‘True.’ I’d heard it plenty through the bedroom wall in the past.
‘He’s a bit quiet,’ she says between bites of cake. ‘I spend ninety-five percent of the conversation talking. And I guess he’s not the most forthcoming about himself. But he hangs on every word I say, and it feels validating after so many years of being told I’m too much.’
‘You’re not too much. They’re just idiots,’ I say.
‘Exactly.’ She points her fork at me to emphasise the point, and I take a forkful of cake. Goddamn, it really is bloody delicious.
She studies me until I wipe my face, thinking I must be wearing the cake. ‘You seem better lately. More relaxed. These past few weeks. Did you get your essay done?’
Lord no, my essay has taken a back seat to everything else that I can’t tell her about.
‘I’m good,’ I say with a smile.
‘Not thinking someone’s breaking in and giving you stones in the night?’ she asks with a raise of her brows.
‘No.’ Iknowthat happened, now.
We finish off the cake and make some fresh tea, putting on a house-hunting show and chilling together. It seems like so long since we’ve both been home long enough to just relax together the way we used to. I’ve missed it. Long afternoons with nowhere to be, and essays to ignore.
This week’s been a return to normality in a way.
The notes have stopped. Liam’s not seen any more of the man who hung around the alley. We spend most evenings together while Ellie works, and he’s even stayed over more while she’s been at Sam’s house. The threat hasn’t disappeared entirely, but it has become more distant.
A life I could get used to. Until university ends. And then what?
Sighing, I let myself enjoy it. I’ve spent enough years worrying about the past catching up, and the future my parents demand looming ahead. Living in the moment brings a peace that I’ve sorely needed.
‘He asks about my family a lot. More than most guys. I think family must be really important to him. Yet, he never really talks about his. That’s a bit weird.’
‘Maybe his family are shit? I can’t say I lead relationship conversations by talking about my parents.’
‘True, but he asks a lot about my brother. That’s weird, right? Like, what guy cares about his girlfriend’s brother?’
‘Maybe he’s hoping they’ll be friends?’
Ellie laughs. ‘I can’t imagine that. Will is a bit of a lone wolf, and I really don’t think Sam would be his vibe.’
I put my feet up on the sofa and lean my head back. Chatting guys with Ellie is a welcome reprieve, and I vow to tell her about Liam as soon as I can introducehim without his goddamned mask. My thighs clench when I think about him in it. There’s a small part of me, mainly between my legs, that will miss being fucked by a masked man.
Maybe I can convince him to keep it.
TWENTY-NINE
LIAM
If I were a morejovial man, I’d have a skip in my step heading to Kat’s house. For the past two weeks, everything’s settled into a twisted version of domestic bliss.
Kat and I do mundane things together, like watching TV and laughing at stupid adverts. We fuck and whisper sweet nothings in the dark. Even my mask feels like some symbol of our unhinged normality when we’re together.
She still hasn’t admitted to loving me, and I can’t blame her, as I’ve never been lovable. But I feel it when I’m with her.
Even home feels more like a home with my new cat friend. He was a bit wary for the first few days, but now he acts like he owns the place. Withthe way I’m spending money on him, I’m going to need to fight again soon.
And I don’t know if that’s a risk I’m willing to take.
I might have to try to get a normal job or something. But who has time for that when you’re being a full-time bodyguard for the woman you adore?
The alley greets me like a homecoming, my pulse quickening at the near closeness to my girl. I’m only a few steps into the brick walkway when I stop dead.
