Page 86 of Mercury Rising

“Guilt?” Nick asked.

Mercury couldn’t bear to watch this play out. He’d seen his mother in this mode many times. He called it seek and destroy. It was usually reserved for her perceived competition. Maybe it still was.

“I think that’s enough,” Mercury said. He placed a reassuring hand on Nick’s arm.

“No,” Nick replied. He pulled away from Mercury. “Let her get whatever it is off her chest. What exactly am I to feel guilty about?”

“I just thought with all the drug dealing and guns. I agree you’ve a lot to make up for.”

She arched her eyebrow in the way she’d done on countless films. Yet, this wasn’t make-believe. Nick looked as if he were going to either throw up or burst into tears.

The rest of the room, including Mercury, were frozen.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Mercury thought he was going to pass out. Had he heard her correctly?

Of course, all eyes were on Nick. Silently, he rose to his feet.

“It has been a pleasure meeting you all. I think I should probably leave.”

He walked out of the room.

“I will never forgive you for this,” Mercury snarled at Madeline. “Never.”

Without waiting for the crap that would come out of her mouth, he chased after Nick. He’d already made it to the front door when Mercury caught up with him.

“Wait,” Mercury said, pushing the door closed “Please. I’ll force her to apologise.”

“I don’t want it,” Nick replied. “You betrayed my trust and told your mother? Did you see the look on everyone’s face?”

Mercury shook his head. He had to make Nick see.

“She was lashing out. She didn’t mean it.”

“I understand perfectly. Her party bombed so she took it out on the rough trade darling Mercury brought home. Don’t you get it?”

“Get what?”

“Our worlds are incompatible, Mercury. Your life is about photo shoots, famous people and cash. Mine is playing endless games of ping-pong.”

He gently took Mercury’s hand from the door and opened it.

“Sleep on it,” Mercury said. “I’ll come early tomorrow and we can talk.”

Nick turned to Mercury. “I think it’s best if you contact your probation officer tomorrow. See if they can find you somewhere else to finish your community service. Tell them we’re so taken up with the campaign I don’t have the resources to supervise you properly. I’ll give you a reference.”

“No!” Mercury shouted. “Nick, don’t do that.”

Nick walked out into the summer evening. “I’m going to have to insist, Mercury. It’s for the best.”

Mercury could only watch him go down the steps and onto the street.

I’m never going to see him again.

He leant against the wall. Mercury refused to move until Nick made it to the end of the crescent. Just in case he turned back.

He didn’t.