Page 19
“Them’s big words, Deac.”
“Aye, well, fuck you.” He huffed out a breath. “It’s the temptation, intit? Long as I’m up there, girls are gonna be watching. And I can’t say no.”
“I mean… you can. Like, if you tried really hard. It’s only one syllable. Try it with me.” Jake formed the word with his mouth. “N-o.”
Deacon held up his middle finger. “Like you do?”
Jake shrugged, eyes on his pint. “I say no to plenty.” Lately, to everyone. “And Raff manages. Married, kid, works all hours at the salvage yard and still gigs.”
“Aye, but…” Deacon shot him a look. “He’s under the thumb.”
“You saying you aren’t?”
“I’m saying I have more offers to bat off than Raff.”
“That so?” Jake took a gulp from his pint.
Deacon spread his arms. “You’d fuck me.”
Jake coughed around his drink, spluttering into his pint. Then he looked up, took him in properly. The artfully styled dark hair, that practiced rough edge he polished up for the estate agent role he played during the day. The body he kept in shape without trying too hard. Over a decade ago, when they started the band, he wouldn’t have hesitated. Now…
“You ain’t my type.”
Deacon barked a laugh. “Sorry, forgot I wasn’t an old, broody detective.”
Jake went rigid. Then turned fast, scanning the room on instinct.
“Oh, leave it out, Jake. You told me you fancied him weeks ago.”
Jake turned back and could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“No. He’s…not quite all here yet.”
“Where is he then?”
“Still in London.” Jake took a swig of his beer, trying to avoid sounding glum about that.
“So he’s not fully moved here then?”
Jake glanced at him. “Mentally? No.”
“Oh.” Deacon tilted his neck. “And you’re…what? Waiting for him to be here? Mentally?”
Jake shrugged.
“Fuck me…” Deacon chuckled, folding his arms.
“Told you, you aren’t my type.”
Deacon flipped him off again. “I’m everyone’s type.”
Then, as if proving Deacon’s statement right, the girls approached the table, arm in arm, glancing from Deacon to Jake. The blonde one spoke, “You from Static Youth?”
Deacon smiled, all sweetness and light. “Aye, we are.”
“We think you’re awesome.”
