by Andrea Grigg
‘How long were you there for?’
‘Long enough.’
‘I’m sorry, Josh. I don’t know what else to say.’ She could hear the tremor in her voice.
‘You can explain it to me on the way home. I presume you have an explanation.’
‘Sort of,’ she said, and followed him back inside.
They made their apologies, saying she wasn’t feeling very well. Lainey figured she must look as bad as she felt when everyone sympathised and said they hoped she got better soon.
She wasn’t sure where to start but Josh helped her as they sped out of the underground car park.
‘You don’t kiss me like that.’
‘No, I don’t.’ Lainey’s insides liquefied. It had been a fantastic kiss. ‘You probably won’t believe me but I’d planned on talking to you tomorrow.’
‘How convenient.’
She sighed. ‘Josh, it’s not your fault. It’s all mine and I feel terrible you had to find out this way. I’m so sorry I’ve hurt you and I wish I’d told you earlier it wasn’t working for me. I really was going to tell you tomorrow.’
He grunted his acceptance of her apology. He drove in silence for a bit, looked at her once or twice then asked the question that was bothering him. ‘Lainey, what do you see in him? Apart from the glitz and the glamour. He wasn’t exactly nice to you tonight.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Did Nick tell you he loved you or was glad to see you? From what I saw, he just forced himself on you and you gave in.’
‘No, he didn’t say anything but—’
‘So he came along and marked his territory like any other male animal. And you fell for it.’ Josh threw her a scathing glance. ‘The guy’s an arrogant jerk. He doesn’t care about you, Lainey. Open your eyes.’
‘You’ve got it all wrong, Josh.’ Lainey didn’t feel sorry for him anymore. She was furious. ‘You have no idea.’
‘Really? I’ve been around long enough to know a few things. I’ll bet you slept with him back in your high school days and like a typical girl, you’ve confused that with love and think that one day, he’ll come to his senses and come back to you. Well, he’s not going to. He’s a big star now and can have whoever he wants with a snap of his fingers and from what I can tell, he does. He wants everything his own way and doesn’t want anyone else to have you either. That’s your baggage right there.’
It was the small portion of truth in Josh’s tirade that kept Lainey’s mouth shut for the first few moments after he’d finished.
Then she began. ‘You must be very proud of the way you’ve worked that out. Except of course, you’ve got a lot of it wrong. At least you’ve found out how silly and empty-headed I am and I’ve certainly seen a side of you I don’t like. Makes it easy for us to call it quits, doesn’t it?’
‘You bet.’ Josh looked like he was keeping a lid on his temper with as much difficulty as she was. When they rolled up at her flat, he virtually tipped her out of the car and drove off.
Lying in bed that night, wide awake, Lainey went over and over things in her head. True, Nick hadn’t said anything about how he felt. For all she knew, Josh could be right, but her gut told her he wasn’t. Regardless, Nick had been rude and arrogant, and the more she thought about it the madder she got.
At least she’d learned it was pointless trying to date anyone unless there was some sort of spark in the first place. She put her fingers over her mouth, remembering. That was more than a spark; it was the whole forest fire. And no one could compete with that.
* * *
Gossip flew around thick and fast on Monday. Lainey didn’t confirm or deny anything, just said that she and Josh weren’t suited after all.
What really incensed her was that Nick had waltzed into her life for two minutes, tipped it upside down and waltzed out. She had many conversations with him in her head, telling him what she thought of him. Twice, she had the phone in her hand to dial his number but changed her mind, knowing she wouldn’t know what to say if he answered instead of the machine.
So, when three weeks before Easter Adam rang to let her know there was a job available at his school next term if she wanted to apply for it, she jumped at the chance. What did she have to lose?
Adam’s phone call had come on Monday night; Friday evening found Lainey stepping off a plane at Coolangatta into the arms of an ecstatic Lara. She spent the weekend with them and caught up with everyone, including Hannah. While she loved her church in Sydney, she knew she could fit in here all over again.
On Monday morning, Lainey spent an hour with Brian Green, the principal. The more they talked, the more she thought she was in the right place. She was honest with him and told him one of the reasons for coming back to the Gold Coast was personal and he in turn let her know that he knew of her connection with the Cusacks. He had a lot of respect for Hannah but didn’t know Nick at all.
Lainey received the phone call the following Wednesday to say she had the job. In less than two weeks, she had to sort and pack her things, say goodbye to her class and her church, be a bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding and drive to Queensland. Rather than feel overwhelmed, she was excited. She could do it. She had no doubt God was with her.
Unexpectedly, it was Josh who helped her load up her car with her farewell gifts that final afternoon at school. Lainey was grateful for the opportunity to say goodbye to him on her own and to apologise for the last few weeks and it seemed he wanted to do the same. It was a loose end all tied up.
The next thirty-six hours were frantic and emotional. She finalised her packing, said tearful goodbyes to her class, colleagues and friends, then drove to Kurrajong to witness Princess Sarah become plain Mrs Gibson.
There were more tears as she said goodbye to her mother on the Tuesday after the wedding. Even Roger hugged her for longer than usual. Overall though, Lainey was filled with anticipation. She was embarking on an adventure, on a whole new stage of her life and she couldn’t wait to get started.
Chapter Thirty
Nick was looking forward to spending a few days up at the Gold Coast. With Sylvie. She’d been thrilled when he’d asked her to come with him. It was a significant step in their relationship. He was determined to move on.
Things were fine right up until the taxi pulled into the driveway. Nick stiffened and muttered some choice words as he got out of the car.
‘What’s wrong?’ asked Sylvie.
He ignored her and, firing a furious glance at the red car with New South Wales plates, strode down to his entrance, Sylvie trailing behind.
‘Leave your bag here and follow me upstairs.’ Nick knew he sounded curt, but he was upset. As he slid open the connecting door, he could see straight into the kitchen of his mother’s place. And there she was, stirring something on the stove.
‘What are you doing here? Mum? What’s going on?’
‘If you’d rung while you were on location like you said you were going to then I would have explained.’
‘I couldn’t, alright?’ He turned back to Lainey. ‘Are you here for long?’
‘I live here.’ Lainey sounded as thrilled to see him as he was to see her.
‘You what?’
‘You heard me. I start teaching at Valley Christian College Monday week.’
‘So what’s happened to loverboy?’
‘Nicholas Cusack, mind your manners. You have a guest.’
‘Sorry.’ He threw his mother a tight smile and then made the introductions. ‘Mum, this is Sylvie; Sylvie, meet Hannah. And you might remember Lainey.’
Nick saw Lainey’s flicker of recognition. ‘Of course I remember you. You’re one of the dancers aren’t you? Good to see you again. Sorry about all this.’
‘That’s alright. Nice to see you, too.’
Poor Sylvie. She was being very polite, far more than Nick was. With an effort,
he made himself calm down.
‘Would you like to join us for dinner? There’s plenty.’ His mother made the offer.
The aroma was making his stomach turn in on itself. ‘It smells good. Thanks.’
Lainey smirked. ‘You’re welcome. I made it.’
Of course she had. What a great night this was going to be.
* * *
Nick was quiet during dinner but Lainey and his mother made up for it. ‘Have you been dancing long, Sylvie?’ asked Hannah.
‘Ever since I was three.’
Lainey smiled. ‘She’s spectacular. I really enjoyed watching you during the concerts, Sylvie.’
‘Thanks.’ Sylvie still looked uncomfortable, pushing her food around her plate.
‘How are your feet holding up? They must get very sore sometimes.’
Nick glared at Lainey. Did she have to talk about them while they were eating? Painful woman.
‘Yeah, they do,’ said Sylvie, ‘but I get a lot of massages and it helps. How did you find the drive up here, Lainey? Did you do it all in one go or stay over somewhere?’
‘No, all in one go. It was quite an adventure. I’ve never driven that far by myself before and I really enjoyed it.’
‘And what would’ve happened to you if you’d broken down? Don’t you think it was irresponsible driving by yourself?’
‘No, Nick, I don’t. I’m a big girl now. I had the car serviced the week before and I prayed. God took care of me.’
He said nothing. God wasn’t his favourite person at the moment.
Sylvie offered to help wash up but his mother wouldn’t let her. ‘No, no, you’re a guest. I’m sure you and Nick need to unpack and get yourselves sorted.’ The last bit was said with an emphasis he chose to ignore.
‘It’s alright, I’ll help.’ He was being a coward, but he didn’t want to be alone with Sylvie. Even if it meant putting up with his mother’s telling off.
‘Sylvie, why don’t you come outside with me? It’s beautiful at this time of night.’
Nick was grateful to Lainey for coming to his rescue, which was stupid. If she hadn’t been here, everything would have been alright.
He endured the third degree from his mother, keeping tight-lipped on the grounds he might incriminate himself. Then he had words with Lainey. After that, he spent time out on his mother’s balcony, trying to get himself together. The fact was the wrong girl was in his bed.
It was another hour before he made it back downstairs. In his bedroom, Sylvie was reading a magazine, waiting for him.
Nick sat down and rubbed her legs through the quilt. ‘I’m so sorry, Sylvie,’ he said, ‘but there’s no other way to say it. This is a mistake.’
Big brown eyes stared at him. ‘What do you mean a mistake? You’re the one who invited me here.’
‘I know.’ He sighed. ‘It’s not you, it’s me. I’m really sorry.’
‘I don’t get it. What did I do wrong?’ There was a wobble in her voice.
‘Like I said, it’s not you, Sylvie. I thought that when we came up here I’d be able to … never mind.’ He stood up, uncomfortable with knowing he’d hurt her. ‘You stay here. I’ll sleep in the guestroom.’ He escaped, closing the door behind him.
* * *
After Sylvie had gone downstairs and Hannah had gone to bed, Lainey looked for Nick. He was up here somewhere. She had something to get off her chest.
‘You were such an arrogant jerk, barging in on me like that at the wedding.’
He spun around from where he had been staring out of the kitchen window. ‘I knew you’d have to bring that up. But here’s a question – if you liked this other guy so much, how come you kissed me back?’
Thanks to Josh and Lara, she was ready. ‘Habit, I guess.’
‘That’s pathetic,’ he said, his lip curling.
‘What’s pathetic,’ Lainey said, ‘is you bringing a child with you.’
‘Believe me, she’s a fully-grown woman.’
Lainey gave a derisive snort. ‘And a dancer! I hope the poor girl isn’t going to be let down badly when you can’t continue with your relationship because of her feet.’
‘What if I’ve found out I really like her and I can overlook all that?’
‘Because if you really liked her,’ Lainey said, dropping her voice, ‘you’d be down there with her now, not wasting your time up here arguing with me.’ It was along the lines of what Nick had said to Josh. She used the words on purpose, knowing he’d remember – and left him to it.
She lay awake for ages, unable to stop imagining what Nick was doing with Sylvie in that big bed of his. Still wide awake after midnight, Lainey got up and found her running pants and a t-shirt. She’d have to take Phoebe with her. Hannah’s little dog might make too much noise if she didn’t like being left behind.
She grabbed the side gate key from the bowl on the window sill and let herself out, taking in lungfuls of the night air before beginning her stretches. A run was just what she needed.
* * *
Nick was sick of tossing and turning. He got up and went out onto the deck. It was a beautiful night, full of stars and very peaceful. Maybe if he got out amongst it, it would help him relax.
There was a pair of joggers in the laundry, but no socks. He wasn’t about to go back into his room to get some and there weren’t any in his bag. Nick’s jaw tightened when he thought of Lainey’s observations. He hated it when she was right.
As he rounded the corner of the garage, he nearly jumped out of his skin. There she was, in her jogging gear, doing her stretches.
‘What are you doing?’ Stupid question, but she’d given him a fright.
‘Nick!’ Lainey clutched her chest. ‘You scared the daylights out of me. What do you think I’m doing?’ A cheeky look crept across her face. ‘More to the point, what are you doing? Things not working?’
He ignored the innuendo. ‘You shouldn’t go by yourself at this time of night.’
‘I’m not. I’ve got Phoebe. And if you’re going to come don’t talk to me unless you’re going to be nice. I’ve had enough.’
They walked in silence down the steep hill to the beach then jogged along the path. Nick knew he was out of condition but when Lainey picked up the pace he was determined to stay with her. He hadn’t been for a run the whole time he’d been on location although he’d kept up his gym work. After ten minutes or so he noticed with profound gratitude that Phoebe was suffering as much as he was.
‘You go on,’ he said, trying not to pant, ‘Phoebe’s not doing too well.’
Lainey gave a cynical laugh, and flew off down the path, her ponytail swinging. Nick wiped the moisture off his face and then leaned his hands on his knees. She was killing him in every way.
He had blisters on his heels and little toes from the lack of socks but when she came back he kept up with her right to the bottom of the hill. They walked up, Lainey taking pity on the dog and carrying her.
‘You’ve lost your fitness,’ she commented. ‘What happened?’
Red wine, lots of it.
‘Bit hard to find somewhere to run out in the bush when you’re filming.’
‘I see.’ She went inside without even saying goodnight.
After another shower, Nick tried to sleep again. It still took him awhile, his mind flitting from the woman upstairs to the one in his room. He was in a bit of a pickle and he had no one to blame but himself.
When he woke, he had that nasty jet-lagged feeling. And sore feet.
He ventured a glance into his bedroom but there was no sign of Sylvie. He threw on a t-shirt and pants, splashed water over his face and went looking for her. How upset would she be?
Both girls were out on the sun lounges by the pool, chatting away like they were old friends. They didn’t even notice him until he spoke.
‘Good morning, ladies.’ He tried not to limp as he made his way over to a chair.
‘Oh, hello.’ Lainey gave a theatrical gasp and stared at his feet. ‘Oh, you poor thing! What happened? Sylvie, look!’
The blisters were impressive, especially the ones on his heels.
‘I know how it feels.’ Sylvie gave him a shy smile. ‘I get blisters and calluses all the time. They can be very painful.’
‘You should get Nick to give you a foot massage. He’s very good at it.’ Lainey’s voice held a distinct gurgle.
Ignoring the pain, Nick moved quickly. He bent and picked up Lainey, effectively silencing her shriek of protest as he dumped her in the pool. With a wink at Sylvie, he limped off to find breakfast.
He felt so much better.
* * *
‘I wish you’d got that on film,’ Lainey giggled, squeezing the water out of her clothes and wringing it out of her plait. ‘We could’ve won some money on ‘Funniest Home Video.’’
‘Aren’t you cross? Why did he do that to you?’
‘I had it coming.’ Lainey was still laughing. ‘Maybe he’ll be nicer to me now. He should feel better after doing that.’
‘Why is he so cranky with you?’
Lainey paused. ‘It’s a bit complicated. Would you mind getting me a towel? And let Nick know there are pancakes keeping warm for him in the upstairs oven.’
Lainey went and got herself some dry clothes. She couldn’t help grinning. Her dip in the pool had definitely helped break the tension.
Nick and Sylvie were talking as she entered Hannah’s kitchen.
‘I can’t believe she wasn’t mad at you.’
‘Nah. She wouldn’t be. What would you like to do today? Go for a walk on the beach? Go for a swim?’
‘Already had one thanks,’ said Lainey. She took a swipe at Nick’s head and he grinned as he ducked. Yes, things were a lot better.
Lainey got out a plate and helped herself to another pancake. She’d already had three earlier on but she was hungry again. Swimming did that to her.
Sylvie drummed her fingers on the table, watching them. ‘Is there a beauty shop around here?’ she asked. ‘I could do with a massage and a pedicure.’