All The Hurt Would Go Away

Not an inch more room...

"So... how did we meet?"
I awkwardly cleared my throat as he smiled to himself.
"At a clothes shop, you were buying clothes for Lin's kids"
"And?"
"Love at first sight!"
He laughed as I smiled nervously, was it that quick?
"You took my number and I was a friend at first as far as I can remember. It wasn't something we jumped into but it was lovely."
How can this guy be as bad as Lin says? He's so kind and caring it doesn't make sense.
"Anyway, I've got no spare bedroom so I'll just camp out on the couch if that's alright? I wouldn't want to be too forthcoming now would I?"
I chuckled slightly earning a smile from him as his eyes lit up.
"I missed that smile you know, if only Lin hadn't got in the way of us it could have been perfect."
"Lin did what?"
"- I said too much... I'm sorry."
I sat there, dazed, so that's what Lin had been doing. He stopped my relationship and didn't want to tell me since I don't remember a thing. He used me!
"Don't be hard on Lin, please. I was supposed to keep it quiet according to our deal but I guess I broke it, me and my big mouth."
"Please, what happened?"
"I really shouldn't."
"Come on."
"I couldn't possibly."
I knew he was teasing me, he had that twinkle of a competition in his eye of whether or not I'd give in.
"Tell me."
"Call Lin and ask him."
He had me there. Lin probably knows I'm missing now, it'll only be a few days before I get caught.
"Oh wait! My bad, you left without telling him. He's the responsible adult right?"
I pulled on the cuffs of my sleeves, how am I supposed to reply to that? As I felt the bandage material beneath my fingertip I suddenly had a question to ask back.
"What about the cuts?"
"The what?"
"On my arms. Lin said you caused them."
"He's partially right."
The car fell silent as I began to doubt whether this was the right decision to get into the car with him. Was I in danger?
"When he split me and you up, you couldn't cope with such a brutal end to our relationship so you sought relief and through self injury you found it. Your love for me caused them in a way."
Yet another thing blamed on Andy, it started to make sense. At least more sense than Lin's theory.
"You've asked so many questions, about time I get one back."
"I've lost my mem -"
"Shhh I know, but I want to ask you something"
I nodded reluctantly
"So, do you still love me?"
My eyes darted to look at him discovering he was in fact serious.
"I-I don't know. I barely know you."
"Have you had a reaction though? Like a pull to me or something? I dunno"
I thought back to when I tensed earlier when he laughed.
"Yes."
"You have?"
"Mhmm."
"So your body remembers me?"
"I don't know."
"What happened?"
"My arms kinda tensed a bit, that's all though."
"...So you got nervous, around me! I'm glad in some way you remember our love."
I hesitantly nodded, I couldn't verbally confirm since I don't know what it was myself.
"Here we are then! Welcome to my humble abode."
I looked at his house, it was slightly smaller than Lin's but looked more modern.
"When you're finished gawking feel free to venture outside of the car."
He chuckled as I looked to my right seeing him opening the door for me. He helped me stand and walked near me up the driveway unlocking the door. Two goldfish were immediately opposite as Andy caught me looking at them.
"That one is Gordon and the other is Melchior"
"The names sound familiar"
"I'm not surprised, they should"
Before I could question that he lightly tugged me into the lounge and settled me down on one of the sofas.
"Anything to drink?"
"Tea"
He didn't ask how I liked it but when he returned it was perfect to the taste altogether proving our past relationship and disproving Lin's theory. As I leant further and further towards Andy, Lin's words kept pulling me back although he had no justification for each point he made against this man. My phone began to ring as Andy picked it up,
"I'll sort this out, don't worry"
I relaxed into the sofa as Andy left the room to take the call. Overhearing parts of the conversation it seemed it was fine.
"Ah! Lin! I do know where Jon is, I decided to look after him since he allegedly didn't want to stay with a stranger."
"Yes I'll take care of him."
"No I didn't tell him a thing about what happened"
"Of course he asked!"
"Can I ask you something?"
"If me and Jon do become a couple again, promise you won't split us up this time?"
"Thank you."
"I'll call you to let you know how he's doing but in the meanwhile you've got kids to look after"
"Bye"
Andrew opened the door eyeing how I was closer to the edge of the sofa than the time he left, hinting I purposely overheard. Smiling to himself he commented
"You didn't have lunch did you?"
I shook my head
"Extra large dinner then, shall we get takeaway?"
He looked over at me and smirked
"I'll be back in half an hour with the food"
The door clicked shut as I tried to slow my breathing down. That smirk, I remember that smirk but can't place it. I felt for the TV remote turning it on to distract myself but I couldn't stop thinking about how I reacted. Eventually giving up, I lifted myself off the sofa to search for my phone but could not find it anywhere, did he -? He wouldn't just take my phone off of me. He loves me. People don't do that type of thing. Maybe it was incase Lin calls again? Shouldn't I be able to handle that though? My memory has sparked ever since I started talking to Andy so clearly I'm going in the right direction. But I couldn't help becoming more and more agitated in response to each unanswered question.