Page 72 of Glow

SCOTT

The rest of the week passed in a blur of dealing with the fallout from Carla’s confrontation with Richard and spending as much time as possible with Prin.

Scott was on cloud nine and they had turned Prin’s flat into a little piece of heaven. Much to the dismay of Prin’s creepy neighbour who had taken to banging doors and barging past them when he heard them leaving.

Scott didn’t make a big deal of it. Jeremy was Prin’s past in the same way Matteus was in his own.

But tonight was different. Prin was staying with Scott and he had many plans on how to entertain him.

“I hate that he feels he isn’t worthy,” Scott said to Tyler.

They were in the lounge of the flat. Tyler had his legs in his boyfriend, Danny’s, lap.

“He’ll change his mind when he realises your attractions are only skin-deep,” Tyler replied. “It is early days, remember.”

“Hey, you,” Scott shouted as he threw a peanut at his flatmate. It ricocheted off his forehead and onto Danny’s.

“Do you mind?” Danny exclaimed. “Why am I getting enemy fire?”

“Collateral damage, Danny, my love,” Scott replied. He chewed his nail. “He said I dismissed him.”

Tyler and Danny both stared.

“What?” Tyler asked.

“When he first started at work. He said Idismissedhim and I think he’s right. I was so fixated on getting the perfect man I nearly let him walk right by. I feel so ashamed of myself.”

“Hey,” Danny said. “Don’t be hard on yourself.”

“He’s right,” Tyler added. “You’re happy now. That’s what counts.”

Eddie and Billy came out of Eddie’s bedroom, which lay off the lounge. Judging by the smug grins on their faces, it didn’t take a clairvoyant to know what they had been up to. Normally, he would make an example of them. Yet tonight he was joining this couples gang. He did not want to be embarrassed in front of Prin. Not tonight.

“What’s going on?” Eddie asked.

He went to sit next to Scott.

“No you don’t,” Scott said, blocking him with his body. “Prin is a guest. He’s not going on that bloody beanbag.”

“Don’t you want him to be forced to snuggle up to you?” Eddie replied.

Billy shook his head. “Don’t be mean. It’s pretty intimidating coming to this flat as an outsider, isn’t it, Dan?”

Danny frowned. “It was a bit different for me.”

“Oh yes, you used to work at their den of sin,” Billy replied. “I forgot.”

“Yeah. I knew what this one was like.” Danny nodded toward Scott.

“Rude to single me out when I’m nervous,” Scott said, sticking his tongue out. “That’s the last time I admire you when you’re wandering around in your underpants. I shall throw cold water instead.”

“He’s stopped doing that,” Tyler said, resting his hand on Danny’s leg.

“Yes, I meant to remind you,” Scott replied. “Can we reinstate it?”

Danny was one of the most gorgeous men in Brighton and had a habit of forgetting his dressing gown. Something Scott actively encouraged.

“You’ve got your own man to ogle now,” Tyler replied.