Page 103 of The Meaning Of You

“I’m guessing no one believes that bullshit?” Gazza spat the words. He’d been worryingly quiet ever since the jetty, his demeanour reserved, his eyes haunted.

I didn’t like it.

Being lied to and taken in by Ben had done a number on him. He could barely meet my eyes. He felt responsible for the alarm code, and he even admitted Ben had pumped him for information about me. Gazza said he hadn’t given Ben much because he knew how important privacy was to me.

I didn’t want him feeling guilty and we needed to talk. I just didn’t have it in me right then.

Lizzie took Gazza’s hand. “We can worry about that tomorrow, honey. We all need some sleep first.”

Gazza wrapped his hand over top of hers and gave her a grateful look. They’d clearly bonded in a few short hours together, and the thought made me take a second look around the room.

Five people filled my lounge, every one of them a friend... or more than a friend. They’d cleaned my house and cared for me, been there for me, even fought for me. This wasn’t my life of even just a day ago. It wasn’t anything I’d thought I ever wanted. Three months and Nick Fisher had turned my quiet world upside down.

I tried to feel pissed about that, but all I felt was... grateful. Five people in my house at the same time and the world hadn’t come to an end, not yet anyway. I wasn’t even sure I wanted them to leave. Wasn’t sure I could sleep on my own if they did. The mere thought sent me perilously close to panic.

I stole a sideways glance at Nick and our eyes met. He squeezed my hand and leaned close. “I’m shutting this down.” He regarded me seriously. “You’ve had enough, Mads. I’ve had enough. I’m going to put you in bed.”

A small smile crossed my lips. “Oh, you are, are you?”

His cheeks pinked. “You know what I mean.”

I lost the smile. “No, actually, I don’t.” I swallowed the tremble threatening my lips. “I’m not sure I know anything anymore.”

He didn’t flinch, his gaze steady on mine. Then he stood and pulled me up beside him. “This is done,” he told the group. “The rest can wait until tomorrow.”

I wanted to protest that I was quite capable of speaking for myself, thank you very much, except it would’ve been a bald-faced lie. I could barely think, let alone string a line of sensible words together, and the effort required to walk from the lounge to my bedroom suddenly seemed daunting.

Lizzie looked between Nick and me, and a small smile played on her lips. “Well spoken.” She clapped her hands twice. “You heard the man. I’m happy to drive anyone who needs it, home. The rest of you aren’t safe to be behind the wheel.” She elbowed Samuel. “You should know that Jerry and I have become fast friends, so you can explain yourself later.”

Samuel groaned and wrapped an arm around Jerry’s shoulders. “You couldn’t have lied?”

She grinned up at him. “Now where would be the fun in the that?”

Gazza caught my eye and quickly looked away, shrinking back into his chair like a wounded animal. I tugged free of Nick’s grip and stumbled across to take his hand. “How about you crash in one of the guest rooms tonight? You look about as whacked as I feel.”

He searched my face and I didn’t miss the relief in his eyes. “Are you sure?”

I nodded and brushed that pink lock of hair aside. “You saved my life, Gazza. The information you gave. The photo. Without that, who knows if they’d have put the pieces together.”

His face relaxed but not for long. “It hurts, Madigan.” His eyes shone brightly. “All of it. Ben. You. The lies. I let that fucker sleep in my bed. I let him touch me. I believed him and he almost killed you. I’m so, so sorry.”

I leaned in until our foreheads were touching and gripped him around the neck. “You havenothingto be sorry for. You’re not the one in the wrong. He is. I love you, Gazza, and I will always be grateful for what you did.”

He wrapped me in a hug that continued until Nick squeezed my shoulder. “Come on. It’s bed for you.”

Gazza looked between us and got to his feet. “I’ll take the room at the end.”

“You know where everything is.” I gave him a hug and watched him go.

One by one, Lizzie, Samuel, and Jerry also made their goodbyes and Nick saw them to the front door. Before he left, Samuel drew Nick aside. The way Nick glanced my way as they talked left little question as to the subject of the conversation, although I was far too tired to give a fuck either way. I didn’t give a shit what Samuel thought about the possibility of Nick and me. I was pretty sure it was a moot point anyway.

Nick locked the front door and set the alarm as per my instructions and then made his way back. “And then there were two.” He slipped my hand through his arm and steered me towards the hall, turning lights off as he went. “How’s the ear?”

“What?” I couldn’t resist and he chuckled.

“Yeah, yeah, funny guy.” He leaned his head against mine. “But seriously. How are you feeling?”

He turned me into the hall and then left into my bedroom. I barely made it to the bed before I sank gratefully onto the mattress. “Fucking sore, if you must know.”

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