There was a two-seater sofa by the wall, so he opted for that. Grant sat next to him and opened the folder. Inside were his messages from all the dating apps.
Oh. My. God!
His heart beat like the clappers, and his vision blurred.
“I didn’t do anything,” he said without thinking.
“That’s not quite true, is it, Jason?”
“I never hooked up with anyone. I promise.”
“That doesn’t make it any better, though, does it? You’ve been talking to all these men behind my back. How do you think that makes me feel? I’m out there making sure you want for nothing, and you’re looking at dick pics from other guys.”
“I didn’t send them anything.”
“You don’t see it, do you?”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“Jason. You might not have fucked any of these guys, but you may as well have done. This is still cheating – in my eyes anyway.”
He felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest. Grant thought he’d cheated on him, but he hadn’t. He wouldnever do anything like that. He loved his husband. Lately he’d been feeling lonely, that was all. It was a bit of harmless fun.
“Do you want me to go?” he asked, struggling to speak.
“Why would I want you to go? I love you, Jason. I just want to understand why you did this, and why you don’t see it for what it is. This is cheating.”
Jason went to bolt, but Grant gripped him and pulled him back down.
“Where are you going?”
“Please don’t hurt me.”
Grant moved his hand away and stood up. He looked hurt. Jason hated seeing that look in his eyes. His husband was always a confident man, but he looked like his favourite pet had just died. The thought made Jason involuntarily giggle.
“This isn’t funny, Jason.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that.”
“I think you need another time out and then we can talk again.”
“No. I’m not going in there again.”
Before he could second-guess himself, he bolted out of the office. Unsure where to go, he headed for the stairs, but was gripped from behind by Grant.
“Where are you going, Jason?”
“Please don’t put me back in that room. I’ll do anything. I just can’t go back to that room.”
“It won’t be for long. You just need to calm down. You always think better when you’re calm.”
Jason tried to yank out of Grant’s grip and lost his footing, and if it wasn’t for Grant’s reflexes, he would have gone hurtling down the stairs. Grant kept hold of him and tried to manoeuvre him to the box room. Jason panicked, and shook himself free, which involved him pushing Grant away from him.
It was like it all happened in slow motion. Jason watched in horror as Grant’s eyes widened in shock when he fell backwards, his fingers unable to grip anything. Grant went crashing backwards down the stairs. It was like his body was made of rubber as he bounced down them. He landed at the bottom with a sickening thud, and didn’t move.
Jason was frozen for a few seconds before he rushed down the stairs to check. Grant was motionless. Jason didn’t want to move him in case there was some kind of spinal injury. He checked his pulse; there wasn’t one.
Holy fuck. He’s dead!
