Page 68 of Glow

“I…I know. I guess I’m being selfish.”

Tyler squeezed his arm. “We all have to come up for air at some point. All relationships do.”

Relationship? Is that what this is? Has Scott said that?

As usual when he thought about his new bedfellow, warmth radiated from him.

“I’ll tell Scott it’s a yes,” Prin said.

“Good man.” Tyler handed him the mouse back. “Sorry. I fibbed.”

Prin laughed. “And I thought Scott was the one to watch out for.”

“Oh no, you got that right. I’m only very occasionally outrageous. He’s fairly regular on that score.”

After throwing the mouse back into the messy hellhole, Prin pulled the doors closed.

“I have been made aware. I’m ready.”

“I’ll remind you of that, my friend.”

Prin followed Tyler across the office. When he got back to his laptop, he had an email from the man himself.

Check this out.

There was a link. Prin clicked on it. It led him to an article about a LGBTQ retirement project in the north. It appeared that a charity was looking for volunteers over seventy to sign up for a year living in a shared house.

Prin sat back.

This could be exactly what Colin is looking for.

Scott and Prin sat excitedly across from Colin. Scott had just finished describing the concept of the retirement project to Colin.

“I don’t want to live in a home,” Colin said. “I have my independence here. I’m not sitting in a chair waiting for bingo every day.”

Prin squeezed his hand. “It’s not like that.”

“Not at all,” Scott replied. His face was a picture of enthusiasm that made Prin ache to wrap his arms around him. “It’s a shared house concept. There are other people like you who have had bad experiences. Or maybe they don’t even want to risk it.”

Colin nodded. “That does sound a little better, I suppose. But they wouldn’t want me.”

“Actually, when I spoke to the charity today…”

“You rang them?” Prin asked.

Scott frowned. “Of course I did. I had to make sure it was aboveboard before we said anything. Honestly, Prin. Do you think I’m an amateur?”

Colin smiled at Prin. The twinkle had returned to his eye and it was wonderful to see.

“Go on, Scott,” Colin said. “What did you find out?”

“Only that they’ve had more interest from women,” Scott continued. “The man I spoke to didn’t say as much but I reckon you’ve got a chance. I think it’s exciting. We’ll come and visit you, I promise.”

Colin seemed lost in thought for a second. “I thought they’d wheel me out of here. I don’t know, do you think I’ve got another adventure in me?”

“I know it,” Prin said. “I think this is such a good move. At least it will get you away from this place.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Colin replied. “They’ve taken to shouting pervert outside my door now. It isn’t going to get any better here.”