“Fuck off.”
He giggled softly. “What more are they saying?”
“Some of the resources are deemed too high risk, and they are making them sign new NDAs,” I went on, still scrolling through the chat. “Well, everyone was also politely asked to remove themselves. Crazy. I mean? Yes, a few people can be seen to walk away for mental health reasons or whatever, but they…” I had to scroll back and count in my fingers. “They started with ten, then added, what, another seven? How many walked out? I can’t remember now. That leaves only what, four or so people who were there from the start? The newbies had barely started. How the hell are they going to explain that? Are they going to show more episodes?”
“TV can work magic. Don’t you remember Professor Pearson who taught special effects? Magic!” He let his hand produce imaginary glitter into the air.
“It’s reality TV. Magic doesn’t quite fit the genre.”
“No,” he said softly. “Is your dad okay?”
“Yeah. Cal’s on it. He’s got everything under control.”
“Did you tell him?” An open question. Not digging for answers. I wasn’t going to pressurise him into doing anything he wasn’t ready for.
“I think my brother knows that…you’re special. It’s not like I hide it.”
“You always say that.” I wanted to follow that with,I am right here hiding with you.
“I was thinking,” he said gently, raising himself up on his elbow. His hand reaching for my face. Stroking down my cheek. Then he leant in togive me a kiss. All morning breath and passion, even in something as simple as this.
Who was I kidding? Nothing between us would ever be simple. Him and me. Yearning and longing and wanting and needing. Always.
“I was thinking,” he repeated, “Do you want to come home with me today? Have a break from here. Come home with me, and we can make proper food and wash these sheets and like…hang out with my family.”
“Really?” That was…surprising. Maybe too soon. Or maybe not.
“Yes. And yes, you’re my baby, and I love you, and it will be absolutely fine.”
“They won’t make…like…make it a big deal?”
“You haven’t met my family.”
“No. But I read your mum’s book.”
He threw himself back down on the bed with a groan. “I should never have told you about it.”
“I bought it to top up your royalty payments. Hardback and all!”
It was a joke, but yeah. No joke. I’d bought it because it was him in there. His little childhood stories. The photos of him as a baby. He looked exactly like his mum. Sharp lines and dark hair. Stunning profile. Perfection in every little breath escaping from his lips.
He was beautiful. I’d always seen it, even when he claimed he couldn’t see it himself.
“You did good with Ollie, though.”
“It wasn’t…you know. Intentional.”
“You don’t do anything half-hearted,” he protested, now sitting up on the bed, leaning over me.
“No, well. I just thought that if your dad was anything like you, then maybe he needed…”
“What?” He was just too close. Too heady for my newly awakened brain.
“If he was anything like you, maybe he needed someone like me?”
“Baby.” He was right there. So close. His nose against mine. His heart beating against mine making me reckless.
“Please fuck me again.”
