Page 4 of Glow

“What?”

“I just dumped his pint over his head and walked out.”

Eddie flung his arm around Scott and pulled him close. “And that is why I love you. It hurts though, huh?”

Miserably, Scott nodded.

“You’re not even that fat,” Eddie said.

Scott wriggled out of his clutches and slapped him on the shoulder. “I’m vulnerable.”

“You have a frigging six-pack. He’s a piece of shit.”

Scott lay on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. “I think I’m a lost cause,” he said.

Eddie flopped backwards so they were side by side. “Don’t be so ridiculous. You’re a catch.”

“Ha! I don’t think so. I run my mouth at every opportunity. Do you know, I even annoy myself sometimes?”

“No.”

“Fuck off. I’m being serious.”

Eddie shifted onto his side so he faced Scott.

“You will find someone, Scott. I have no doubts at all on that score. Have you ever considered someone worth dating instead of going out with anyone who asks?”

“They’re alwaysworthdating, Eddie. Lecturers, accountants, even a bloody chiropodist.”

Eddie rested his hand on Scott’s arm. “You dumped the chiropodist, remember.”

He was right. That had been a truly horrific experience.

“Yeah well. His interest in feet went way past the professional.”

Scott didn’t judge what anyone got up to in the bedroom. But the chiropodist had wanted to watch Scott sink his toes into ice cream while he masturbated.

No thanks.

“What I’m trying to say is it’s not all them rejecting you,” Eddie said. “You’re a good-looking man with decent prospects. You can afford to be a little choosy. Anyway, when I said find someone who’s worth dating, I didn’t mean money.”

“So what do you mean?” Scott asked.

“When I first fell for Billy, he was on the bones of his arse, remember. Plus, he had a teenage sister to care for. Things have completely changed in only a few weeks.”

He had a point. Scott spent too long thinking five years ahead and missed glaring red flags staring him in the face.

“Maybe you’re right. Perhaps good jobs mean bad attitudes?”

“That’s not exactly what I meant,” Eddie replied. “Have you considered you might be overthinking it all? You have this ideal man in your head. They don’t come like that.”

Scott groaned. “You’re the expert now, are you?”

Eddie snuggled into him. “Of course I am. I’m in love.”

Scott wriggled free. “Gross. Now scoot. I’m going to get changed into my comfies then I’m watchingSpice World.”

“Not again. Are you sure you don’t want to come downstairs? We haven’t eaten yet.”