Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Seventy

  Knock. Knock knock. Knock, knock.

Im woken from my sleep by the sound of someone at the door. I shuffle under the covers and try to open my eyes, but im far too jet lagged to be even remotely awake by now.

Knock. Knock.

"I'll go." Garys voice is hoarse as he slides carelessly out of bed, dragging his t-shirt from yesterday off the floor as he heads downstairs. I half listen to whats going on as i will myself to stay awake. I think its a woman. Her voice is higher than Garys and she speaks faster. I cant really hear Gary, but i can tell hes breathing out his words in a low tone. I try and listen for a little longer, but fine myself falling half asleep.
"Gary!" The woman's voice sounds annoyed, but familiar. Do i know her? Quickly i slide out of bed and pull on Garys hoodie, wrapping it around myself to stay warm. I wait at the top of the stairs for a little while, trying to grasp hold of the conversation.
"Not now Nicole." Gary whines. Nicole? Nicole? Im down stairs within seconds.

"Hi." Nicole smiles.
"Hi..." I smile back, recalling what happened the last time we met. Almost unconsciously i link my fingers into Garys as he stands facing her in the doorway.
"Morning you." He smiles down at me, almost freezing Nicole out for a second. "You okay."
"Mm-h." I nod with a smile, "You?"
"Yea..." He lets out a short exasperated breath as he turns his gaze back to Nicole. Nicole just stares back at him, i can tell her eyes are trying to tell him something, but i cant quite gather what and Gary just stares back too. Nicoles eyes flicker to me.
"Er, Libby?" She smiles. I nod, willing her to carry on. "Would you mind if i came in and spoke to Gray for a second?"
"Er, No." I smile, trying to disguise the fact that im slightly puzzled by her request. I dont think i answered correctly because Gary let out a small annoyed groan."Come in," I lead Nicole through to the kitchen, Gary following behind.
"Great. Thanks." Nicole smiles again, staring at me. I stare back, the silence is kind of awkward and Gary isnt saying anything. "Erm, id like to be in private if you dont mind." Nicoles gaze flickers from Gary to me.
"Oh. Yea. Sure." I blurt, before turning towards Gary. "Ill be in the living room, Babe."
He just nods silently. Jesus you twat. Why did you stand in there with them?

Im curious though, really curious. I want to know what the fuck she wants. I try and run through a list of reasons, but none of them seem rational. Shall i go and stand outside the kitchen door? But thats so sly...Surley Gary will tell me afterwards anyway? Ye, hell tell me. Of course he will.

                                                                          ***

"Do you want to go back to bed, Baby?" I feel Garys breath against my cheek before my eyes flutter open and i see him, knelt down besides me on the settee. Shit. I must have fallen asleep again.
"No, Im fine." I croke, easing myself upright. "What did she want?"
"Nicole?" Gary slides next to me, dragging my legs over his lap so my calfs rest on his thighs.
"Yea."
"Oh. nothing." He mutters.
"It must have been something?" I pry, "It seemed pretty important to me."
"Yea," Gary twists his mouth slightly before carring on. "She wants to get back with Mark."
"Oh."
"Yea."
"And she needed to speak to you because?..." I couldnt help but feel slightly jealous. I know its wrong, but i just dont like the thought of him being some sort of councillor for her love life. I mean, it would be different if they didnt have history wouldnt it?
"She wanted to know what i thought." Gary mutters again, looking straight ahead.
"And what do you think?" I feel bad for asking all of this but i want to know everything.
"Nothing. Thats why i didnt want to let her in in the first place."
"Oh..." I pull my feet away from him slightly, but he just pulls them back, his thumb stroking over the top of my foot. "Sorry."
"Its not your fault." Gary sighs, tipping his head back. "She just...i dont know. Its awkward."
"What?" I feel something twitch inside my heart. "Because she still likes you?"
"Does she?" Garys neck whips round and he makes eye coontat for the first time this conversation.
"That what she said New Years eve..." I mutter, trying to block out that hideous memory.
"She was drunk." Gary mutters bluntly in response.
"Then why is she here now?" I furrow my brow, something isnt adding up.
"Libby. Enough with the interrogation okay?" Gary twists in the seat, my feet falling off his lap. "I dont know what shes thinking! Why dont you go and ask her?" He stands suddenly and i hald cour in the corner of the setee.
"Okay. Sorry..." I mutter, looking down at my fingers, but before ive finished the sentence, Garys walked out of the room.