Page 103 of Mercury Rising

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Your mother seems genuine,” Nick ventured. “I appreciated the apology.”

Mercury folded his arms. “The least she could do.”

“Perhaps. Even so, she did it.”

The emotions bubbling away inside Mercury would be held no longer. He burst into tears.

“I’ve missed you so fucking much,” he sobbed.

Nick knelt in front of him. “Hey, come on. When I suggested to the kids that we sent the invitation, I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Sorry for getting emotional. It’s hard. I miss laughing with you and doing things with the kids.”

“Is that all?”

“Obviously not. It’s been a shit month. All right?”

Taking his hand, Nick squeezed it. “Same here. I’ve been a grumpy bastard. Ask Eddie. He told me off the other day.”

The tears seemed to have stopped. Mercury wished with all his heart that he had the courage to lean forward and kiss Nick. Yet, he froze. If he’d misread the intention, it would put the final nail in the coffin on him seeing the kids again.

“He’s a special guy,” Mercury replied. “A bit pissed off with me at the moment. He thinks I abandoned him.”

Nick shifted. “That’s my fault. I’ve been way too hasty. I’m always telling the kids they should settle their problems through talking. Then what do I do? Banish you from my kingdom.”

“You had every right to.”

“No, I didn’t,” Nick replied. “I acted selfishly. The last few weeks have taught me that decision impacted more than the two of us. Everyone has been so miserable. Even when we heard we were keeping the house, it felt like a hollow victory.”

Mercury was confused. “So that’s the only reason you wanted me to come today. To make the win mean something?”

Nick pondered for a second. “I think, if you were agreeable, I would like to forget the last month of heartache and way too many bars of chocolate and maybe start again. Just seeing you tells me I can’t handle it without you.”

Every night when he’d lain awake thinking about Nick and the whole mess, Mercury had never in his wildest dreams thought this might happen.

“I can confirm, Mr Campbell, that I am very agreeable.”

“Very agreeable?” Nick replied. “Now that is exciting.”

“I want to kiss you.”

Nick got to his feet and slid his chair against the door. He sat and opened his arms. “Then why don’t you?”

Mercury straddled him. All the magazines would say he should be cool and make Nick work for it but fuck that. He was a starving man faced with an all-you-can-eat buffet. He fell on Nick and gorged.

It was a kiss to end all kisses. Nick ran his hands all over Mercury’s body as if he were reclaiming him. Mercury was more than happy for that. He didn’t want anyone else’s touch again.

When they came up for air, Nick nuzzled Mercury.

“Fuck, I’ve missed that,” Nick said. “Let’s not fall out again.”

“Your wish is my command.”

Mercury got up, making absolutely no attempt to hide his erection.