That reminds me of something I've been hesitant to ask. "How's it going back home, with that rumor business?"
"Richard swears it's dying down. We'll find out next weekend if he's lying to make me feel better." Nick kneels between my legs and scratches his head. "If the rumor is still going strong, you might not want to be seen with me."
"Of course I'll be seen with you. I'm not ashamed to be Nick Hunter's girlfriend."
"What about the tossers who have posted memes of me on the internet? I don't want you to get in trouble if someone takes a picture of us and posts it online."
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." I get to my knees and hug him. "Let's go in the bedroom and play."
"I never can say no to a student-teacher conference."
Chapter Fifteen
Nick
The next week flies by. Before I know it, Siobhan and I are packing for our trip to England. Felicity can't go with us since she has a summer job and needs to work on the weekend. I'm getting more and more anxious every minute. Why? It's Rick's wedding, not mine. But I don't want to embarrass my brother. What if paparazzi turn up? Sure, because I'm so famous they'll want to slog all the way to Colchester just to snap a few pictures of the village gigolo.
Only locals have bothered to post pictures of me online. No one who isn't from Colchester or Cockshire would know about my scandal. Right?
Siobhan suggested last night that I should "google" myself to find out what exactly is out there concerning me. I was too much of a coward to do it. What if the situation has mushroomed into a national scandal?
Oh yes, I'm so bloody important the Queen herself will chastise me.
This is only nerves. I shouldn't panic.
I'm in the bedroom zipping up my suitcase when I hear Siobhan unlock the front door. No woman has ever had a key to my home, but I couldn't wait to give her one. She's…different. Why else would I ask her to go home with me for Rick's wedding? Maybe I've developed stronger feelings for Siobhan than even I realize. I did buy something special for her two weeks ago, something I want to give her as a surprise if I can work up the courage. That must mean I care about her as more than a lover.
The woman herself walks into my bedroom and smiles. "Ready for the big trip? I'm so excited to meet your family."
"And the Scots contingent will be there too."
"Perfect. My first experience with real live Scottish people."
"You've met dead ones, then?"
"Ha-ha." She glances at my suitcase. "Are you finished with your panic attack yet? I see you've packed, so the trip is still a go."
"Of course it's a go. I'm not that much of a coward."
Maybe I am, though, since I briefly considered barricading the front door to keep her from coming inside and convincing me to behave like a mature adult. I'd thought about hiding under my bed too. Siobhan doesn't need to hear about any of that. Does she? No, I think I can safely keep those things to myself.
But I get itchy all over when I think about keeping the truth from her.
She laughs when I tell her about my barmy thoughts. "Under the bed? You are so adorably weird. And what would you have used to barricade the door?"
"The couch."
Laughter splutters out of her again. "You're the cutest, Nick."
"Are you done mocking my angst?"
"Yes." She fingers the lapels of my suit jacket. "Are you sure you want to dress up for a ten-hour flight?"
I squeeze her arse. "Who says either of us will wear anything during the flight?"
"We won't be alone. That's what you said."
"Right. Evan MacTaggart will pick us up at the Santa Fe airport and take us to England on his private jet."