Flynn: See you soon.
Nerves dance a jig in my stomach. I get home fast, even though it’ll take Flynn at least half an hour to drive here, assuming he walked out the door the moment he texted me. But why would he do that? No. He’ll be at least an hour. Maybe two. I should do something to occupy myself, like watching anime or playing a console game.
“Hi!” I call out.
No one answers, so I assume my housemates are either out or sleeping. Either could be possible. I might have finished my finals, but Angus and Steph both have one more exam, so my housemates might too. We’re not close. Partying and clubbing were the things we had in common when we moved in together, and that hasn’t changed.
I brush my teeth, slap on some cologne, and spend a while choosing some anime to watch. The doorbell rings, making me jump.
I answer the door, half expecting it to be the postie, but it’s Flynn, looking as nervous as I feel.
“Hi,” I say.
He smiles. “Hi.”
“Come in.” Why is this so awkward? I stand aside to let him in and past me, and then I shut the door. “You wanted to talk?”
“Yes.” He flicks his gaze over me. His nostrils flare as he inhales.
Did I put on too much cologne? Am I radiating desperation?
He steps closer, cups my jaw with one hand, and puts his other hand on my hip. This isn't talking. He kisses me. Nope. Not talking. Better than talking. I pull him against me, smashing my lips to his, dipping my tongue into his welcoming mouth. He moans, tightens his grip on my hip, and strokes his fingers back and forth over my jaw.
“Good talk,” I whisper. Unless that was a goodbye kiss, in which case it was a terrible talk.
He wraps his arms around my back, hugging me close, and rests his cheek on my shoulder. “I’m being selfish.”
“How so?”
“Because I want you, even though it might hurt Billy.”
I nuzzle his temple and hair. “I want you, too.” And I don’t give a flying fuck about Billy.
Flynn didn’t need to badmouth him for me to read between the lines and work out how one-sided their relationship was, in every aspect.
He lifts his head and looks into my eyes, his stare intense, his irises a brilliant, bright blue. “I spoke to Angus. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind?”
“Because he’s your friend.”
“Eh, there’s enough of Angus to share. Did talking to him help?”
“He put some things into perspective for me, and helped me realise something.” He grimaces.
“What?”
“That Billy only ever put himself first.” Tears dance in his eyes.
I hold my breath.
“But he guilt-tripped me for not doing enough, and I believed him. I thought all the problems in our relationship were my fault. And some things were, but noteverything.”
I stroke his hair and hold him tighter.
“But I couldn’t see it while we were together.”
“I willnevertreat you like that, baby.”
