AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t like the thought of you driving back on your own.”
“I did it last night,” I point out.
“Yes and I’m very glad you did.”
“Can I ask you something? It’s about something you said.” I chew on my lip, worried he’ll close up on me again. His eyes turn wary as he nods for me to continue. “You said your mum wasn’t always the way she was…”
He seems relieved and I guess it’s because I’m not asking about what it is he knows that I don’t; that piece of knowledge he thinks has the potential to destroy us. Of course it’s eating at me, but do I really want to know, especially if it’ll turn my world upside down? “I remember her being kind and thoughtful. She loved me. I remember that. But then my dad suddenly changed. We had a lot going on with…” He gulps and looks away. “I’m not sure why he started beating her, but it happened around the same time my grandfather started abusing me. We had a lot of stresses.”
“You were only six. You shouldn’t have had any stresses, other than whether or not you could sneak the biscuits out of the cupboard.” I did that often, but I mostly got caught.
“Yeah.” He takes my hand and leads me to Sasha’s car. “I know. She became very withdrawn. She stopped hugging me, kissing me and eventually became the snotty cow she is today. I think she just forgot how to love.”
“Nobody forgets how to love; they just forget how to share it,” I mutter, thinking back to my own upbringing. It was very mild in comparison to his, but it still hurt when my mum treated me like I was a burden more than anything.
He changes the subject, his eyes staring through the trees ahead. “Have you ever wanted to find your dad?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you should try?”
“My mum doesn’t remember him.”
Nathan scrunches up his nose. He looks adorable. “That just seems like an excuse to me. Maybe he was married and she was ashamed. Maybe she was attacked… but I doubt she’d forget the face of the man who gave her you.”
“I’ve thought this myself, but she’s adamant that she doesn’t remember him. A drunken one night stand apparently. I’m not that interested anyway. I used to be, but now I’m happy with what I’ve got. Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener.”
A wicked grin spreads his lips. “The grass will always be greener on our side of the fence, Gwen. You’ll see.”
“I don’t have to see. I already know.”
“Go on, Dillan awaits. I’ll follow you shortly.”
“Hey Nath?”
He brushes his fingers over my arm. “Yes Gwen?”
“Tell me to tell you that I love you.”
The browns in his eyes twinkle with warmth. “Tell me you love me.”
“I love you.”
“Good.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I can see the uncertainty and sorrow in my mum’s eyes. I nod in response. “You know you can come back whenever you like.” Her eyes darken. “Whenever you like.”
“I know.” I wrap my arms around her and kiss her cheek. “I love you; thank you for being my rock.”
Her breath catches in her throat. “Thank you for being mine.”
When I go to pull away, she doesn’t let me go. We stand in the driveway holding each other. To an outsider we probably look silly, or like lesbians, seeing as my mum really doesn’t look old enough to be my mum. To us, this is a huge breakthrough in our relationship.
When we finally release each other, Nathan tucks me under his arm and leads me to the car.
Ten minutes later, if that, we’re carrying Dillan into his new home, one that I can’t wait to decorate. Although when I start suggesting things, Nathan looks less and less enthusiastic about the idea of me choosing and suggests we wait a while until we can afford a professional.
I reluctantly agree and claim the amazing kitchen. This is my second time cooking in here and I have to admit, it is fantastic.
“Have you thought any more about going back to university?” Nathan pulls himself up onto the breakfast bar and plucks a grape from the fruit basket before popping it into his mouth.
“I won’t be able to go back until September. We have plenty of time to talk about it and decide.” I flip the wrap and drop it on top of the others. “Can you put these on the table for me?”
He drops to his feet and does as I’ve asked, whistling the entire time, which is weird because Nathan doesn’t whistle… ever.
“I got a call from Lorna earlier,” he announces and I’m shocked by the spark of jealousy that flies through me.
“Go on.”
“She just called to say hi and to meet up. I told her that I’m seeing you now.”
“Oh.” The jealousy slowly slinks away and hides under a metaphorical rock, ready to pounce at the next woman who gets too close to Nathan. “So you’re telling me because…?”
