Page 95 of Glow

“I know we don’t look like a couple,” Prin said. This time he held his hand up when Scott started to form words. “And I realise I needed a ridiculous amount of reassurance. When I thought that you saw us like that. I couldn’t bear it. But I should have let you tell your side of the story. I can see that now.”

“Would it have made a difference?”

“It seems like it would.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying come here, you stupid idiot.”

Scott fell into his arms. That old feeling of security that he never thought he’d experience again swept over him. The small crowd burst into cheers. He looked over Prin’s shoulder. The middle-aged couple had their arms around each other.

Prin spun around and saw their audience for the first time. “Oh.”

Scott took hold of his hand.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Debbie is going to dine out on this for months. Come on, let’s get out of here. Do you have your bags?”

Prin indicated his case. Before they could leave, the couple sprang forward.

“We just want to say, all the best for the future,” the woman said. “I think you make the most wonderful couple.”

“All the luck, lads,” her husband added.

“Thanks,” Scott said before pulling Prin toward the doors.

They opened automatically. Scott gazed into Prin’s eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I am.”

They were lying on Scott’s bed. Their sweaty, naked bodies entwined.

“Fuck, I’ve missed you,” Scott said.

“It was a shit weekend, wasn’t it?”

Scott nodded. “I’ve had better.”

Prin shifted and Scott laid his head on Prin’s chest. He could hear his heartbeat. He silently prayed that he would go to sleep many times listening to that beautiful sound.

“I need to tell you something,” Prin said.

Scott’s stomach clenched.

What the fuck now?

“Go on.”

“I was actually going to stay with my nanny,” Prin said. “I hadn’t decided if I was going to see my uncle.”

Scott let out a sigh of relief that this bombshell didn’t have anything to do with him. “Well thank goodness you’re not quite as wonderful as I thought. I was a bit intimidated. Although, knowing you, I have every faith you would’ve done.”

“Maybe,” Prin said. “Who knows? How did you know which airport I was flying from anyway?”

“Jeremy.”

“Really? Bloody hell, what did you say to get that information out of him?”

Scott took Prin’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I told him I was madly in love with you.”