DICKHEAD
So you’re always tired after that and go to bed early.
He didn’t add‘duh’on the end, but he might as well have. What was confusing me was that he knew where I’d been.
And that I generally went to bed as soon as I got home.
Maybe it wasn’t odd that he noticed that. He practically lived here, after all. Speaking of which…
RYAN
I’m surprised you’re not next door with Max. Trouble in paradise?
I smirked at the screen as I waited for his reply. As if. The day he and Max had problems would be the day hell froze over.
DICKHEAD
Picked up an extra shift at the chippy.
That was right. Dominic worked there sometimes. I was kinda surprised Max hadn’t got a job there too, but he insisted he couldn’t stand the smell.
My thumbs hovered over the keys. I wanted to say something, but I didn’t know what.
Why do I want to keep talking to him?
I threw my phone onto my beside table and rubbed at my eyes. Was I really so fucking lonely that I wanted to continue texting someone who barely tolerated me?
Come on, Ryan. Standards. Get some.
That might’ve worked better if I’d had more backbone. Or if my phone hadn’t chosen that exact moment to vibrate.
I snatched it up, relieved no one was around to see the speed at which I moved.
DICKHEAD
You should get a job here. Pays better than the paper round.
I gave a disbelieving laugh.
RYAN
Why are you actively trying to spend MORE time with me? I thought you couldn’t stand me.
DICKHEAD
What makes you think that?!
RYAN
Oh, I don’t know, maybe the fact that you’ve spent years avoiding me?
DICKHEAD
Technically Max avoids you. As his ride or die, it kinda goes with the territory.
My stomach curdled. Ride or die. That was a good way to describe the two of them. The bond they shared that I’d never be able to compete with.
RYAN
