Vision In Love (Legends of The North Book 1) (10 page)

"I picked one, er two. I picked two."

From the cupboard, she got out a bag of popcorn and emptied it into a bowl. She took it back into the living room and snuggled onto the sofa with the blanket and bowl in hand. When Matt made no move, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

***

When she had said she was going to get changed, he thought she meant put some jeans on or something. Instead, she was wearing what he assumed were her pyjamas. Blue and red checked trousers hid her legs, which only emphasised the tight blue sleeveless top that revealed her slim, long arms and hugged her chest, leaving little to his imagination. He swallowed and slowly dropped his gaze to the DVD cases.

"Well? What did you pick?"

Clearing his throat, he picked up the DVDs and tried to avoid eye contact. "
Lord of the Rings
or
Star Trek
," he said, holding the cases out to her.

She took
Lord of the Rings
off him and put it in to play. He sat down in the corner of the sofa while she did so, pulling a cushion onto his lap and wrapping his hands around it. His eyes were locked on the screen as she made herself comfortable under the blanket. He'd seen the film before, but it was one of his favourites. Just as he was relaxing into it, she put her feet on top of the cushion on his lap. His gaze slid sideways and saw she was pretty much laid out on the sofa. She certainly looked more relaxed than he felt. When she offered him some more popcorn, he shook his head. She put the bowl on the floor and twisted to her side.
 

Just as he was relaxing again, he heard her moan. Turning to look at her, he saw that her eyes were closed and then she let out a little snore. With a smile on his face, he returned to watching the film, but when the credits rolled, he realised he'd spent more time watching Emma. It was fascinating observing the small things she did while asleep, listening to the noises she made. At least she'd managed to get some sleep, and without a vision by the looks of it.
 

Gently lifting her feet and the cushion, he stood, putting them back in his place. Carefully, he tucked the blanket around her shoulders and picked up his stuff. Quietly, he let himself out of her house and walked home. He felt the smile slowly creep across his face. It had been a long time since he'd been interested in a woman, a really long time. The women he used to socialise with were more interested in the Altenbury name than the man behind it. And since he'd stopped socialising in his parents' circle, well, there weren't that many single, attractive women that he knew.
 

But Emma? She didn't seem interested in his name and had just accepted the fact that he didn't speak to his parents. Fascinating, he definitely found Emma fascinating.

It had been a quiet week on all fronts for Emma. Work hadn't contacted her with any assignments, and she hadn't heard let alone seen anything of Matt. That fact had taken up more of her time than she liked to admit. He confused her, one minute saying he didn't want her to be on her own, but the next he left her asleep and snuck off home. She hadn't heard from him since, and Jess had been decidedly quiet, too. She was starting to feel as lonely as her bank account looked. Which was why she was going out, to try to get some local photos that she could sell to a magazine or something. She needed some money coming in or she and Barney wouldn't be eating for the rest of the month.
 

Slinging her backpack on while ignoring Barney's accusing glare at being left behind, she pulled open the front door. She let out a shriek of surprise then pressed a hand to her chest.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay. I just wasn't expecting anyone to be there. Are you okay?"

"Can I come in, or are you busy?"

"Nothing that won't wait, Jess. Come on in."

As Jess walked past her, Emma noticed how red the other woman's eyes were, and a little puffy. Emma thought she seemed a bit down, but then realised she didn't actually know Jess that well. Following her into the kitchen, Emma switched on the coffee machine.

"You okay? You seem upset."

"I didn't know who else to talk to. I spoke to Rob, but he just said I was overreacting."

Emma picked up two cups and waved one at Jess, who nodded at her silent question. "Overreacting about what?"

"Matt."

Emma dropped one of the cups and it bounced against the worktop before she caught it. "Is he okay?" she asked over her shoulder.

"I don't know."

"Is he hurt?" Emma asked, noticing the shake to her hand as she poured the coffee into the cups. Slowly, she sat down, placing one of the cups in front of Jess, who shook her head. "What is it then?"

"I don't know. He's just acting weird. At first, I thought it was me. You know, he was sick of me staying at his house."

Emma nodded, not trusting her voice not to betray her. She didn't want Jess to know and didn't want to admit it to herself just how scared she'd been at the thought of something being wrong with Matt.

"But it's like he's on another planet. He's been holed up with his laptop and books, but he won't tell me what's going on. I've heard him at night. Last night, he actually screamed in his sleep, and I thought someone was trying to kill him. But he said he couldn't remember what he'd been dreaming about, just glossed over it."

Emma reached out and squeezed Jess's hand. When she looked up, Emma could see the unshed tears glistening in Jess's eyes.

"I even spoke to Mum about it, but that got me more worried. She said James had really bad nightmares before he disappeared. I'm scared, Emma. What if Matt disappears, too?"

Emma drew her hand back, her brow furrowed as she pressed her lips together. She was torn between staying with Jess and running round to see Matt and find out why he hadn't told her about his dreams. "Who's James?"

"Matt hasn't told you about him?"

Emma shook her head, a million ideas on who James might be running through her mind and putting panic in her veins.

"James is our brother. He disappeared about three months ago, but the police still have no leads. It's like he ... he just vanished into thin air one day."

Jess's words hit her like a blow to the stomach, had her breath whooshing out of her. God, did she actually know anything about Matt?

"I thought ... I don't know ... He likes you. I thought if maybe you talked to him ..."

Emma stared at Jess as her words trailed off. "If he hasn't talked to me about James, what makes you think he'll talk to me about this?" Emma hated the bitter note in her voice and hoped Jess missed it.

"I don't know, but I can't just sit here waiting for my other brother to disappear without a trace."

Emma stood and went to kneel next to Jess, putting an arm around her shaking shoulders. It was still true and made Emma feel like a bitch, but she didn't think Matt would tell her anything.

"I'll try, Jess. I'll talk to him. I don't know if it will do any good, but I don't want him to disappear on you, either."
 

***

Matt opened the door, his hair dishevelled and dark circles under his eyes.

"Emma? Sorry, come in." He opened the door wider and she made her way into the living room. Jess had been right. His laptop was open on the coffee table amidst a collection of used cups. Papers were strewn around the laptop and on the floor next to a haphazard pile of books. She took a seat on the sofa and studied Matt. He didn't sit, just started to pace the room. Abruptly, he stopped in front of her.

"Would you like a drink?"

She let out a huff at his polite tone and shook her head. "No, I don't want a drink. I want to know why you didn't tell me you had another dream."

He sat down next to her. "Jess has been to see you then?"

She nodded. "Jess is worried about you and, for some reason, she thinks you'll tell me about it if you won't tell her."

Matt rubbed a hand across his eyes, his knee bouncing up and down.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she said, more softly that time.

"I would if I could, Emma."

"What do you mean?"

"That's just it. There's nothing to tell."

"But Jess said you woke up screaming."

He turned to face her, a slight flush across his cheeks. "I did, but like I told her, I don't remember anything. It wasn't like the other dreams where I knew where I was. There was just ... nothing, like a cover had been thrown over me. I couldn't see anything, hear anything. There was just nothing. Not even a feeling of time passing. I don't know why I was screaming. There was just this nothingness, like I had disappeared."

She saw the shiver run through him and she shifted up the sofa. Her arms came around him and she rested her head against his chest. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, resting his cheek on her head.

"What's this for?"

"It's just ... if that had been my dream, I'd want a hug right about now. I thought you might like one, even if you are a man. And, well, it's good to know you're still here with us."

"Jess told you about James, didn't she?"

Her voice had deserted her, stuck beneath the tears clogging up her throat, so she just nodded.

"Shit, I swear, I was going to tell you, Emma. It's just not something you can slip into conversation. Plus, we had other stuff to deal with."

She pulled back so she could look at him. "It's okay. As long as you know you can tell me if you want to."

"I know. I'm just not used to sharing. And if I'm honest, these dreams scared me more than the others. James had dreams like these before he disappeared. He told me about them. Black, all-consuming nothingness and then he just disappeared."
 

Emma dropped her head back to his chest but didn't say a word.
 

What could she say?

Matt fisted his hands and clenched his jaw. Jess hadn't let up on him since he had spoken to Emma about him and James. "Jess, please, just leave me alone before I say something I'll regret."

"Fine."

She stormed out of the room, but not before he had seen the hurt and worry on her face.
Great, now I feel even worse.
He knew she was scared he would disappear, too. Not wanting to admit it himself, let alone to Jess, but he was scared, too. Added to the fact that her being there every day was driving him crazy. They had never spent so much time together, even as kids.
 

He dropped his head into his hands, his thoughts turning to James's last few days. Trying to remember anything James had said that might help him, but the only thing he could come up with were the dreams. Which only made him wonder if that was why he was having them. Just a self-fulfilling prophecy? But why those dreams at this time? Why not dreams like he had been having before? Why the change?

"She's just worried about you, Matt. We both are."

At the sound of Emma's voice, he raised his head. Just seeing her standing in the doorway had his worry easing. Or was that just relief that she was safe where he could see her? He stood and pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist.
 

"I know. But you don't need to, I'm fine. Or I will be once Jess gives me some space." He rubbed his hand up and down her back, trying to comfort her. He kept telling himself it was to reassure her, yet he knew he wanted the comfort of her warm, soft body against his. Her light floral scent filled his senses, blocking out everything but her. She pulled back far too quickly, but he dropped his arms, shoving his hands in his pockets to stop himself from reaching for her again.
 

"Do you want a drink or something?"

"No, thanks. I can't stay. I came round to ask Jess to dinner, and you."

"Oh, thanks."

"Do you know how long Jess is planning on staying?"

"As far as I know, she's back up here for good. Although, I hope to God she's planning on finding her own place soon."

"Sorry to be such a burden on you," Jess said. Her eyes flared, hand raised with her finger pointing at Matt as she strode closer to him. "God, you're as bad as Mum and Dad." She jabbed her finger into his chest. "Everything's fine as long as I don't get in their way. Stupid little Jessica with her big ideas of doing something other than playing the doting little wife. But don't worry, Matt, I won't let a little thing like money get in the way. I'll be out of your hair by tonight." She spun on her heel and ran from the room.

"Jess," Matt called as her arm slipped through his fingers, starting after her. "Shit"

Emma grabbed his arm. "Let me. You should talk to her once she's had a chance to calm down. Come round to mine at seven, okay?"

As Emma ran after Jess, he huffed out a long breath. Why hadn't Jess told him? Why hadn't he guessed? It was so bloody typical of their parents.

***

At five to seven, there was a knock on the door.
 

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. He knows you were upset by what he said." With a squeeze to Jess's arm Emma added, "Said but didn't mean." Emma answered the door to a worried-looking Matt. His hair was dishevelled, stubble lined his jaw, and his glasses only emphasised his tired eyes.

"Is she okay?"

Emma stepped back to let him inside. "She's fine. Worried about you, but fine. What about you?"

He gave her a weary smile and nodded.
 

Jess was already setting the table as Emma followed Matt into the kitchen.

"Matt, I'm so sorry. You're nothing like Mum and Dad. I don't know why I said it, I didn't mean it."

He stopped in front of Jess and she walked into his outstretched arms, which he wrapped around her. "I know. Just like I didn't mean what I said. It's been a stressful few days, for all of us."

Emma poured a glass of wine for Matt and felt a pang of something straight through her heart. Envy? Regret? Even though Jess and Matt disagreed over their parents, it brought them closer. She felt bad thinking it, especially since her mum was gone, but all her parents had done was help build a gulf between her and her sister. She shook her head.
So not going down that road tonight.
They were solving problems, not adding more. Emma started to serve up the bolognese as Jess and Matt sat down.