Page 7 of Toy Boy

“She isn’t seeing anyone, though. Is she?”

I know she isn’t. Tim’s already told me she isn’t, although, he regrets telling me that now, I’m guessing.

“I had no right to tell you anything about Megan’s personal life, that was wrong of me. It isn’t my business, and it’s definitely not yours.”

Funny how two large whiskeys can loosen the tongue, though. Enough for me to be armed with the information I need. I knew what I was doing, Tim can’t say no to a single malt.

“This is a small town, Tim. Everyone knows everything about everybody.”

“Is that right?”

The way he looks at me, the guy’s got suspicion written all over his face. I mean, what the fuck? He’s supposed to be one of my closest friends, and they’re supposed to be on your side, right?

“What happened in Denmark, anyway? I thought everything was going well over there?”

“It was.”

“So, why did you leave?”

I go back behind my desk, leaning forward to check the laptop screen. “It wasn’t right for me. The position. Some things just don’t work out.”

When I look back at Tim he’s still eyeing me with an element of wariness, which is beginning to piss me off.

“Jesus Christ, Tim, what do you want from me? A detailed report? It didn’t work out, it happens. What else do you want me to say?”

“Are you back because of Megan?”

I frown again. “Because of Megan…? Because I want her back, you mean?”

“Yes. Because you want her back.”

“No, I’m not back because of Megan.”Aren’t I?“I just wanted to come home. There’s no ulterior motive here, I missed this place. And, yes, when I knew I was coming home, that made me realise how much I missed Megan. How much I still loved her… I could’ve stayed in Edinburgh, and that look you’re giving me now, you’re thinking that’s the decision I should’ve made, right? I should’ve stayed in Edinburgh, made a new start over there, at least it’s on home soil, huh?”

“I’m not thinking anything, Scott.”

“Really? Nothing at all?”

“I care about Megan. We all do. She has a lot of friends here,youhave a lot of friends here, but she was the one you cheated on, Scott. She was the one you hurt, and she’s been getting on with her life without you, and this… Maybe she doesn’t needthis.”

“Does she know you’re fighting her corner?”

“I’m not fighting anything.”

“You’re not fighting anything, you’re notthinkinganything…” I lean back against the glass window behind me that looks out over the hospital foyer, crossing my arms again – yeah, a defensive stance – and throwing my head back as I let out a long, heavy sigh. “I’m really not the bastard Megan made me out to be.” I fix Tim with a look that I hope lets him see that I mean that. I’mnotthe bastard Megan made me out to be, I don’t know why she felt the need to say the things she said; make all the accusations she made. I really don’t. “I’m not that man, Tim. Not anymore.”

He doesn’t say anything, he just meets my gaze for a moment or two before he turns and walks out of my office. Really? That’s it? That’s the welcome home I get from my best fucking friend?

“Shit!” I turn around and rest my forehead against the cool glass, closing my eyes and breathing in deep. Some welcome home this is turning out to be. But it’s okay. It’s fine. I never expected it to be easy, Megan’s going to make me fight this time; fight for her. For us. But I’m ready for that fight. After everything I’ve been through, I deserve a second chance. We all do. And Megan and me, we’re not over. We’re so far from fucking over…

3

Megan

Josh is waiting for me when I get home, leaning back against the front door, his hands in his pockets, and I can tell by the look on his face that he’s obviously heard about Scott’s return. No surprise, really. News travels fast around here.

“Did you know he was back?” he asks, standing aside to let me open the door.

“Nice to see you, too.”

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