Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

"How was your weekend?" Nick asked as Mercury settled down at his desk.

"Long."

"I thought you'd be all about Saturday nights."

Mercury sighed. "Not at the moment."

Nick grinned. "Is the poor baby tagged? Trapped in that big old house in Kensington?"

Mercury threw a stack of Post-its at him. "You're mean."

The temperature had hit uncomfortable levels and Mercury had no patience for teasing.

"What's the matter?" Nick asked. "And what are you wearing?"

Mercury had on a pair of checked linen Gucci pants and a Dsquared2 T-shirt that had ICON written across it.

"If I'm going to die, I'm doing it in couture."

The office was stuffy. Mercury sipped the iced coffee he'd picked up on the way in. He'd also treated Nick to one. It remained untouched on his desk. He'd opted for yet another cup of tea the colour of a brick.

Mercury's phone made a noise.

"Sorry, I meant to put it on silent. It's been going off all weekend."

He pressed Do Not Disturb on the phone. Truth be told, he'd been enjoying the notifications regularly pinging. They reminded him that there were people out there who gave a shit what happened in his life. Even if that life was a fabrication for the most part.

Yes, I'm an attention whore.

"Your new video doing well?"

Mercury spun around on his chair. "How do you know I've released a new one?"

Nick, who was still watching Mercury, shrugged. "I'm following you."

A warm glow swept over Mercury. Why did this mean so much to him? He had absolutely no idea but it did.

"To be honest, I haven't logged on since. I didn't want to read all the shitty comments that always come. You have to have nerves of steel," Mercury replied. "So, you're following me, eh?"

He logged into his Instagram app. His followers had gone up by over a thousand. Plus, his DMs were full. What did he expect when he encouraged people?

Glancing at the top comment, the subscriber suggested he cook on his channel. Another wanted him to read bedtime stories. A third suggested it would be good if he interviewed real people rather than only celebrities.

More and more messages that would have to remain unread until later. Still, it was food for thought. Maybe he could pivot and retain his fanbase.

Plus it would go a long way to impressing Nick. Mercury allowed his thoughts to drift to a future where he and his handsome new boss would be working on things together. They could make a real difference to the world.

He screwed his eyes shut tightly. Mercury had always had a tendency to let his thoughts run away with themselves. Nick would never let himself end up with someone like Mercury. For a start, he was too professional. For another, Mercury would annoy him ultimately. Once his time at Bodhi House was over, Nick would be sure to tire of Mercury's ham-fisted attempts at making things better.

He had to stop reading too much into this. This was a punishment that he had to serve. Then it would be business as usual for all concerned.

End of story.

"Are you sure that's only five metres? It looks like ten to me," Mercury said, staring up.

When he turned back, fifteen eager pairs of eyes watched him. One belonging to Nick who made absolutely no attempt to hide his amusement.

"You don't have to do it," Nick said, "if you're too scared."

Mercury had been trussed up like someone at a seedy club in downtown Berlin.

"Can two people go up at the same time?" he asked the instructor.

"Of course."

"Then I challenge Mr Nicholas Campbell to a race to the top."

The kids all cheered. To Mercury's excitement, Nick seemed unsure.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Hands up who disagrees," Mercury said.

Every kid and even the instructor raised their hand.

"Outvoted," Mercury said. "Strap him up."

Nick glanced around nervously then pulled himself together. "Fine. Don't come crying to me when you lose."

"Okay," Mercury said. "Let's make this a little more fun. If I win, I'll pay for everyone to have takeaway when we get to the House."

Once again, the kids cheered.

The instructor helped Nick into the groin straps. Mercury couldn't tear his eyes away. With a bulge like Nick sported, he didn't have the willpower to avert his gaze.

"And if I win?" Nick asked.

"Erm…you pay for the takeaway."

"Either way, we get takeaway," Eddie said. "Nice one. I'm Team Mercury."

He stood behind Mercury. In no time, the kids were standing behind their chosen gladiator. It was a fairly even split. Eddie, Brooke and Olena had chosen him. He winked at them.

"Watch and learn, kids. Watch and learn."

The instructor tugged at both Mercury's and Nick's ropes one final time.

"You're good to go. Remember, if you freak out, the ropes have got you."

"Pah," Mercury said, walking up to the line. "Freak out. As if."

Nick stood next to him. "You've changed. You were crapping your Calvin Kleins a minute ago."

Mercury stared straight ahead. "Now my honour is at stake. I'll have you know, the Morrisons have a long line in the armed forces. Courage is part of our DNA."

Eddie stood forward. "On your marks."

Mercury shook his body. He was determined to win this. No matter how terrifying.

"Get set."

Both he and Nick put a foot forward. It appeared Nick was as competitive as Mercury.

"Go."

Mercury launched himself to the wall.

Don't look up or down. Focus on the next step.

He grabbed the first climbing hold and hauled himself up. At first his foot flailed around before he found purchase.

Okay, this isn't so bad.

Mercury got into a rhythm, stretching his body to the next hold and the next. He heard Nick grunting although he didn't dare stop and check his progress.

Sweat already coursed down his body. His Gucci trousers weren't stretching all that well. Still, he knew he had a good arse. At least Nick would have something to look at as Mercury beat him to the top.

Spurred on, Mercury climbed up the wall like he'd been raised in the Amazonian jungle rather than Kensington.

The top lay almost within reach. Judging by the primal sounds coming from Nick, he was below. With a last burst of energy, Mercury pushed off the foothold and grabbed the top.

"We have a winner," the instructor yelled from below.

Mercury glanced down. Nick had almost reached him.

"Sorry," Mercury said, grinning.

"Bollocks you are," Nick replied.

They were both laughing and panting. Nick had beads of sweat on his forehead.

"What can I say? The need to win overtook my fear of the wall. It's a miracle."

"Did someone mention fear?" Nick replied.

He grabbed Mercury's harness and tugged, making him lose his grip. He had no intention of falling by himself. Instead, he yanked hard at Nick's remaining hand.

They both swung out into thin air, clutching each other. The ropes held and they dangled helplessly. Mercury clung to Nick for dear life. Every part of them melded together. Their faces almost pressed against each other.

Nick's lips were inches from Mercury's. The kids shrieked with laughter but it all faded away as Mercury gazed into Nick's eyes.

The moment disappeared like a puff of smoke as they were roughly lowered to the floor. Once they reached terra firma, the instructor stormed over to them.

"That is totally against the rules of this climbing wall," he raged. "The ropes are there to save your life, not as some bungee experience."

Nick had the decency to look shame-faced. "I'm sorry. I set a terrible example. Kids, anyone who copies that stupid move won't be getting takeaway."

Mercury could barely speak. Being so close to Nick had rattled him. He let the instructor take the harness off in a daze. The urge to kiss Nick had almost overwhelmed him and he was absolutely convinced Nick had experienced the same.

Hassan and Olena stepped forward.

"That was brilliant," Eddie said, clapping Mercury on the back. "I reckon you should choose the food."

"Nothing weird like sushi," Brooke added.

Mercury made a mental note to bring sushi in one day.

"It's easy," Mercury said. "Fried chicken and chips."

Brooke and Eddie nodded.

"Good choice."

Hassan and Olena had begun their ascent. Hassan had his tongue out as he focused on the next handhold. He was actually very good.

Olena didn't seem as confident. She got halfway but couldn't get any further.

"Go on, Olena," Mercury shouted. "You've got this."

Nick stood next to him. He looked worried.

"She's frozen," he said quietly.

Poor Olena was stuck and on the verge of tears.

"I can't," she cried out.

"Shall I go to her?" Nick asked.

He took a step forward. Then Olena screamed out, "I want Mercury."

Without thinking, Mercury flung himself at the wall and climbed up.

"You haven't got your harness on," the instructor shouted.

Olena stood only two or three metres above him. He would hardly fall to his death. He soon reached her. The poor girl trembled with fear.

"You can do this," Mercury whispered to her. "I'll stay here and, if you fall, I promise I'll catch you."

"Really?"

"Really."

With a deep breath and Mercury's hands around her waist, Olena found the next hold and hauled herself up. Hassan had reached the top now and held out his hand for her, which she took.

Between the three of them, they made sure that Olena got to the top. When she got there, the joy on her face made Mercury want to burst into tears.

He dropped down to the crash mat and joined the others in applause.

"You did it."

Nick found him and clapped his hand on his shoulder. "No, you did it."

They shared a look. One that overwhelmed Mercury's whole body. He grinned at Nick.

They were safely in the office. The kids were watching a movie after they'd all gorged on greasy food. Mercury would have to renew his gym membership if this carried on.

"I'm sorry for getting you in trouble," Nick said.

Mercury cackled. "Trouble always finds me. That's why I'm here."

Nick frowned. "Do I detect a note of sarcasm?"

With a sigh, Mercury stretched. After their moment dangling in the air, things were a little uncomfortable now he was on his own with Nick. Something had shifted inside him. Not that he would dare act on it. That would be the best way of fucking everything up.

"It's not worth going into," Mercury said. "I guess everyone says they're innocent."

Nick shook his head. "Not everyone. When I got caught, I confessed straight up. I'd done wrong and I had to face the music. What happened?"

"The artist threw my wine on his own shit artwork. Then he charged out, telling everyone I'd done it. We'd had a very public exchange just before so it was hardly a stretch for people to believe him."

"That's terrible. Why didn't you fight him? Don't tell me your mother can't afford the best lawyers in London."

Mercury bristled. "I can afford them myself, thank you. Anyway, Mum didn't want the negative press attention. I had no choice to plead guilty and get it over with. Now she's in Cyprus filming, so I think she quite likes the idea of me being stuck in the house."

"How old are you? Thirty?"

"Twenty-eight."

"Same. I can't imagine living with my parents again."

Nick looked embarrassed when he realised he'd spoken that out loud.

"Sorry," Nick continued. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm sure you haven't caused your mother half the worry I have."

He'd hinted at this shady past one too many times. Mercury's interest was piqued.

"Are you ever going to tell me what happened?"

"I guess I owe that to you now," Nick replied. "It's not all that original. When I was fifteen, I got recruited to a gang. The usual story—they threatened my family if I didn't do what they said."

Mercury went cold. He'd heard of gangs using children to do their bidding. "What did they have you doing?"

"Delivering packages. I knew better than to question what was in them."

Mercury had never gone near drugs. Yet, in the circles he moved in, they were freely available. None of the rich partygoers ever stopped to think of the real human cost further down the chain. All that mattered was that the night went off with a bang.

"Go on," he said.

Nick looked down at his hands. "Me and Mum were fighting like cat and dog. I'd given up on school. Everything revolved around the gang. In the end, me and a couple of mates got a flat together. After growing up in a high-rise, a new-build down by the river seemed like a palace. Honestly, I was seventeen and thought I'd made it."

The kids were eagerly discussing something in the other room. Mercury saw through this different light how fragile their innocence was as they neared adulthood.

"To cut a long story short, the gang owned the flat, of course. They offered us the chance to buy it if we took on extra duties. No one in my family has ever owned their own place. I had it in my head if I managed it, my parents would stop nagging at me to get a different job."

"What duties?"

"Security. Guys further up the pecking order would go and collect cash. I had to make sure no one bothered them. They gave me a gun."

Mercury's blood ran cold. "A gun?"

"I know. So fucking stupid. Six months in and I got stopped. The cops searched my car and found it in the glove compartment. Go directly to jail, do not pass Go and do not collect two hundred pounds."

"Shit," Mercury said. "How long did you get?"

"Two years and I served a year. To be honest, it was the best thing that happened. Don't get me wrong, it was hell inside. When I got out, I made it clear I was done with that life. They put up a fight, of course. In the end they let me go. I'd been decent to them and they understood that if my heart wasn't in it, I'd be more of a liability than a help."

Mercury desperately wanted to take hold of Nick's hand. It must have cost him a lot to admit this. It made throwing a glass of red onto a canvas pretty pathetic. No matter who'd done it.

"How did you get here?"

"My parole officer helped me sign up for a correspondence degree in Social Care. I moved back in with my parents and worked my arse off."

Mercury was confused. "What about your record?"

"Bodhi House is a private charity. Of course, I had to register as a social worker. That was touch and go and you wouldn't believe the amount of red tape. Luckily, my tutors and parole officer vouched for me. If there's any trouble, I'll be out on my arse though. They watch me very closely."

Mercury sat back in his chair. "That's quite a story. You're amazing, you know that? Absolutely fucking amazing."

Nick blushed. "Hardly. I do get paid and a roof over my head."

"A roof?"

"I live next door."

That explained the identical gardens.

"I had no idea," Mercury replied.

"Yeah, I couldn't wait to get a place of my own. Plus, the charity gets an unpaid night watchman. Win-win, I suppose."

The conversation dried. Once again, the feel of Nick's muscular arms around Mercury when they'd been swinging around in the air popped into his mind.

"What's up?" Nick asked.

"Nothing," Mercury replied. "Just thinking. You've done so much to change your life. I've had everything handed to me and have achieved fuck all."

Nick moved a little closer. "That's no way to talk. Maybe you're a late bloomer."

"You were supposed to disagree with me."

Nick grinned. "I don't do tricks. If you want to prove yourself wrong, you're the only one who can do it."

Mercury glanced up into Nick's deep eyes. A knock at the door shattered the moment into a thousand pieces.

"Ugh," Nick said, taking a step away. "I'd better see who that is."

Nick opened the door. Hassan stood, waiting patiently.

"Can you get the Scrabble down from the top shelf?" he asked. "None of the others will and I can't reach."

Nick glanced back at Mercury and winked before letting Hassan pull him away.

Abort mission, Mercury. This is so not a good idea.

Still, Mercury focused on Nick's fine ass as the door closed gently behind him. Being thrown together with this man day in and day out was torture and Mercury was only human.

What if I can't abort? What then?