An afternoon storm was raging as I reached the salon, noting Lizzie had beaten me and already had pole position at the basin, Andrew massaging her scalp. She moaned a couple of times and grinned from ear to ear. I sat heavily on the couch in the waiting area, shook the rain from my hair, and sighed.
“I told you that was better than sex,” I mentioned to Danny.
“Girl, have you seen Riley? Andrew is exceptionally good at what he does but there is no way I’m believing it’s better than sex with Thor himself.”
“Riley hates it when you call him that,” called Lizzie.
“It suits him perfectly,” added Danny, ticking off his fingers as he spoke. “He’s tall, blonde, and has muscles only a god would have.”
Lizzie giggled. “You’re right about the sex thing too. This is good, but Riley’s better.”
Danny, Andrew and I all released blissful sighs.
“Where is he tonight?” I asked.
“He was tired, so he decided to put his feet up and watch a movie.”
“We could have gone to your place so he wouldn’t have to come out,” suggested Andrew.
“I know, but he said he’d just be the wet blanket in the room. I was going to stay with him but he insisted I come out.”
“He’s probably sick of seeing you already,” added Danny. “I know I would be.”
“He is not sick of me! I’ve been the perfect girlfriend. I’ve made sure he’s been taking his medication. I’ve propped his pillows and cooked his dinner.”
“Oh my God! You cooked for him?” yelled Danny. “And he’s still alive?”
“I’ll have you know I’m a good cook!” Her eyes filled with tears as she sat up.
“I was joking Lizzie,” Danny added hurriedly. “Sure, you’re not the world’s best cook but you’ve managed this long.” He scurried across the room with the tissue box. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “It’s just too soon for the Riley dying jokes.” Her tears turned to big fat blobs as they spilled down her cheeks.
I stood and rushed towards her as Andrew pulled her in close. “But Riley is okay now poppet. He’s safe. That whole thing is over.”
“I know,” she managed. “We went to Joe Wood’s funeral today. My stalker is gone forever, and I know we can move forward. But I was so scared. What if I’d lost Riley forever?”
I gulped as my own tears stung. Lizzie was a strong woman and to see her so vulnerable was heart breaking.
“I’m sorry Lizzie. I’m really sorry,” said Danny, hopping from one foot to the other, his face pale. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It was a really bad joke. I’m so sorry.”
Danny’s timing hadn’t been the best, but we all knew he’d been more upset than any of us when Lizzie and Riley were missing. When we’d sat in the hospital with her waiting for news of whether Riley would make it or not, Danny was the most attentive. He was just a terrible comedian.
Lizzie reached for his hand and held it tight. “I know. I just...I don’t how I would have coped.”
“You don’t have to cope. Riley didn’t die. He’s at home waiting for you,” explained Andrew. “He needs a night alone with the cricket and for you to relax with us. Give him some time and he’ll be back to normal. He’s already doing so well.”
Andrew kissed the top of Lizzie’s head as we surrounded her in a hug. It was that moment when the door jingled, and Matt sauntered into the room. One look at us and he stopped in his tracks.
“Is...everything okay?” he asked.
We all sniffed and offered him a weak smile.
To be honest my knees were just as weak. Rain had dampened his hair and sat on the ends of his lashes. His shirt was wet and sticking to his pecs, outlining their perfection. His eyes were full of concern and that little crease between his brow had deepened. Thoughts of Lizzie and Riley swam through my mind and my chest constricted as I put myself in their position.
My resolve to distance myself until I’d sorted out my feelings dissolved, and I rushed across the room, flinging myself into his arms.
After all, being cousins hardly mattered, right?
He greeted me with warm arms, wrapping them tightly around me as a feeling of belonging pushed the fear away.
“It’s good to see you too,” he whispered.
****
We usually ordered take away on a Friday night, but in lieu of us all being sick and tired of pizza, Andrew heated up the barbeque and cooked the most delicious vegetarian meal I’d ever had.
Sufficiently full, I laid back on the couch, grateful I’d worn a dress with no waistband.
“So Molly, does this mean you’ve made up your mind about us?” Matt smiled at me, hope burning bright in his eyes. He’d been fidgety all evening, something heavy obviously on his mind, and I figured he’d just been worried about us.
“The whole cousin thing? Yeah. Thinking about what happened to Riley, I know I don’t want to lose you.”
“The cousin thing?” Danny asked, leaning over my shoulder.
Ooops.
“What are you talking about?” he pushed.
Matt looked to me, his eyebrows raised questioningly.
I sighed. “I guess you’ll find out sooner or later.”
Danny sensed gossip coming his way, whizzed around the couch and pulled up a chair, telling Andrew and Lizzie to stop talking and start listening.
Once everyone was attentive, I retold the story of Grannie Carol and the baby and how this meant we were all related.
Silence descended once I’d finished. Lizzie opened her mouth to say something a couple of times but then changed her mind. Danny looked shocked, and Andrew folded his arms and leaned back in his chair.
“But Grannie Carol is so proper,” said Lizzie.
“How did she have an affair?” Danny wrinkled his nose.
“How did no one know anything about this until now?” asked Andrew.
“Are you sure this is all true?” Lizzie asked.
“Yeah, surely this is a weird dream and I’m going to wake up soon,” said Danny.
“So, you’re part of this family in more ways than one,” finished Andrew, directing his gaze towards Matt.
I found the whole conversation quite overwhelming, and I shrank back against the leather couch. Matt ground his jaw but took charge. Thank goodness.
Only when he’d addressed everyone’s questions and concerns, did I speak up again.
“But to add to that, someone is setting Matt up. Do you remember the photo I showed you in the hospital? Well there’s been more,” I added, without waiting for them to answer.
Hurriedly swiping my phone open I showed everyone the latest instalment.
Danny sucked in a breath. Lizzie looked quizzical and Andrew sighed.
“But it’s fake,” I announced. “I checked it on the computer and you can see it’s been photoshopped. Badly.”
“I told you it wasn’t me.” Matt smiled.
“It is you. The photo was taken with you at the beach. In fact, I found it on Sam’s Instagram feed.” Sam was Matt’s cameraman and best friend. “But the woman wasn’t in the photo. She’s been added.”