Page 24 of Forgiven

“That’s because it is.”

“There’s a reason you never get laid.” He regretted the words as soon as he’d said them. He always lashed out with words when he got defensive, even though it pretty much always pissed people off.

“Maybe, but it’s not because I respect people.”

“I’m sorry. Low blow.”

Hunter shrugged. “I’m used to you. I know not to take jibes like that personally. Callumdoesn’t. He’s going to take you at face value. If you want to get to know him, don’t be a dick.”

“Simple.”

Hunter chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“I know.”

They lapsed into silence. It was starting to get pretty cold and Dylan found himself shivering

“Good talk,” he said. “I should probably get a taxi home.”

“Do you want to come back to the club?”

Dylan shook his head. He didn’t feel like dancing or trying to pull.Notwanting to do those things was a foreign concept to him.

“I’ll walk you to the taxi rank.”

Dylan laughed softly. “You don’t have to. I don’t need protecting.”

“I know.”

They left it at that, walking back to the taxi rank which had filled up while they’d been sitting and talking.

“Thank you,” Dylan said. “You didn’t have to chase after me.”

“Friends look out for each other.”

Dylan pressed his lips together to try to stop the tremble of his chin. He couldn’t let Hunter see how hard those words had hit him. He’d convinced himself his friendships with the guys at the club were superficial at best, that they put up with him because they had to see him every day and invited him out because it was rude not to. But maybe he’d been wrong.

“See you tomorrow,” Hunter said.

Dylan nodded and got into the taxi at the front of the queue. He told the driver his address, alarmed at how rough his voice sounded, and then sat with his head resting against the car window. Was there any point in trying to start over with Tattoo Boy? He was the flirty guy. The one who danced and pulled and fucked and didn’t have or want a serious relationship with anyone. He was the good time guy who rubbed people up the wrong way. He was the guy who couldn’t let anyone close because he knew they’d see how ugly he was inside, and leave. He was good in bed, but there was no substance to him beyond that. There was nothing for a guy like Callum to like.