Page 83 of Mercury Rising

Nick rested his hands on Mercury’s thighs.

“This is technically assault or sexual harassment or something,” Mercury mumbled.

“Mercury, I am really, really fucking sorry.”

The fight over, a stray tear rolled down Mercury’s cheek.

“Hey,” Nick exclaimed. He wiped it away with his thumb. “Please, none of that. Jesus, Mercury, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what else to say.”

“I’m okay,” Mercury replied. “You were pretty rough. Why didn’t you talk to me instead of instantly thinking the worse and attacking? Do you find it so easy to believe I would do that?”

Nick sat back on his haunches. “Not now, I don’t. Fuck.”

The spin Gavin would have put on that story probably made Mercury look like a serial killer. He could hardly blame Nick for jumping to conclusions.

“Your mug,” Mercury said.

He crouched down. The Spice Girls were beyond repair.

They were both kneeling in front of each other.

“Mercury, I think I’m falling in love with you and that I’ve hurt you makes me feel like shit. I don’t know what else I can do.”

“Whoa,” Mercury said. “Reverse. What did you say?”

“That I’m falling in love with you?”

No one had ever said that to Mercury before. He’d had dozens of flings. Nothing where someone said those words to him.

He took Nick’s hands in his. “I think I’m falling in love with you too. Let’s forget it.”

The words sounded convincing and Nick visibly relaxed. Mercury would find it more difficult to achieve. Yet, he had the most decent man he’d ever met in his life professing his love. Mercury was not a fool.

“We should probably get up,” Nick said.

They got to their feet. Nick kissed him. “I’ll make it up to you tonight. Want to stay over again?”

Mercury shook his head. “Can’t. Mum is having that surprise soiree for two of our neighbours. You promised.”

Nick groaned. “I forgot. What am I going to wear?”

“I’ll help you choose.”

Nick kissed him again. “Thanks.”

They sat to get on with some work. Mercury should be elated.

He said he loved me.

However, he had a nagging pain deep in his stomach that wouldn’t go.

But he doesn’t trust me.

It was a beautiful evening so Madeline had decided they would eat in the garden. The caterers had laid the table for seven people.

Nick had on a white linen shirt and olive chinos that Mercury had personally chosen from his wardrobe. If he had been nervous earlier, he wasn’t showing any sign now.

Mercury had opted for pale pink shorts and a black T-shirt.