Page 43 of Wild Tonic
A cloud came over Dean’s face. “No, she’s gone back to London. She was only here a couple of days before going home.”
Before he had finished the sentence, Clem came trotting into the hallway asking who was at the door. Upon seeing Nate, she ground to a halt, her mouth falling open.
“What are you doing here?”
“I needed to see you.” Nate stepped inside, holding up his gifts. “I wanted to explain. You left before I even had a chance.”
Clem walked towards him and he half expected her to shove him away and tell him to go. Instead, she peeked into the bag. Dean stood there, watching the pair of them.
“You’ve got five minutes.” She turned her back to him as she walked into another part of the house.
Quickly, Nate followed her, shooting a grin at Dean.
They went into the conservatory, which was probably about half the size of Nate’s entire flat. The glass roof let in swathes of light, the trees casting shadows on the tiled floor from the pale sunbeams.
Clem sat on one of the sofas. Nate was tempted to go and sit next to her, then decided against it.
“Are the others still at Waterfront Lodge?” he asked, trying to start with something neutral, something to at least get them talking.
“As far as I know. Leona said she was coming home today.” Clem frowned at him. “Did she tell you where I was?”
He nodded. “I hounded her until she told me.”
“I’m glad she did.” Clem gave him a small smile. “I think.”
Nate knew he had to put things right between them and took a deep breath. “What happened with Anastasia…”
Clem held up a hand. “I know, I know. She made a move on you and you couldn’t do anything to stop her. It has happened about a million times before.”
“If that’s true, why were you so upset? If you know what she’s like, why take it out on me?”
She lowered her eyes to the floor, staring intently at the patterned tiles. “Because it brings back all the memories of being at school with her and having her bully me the whole of sixth form.”
“She bullied you? What for?”
“When I was at school, I wasn’t always a skinny blonde. In fact, I had braces, glasses and about four spare tyres I couldn’t seem to shift.”
Nate raked his gaze up and down Clem’s body, shaking his head. “I don’t see that at all.”
“Anastasia was one of the coolest girls and she always taunted me when she wanted to feel better about herself. When you’re stuck in boarding school, there’s no escape and she made me feel worthless. Even when I came back from LA, looking how I do now. She’s constantly around, always everywhere. And you know she slept with Liam when I was with him.”
A tear ran down her cheek and Nate desperately wanted to reach across to brush it away with his thumb. He didn’t really have the first clue about how private schools and boarding worked. He guessed that it must have been pretty bad not to be able to avoid the person who was persecuting you the whole time.
“Have you ever spoken to her about it?” he asked.
Clem shook her head. “I tolerate her, mainly for the sake of the group. A bit like I do with Byron, if I’m honest.” She let out a small laugh. “Maybe I should try and get them to hook up.”
There was another pause before Nate said anything. “It’s obvious to me that’s she’s jealous of you. That’s why she did it and then sent you the pictures. But I swear to you, I don’t remember any of it. Come on, you’re a successful businesswoman. You’re on a TV show and you’ve got the most amazing, hot, rock star boyfriend. She’s got, what? A crush on your ex? Maybe a job she hates?”
“I’ve tried to tell myself that several times. So has Leona.”
“Sounds like you’ve moved on since school and she’s still stuck in the playground.”
“I think you just hit the nail on the head.” Clem smiled. “I can’t help but be insecure about it though. Sometimes I still think I’m the fat kid with no prospects.”
“You’re anything but.” Nate moved across the room and sat next to Clem. “I don’t want anyone else except you,” he whispered in her ear. “I couldn’t care less about Anastasia Green, no matter how many times she throws herself at me. You’re worth a million of her.”
He felt her stiffen, then pull back.
