Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Fifty Eight

  "Ready?" Gary smiles at me as the car pulls up outside yet another huge mansion hosting the New Years Eve party. I smile back at him as he helps me out of the car, gripping my hand tightly and holding my close by as we walk up the steps towards the music and lights.
"Oi Gaz!"
We both spin round to see Jason stood with Howard and a glass of champange.
"Alright?" Gary grins, taking a step towards them. "You've met Libby haven't you?"
Jason grins broadly and kisses my hand. We've met a couple of times before, but never really spent much time talking. Howard greets me as we wounder into the heart of thr party.
"Marky should be here in a bit." Jason smiles. Garys grip tightens on my hand at the mention of his name. I choose to ignore it, i dont want to draw attention to it. I dont know whether the other boys know.
"Oh, right, okay." Gary fakes a smile and im sure Howard half frowns. "Ill just go and get me and Lib a drink, we'll meet you boys back here in a minute." And with that, Gary has dragged me off into the crowd towards the bar.
"You okay?" He frowns at me before turning around and ordering two drinks. "I mean, with Mark and all of this, -you okay?"
I nod. Im determined not to let him ruin the night. I mean, hed hardly ty anything on here infront of everyone. "Im fine." I smile reassuringly at Gary. "Just dont leave me ye?"
"I wouldnt dream of it baby." He leans forward and kisses mt forehead as he passes me a glass of what i assume to be non-alcoholic champagne.
"Are you okay?" I ask as we head back towards Jason and Howard.
"I'll be fine." He stops to wrap an arm around my waist. "Dont you worry about me."

Garys grip tightens, his fingers digging into my waist as see Mark approaching Jason and Howard from the other side. Hes with Nicole. Shit. Im not prepared for this. How can i possibly look her in the eye and talk to her? I wounder if she knows... Oh of course she doesnt fucking know, Dont be stupid Libby.
"Hiya guys!" Mark grins, as he and Nicole step into the circle. He greets Jason and Howard before sheepishly turning to Gary. "Alright Gaz?" He smiles, throwing an arm around his neck and puling him into a hug like he did with the others. I think Gary just taps his back slightly with one hand, just so it looks like hes made the effort.
"Libby." Mark smiles, leaning forward and pecking me on the cheek. I feel my muscles tense immediately. "You remember Nicole dont you?"
I force out my most natural looking smile and pull her into a quick hug.
"Enjoy your trip?" I ask, more relaxed now Mark has wondered over to Howard.
"Yea," She grins. "Im back over there at the end of January, but i decided to come back for Christmas. Just to check Marks behaving himself!" She laughs. Ok, shes joking. I laugh as well, but its more nervous than i intended it to be.

I spend most of the evening with Gary and Jason. As far away from Nicole and Mark as i could possibly be. The evening gone quite pleasantly really. Jason is lovely and really funny, we've had a few laughs. Occasionally Mark throws me an a threatening look. I presume hes warning me not to tell Nicole, but i dont tell Gary. I dont want to ruin the evening and he isnt hurting me asuch. Not yet, anyway.
"Im just going to go to the toilet Babe." I smile, wriggling out of Garys grasp and handing him my glass.
"You sure? Your okay by yourself?"
I half frown and half laugh, hes so cute. "Im sure." I shake my head, "Thank you." I plant a quick kiss on Garys lips and head off into the crowd.

"Libby!" I turn around when i hear someone call my name. Its Mark. Hes on his own.
"What do you want?" Im scared, of course im scared, but i try not to show it.
"Just to clear some things up." He grins, taking a step towards me, leaning his elbow on the banister of the stairs.
"Look Mark, I dont want anything going on okay? Lets just get through to-"
"You told Nicole."
My mouth is dry. Whats he talking about?! Wheres Gary? I want Gary.
"No i didnt." My voice is pathetically quiet.
"Yes you did." Mark takes another step towards me, instinctively i take a step back, but i trip on the back of my dress and stumble backwards.
"Woah!" Mark lunges forward and grabs my arm. "Watch it! Wouldnt want you coming to any harm, would we?"
"Get off me!" I hiss, trying to shake him off. He doesnt listen. Obviously.
"You told Nicole we slept together."
"N-no, Mark i didnt!" I stammer, i think i can hear my heart beat as Mark tightens his fingers.
"Tell me the truth Libby." He murmurs as he drops his head towards my ear. Do something Libby! Dont just stand there!
"What the fuck is going on?" I nearly collapse when i hear Garys voice. Hes angry, really angry.
"Mark?!" Its Nicole, shes with Gary it think, but i cant see either of them because Mark is in the way. Instantly Mark looses me and i think i pratically collapse with relief.
I feel Garys arm warp around my middle, holding my up.

"Mark whats going on?"  Nicole sounds like shes on the verge if tears
"I could ask you the same thing." He retorts, looking from Nicole to Gary then back to Nicole.
"What?!"
"What were you and Gary doing together eh?" Mark raises an eyebrow.
"Babe, dont be ridiculous!" Nicole crys, taking a step towards Mark, but he just pushes her away.
"Are you okay?" Gary mutters into my hear, dragging me up the the top of the stairs away from the argument Mark ad Nicole are having, which is now drawing attention from other guests.
"Im fine." I whisper, dropping my head against Garys chest as we sit on the top step. "Thank you."
"Well i had to come didnt i?" He speaks into my hair. "Nicole came over and asked where Mark was. I just put two and two together and came looking for you. I didnt realise Nicole had followed me." Gary twists a strand of my hair around his fingers as he kisses my temple.

"SLUT!" Nicoles voice made me jump. Shes looking right at me. "You slept with my boyfriend! You slag!"
Gary stands up immediately and starts pacing down the stairs towards her. "Dont talk to her like that Nicole. Shes dont nothing wrong." He sounds calm, but angry.
"She seduced Mark! Your girlfriends a slut Gary!" Nicole screams back in his face. Drawing yet, even more attention. I think she might have has a little to much to drink.
"Ive told you not to talk to about her like that Nicole." Gary raises his voice ever so slightly to match her scream. She practically laughs in Garys face and looks straight over to me.
"Whore!"
"Nicole!" Gary shouts, making my jump. Its the loudest ive heard him shout, ever. Ive never seen him so angry... "If anyone is a fucking whore its you! How did you get with Mark in the first place?! You cheated on me didnt you?! Libby's dont nothing wrong! Its your boyfriend, hes a fucking pervert!"
Fuck...