Page 18 of Awakened Desires

Hendrix shudders. “No offence, but you don’t have a moustache sort of face.”

“Hey!” Preston objects.

“I think you’ll look sexy with a moustache,” Theo says.

“Sexy enough to keep it all year round?”

Theo’s eyebrows pinch together. “You’ll look sexy with one but sexier without.”

Hendrix sniggers. “Good save.”

“Skydiving?” I guess.

“Correct. Game over?”

Stefan nods.

“It’s been fun.” Preston threads his fingers through Theo’s. “But we’re going to love you and leave you.”

“We are?” Theo raises his eyebrows and then blushes when Preston stares at him. “Oh! We are. It was great meeting you, Callan.” He lets Preston drag him out of the room.

“I’m going to check on Quinn,” Stefan says.

Hendrix sighs dramatically. “I guess I’ll get going as well. Leave you two to reconnect or whatever broody Irish men do when they’re alone together.”

He grabs the plate of biscuits, piles some crisps on top, and leaves.

“Are you okay?” Rory asks.

“Me? Yes. Why?”

His lips stretch into a thin, tight line. “You seemed a little upset.” He taps the table. “I know it’s been a while, but if you want to talk…” He shakes his head. “I don’t have the right to expect you to confide in me. Not anymore.” He stands. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“Rory.”

He freezes.

“Would you sit?”

He nods slowly and then sits. I can see the tension in his shoulders and jaws.

“I think we need to talk, don’t you?”

Rory stares past me, his expression unreadable.

“Clear the air,” I say. “Get everything we couldn’t say as kids off our chests.”

He finally makes eye contact with me. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? What for?”

“Betraying your trust. Telling your secret to the Garda. I just“—he clenches his teeth, squeezes his eyes shut, and shakes his head—“I couldn’t let him keep hurting you.”

“I know. I’m not angry about that, Rory. I’ve never been angry about what you did.”

“You left without a word. You never called or wrote. I thought—”

“Mam and Dad convinced me I needed to put everything behind me. They thought it was the only way I’d heal.” I let out a bitter laugh. “If only. But that’s in the past now. It’s all in the past. Things are better. I’m okay.” I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. “You shouldn’t feel guilty for what you did.” I manage to smile. “I hope you left some deep gouges in that bastard’s car when you keyed it.”