Looking back, she had a point. This whole estate had been built after the Second World War in response to the housing crisis. They had been designed to last for a decade.
Sixty years had passed and they were still standing. Barely. Our windows didn’t close fully and we had no central heating. There were more loose floorboards than there were stable ones, and the less said about the damp issues the better.
Most of all? Those porches weren’t up to holding the weight of eight-year-old boys, let alone a muscled eighteen-year-old like Dominic.
It was funny thinking about that memory now. I’d been devastated that Mum was so upset, but all it had taken was a whispered suggestion from Max and we’d been off on the nextadventure. It was more like a dream than a memory. Things had changed so much that I couldn’t quite believe we’d once been close.
Maybe I’d imagined it.
“It’s fine.” Dominic smirked arrogantly, slipping over the sill and fully into the room. “I’m in one piece, aren’t I?”
My shoulders stiffened at his proximity. “Why are you here?”
He shrugged again, turning his focus to my desk. Flicking the Newton’s cradle, he watched the balls click back and forth. “I’m bored.”
“Then go and bother Max.”
“He’s busy.” Dominic didn’t look up from the cradle. “Figured I’d hang here instead.”
“Gotta love being second best,” I muttered under my breath. I should probably have made him leave before I went to brush my teeth, but I was too fucking tired. Between revising, my extra art classes, and my paper round, I was running on fumes. Sighing, I made my way to the door. “Don’t fuck with my stuff.”
I took my time in the bathroom, hoping Dominic would take the hint and leave. Whatever luck I’d had earlier in the day when those bullies ran away had clearly expired now. I went back into my room to find Dominic reclined on my bed.
“Do make yourself comfortable,” I said, sarcasm dripping from the words.
“I have,” Dominic said, his eyes closed. His hands were under his head and he looked…peaceful. My eye began to twitch. Trust Dominic to be completely calm while making me so frustrated that my body was doing things without my permission. “Your bed is way more comfy than Max’s.”
Something uneasy slithered in my gut. “I figured you always crashed on the floor.”
He peeled one eyelid open. “Why the fuck would I sleep on the floor when Max has a double bed?”
“And yet you think I’m the gay one.”
I had no idea where I got the balls to say that.
Dominic just snorted. “Yeah, actually, I do. Sharing a bed with someone of the same sex doesn’t make you gay.You eyeing my biceps like you want to sink your teeth into them though? That might make you gay. Or bi, maybe.”
He’s just baiting you to get a reaction,I reminded myself. Did I occasionally check out Dominic’s physique? Sure. But not because I was attracted to him, but because I wanted to be like him.
I fucking hated it, but it was the truth. I’d never admit it out loud, but I wanted to be more like him and Max. I wanted the confidence. The friendships. The girls. I wanted to know what it was like to walk through life knowing every door would be opened for me.
Not looking for shadows to hide in.
“You’re full of bullshit.” I moved to the side of my bed and glared down at him. “Get out, Dominic. You’ve had your fun and I’m shattered.”
Both his eyes opened as his lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, Ry. I haven’t even started the fun yet.”
For fuck’s sake.“Don’t you have anything better to do than piss me off?”
“Nope, can’t say I do. Like I said, Max is busy, so you get the pleasure of my company.”
“What could he possibly be doing that you can’t do with him?”
“Fucking,” Dominic said bluntly.
I winced. Of course he was. Max didn’t scurry home from his art class to pick up the house. He was too busy getting his dick wet.
Alright for some.
