Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 104138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“Like what you see?” he asks, running his fingers through his cropped, black hair. His accent is clearly northern, but there’s a forced poshness, like he’s taught himself to be better than everyone else.
Heat pools in my cheeks as I rip my gaze away, my mouth too dry to reply. Immediately, I wash away the sticky residue on my fingers from fiddling with my gelled hair, and then get the hell out.
Well that was weird.
Stacey and Ed have their backs to me when I arrive back at the table.
“I just don’t get why they’d sleep with a woman who looks like a man. Why not just sleep with an actual man?” I overhear Stacey say.
I don’t know if she’s referring to Tess, or just androgynous-dressing lesbians in general, but I lower my mouth to her ear. “I think the lack of cock has something to do with it.”
Stacey snaps her head around to face me, her cheeks clashing with her red dress. “S-sorry,” she stutters. “I didn’t mean anything bad by it.”
I smile and settle down into my chair. “Don’t worry. I don’t understand their aversion to dick either.” I wink and Stacey visibly relaxes.
“I have to say, I was surprised to find out you were gay. I mean, I suspected it when you suggested a night out here, but I didn’t know for sure until you complimented me on my dress. You don’t look gay.”
I raise my eyebrow and notice Ed laughing beside her. “My fault. I’m always leaving my damn rainbow at home.”
Stacey throws a hand over her face. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I?” she mutters, her voice low, embarrassed. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t,” I assure, raising my hands off the table to make room for the tray of drinks Tess has just appeared with.
“Well, I’m offended,” Ed cuts in. “You didn’t sound surprised when you found out I was gay.”
“You have, you know, the walk. It was obvious with you.”
Before Ed can reply Tess hands out our drinks, staring at me while wearing pursed eyebrows and a contemplative pout. “You’re flustered,” she notes. “You look like you’ve just had sex.”
Stacey coughs, almost choking on the wine she’s just sipped.
“I have not just had sex,” I say, knowing she’s joking because she knows me, knows I’m not into impromptu fucks against bathroom walls. “I did just make an arse out of myself though. I bumped into the hottest guy I’ve ever seen in the toilet and just stared at him like some kind of moron. Think David Gandy but younger.”
Tess scrunches her nose. “My auntie fancies David Gandy.”
“Your aunt has good taste,” Stacey joins in, finally relaxing into our company.
David Gandy remains the topic of conversation for almost half an hour. Ed’s never heard of him so Stacey pulls up Google on her phone and searches for images. Ed fails to see the appeal, comparing him to his granddad. We continue to chat, getting to know each other outside a formal work environment, and end up staying in Velvet for another three drinks. When we eventually head outside, my mum calls as we walk along the cobbled street.
I excuse myself and make my way over to the stone wall to answer, staring down to the canal. “Hey, Mum,” I answer, shooing my friends with a wave of my hand, silently telling them I’ll catch up in a few minutes.
“Where are you? You sound outside?”
“I’m with some friends.”
“Oh sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to interrupt, I just wanted to see if you’re settled into your new job.”
Her concern makes me smile. “So far, so good. I’ve made a couple of friends and have got the coffee machine down to a fine art.”
She sighs down the line and I know she’s debating whether to give me the you’re worth so much more than a brew boy speech. “And the new flat? Have you finished unpacking?”
“Just about. Why don’t you come over next week and I’ll give you the grand tour?”
“Hmm.”
“I’ll pick you up,” I offer, knowing her hesitation is due to the fact she’s scared to drive on the motorway. With me being in Manchester, she won’t use the roads either because she believes big cities are full of maniac drivers. “Or get Tom to bring you.”
Tom is my older brother, by two years. By day he’s an emergency doctor in St Andrew’s hospital’s A&E department and by night he’s a loud, over-opinionated wanker. But he’s my brother so I’m genetically programmed to love him and put up with his bullshit.
“I’ll call him tomorrow,” my mum agrees. “See when he’s free.”
“Great. Look, Mum, I need to go. My friends are waiting, but I’ll see you on Sunday.”
Sunday is mandatory family day, where my mum cooks a roast dinner with all the trimmings for me and my brother, and in latter years, Tess too. We haven’t missed a single afternoon since my dad passed away four years ago. Losing a family member, especially a parent, makes you realise how important spending time together is. I still feel guilty that, before then, I took my family for granted. When you’re young you want to go off on your own, find new adventures, party, have fun, all the while assuming your family will still be there when you get back.
Until one day one of them isn’t.
“Okay, honey. Stay safe tonight and don’t forget to text me when you get home.”
“Sure,” I say. I know the drill. “Love you.”
“Love you too, baby boy.”
I can’t help cringe when she calls me that. It takes me right back to high school when I was ribbed for six months after she said it in front of my friends. It was hard enough trying to hide the fact I was gay without getting the piss ripped out of me on a daily basis for being a mummy’s boy.
Tucking my phone into my jeans pocket, I jog the rest of the way to G.A.Y. I can’t see my friends when I arrive so assume they’ve gone in without me. I know where to find them though. Tess and I have designated meeting spots in almost all of the bars and clubs around here, so after getting in, I head to the second floor bar, spotting them as soon as I reach the top stair.