Riley stared at his screen. What the hell did that mean? Alex never usually asked him for advice about the guys he hooked up with. Why would he start now? Text was a fucking awful medium to communicate over. Maybe he was reading far too much into this. While every part of him wanted to typeNOin big shouty caps, he replied withIt’s up to you, instead. Such a fucking coward.
I guess it is.
That was the last text he got from Alex for the rest of the day, and he couldn’t help but think he’d somehow fucked up.
The next four days were the busiest Riley could remember having in a long while. It seemed like everybody and his dog wanted wreaths for their doors, or fancy Christmas bouquets delivering all over the place. He was knackered come Thursday night. Being so busy meant he legitimately hadn’t had chance to talk to Alex either, which he had mixed feelings about.
Despite Charlie’s disappointed glances, Riley still thought doing it after New Year was the best bet. From the texts he and Alex had sent, he was pretty sure Alex hadn’t called the barman back, so there was that. And he usually spent Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with Riley and the others, so hopefully no one else would be able to slip him their number either.
This weekend, Riley and the others were at the cabin and he learnt Alex had no one else to go out with, so Riley didn’t see that being a problem either. Sorted. His logic was sound.
Abi called him as he shrugged out of his coat and hung it on the rack.
“Hey, what’s up?”
She giggled into the phone and muttered, “Stop it” to someone, probably Nick.
Riley sighed. “Can you at least wait until you’ve got off the phone?”
“Sorry.” More giggling. “Just checking you’re still okay for tomorrow?”
“Yep.” He walked down the hall to his room and collapsed on his bed. “I’m just packing now.”
“Sure you are,” she said, not sounding like she believed him at all. Which was fair. “We’ll pick you up at nine thirty.”
Ugh, so early.“Yeah, okay. See you in the morning.”
He hung up and closed his eyes for a bit. Going to the lodge without Alex would be weird. As much as he’d dreaded going back there with him, now that it came down to it, he wasn’t sure he wanted to go without him either.
For fuck’s sake.He had a text message open without thinking twice about it.
Wont be the same this weekend.He sent it before he could change his mind.
Aww, you going to miss me?
Yes. Who else will keep me awake with his snoring?
You’ll probably have your own bedroom. You don’t have to be in mine.
Where’s the fun in that?Riley hit Send, then stared down in horror at what he’d just typed.Oh God.He’d just flirted with Alex via text!
The three little dots appeared, showing Alex was writing a reply, and the next few seconds were the longest of Riley’s life.
No fun at all.
Riley read the message three times before he could bring himself to reply. This was not a conversation to have over text; too much could be misconstrued without seeing Alex’s face or hearing him say the words. In the end he just typedSee you when I get back.
Phone reception at the lodge was dire; maybe the break would do them good.
Riley was packed and ready by the time Nick rang the doorbell. He hefted his rucksack and followed him out to the car. After Nick put it in the boot, they both got in, Nick in the passenger seat and Riley in the back.
“Oh.” Nick startled as he pulled the door closed behind him. Dylan was already sitting in the back, grinning at him. “Why aren’t you with Jake? Isn’t he coming?”
“Yeah, but his mum wanted to borrow his car.”
Riley frowned, still not getting it.
Abi pulled out into the street as Dylan said, “So he’s driving up with Alex.”
Riley’s phone chimed with a text at the same time, and he looked down at it in sort of a daze.
Coming after all! See you there.
Fuck.
