Chapter 26
Owen slept late the next morning, and when he opened his eyes he knew Tosh wasn't there, but he still reached for her. She'd always been an early riser, he thought.
Then he remembered – his past! What the hell had he been thinking? He immediately started to panic. 'I shouldn't be here. I need to leave now! She loves me, and we slept together! ' Though he conveniently forgot he'd also declared his love for her.
He hastily located his clothing, jamming his feet into the trouser legs. Throwing his shirt on, he neglected to do up the buttons.
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Tosh stood by the kitchen sink, waiting for the kettle to boil, reliving the memories from last night. Even just thinking about it made her feel hot all over again. She smiled nostalgically to herself. Maybe things were looking up, and they would be alright after all.
She heard noise coming from the bedroom, so pulled a second mug from the cupboard. She needn't have bothered as the bedroom door flung open and Owen, barely dressed with bed head literally ran out. He hopped around in an attempt to put on his shoes.
"Leaving so soon?" she quipped with an ironic eyebrow and seductive smile.
"How could you?" he demanded. Without letting her answer he blazed on, "How could you let me sleep with you? Wasn't it enough to have my full undivided attention for weeks on end? For me to get you off and for us to sleep in the same bed? You thought the way I treated you before the head injury was so bad, you should listen now. I hate you! I was in a vulnerable position and you smothered me. Made me weak and start to care. This? You and me? Can never happen! I'm broken enough without adding another victim to the list."
He rounded on her, stepping towards her with every sentence, until he had her cornered against the kitchen units.
"Forget me! Forget all this ever happened. Go back to being the brainy geek who sits quietly in the corner of the room, head in a book, and I'll go back to being the ungenerous womanising idiot I've always been."
Then he stormed out, leaving Tosh startled, slightly afraid and absolutely devastated.
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Owen had no idea how he'd get back to his flat. He had no transport, no keys and no money. The only option left open to him was to walk the 4.5 mile journey in uncomfortable dress shoes.
He huffed and puffed his frustration as he walked around the streets of Cardiff. He gloried at the return of his memory. He grimaced at the blisters forming on his heels and the ache in both his soles. He hated Ianto and Jack for helping orchestrate such a ridiculous idea! Owen continued to curse all three of them under his breath with each step he took.
Owen walked the scenic round, needing the additional exercise to help vent his anger. His insides clenched tightly, and had been doing so since he'd left the apartment. The small part of Owen that had remained cynicism free was causing a guilt reaction, trying to remind him of his feelings for Tosh.
Arriving at his apartment he located the landlord and got him to open the flat. The landlord was hesitant because of Owen's state of dress and the fact that he'd had no idea who he was. Owen was barely there during the day, so had never become a familiar face.
The moment the door closed behind him, Owen fled to his bedroom. He proceeded to bury himself in his duvet that regretfully smelled a little of Tosh. Owen willed himself to be a man, but he cried anyway. His fragile heart had taken yet another beating.