“Thank you.”
I walk over to the buggy and gently put Jamie in it.I look at her for a moment.Suddenly, I feel his breath on my neck, sending another jolt through me, this time stronger.
“She is beautiful,” the Doctor says.
I sigh.“Yeah.”
“And Riley and Ian are perfect together.”
“I think so too.”I gather the courage to turn to him.“About the other night…”
The Doctor looks down.“There’s nothing to say.”
“But I?—”
“You had been drinking; you were overwhelmed by events; you were… confused.”
“More or less,” I say, scratching the back of my head.
“And we were probably the only gay guys invited.It was…”
“Nothing,” I force myself to say.“It was really nothing.”
The Doctor’s eyes meet mine.“Nothing,” he echoes, though his voice is no longer as firm as before.
“What was nothing?”Chris’ voice makes the Doctor turn sharply.“What are you on about?”she asks, hands on her hips, looking like someone who can smell pure shit in the air.
After all, she lives with Ryan, doesn’t she?
“Nothing!”we say in unison, too quickly.
Chris looks at us for a few more seconds, then announces, “Dinner is on the table.It’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”
“We’re done!”we say together once again.
“I can see that…” she says, then heads back to the others.
“So.”I clear my throat.“Are we good?”
“We’re good, Captain,” he replies, still not looking at me.
I know it’s bullshit, but I also know mine is bigger than his.
When I reach the table,I take the last seat, next to Evan and opposite the Doctor.
“There are noodles, fried rice, spring rolls, dumplings, curry chicken and pork.Help yourselves.I told Ryan two more guests, not ten,” Chris says.
“That means there’ll be some leftover for tomorrow, too,” Evan says.
“You wish!”Ryan shoots back, piling his plate to the brim.
Evan talks about his training sessions and the classes he often shows up late for, which prompts his mom to comment on his commitment and dedication.By contrast, Ryan just talks the same old bullshit as usual.
“Is that all you’re having?”Evan asks, eyeing my plate with only a small amount of rice.
“I’m not very hungry,” I reply.
“After practice today?”Ryan says, shoving a whole spring roll into his mouth.
