I look ahead once more, relax in my chair, and close my eyes as I lean my head back.Light footsteps break the night’s silence as they approach.Assuming it’s one of the O’Connors, I don’t bother turning around or opening my eyes.
“Is the party over?Is it time to put the kids to bed?”I ask.
I hear a faint laugh, thenhisvoice.
“Are you referring to the three little pigs?”
I instinctively open my eyes and sit up straighter in my chair.The Doctor is sitting in a chair close to mine.
“The three little pigs?”I turn to look at him.
He shrugs and stares straight ahead.
The Doctor is holding a glass as well, but he isn’t drinking; he just swirls the liquid.From the colour, it looks like the same drink I’m having.
“And your son?”
“I think he’s hitting on one of Riley’s colleagues.”
I smile and turn my gaze back to what’s in front of me.
“So, Captain, how are you feeling?”
“Hmm?”
“Your sister and Ian…”
“As long as he acts like a man.”
“Right.Testosterone first.”
“He’s not that bad, but he fucked up now and then.After all, he’s an O’Connor.”
The Doctor raises the glass to his lips just as I turn to look at him again.He pauses for a moment, then I watch the liquid slide down his throat, his neck still constrained by his shirt and tie.After a day like this, he doesn’t flinch, while I can’t wait to strip off these uncomfortable clothes and finally breathe.
“Nice speech, by the way,” he says, glancing at me.“You and Riley must be very close.”
“We are.”
“You can tell.It’s just the two of you, isn’t it?”he asks discreetly.
“Uh-huh.”
Don’t dig any deeper,Doctor.You don’t know what you might find.
He nods thoughtfully but doesn’t pursue the subject.He remains silent, his gaze fixed on nothing.
“Are you staying here tonight?”I ask, not even sure why I’m doing this or why we’re having this conversation.I don’t understand why I’m letting my guard down, or why I feel like doing it right now, least of all with him.
“Yes.”
“And… er… alone?”
I can see his blush even in the moonlight.
“With Evan.”He takes a sip.“You…?”
“Alone,” I reply quickly, as if I might run out of breath.
