“No idea, but it’s a pain in the butt,” she replied angrily. “Why don’t you have a go?”
I put my bag down and in one swift, firm shove the door came free and I stumbled into the flat gracelessly. I turned over my shoulder to grin at Becca and waved her inside her own flat. “My lady.”
“Well, my hero.” Becca swooned, dipping to pick my bag up from where I’d dropped it and following me into the dark room. We made our way through to Becca’s room and she flicked the light switch on. As usual, Becca’s room was an utter tip. I wondered in amazement how she even managed to get to her bed, picking out a safe route through all the junk on the floor carefully.
“So, what shallIwear tonight?” she asked, taking her coat off.
“Anything really. It’s not like you’re going to be pulling, is it?” I laughed.
“You never know. Some incredibly hot bisexual guy could be there.” She paused. “Although he’d probably be more interested in you.”
“How’d you figure that?” I grunted.
“Have youseenyourself, Max?” she scoffed in reply. “You want a drink?” She headed out into the open-plan kitchen.
“Sure, whatever you’ve got,” I called and sat down heavily on her bed, making myself comfortable. Becca returned holding two cans of Diet Coke. I took the can she offered me and cracked the ring pull open loudly.
“Do you want to have a shower first or shall I?” Becca took a sip from her own can.
“You’d better go first. I know how long you take to get ready. You need the head start.”
Becca shot me a playfully sour expression. “I’d better get a move on then. I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting,” she teased and left the room.
I shifted to get comfortable on the bed and pulled my phone from my pocket. It looked like I was sharing Becca’s bed tonight, because there was no way I’d be able to sleep on her floor when it was in this state. I found it rather amusing how willing girls were to share beds with gay guys. If they knew some of the things I did, they would certainly think again.
My phone vibrated in my hand, and I glanced at the notification, pleased to discover it was a message from the one person I always wanted to speak to.
ROWAN: I don’t suppose you’re free tonight, are you?
“Ah, fuck,” I muttered out loud. There was no chance I could cancel my plans with Becca now – I was sitting on her bed for God’s sake. Besides, I’d had friends of mine drop me like that last minute for a date before and I knew how much it sucked. I felt torn, dying to see Rowan again. My chest burnt, knowing I’d have to turn him down.
MAX: Afraid not. Why?
A reply came through swiftly.
ROWAN: I just found myself with nothing to do and wondered if you were free as well. What are you doing tonight?
MAX: I’m at Becca’s. We’re going out for a few drinks.
I breezed over the intimate details, wondering what Rowan would think if I told him I was going to a gay club with Becca tonight.
ROWAN: You and Becca never just have ‘a few’ drinks!
I laughed softly to myself. I couldn’t deny it, tonight probably would end up messy. It always did whenever Becca and I went out together.
MAX: Well, we’re going out for lots of drinks, then! You’re welcome to join.
Although I had asked Rowan along, I knew he’d turn me down. Unless it was a work night out, he didn’t have a good enough alibi.
ROWAN: No, you two have fun. I’ll be looking forward to drunk texts.
I felt myself flush, he knew me too well.
MAX: I’ll try not to embarrass myself too much.
ROWAN: Don’t try too hard. If you’re going to be embarrassed tomorrow, that means I’ll probably like what you have to say.
I decided not to reply to that message. Rowan left me speechless sometimes. I still struggled to believe that he was the same man I saw in work every day. Becca burst through the doorway with a towel wrapped around her head, wearing a dusky pink dressing gown.
