Just Friends

Chapter 29

About an hour after Vicky and Gary got there Keith excused himself. He apologised again to Maria and thanked her for everything she done for him. He promised he wouldn't contact her again. He looked sad as he left and she felt a pity for him but she was glad he was going to stop harassing her. She walked him to the door and watched him get into a taxi, just as she was closing the door behind her she heard Colm calling her name. She turned to him and hugged him in relief. She was still angry at what he had done but she was glad to see he was ok. 

"Why did you leave" His eyes were red and puffy, he had been crying. 

"I just needed some space, I had to get away because I was still angry. I wanted to keep hitting him. As soon as I hit you though I knew I had to stop. I'm so so sorry, I didn't mean to hit you....I lo...."

She put her finger to his lips to stop him from talking. 

"You could have killed him...I've never seen you so angry..." she looked down at her feet, he could see how worried she was "I know you didn't hit me on purpose Colm but...." she was looking back at him, staring right into his eyes "you hit Keith on purpose...why didn't you just walk away after the first punch?" 

He reached out to her but she stepped back out of his reach. 

"I'm so sorry, I know I don't deserve it but please can you forgive me?"

She heard a noise from upstairs. "Come in, Vicky and Gary are going to wonder where I am" 

He hesitated then walked in behind her. She wished she could turn back time, she would have grabbed him before he could get out of the car. Back in the apartment Vickys mouth fell open when she saw Colm walk in behind Maria. She said something to Gary and they stood up. 

"We were about to head out, Gary has training in the morning..." She looked to Maria "Unless you want us to stay Ria?" 

Maria smiled at her friend "No it's ok Vicky, thanks though." 

They said there goodbyes and soon it was just Maria and Colm alone in the apartment. He looked over to the sink and saw the bloodied cloth laying on the counter. 

"I'm not going to pretend that I'm sorry for hitting him...but I am sorry for taking it too far. I should have stopped after the first punch....Is he ok?"

She looked over at the cloth "Yeah he's fine, a split lip, few bruises but he's ok. He's not pressing charges just in case you're worried." 

His laugh was sharp and harsh "I didn't even think about that to be honest...Christ...I'm such an idiot" 

She smiled at him as she walked closer "True...but we've known that for quite a while now...well I have anyway." 

Colm looked at her curiously "Why aren't you more pissed off at me?" 

Now it was Maria's turn to laugh "Oh believe me, I'm pissed off...but I can see how much you regret what you done. I'm not going to shun you for making a mistake but I do think maybe we were a bit hasty today...I don't think us being together is a good idea until you can control your temper "

The tears sprang to his eyes instantly he didn't say anything straight away just nodded his head.

"I'm sorry Colm...I just..I can't get the image of you on top of Keith out of my head."

"I'd never hurt you...purposely I meant..."

She felt her heart breaking "No Colm, I know that...but it's not good for you to be with someone if you get upset so easily and I want to give us a chance..I'm not saying it's forever...I just don't think we should be together right now."

"It's ok...I understand. You're too good for me anyway, it was never going to work out" 

Maria took a step towards him angrily "Don't you dare say that! Nobody is too good for you, you deserve the best. I just...don't think we're ready for this. You've been my best friend the past few months Colm and I don't want to ruin that. When you ran off today I was so worried that I had lost you..."

He pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. "You'll never lose me, as long as you want me to be in your life, I'll be there. I care about you...a lot."

Her eyes were becoming watery now "I care about you too"

He looked around "I'll get a hotel for the night and leave first thing tomorrow, I really am sorry for ruining your birthday" 

"It's just another day Colm, you know I'm not big on birthdays and you'll do no such thing. You can stay here as planned...if you want to."

He looked at her skeptically "You still want me to stay? for Christmas?"

She nodded her head "Of course, if thats still ok with you" 

"That's more than ok with me...I didn't think you'd want me anywhere near you" 

"ok thats settled...now I'm getting hungry, I haven't had anything to eat since earlier today when we were out. I'm going to order chinese, do you want anything?"

"Uh yes please, chicken curry with friend rice and a can of coke....oh and maybe some chips please?"

"Want to go half on the chips? I'll get a beef curry and we can mix them if you like" 

"Oh great, yes please." 

Maria rang the take away and ordered the food. Twenty minutes later the delivery guy was buzzing the intercom. Maria went to let him in, when she came back Colm had the plates out and glasses with ice for their drinks. 

They chatted as they ate their food. Vicky messaged Maria half way through to ask if she was ok and she replied that everything was fine. Just after 11 Maria said she was going to bed, she went into the bathroom to change then to the kitchen for a drink of water before going to bed. 

Just over an hour later she heard Colm moving around. He was obviously finding it hard to sleep too. 

"Colm?" 

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

She couldn't help smiling to herself. "No, I was awake...I can't sleep." 

She watched as he sat up "Me neither" He put his hands to his head and leaned forward.

Maria got up and walked to him. Sitting down on the end of his pull out bed she reached for his hand. He looked up at her and she could see the pain in his eyes. 

"I don't want to ruin our friendship but...can we just have tonight for us please?"

She could see him physically gulp and nearly laughed. 

"Maria...I'm not sure if we should...what if we regret it?" 

She put her hand on his face and moved closer.

"I know I'll never regret it, and maybe somewhere down the line when we're over what happened today...we can do it again but right now. Can we just lay together ? I want to wake up beside you at least once..just to know how it feels." " 

She moved her hand between them and he followed every movement with his eyes.

She nearly missed his reply it was so quiet. 

"Okay" 

It was barely a whisper. She held his hand and they walked to her bed. Colm sat down then lay back, Maria got in beside him and put her head onto his chest as he put his arm around her.  She felt him relax after a few minutes and she moved her body closer to him. She fell asleep listening to his heartbeat with his arm around her. She hoped she would wake up the same way.