I feel a wave of warmth and affection through the bond and Morgan looks back over his shoulder and smiles.
Ash groans. “Seriously?” He looks between me and Morgan, confusion evident. “How? You haven’t even been here...” Hetrails off, as the realisation that his best friend has lied to him slowly sinks in. The scent of betrayal leaves a bitter tang in the air.
Callum sighs next to me. “Shit.”
“Ash.” Morgan takes a step towards him, but Ash holds up his hands and shakes his head.
“Have you been here this whole fucking time?” he asks softly. The hurt in those eight words is palpable from here. I can only imagine how it’s affecting Morgan. “The truth, Mor.”
“Yes.”
“Fuck.” Ash drops to his knees, like he’s been punched. Like that one admission has knocked the wind out of him. He runs a shaky hand through his hair, looking totally fucking lost.
Callum fidgets beside me, hands clenching into fists where they rest on his thighs.
“I can explain.” Morgan takes a tentative step towards him, stopping when Ash lifts his head. He looks gutted.
“Jesus.” Callum winces. “He looks like someone died.” He sighs and scrubs a hand over his face. “Can you imagine what it’ll be like when Morgan tells him the rest?”
Yes. And I’m starting to wonder if heshouldtell him.
Sensing my sudden indecision, Morgan glances back and gives a slight shake of his head.
“I don’t think he’s going to. Not today anyway.”
Callum grunts in response, whatever that means.
“Will you let me explain?” Morgan prompts when Ash still hasn’t said anything. He holds a hand out to him, and I hold my breath, willing Ash to fucking take it.
Finally, he reaches out and lets Morgan haul him to his feet. “Do you promise to tell me everything?” Ash asks. “No more fucking lies, Morgan.”
Morgan swallows. “No more lies.”
“And you’re okay, right?” He casts an assessing gaze over him, looking for evidence to the contrary.
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
Ash nods. “Good.”
“Good.”
They both stare at each other and then grin.
Ash rolls his eyes. “Come here, you fucking arsehole.” He pulls Morgan into a hug and they cling tightly to each other. “You know I hate being mad at you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
They hug it out for a little longer before stepping back and the tension between them has almost disappeared. “Iwilltell you everything,” Morgan says, grimacing. “But it’s a lot. I thought maybe, for today, I’ll tell you a little bit and we could just hang out.” He offers Ash a tentative smile. “I’ve fucking missed you.”
“I’ve fucking missed you too.” Ash waits a beat before adding, “And yeah, fine. But you’re telling me soon, like in the next few days, Mor.”
Morgan nods. “Promise.”
“Oh,” Ash says, like he’s just remembered something. “What about uni? Our final year starts soon.”
“I’m going back,” Morgan states glancing back at me.
His tone leaves no room for discussion, but we’re going to have to talk about that at some point.
