Page 58 of Conviction

We all sit in silence for a few moments. Each of us trying to get our heads around all of the information that’s just been shared.

“I still don’t understand. When was Nina in the hospital?” Josh asks again.

Nobody answers.

Sophie wipes tears from under her eyes, then gets up and starts opening cupboards.

“I need a drink, Reed. What ya got? Nice crib, by the way. Totally not what I was expecting.”

I’m still struggling to form words. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

“Will someone fucking answer me?”

Sophie and I both look at Josh. Meebs lets out a deep sigh but doesn’t look up or say anything.

“Let me make us all a coffee, with a dash of something stronger in it, and I’ll tell you all I know,” Sophie says

“What did he do, Soph? Did he touch her?” Something flickers across her face for a split second.

“Who?” she asks me with a frown.

“Her prick of a brother, did he touch her?”

Meebs looks up from where her face has been curled into my chest and shoulder. She’s a blotchy, tear-stained mess. The most beautiful mess I’ve ever seen.

“He didn’t touch me. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

Sophie shakes a bottle of bourbon above our heads.

“Will you pair of lovebirds please get up off the floor and show me how this coffee machine works? I need a drink, and if I need a drink, fuck knows what you two must need.”

Meebs wipes her face on the back of her arm and gives me a small smile.

Pearce Matthews.

Pearce Matthews.

Pearce Matthews.

It’s the only thing I can think of right now, that’s going to stop me from getting a hard-on.

“The coffee machine is the same as the one at the salon in Reading,” Meebs says.

“Ahh, right. Gotchya,” Sophie replies.

I stand and pull Meebs up with me.

“Can I go and have a quick shower and borrow some clothes. I feel gross,” she asks.

Fucking hell!

She’s about to get naked… inmyhouse.

I look between Sophie and Josh.

“Stop thinking those thoughts, Conner Reed. I just want a quick shower so I can feel clean,” Meebs tells me.

“Yeah, and don’t look at us like that either, coz we’re not leaving,” Sophie adds.