“That’s great Nick, but don’t you think this is all a bit…weird?” Brian asked as he folded one of Nick’s shirts and put it in his bag.
“What do you mean weird, she accepted my apology!” Nick smiled, trying to comprehend the fact that he was back together with Bridget! He sat on Brian’s guest bed as they packed up his overnight bag.
“No I mean, Nick…think about this…slow down…some one is trying to kill you! Shouldn’t we focus on that first?”
“What?” Nick asked, a little weary…he didn’t want anyone focusing on that right now, or ever.
“The boat…the car…Nick, you even told me someone was trying to kill you, we should go to the police,”
“No police, we shouldn’t involve them yet,”
“And don’t you think it’s a bit odd that it all happened after Bridget thought that you were cheating on her?” Brian asked ignoring Nick’s statement.
“What are you saying?”
“I mean, love can make you do some crazy things…”
“What are you implying!” Nick raised his voice louder than he’d intended to, Brian was only trying to help.
“Nothing, just that…be careful…I don’t know…”
“I was on the phone with you both times, doesn’t mean you had anything to do with it!” Nick yelled defensively.
Brian ran a hand through his hair and sat down on the bed next to Nick, “I’m just saying this is all so weird, why now? Why is this all happening now?”
Nick bit his lip, suddenly uncomfortable with the situation, “can we not talk about this?”
Brian sighed, “fine, whatever. You’re all packed,”
“Thanks for letting me stay, I really appreciate it,”
“Anytime,” Brian lifted the bag and threw it over his shoulder, “come on boy, let’s get you back to your woman!”
Nick laughed and reached for his crutches, steadying himself and hobbled out the door behind him.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Well it’s nice to see you too,”
“I’m sorry…it’s just…” Nick glanced around the unlit room making sure they were alone, “you shouldn’t be here.”
“Why not?”
“I’m involved with someone now,”
“Oh…”
“Why are you here?”
“I…I’m so sorry,” the dark figure in the shadows of the night stuttered.
“What’s wrong?”
“He…he knows …” She choked on her words, as she fought back her urge to cry.
Nick was fully aware now and motioned for her to sit with him on the couch. “He knows what?”
“He knows about us,” she whispered.
“There is no us anymore,”
“I know…but…he thinks there is…”She wiped her eyes and watched him worriedly.
“What do you mean he thinks there is, it’s over…I didn’t know…”
“He doesn’t understand that,”
“How could he not, you didn’t tell me!”
“I just…I saw the news…I know about it…and I wanted to apologize…for him…it’s all my fault,” she burst out crying once more.
“Shhh…it’s okay, it’s not your fault. This has nothing to do with you, you only got in the way,” he whispered as he held her and rocked her back and forth soothingly.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated, clutching on to his chest.
“I’m sorry you were brought into this, you shouldn’t have been in the middle,” Nick rested his chin on the top of her head.
“What the hell is going on!” A voice pierced through the silence and his world shattered at the look on Bridget’s face.
Chapter 6