Page 54 of Forgiven

“Areyouokay?” he asked as he drew level with Callum again.

“Yes.”

“Liar.”

Callum glanced at him. For a second, his face was stern again, but then his expression collapsed and he stopped. He hunched his shoulders and stared down at his fists.

“I almost punched him,” he whispered. “I was so angry that all I could think about was slamming my fist into his face to make him shut up and leave you alone.” He shuddered and sobbed. “I can’t be that guy, Dylan. I can’t.”

Dylan stepped in front of him and slowly coaxed Tattoo Boy to unclench his fists. “You’re not that guy. You didn’t lay a finger on him.”

“Only because you stopped me.”

Dylan chuckled. “Darling, if you’d really wanted to punch him, I wouldn’t have been able to stop you.” He clasped Callum’s hands. “Why did he get you so mad?”

“Because he was threatening you.”

“Well yes, that’sonereason, but I’m not dumb, Callum. Something else is going on. Let me in?”

Callum looked up into Dylan’s eyes. “He reminded me of my dad.”

“Your dad?” Dylan was annoyed that he hadn’t been able to hide the surprise from his voice, but he couldn’t take it back.

“Drunk. Hassling a gay guy just for existing.” He looked away. “Only there wasn’t anyone to step in for that guy, and my dad kept hitting and kicking him until he was dead.”

Dylan’s stomach roiled. “Fuck.”

Callum’s eyes were bright with tears. “When I saw him and you, I thought—” He choked and gagged.

Dylan let him go and the next thing he knew, Callum was leaning against the nearest building, doubled over and breathing hard. He didn’t throw up, which was good, because Dylan could not cope with vomit.

“Come back to my place,” Dylan said, once Callum had recovered enough to stand straight and face him. “I’m not sure you should be alone right now.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not kidding anyone, least of all me. You’re a mess. Come back to my place. We can watch a silly movie or play some VR, and just chill the fuck out.” He held his hand out and wiggled his fingers. “Please? I don’t really want to go home alone. If you’re not with me, I’ll have to fork out for a taxi.”

Callum smiled and laughed softly. “Okay.”

He accepted Dylan’s proffered hand, their fingers slotting together as if they belonged.