Free Worth Keeping by Susan Mac Nicol

when the dizziness passed. He left his bedroom to find Nick. Nick was in his bedroom, removing the watch he’d been wearing. He laid it down on his side table, turning as Owen appeared in his room. Socks was curled up on Nick’s bed, fast asleep.
    Nick’s face darkened. “Christ, you’re like a bloody fly that won’t die,” he hissed. “When are you going to get the message that I want to be left alone? That I’m not interested in a relationship of any sort with you?” His tone was cruel but Owen ignored it. He regarded Nick steadily, leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded.
    Nick swallowed. His hands were trembling. “Do you mind? I want to get into bed and I don’t need an audience, thank you very much.”
    “What are you so scared of?” Owen asked quietly. Despite his headache, he was sobered up. The sight of Nick and his vulnerability had awakened a protective streak in him that seemed to have dispelled the alcohol in his system. “I’m not asking you to marry me and bear my children, Nick. I know you’re attracted to me. I just want to get to know you better.”
    Nick laughed harshly, his features twisting into something ugly. “Believe me, that is one thing you don’t want to do.” His voice was bitter. “There’s nothing much worthwhile knowing about me, Owen. So give it up.” He moved over to his bedroom door, laying a hand on the doorknob. “Now if you don’t mind, I need some sleep. It’s been a busy evening.”
    Owen nodded. “I’m sure it has. I’m glad you had fun with Daniel.”
    Nick ignored that barbed comment, motioning to the hallway. “Shut the door on your way out. I spoke to Daniel about you. He’s happy to take you on in his business if you want the job. He even has a friend in town who’s looking for a roommate. I told Daniel you’d go see him tomorrow morning about the job and he’ll introduce you to his friend. Then you’ll be able to leave and get your own place. We just have to put up with each other in the meantime I suppose.”
    Owen’s pulse quickened. He liked the idea of having a job but he wasn’t looking forward to leaving Nick. But at least he still had somewhere to stay until that happened. A lot could happen in that time. “I see,” he said quietly, feeling a sense of loss flood his body. “Then I guess that’ll make you happy then, me not being here.”
    He didn’t miss the fleeting look of pain in Nick’s eyes at his statement.
    The man is a damn mystery. Does he want me gone or not?
    “Fine. I can see it’s time I moved on. Good night, Nick. Leave me Daniel’s address on the kitchen table and I’ll visit him tomorrow. Thanks for getting me a job. I appreciate it.” He turned and went to his room, going inside and shutting the door. He leaned against it, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to centre himself. Then he undressed down to his black briefs and climbed into bed, lying awake for a while, listening to the sound of the sea outside and the cries of the seagulls.
    Owen was jolted awake once again in the early hours of the morning by a loud cry coming from the other bedroom. The sound was heartrending, a scream of such pain and fear that his heart beat faster and his throat dried up.
    He shot out of bed, opened his door and raced down the hallway to Nick’s room. The chances were Nick had locked his door again but he’d try and talk to him at least. He stopped outside the bedroom and without hope, he tried the door. It opened. Uneasily, he moved into Nick’s room to see him thrashing around in his bed, the covers flung off his writhing body. He wore nothing more than a pair of loose jogging bottoms and his chest was matted with sweat. The capuchin was sitting on the floor, looking up wide eyed as Owen came in. Owen moved swiftly over to Nick, sitting down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Nick, wake up, buddy. You’re having another nightmare. Come on, wake up.”
    Nick’s hand reached up to Owen, gripping