The Invisible String - James Acaster / Reader
Raegan woke up to the delightful aroma of syrup wafting through the air, accompanied by the sound of something sizzling in a pan. She turned her head and noticed the empty space beside her in the bed. A wide grin spread across her face as she directed her gaze towards the door, where she could hear James singing joyfully from the kitchen.
The past few days everything felt so peaceful. Not a peep from Julian. And now no need to keep her and James' relationship so secretive. It felt freeing.
Raegan rushed out of bed, quickly putting on her jacket to ward off the chill of the autumn air. She entered the kitchen to find James placing a burnt pancake on a plate.
"Oh, no," she chuckled, observing his efforts to salvage the pancake by scraping off the burnt parts.
"Enough with the jokes," he laughed along, "I'm having Bake Off flashbacks already!"
"How did you—" Raegan began to ask before getting cut off.
"Don't," he said as he held up his pointer finger, "don't even ask!"
Raegan walked closer to the stove and took charge of the situation. Grabbing a fresh pan and wiping it clean, she turned on the heat and let it warm up. "Here's how it's actually done, Acaster," she said, her tone playful yet confident. She poured the batter onto the pan, forming a perfect circle.
James watched intently, his eyes fixed on Raegan's every move. She effortlessly flipped the pancake with a flick of her wrist, revealing a golden-brown perfection on the other side. It sizzled as it continued to cook.
"Now, this is how a pancake should look," she declared with a smirk. "No more burnt disasters."
"It wasn't that bad," James shook his head as he lifted his pancake from the plate.
"Really?" Raegan teased, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
James nodded confidently, a playful smile spreading across his face. "Now that the burnt bits have been removed, it looks no worse than yours."
Raegan couldn't help but chuckle at his remark. "Whatever makes you feel better about it," she replied, playfully rolling her eyes as she handed him the perfectly cooked pancake.
James took the pancake, taking a small bite as Raegan watched for his reaction.
"Mmm, this is amazing," he mumbled withis mouth full.
"You can thank my mum for that," she smiled, "she had me cooking before I could even walk."
James raised an eyebrow as he took another bite. "This is so fucking good, bheh-bheh!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah yeah," Raegan chuckled as she poured more pancake batter onto the hot pan. "I suppose anything that doesn't resemble a charred pancake would amaze you," she playfully remarked
As she playfully poked fun at him, James couldn't help but retaliate. With a mischievous grin, he scooped up a small piece of the burnt pancake and flicked it in her direction.
It landed on Raegan's cheek, leaving a tiny smudge. She blinked in surprise, her expression shifting from amusement to a mock glare. "Oh, you're asking for it now," she warned.
Without missing a beat, James leaned forward, seizing the opportunity. As Raegan scowled at him, he swiftly closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a gentle yet passionate kiss.
As they broke the kiss, Raegan's mock glare had melted into a smile. She playfully nudged him. "You think you can get away with that just because you kissed me?"
James chuckled. "Well, it seemed like a fair trade for a burnt pancake smudge on your cheek. Besides, kissing you is always a good idea."
"It wasn't even a good kiss," she said as she broke eye contact, looking back at the sizzling pancake. "I mean, after all this time, you'd think you'd have it down."
"Please," James scoffed. "My lips make you weak at the knees."
Raegan continued to playfully challenge him, unable to resist pushing his buttons. She carefully placed the pancake on a plate, raising an eyebrow at him. "I disagree," she countered. "I've had better."
James pretended to be unfazed, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Ah, I see what you're doing," he remarked, seeing through her teasing. "You're baiting me to kiss you again. But I won't fall for it."
"Well," Raegan took a bite, "then that's your loss, isn't it?"
James leaned in closer, his warm breath grazing against Raegan's cheek as he whispered in her ear. Her heartbeat quickened, and she struggled to suppress a shiver that ran down her spine.
"Whatever makes you feel better about it," he whislered. His words lingered in the air, carrying a hint of intimacy.
"Don't use my words against me, Acaster," Raegan retorted, playfully raising an eyebrow at him as he made his way toward the couch.
James grinned mischievously, his eyes gleaming with a playful spark. "I do as I please, bheh-bheh," he replied, punctuating his response with a wink.
Raegan couldn't resist the opportunity to keep teasing James as he settled onto the couch. She followed him, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Closing the distance between them, she sat down beside him, their bodies touching.
With a playful twinkle in her eyes, she playfully draped her bare legs over his lap. She watched as James' eyes darted down to them. But she wasn't finished. She took another bite of her pancake, letting out an overtly suggestive moan, "so good!"
"Really?" James tried to hold back laughter.
She met his eyes, biting her lip as she also attempted to hold back her laughter.
Raegan playfully let a piece of her pancake slip from her hand, purposely allowing it to fall down her shirt. Her eyes never left James as her hand discreetly searched for the crumb hidden beneath her clothes.
"You're not serious?" he laughed again.
With a mixture of amusement and determination, James took the plate from Raegan's hands and set it carefully on the coffee table. He leaned in, his body partially hovering over hers, as his fingers retrieved the wandering piece of pancake that had found its way to her neck. A self-assured smirk formed on his lips. "You playing a dangerous game, Raegan," he remarked, his voice laced with a hint of seductive playfulness.
"Oh, look at you being all suave with your words," she quipped, relishing that look in his eyes.
James raised a brow before leaning his full weight over her, his lips gently brushing against her neck. "Admit I'm a good kisser," he whispered.
"Oh, absolutely not!" Raegan scoffed. "I wouldn't lie to you like that!"
At those words, Raegan's eyes went wide. She wasn't used to this side of James. Usually he was sweet and playful. Never was he so—
James' lips kissed below her ear sending Raegan's mind into a foggy haze. She felt a moan brew in her throat and she fought to keep it buried.
Raegan felt a surge of conflicting emotions as James pressed closer, his lips tantalizingly close to her neck. Part of her was desperate to give in to the passionate temptation of his kisses, but she resisted, determined not to surrender so easily.
She mustered her strength and gently pushed against James' chest, creating a small space between them. Their eyes locked, a silent challenge passing between them.
"You're playing a risky game," Raegan said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I won't admit defeat."
A mischievous twinkle danced in James' eyes as he leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, I'm just getting started."
Raegan sat up, watching as James thought intently, staring back at her. "So, what's your plan?" she asked curiously.
James shrugged, "I don't need a plan."
"Your plan is you don't need a plan?"
James nodded as he stroked a strand of hair behind Raegan's ear. "You'll give in."
Raegan reached for her pancake, ignoring his advances. "Is that so?"
James didn't respond. Instead he leaned back against the couch, stretching out his long, thin legs. Raegan's eyes darted towards them as if they had a mind of their own.
James noticed her gaze lingering on his legs, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. "Something caught your attention?" he teased, his tone laced with amusement.
Raegan rolled her eyes, trying to maintain her composure. "Don't flatter yourself, Acaster."
She matched his posture, leaning against the couch, her legs elongated as she leaned them over the coffee table. She looked over at him, meeting his eyes. "Consider myself flattered," James smirked.
Raegan savored the taste of her pancake, her attention momentarily shifting to the television playing in the background. The monotonous morning news failed to captivate her interest, filled with trivial stories and forced laughter from the presenters. A headline about a traffic jam flashed across the screen, further contributing to her growing frustration.
Turning her gaze towards James, she discovered that he was already fixated on her. His eyes locked onto hers, a mixture of amusement and anticipation evident in his expression. Raegan and James exchanged a knowing glance, their shared desire intensifying with each passing moment. Without hesitation, they leaned closer to each other, succumbing to the allure of the playful game. James gently entwined his fingers in her hair, pulling her nearer to him, while their lips met in a passionate embrace.
Their tongues intertwined with an undeniable chemistry as the kiss deepened. She smirked to herself beneath him as she wondered how she always ended up in this position.
The kiss broke and James' eyes were dark. They spoke a million words yet none were readable to Raegan.
"James," she said as her lip dragged between his teeth.
"I love you," he mumbled.
She smiled at him, feeling an immediate sense of comfort. It was remarkable how quickly they had become at ease with each other. Being around him felt like being home, even when home wasn't missing. His eyes held a twinkle, and the way his smile creased his under eyes was endearing. It was a comfortable feeling, but not in a boring way. It was a comfort that still carried an air of excitement and possibility.
"You're staring at me," James remarked with a wider smile. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
"You," Raegan replied simply.
"Me?" he questioned, his curiosity piqued.
Raegan nodded, her expression playful. "Yeah, just thinking about how truly annoying you can be."
"Ha-ha," he rolled his eyes as he got up from the couch, making his way to the kitchen to tidy up.
Raegan's eyes followed James as he walked to the kitchen, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her eyes focused on the crease of his sweater, imagining how she had just had it bunched in her hands. Her eyes darted upward to his messy blonde locks, how her fingers had just grazed through them so carelessly.
As James started washing the pan, Raegan reached for the remote and turned up the volume of the television. The monotonous news droned on, failing to captivate her attention with its lack of excitement or intrigue.
Interrupting the silence, James's voice emerged from the kitchen. "I was thinking, we should visit Ed today."
Raegan's nod was accompanied by a casual response, her gaze still fixed on the screen. "Yeah, sure. Sounds good."
"It has been a while since we last saw Ed," James commented, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "I wouldn't mind grabbing a bite to eat or having a drink with him." A playful chuckle escaped his lips as he recalled a particular memory. "And who knows, maybe we'll end up doing some tabletop dancing after a couple of gin martinis."
Raegan playfully narrowed her eyes at James. "Why do you always have to bring up my embarrassing moments?" she chuckled. "You know that wasn't my finest hour."
James grinned mischievously. "Oh, come on, Raegan. Don't be shy. Tell me, what were you singing again?"
Raegan's cheeks flushed, and she shook her head. "No, absolutely not. I refuse to relive that moment."
But James couldn't resist the opportunity for some good-natured teasing. He turned around, brandishing the sudsy spatula in his hand, and started singing at the top of his lungs, "Shake it off! Shake it off!"
"And the players gonna play play play play play," he continued to sing.
"Somehow Julien is looking better and better each day," she sighed as she threw the throw blanket over her head.
"Excuse me?" James exclaimed, faking shock with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Raegan removed the blanket from her face, locking eyes with James. "And to set the record straight, it wasn't even Shake It Off!"
James folded his arms, a playful anticipation in his expression as he waited for her explanation.
"It was Out Of The Woods," she clarified, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Did you want me to start singing that instead?" James winked.
Raegan playfully tossed the blanket back over herself, muffling her voice. "No!" she exclaimed, her tone lighthearted.
James chuckled as he resumed his cleaning. "Good, because I must confess, I don't really know the lyrics," he admitted. "But let's get back on track. Ed, remember?"
Raegan peeked out from under the blanket, nodding in agreement. "No drinks," she clarified.
"Fair enough, but we're definitely getting some food, right?" James inquired.
Emerging from her cozy hiding spot, Raegan flashed a smile and nodded enthusiastically. "I'm absolutely craving Chinese!"
"So, Chinese food, no dirty martinis, no Taylor Swift songs, and yes to Ed?" James summarized their conversation.
Raegan shook her head in mock outrage. "I would never say no to Taylor Swift!" she retorted playfully.
James chuckled. "Alright, no drunken Taylor Swift singing then," he clarified, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"That's definitely a better plan," she agreed.
"Is it though? I mean, I enjoy watching you make a fool of yourself," James teased, making his way back to the couch.
Raegan responded with an eye roll. "Stop trying to be cute," she said, suppressing a smile. "Anyway, if we're going to meet Ed, you should be the one to call him."
James feigned surprise, placing a hand over his chest. "Me? Why me?"
Raegan smirked mischievously. "Because you're the one who suggested it. Besides, he's your friend."
James sighed dramatically. "Fine, I'll call him. But I'll be sure to tell him you said he's my friend but not yours."
"Don't put words in my mouth, Acaster!"
James pulled out his phone, his playful grin not fading. "They're your words, Raegan!"
That evening, they arrived at a nearby Chinese restaurant. It exuded a quaint charm, adorned with Chinese statues, figurines, and vibrant posters of dragons. The shelves were filled with trinkets and decorations, immersing the space in an atmosphere of Chinese culture. The three of them settled at a cozy table towards the back, enjoying the warm glow of red hanging lanterns overhead.
As they settled in, Ed couldn't help but voice his curiosity. His gaze shifted back and forth between Raegan and James. "So, I just want to know, when did this all start?" he inquired, his eyes filled with intrigue.
"It was probably your party," James shrugged nonchalantly.
Raegan shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "No, I'd say it started a little after that."
James lifted the menu, scanning its contents. "It just sort of happened gradually," he replied, his tone casual as he considered their dining options.
"And why didn't you tell me?" Ed asked. "Why did I only actually find out after the Julien incident?"
"I'm curious," Raegan twisted the conversation, "when did you realise?"
Ed smirked, a knowing look in his eyes. "It was that time we got Indian food," he recalled. "I noticed James reaching for your thigh, and if that didn't make me realise you both spent every waking minute together and James wouldn't shut up about you!"
Raegan turned to James with blushing cheeks, "oh," she spoke quietly.
"But back to my question, why didn't you tell me?"
Raegan shrugged, "I don't know. It was so soon after Julien and then we just kind of started enjoying the secrecy."
Ed turned his attention to James who was unusually quiet. "And is your answer the same?" Ed asked him.
James nodded, his voice tinged with a hint of awkwardness. "Yeah, pretty much," he replied.
Ed's gaze shifted to the menu on the table, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Well," he began, offering a warm smile, "I'm genuinely happy for both of you. You're a much better match than Julien ever was." He then turned to Raegan, his eyes filled with warmth. "And Raegan, you're a far better fit for James than Elise."
Raegan paused, her curiosity heightened. Who was this Elise that Ed had mentioned? It occurred to her that James hadn't delved much into his past dating experiences, and to be fair, neither had she, aside from the mention of Julien.
James nodded, "definitely," he mumbled.
"Who's Elise?" Raegan couldn't resist the urge to seek answers.
Ed glanced at James with an apologetic expression. "Just a girl he used to date," Ed clarified. "Nothing too serious."
James raised an eyebrow, contradicting Ed's statement. "It was serious for her," he interjected.
Curiosity sparked in Raegan's eyes as she leaned closer to James, eager to hear the details. "Tell me more," she urged, hoping to uncover some juicy gossip.
James chuckled lightly, reminiscing about the past. "She was a lovely girl, but things took a turn," he began.
Ed chimed in, completing the story. "She became a little too obsessed and started stalking him," Ed revealed.
"Pretty much," James confirmed, joining in the laughter as they shared the memory of this peculiar chapter in his dating history.
"Now that you mention it, I don't know much about your dating history beyond the girls you dated publicly," Raegan probed further.
Ed chuckled, realizing he had stirred up the conversation. "Sorry about that."
James shrugged, unfazed by the question. "There's not much to tell, really. Besides Elise, the most interesting part of my dating life was getting dumped for Mr. Bean, and you already know about that," he said with a playful smirk.
Ed interjected, adding a new name to the mix. "Maybe you should tell James about Scott," he suggested mischievously.
Curious, James turned to Raegan, a questioning expression on his face. "Who's Scott?" he asked.
Raegan shot a playful glare at Ed. "You're such a dick!" she exclaimed, playfully teasing him.
"Well?" James persisted, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Raegan sighed, contemplating whether to reveal her past dating experience. "Alright, fine. Before I dated Julien, I was seeing this guy named Scott. He was an architect, and I have to admit, his wealth was part of the attraction," she admitted, raising her hands in a defensive gesture. "Things were going well at first, but then the gifts he gave me started turning into straight-up cash. It was like I unknowingly became a... well, let's just say I was involved in something I didn't sign up for."
"He thought you were a hooker?" James raised an incredulous eyebrow.
Raegan nodded, her glare still directed at Ed for bringing up the embarrassing memory. "I thought we were developing a genuine connection, but apparently he saw it as nothing more than paying for sex and a pretend relationship."
"How long did it last?" James asked.
The conversation gradually came to a halt as the trio focused their attention on the menu before them. Raegan perused the extensive list of Chinese dishes, her eyes lingering on the familiar favorites. Beside her, James scanned the options with equal interest, his finger tracing along the descriptions.
"I think I'll go for the Kung Pao shrimp," James finally decided, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Raegan nodded approvingly. "Good choice. And I'll have the braised Kao Fu, please," she told the waiter, who jotted down their orders with a smile.
Ed chimed in, "I'll go for the chicken chow mein, and let's not forget some spring rolls for starters."
With the menus returned, Raegan's attention shifted to the captivating dragon painting adorning the restaurant wall. Its vibrant colors and intricate details held her gaze, momentarily transporting her to a world of mythical wonder. The ambiance of the place added to the overall charm, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
James pulled Raegan closer, his arm enveloping her in a warm embrace. His sigh of contentment resonated through her, and she nestled comfortably against him. "I'm really glad you introduced us, Ed," James declared.
Ed smiled, "I mean, this wasn't my intent but I'll take the credit," he laughed.
As the conversation settled into a comfortable rhythm, the waiter arrived at their table with glasses of water. Setting them down, he offered a polite smile before departing to attend to other guests. Raegan reached for her glass, taking a sip.
Ed was engrossed in his phone. His focus seemed momentarily diverted from the lively banter at the table. Raegan glanced over at him, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Ed, are you still with us?" she quipped, raising an eyebrow. "Or have you fallen into the endless abyss of social media?"
Ed looked up, momentarily startled. "Oh, sorry," he chuckled sheepishly.
The aroma of Chinese delicacies began to fill the air. The waiter approached their table, carrying a tray laden with plates of steaming hot food. He skillfully distributed the dishes, placing them in the center of the table for everyone to share.
Raegan wasted no time in grabbing her chopsticks, eagerly digging into the delicious spread. She couldn't resist a taste of the crispy spring roll, the savory flavors dancing on her tongue. She savored each bite, relishing the delicate balance of flavors and textures.
As Raegan took another bite, a burst of savory fillings unexpectedly escaped from the spring roll, landing on her lap. Startled, she glanced down, her eyes widening in dismay at the greasy stain that now tarnished her jeans.
Reacting swiftly, James reached for a napkin, extending it to her. He was attempting to be sympathetic but couldn't conceal his laughter well.
“Thanks,” she sighed as she attempted to wipe it off. But her sigh only grew longer as the stain merely spread. “I'm gonna go to the bathroom and attempt to wipe this off,” she stated, looking back and forth between James and Ed.
Standing up from the table, she discreetly covered the embarrassing grease stain with her hand, concealing it from prying eyes. She made her way to the restroom.
Inside the bathroom stall, Raegan took a deep breath and assessed the situation. She grabbed a paper towel, wetting it with water from the sink, and began gently dabbing at the stubborn grease stain on her jeans. As she focused, the sound of voices from the neighboring stall caught her attention.
Two girls were engaged in a conversation, their words carrying through the thin walls. Raegan strained to listen, her curiosity piqued by their topic. It didn't take long for her heart to sink as their words hit her ears.
"Did you see James Acaster is in the restaurant?" one of the girls exclaimed excitedly.
"Yeah, I noticed. But did you see who he's with? Some ugly bitch. Can't believe he's with her," the other girl replied disdainfully.
Raegan's heart skipped a beat, the words hitting her like a punch to the gut.
"He's so cute though," one of the girls remarked, her voice filled with infatuation.
The other girl responded with a malicious laugh. "I could show him what he truly deserves. He's worth more than being with some skanky cow."
Raegan caught a glimpse of herself in the fogged-up mirror, her reflection distorted by the lingering words of the girls in the neighboring stall. Their cruel remarks pierced through her, leaving behind a trail of discomfort and self-doubt.
“She dresses like such a whore too. You can tell where her motives lie,” they both laughed.
Feeling defeated in her attempts to remove the stain, Raegan abandoned her efforts and briskly exited the bathroom. The echoes of their laughter followed her, acting as a bitter reminder of their disdainful words. She refused to let their negativity consume her, pushing forward with determination, her head held high.
As Raegan settled back down beside James, he could sense a shift in her demeanor. Concern etched across his face, he leaned closer to her. "Any luck?" James inquired softly.
She shook her head, her gaze fixated on her plate. "No," she replied.
Sensing something wrong, James leaned in closer, his concern deepening. "You okay?" he asked.
Raegan mustered a smile, attempting to mask her true emotions. "I'm fine," she reassured him. "I just overheard a conversation I shouldn't have in the bathroom."
"Bathroom drama!" Ed interjected. "What's the gossip?"
Raegan sighed, her grip tightening around a spring roll. "Me," she replied.
“Alright, who said what and who do I have to yell at?” Ed asked.
Raegan mustered a smile, trying to downplay the impact of the hurtful comments. "It's nothing important, just some petty gossip. Let's not give it any more attention."
James nodded in agreement, sensing Raegan's discomfort. "You're right, it's not worth our time or energy. We're here to enjoy our meal."
Ed shrugged, still eager to defend Raegan. "Well, if anyone dares to mess with you, they'll have to answer to me. But for now, let's focus on the delicious food in front of us."
As the evening ended, Raegan found herself on her couch scrolling through her phone, looking at photos of James on Pinterest. What those girls had said had really struck a chord within her. Maybe she didn't deserve him. She clicked on a particular photo of him smiling widely on the set of Countdown. He was perfect. She was not. She had brought all the complications to the relationship. He hadn't brought one.
She exited the app and opened WhatsApp, sending James a message.
“Already? We were just together weirdo! Xx”
She laughed switching her phone.