garden and look forward to Cormac arriving.

He was late tonight, Liam grew anxious and paced up and down the garden thinking he'd been stood up! Finally Cormac jumped down from the wall with a thud and zig-zagged in and out the dying vegetable patch. "Hey!" he greeted Liam breathlessly.
"Hey!" Liam replied bashfully, trying so hard to conceal his glee. 

"I have to go soon, the old man locks the door after midnight. I'll be sleeping in the dinghy if I don't make tracks!" Cormac sighed as Liam only squeezed his arm tighter. "This garden has really gone to the dogs!" he remarked and Liam felt a sadness churning in his chest for his Aunt Lainie.

"I miss Auntie Lain! I wish they'd all make up and come back but Kee won't step foot in the house again until Uncle Dex says he's sorry for being unbearably rude to your brother...Kee's words not mine!" Cormac chuckled and sub-consciously sniffed Liam's soft brown hair, it was quite hypnotic. He couldn't work out the fragrance, probably some shampoo he'd stolen from his mother, Liam was so girly and Cormac found that quirky and interesting.

"We can meet up tomorrow night if you like, there's a concert at the park and our brothers and Damon are playing. We won't look out of place at all!" Cormac felt Liam sigh against his arm, it was a long and irritated one.
"You're ashamed of me!" Liam nodded, and his hair tickled Cormac's cheek. "And that's okay because I'm pretty embarrassing!"
"No you're not Liam it's just...the age difference! People might think we're...doing something wrong!"
"We're just friends Cormy, right?" Liam rubbed his arm affectionately, yeah he played the innocent androgynous young boy but he knew what he was doing! Cormac finally replied, "Yeah, that's right kiddo!" and waited a few more minutes before he had to head home. Just friends...for now!

The next morning, after a rather sleepless night, Liam was giddy with excitement. He was seeing Cormac in public that night and he couldn't wait! He picked up his new puppy Sassy, a birthday present from his parents, and squeezed her affectionately. He loved that puppy smell!

His mother knocked lightly on his door and swiftly entered in a fluster. "Oh Liam, you're going to be late for school!" Liam shrugged and sighed happily,

"I'm not going to school today mum, I have a headache and I think I'm getting the cold."

Erin eyed her younger son up and down, his cheeks glowing a healthy pink and a slight smirk lingering on the corner of his mouth. "Really?" She raised an eyebrow. Seeing his mother examining his appearance he let out a pathetic cough and frowned.

"Yes it's really sore mummy!" Erin smiled and nodded in defeat.

"Very well, I'll make you some tea. Get back into bed." Liam grinned happily and smooched Sassy.
"Yesh we are feeling icky aren't we Mish Sashy???"
"So you'll be missing the concert tonight then?" Liam eyed his mother cheekily as she waited for him to protest.
"Yes, I think so mum. Tell James I'm sorry but I do feel ever so poorly!"

Liam had every intention of being at the concert, he just didn't want the world to know he and Cormac were meeting up. He had a plan, he was going to lay in bed until the afternoon and then he would tell his mum he was feeling a little better. Then when it was time for the concert he'd appear behind them all, dressed and ready to rock! "Just see how you feel hmm?" Erin smirked at him, as if she'd read his mind!

Ash hadn't seen or heard from Dexter since he'd gone out for a walk the night before. Not that he cared much but Erin had insisted he check on him and make sure he was alright.

As he expected, he was fine and moping as usual. Ash was about to head back down for some breakfast when Dex called out, "Is that you Ashy?" in a very pathetic whine.

"Yep, Erin wanted to know you were still alive! Which you are so..."
"Oh Ashy! I might be breathing but I'm dead inside!" Ash scoffed and once again attempted to exit the studio. He wasn't interested in his drama. "Ash? She wants a divorce! Ash are you still there? I need you!" Ash sighed and made his way back to the bed where Dex lay in a tragic heap.

 He looked reluctantly at his younger brother, lying there with watery eyes and a pout. "Well what did you expect Dexter? It's been nearly nine months now and you've not even attempted to make contact with Kee!" Dexter shifted over and turned his back to him.

 "Everybody hates me! I screwed up Ash! I really screwed up big this time!"
"Yes you did, so just say you're sorry to Kee and tell her you approve of Josh!" Dexter sighed sadly and shook his head.
"My Evelyn was out on a date last night..."

"...with Rob f***ing Mitchell!!!" Ash felt a stab of guilt pierce his chest.
"How do you even know..." he began as Dexter cut him off.
"I saw them, together, holding hands and looking real cosy! I barged in there like a bull in a china shop and I f****d up Ash! Now she wants a divorce and...I just wanna die right now, like so badly it hurts!"

Ashton wasn't listening to his brother at that moment, all he could think about was the part he played in this whole thing! If he'd only told Dexter about Lainie's date, maybe this could all have been avoided!

Later that evening Liam got dressed and ready to go to the concert when his father stopped him in his tracks, "Whoa whoa whoa!"
"What? What is it?" Liam blinked at Ash in surprise.
"You're not goin' anywhere, you stay here with your Uncle Dex!" 

Liam's surprise turned to anger and he balled his fists as his cheeks began to burn.
"WHY???" he yelled.
"Excuse me? You were off sick from school today and you want to stand in a cold park among hundreds of strangers? Or were you skiving off young man?" Liam hung his head and tutted irritably.

"I thought so!" Ash nodded as Erin tried to intervene.
"Ash? Let him go, I think he's meeting a friend and..."
"Erin, stay outta this it's between me and our son!" Erin wasn't used to Ash taking authority like this, he was obviously still reeling from Dexter's news this morning. Erin knew he felt partly guilty by keeping quiet about Lainie's date with Rob. But taking it out on their children wasn't the answer.

It seemed that Ash was not for turning as he marched Liam back upstairs. 

"Keep an eye on Uncle Dex okay? I need you to look out for him, it's important!" Liam sighed sadly and nodded.
"Yes dad!"
"Good boy!"

Liam watched his family pile into his dad's jeep and drive off to the park for the concert. He had no intention of staying at home, Cormac was waiting for him!

James was nervous enough as it was without his brother's absence! He always felt at ease when Liam was at the side of the stage supporting him. Tonight was especially important as he and Damon were avoiding each other after James sent him a text asking him not to make a move on Mandy Mitchell! Damon didn't take too kindly to that and was now snubbing him.

What made things worse was the fact that Mandy had turned up to the concert and had her eyes on one boy and one boy only...

...James!

This wasn't lost on Damon, he tried several times to make eye contact with Mandy and she was occupied elsewhere! Erin noticed her nephew was rather agitated and was oblivious to the fact that it was Mandy's attraction to her son that was causing the problem!

 James spotted Mandy in the crowd as she bashfully waved at him, pounding on his drums he blushed and nodded back. All the while Damon was feeling hurt, annoyed and embarrassed over losing to his cousin.

James was younger than Damon by three months, despite being conceived before him, Dexter's children all took after their father in the premature birth department. Damon was a handsome young man, a pretty boy like his dad, and James was ruggedly handsome like his dad too. In Damon's eyes there was no contest between them, his cockiness got the better of him, Mandy Mitchell wanted James! And it stung!

Erin could see that Ashton was feeling down about his brother and the confrontation he'd had with their son before they left. She hated seeing him upset. "Ash?"
"What is it?" As they stood stage-side listening to their son and nephew perform, Erin wanted to give her husband something to smile about...

...if this didn't cheer him up, then nothing would! As she planted a soft kiss on his lips she could feel him smile at her touch.

Ashton's worries all melted away with one kiss from his wife. She had that special touch! Liam was at home looking out for Dexter, he knew that with his nephew in the house that Dex wouldn't attempt anything stupid and he knew that Liam wouldn't let his Uncle out of his sight!

"Feel better my love?" Erin tried to shout over their son's enthusiastic drumming and their nephew's singing.
"So much better baby, you have no idea!" Ash mumbled as he still felt her lips pressed firmly to his own, a pleasant imprint to cherish for a few seconds more before reality came back to bite him again.

"I love you Ashton Maloney!" She mouthed over the music as he smiled.
"Ditto Erin Maloney!" he replied, and her heart melted. "Liam will forgive me, right?" Erin nodded and smiled back.

"Of course, he's an understanding boy!" Their youngest son was indeed an understanding, loyal and good boy.

But tonight he was betraying his father and sneaking out to meet Cormac Hayes.

He couldn't see him anywhere amongst the hoard of people...

...when suddenly there he was, coming straight towards him! Liam was worried that he'd gone home already, but he'd stayed...he'd waited for him? "There you are!" Cormac called to him, he sounded relieved.
"I have to get out of sight! I can't be seen!" Liam panicked as he saw his parents by the stage, engrossed in each other for the time being but could spot him at any moment. Cormac looked confused but he nodded and led him away from the crowd.

Finally out of sight by the exit, Liam suddenly felt quite shy!
"I thought you weren't coming!" Cormac breathed heavily as he tried to get the words out.
"I'm not supposed to be here, dad said I wasn't allowed after I skipped school today." Liam mumbled as he felt Cormac's hot breath on his neck and it made him tingle.

"Don't worry, I'll...you won't get caught! I'll walk you home and make sure you're back before James and your parents." Cormac stepped closer and inhaled that shampoo scent once again, how feminine Liam smelled. He liked it, and that confused him even more! Was it just the fact that Liam was so feminine that attracted him? Was he really straight and just distracted by this young boy who was giving him so much attention and had done since he was a child? This boy who was so sure of himself, why couldn't Cormac have this clarity? He envied him, he really did, he was never torn! Liam didn't know how it felt to be in constant turmoil with his identity! Liam was always just...Liam!

Liam shook his head and cut into Cormac's thoughts, "I don't know what I'm doing, going against my dad!" Cormac chuckled, he was such a goody two shoes!
"Liam..." he began, but the words caught in his throat.
"What is it Cormy?"

Cormac stepped even closer to him and breathed him in, they stood in silence as Liam's eyes stared questioningly into his. "Cormy what's the matter?"
"Nothing...I..."
"Are you mad at me for being late? I shouldn't have skipped school today but I was tired and..." As Liam continued to babble on Cormac was overcome with the urge to do something crazy!

Cormac lunged forward and kissed Liam, an action that surprised both of them!

Liam had never been kissed before, Liam had never been this close to anyone before! The fact that it was Cormac Hayes made it all the more wonderful and he wanted it to last forever!

Cormac wanted to let go, but he also didn't want to let go! He worried what Liam might think, being so young, being so naive, was this appropriate? Not at all! Had Cormac ever kissed anyone before? Absolutely! Cormac had kissed three girls, his first kiss at Liam's age was awkward and embarrassing! This...

...Liam's encouragement only made Cormac more confident as they continued their little kissing session hid snugly behind a tree where no one could see them.

As Fallen Angels played in the background, Liam's head spun pleasantly as Cormac's soft lips enveloped his own. Was this what it really felt like to be in love? Was this really happening? He'd pined for Cormac for so long, this couldn't possibly be real!

"Cormy?" Liam's heart raced as they finally broke free of each other.
"Yes Liam?"
"I love you!"
"Don't!" Cormac winced and pulled him in roughly, wrapping his arms around him.

"What? What did I..." Liam mumbled into his chest.
"Don't talk Liam, just...let's have a quiet minute okay?"
"Okay!" he nodded, "But I do love you Cormy!"

"Shhh!" Cormac soothed him, this lovely smelling, beautiful boy with soft and kissable lips made his heart swell. What the hell was happening??? "Come on, let's get you home before they finish!"

As the concert was coming to a close, Rory Hayes was more than aware of the tension between his bandmates. All over a girl, that was why Rory was perfectly happy to stay young, free and single!

And when they were finished, things only got worse between the cousins as Rory could only look on. "Guys?" 
"Stay outta this Rory it's a family thing!" Damon grunted as James let out an exasperated laugh.
"FAMILY??? Gimme a break!"

"Oh look, your girlfriend is waiting for you!"
"Damo..."
"No no no, you win Jimbo! Go get her!" Mandy smiled at James as Damon could no longer keep in his anger.

"What the hell have you got? Huh???" Damon yelled in his cousin's face, "What is it you've got that I haven't??"
"Patience? A conscience? A heart???" James fought back defiantly.
"WHAT?"

"Well it just goes to show that Quasimodo wins the girl every time while Prince Charming gets tossed aside! Mind you she is a bit loopy considering she comes from the crazy gene pool!"
"DAMON! TAKE THAT BACK!!!" James growled furiously.

"Hell no! She's as bats as Charlotte and her dopey dad!!!" Rory interrupted their battle nervously.
"Um guys? Our audience are still here? Let's not make a scene!"
"I'm done!" James replied bluntly, "I have a young lady to meet op with, how about you Damo?"

"F**K YOU! You're dead to me, you are not my blood! I renounce your cousinship!!!" Damon spat, blinking back tears.
"What the hell does that mean?" James looked at him in disbelief.

"Jamie?" Mandy cut in, sensing there was an argument going on between them.
"Hey Mandy!"
"Pfft, I'm outta here! You two are welcome to each other! Lunatics escaped from the asylum both of you!" Damon muttered bitterly.

"What was that all about? Is Damon okay?" Mandy frowned as Damon left them to it.
"When is Damo ever okay? Mandy he's a jerk and I won't let him talk about you like that!"
"Like what?"

As they held hands, James felt a mixture of fear and excitement, being with Mandy finally was wonderful but the thought of losing his cousin over it terrified him. "Don't worry about it, fancy going for a hot dog or something? We can hang out on the carousel if you like?" Mandy giggled and nodded in agreement.
"I like Jamie, very much!"

Lainie was watching television when she heard a door slam upstairs, Luke was out until late with Rosie, so that left one more person who lived there...

...Damon lay on his bed weeping. Lainie felt bad about not attending his concert but she didn't want to bump into Dexter. She now regretted that seeing how upset her baby was. "Damey honey? What on earth..."

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!! YOU DON'T CARE!!! I HATE YOU!!! I'm so alone!" he cried and wiped his face roughly.
"Damey sweetheart..."
"You and dad, you both abandoned me!"
"What? No!"

"I've never felt so alone, and where were you? Where was Dad?"
"I take it your father didn't go?" Damon laughed bitterly.
"No, he's too wrapped up in his plans to kill himself now you're shagging Mandy's psycho dad!!!"
"DAMON GORDON MALONEY!!!"

"She doesn't want me mum!" he wept, "She wants James! I'm not loveable!!!" Lainie's heart broke for her last born child, far too much of his father in him. She gathered that it was Mandy Mitchell he was referring to, and she didn't know what to say, all she could do was be there for him.

Another member of the Maloney clan who was feeling guilty about missing the concert was Keira. She missed her family so much, but running into her dad was something she dreaded. 

She and Josh had moved in together while the Mitchell twins stayed on in the old house on campus. She and Josh had plans...

...well Keira had plans, Josh was just going along with them. All he ever wanted was for his Kee to be happy, even if he didn't agree with what she was planning. Her father was going to go berserk, and that was exactly the reaction Keira was hoping for. She was doing this for all the wrong reasons and Joshua hoped she would come to her senses soon.

But obviously not this soon. As she turned to him and murmured his name, "Joshy?"
"Yes babe?"
"It's time..."

"..let's make a baby!"

Another sleepless night for young Liam, going over the previous evening over and over again, thank goodness it was Saturday and he didn't have to go to school. He stood outside the houseboat that Cormac shared with his parents and siblings waiting to see if he could catch him.

When Cormac did finally emerge, Liam's heart was doing somersaults. The kiss from the night before was still fresh in his mind, so much so that he could feel it! "Hi Cormy!" he chirped as Cormac kept his head down and walked right by him.

"Cormy?" Liam's voice cracked with emotion as Cormac turned around and yelled in his face.
"Why are you bugging me kid???" he demanded as Liam's bottom lip began to tremble.

"I'm not a kid Cormy, you...you kissed me remember?"
"That, oh God! That was a mistake and it should never have happened!" His words hurt Liam's heart as a tear ran down his pale, perfect cheek. "Liam, I'm straight okay? I like girls, I'm not gay!"

"I'm not gay either, I just love you Cormy!" Liam whimpered as Cormac blew up again,
"STOP SAYING THAT!!!" As Liam's tears flowed freely down his flawless, pretty face, Cormac was floored with a horrendous ache in his heart.

"Liam you have to leave me alone now, I...I'm seeing someone. You know Rita who works at the cafe?" Liam's watery eyes burned into his, the look of hurt so obvious it made that ache twist in knots in Cormac's chest. "Go home kid, forget about me!"

As Liam watched Cormac walk down the road towards the cafe where Rita Swift worked, he wanted to curl up into a ball and die! Last night he'd been so happy, a kiss and a hug from the man of his dreams and now this rejection! To top it all off, Rita was trying to steal him! Just like her mother Liv had tried to steal everything from his Aunt Lainie! 

"Cormy!" Liam wept, there was only one place he wanted to be at that moment in time, he headed down to the next houseboat and waved in at his Aunt.
"Liam? Sweetie?"

"Auntie Lainie???" Liam sobbed.
"What's happened my darling?"
"My heart, it hurts! It hurts so much!" he cried and fell into her arms.

Dealing with her own heartache had to be put on the backburner, so many sad boys around her. First Damon and now Liam! Her divorce would have to wait, as would her new relationship with Rob, her boys needed her far more and she was going to be there!

To Be Continued...

So that's chapter seven, Lainie really does have a lot of tea and sympathy to dish out. What will she do when she discovers Rita, her niece is in town? Next chapter! :)