Page 44 of Kicks

“I might.”

Everyone stared at him. The lounge at the flat was full. They’d been havingLord of the Ringsscreenings for the last few weeks. Today, it appeared that before that day’s main event, they would be dissecting Eddie’s life choices.

He found it very disconcerting to be eyeballed like this by Tyler, Scott, Danny and even bloody Amanda.

“Will you stop?” he said.

“You’ve stiffed him on a deal, babe,” Tyler said. “It’s hardly the best opener for the romance of the century.”

“I have not,” Eddie replied, gruffly. “We always go in at twenty. How was I to know he wouldn’t try and negotiate?”

The enormity of what he’d done was beginning to come through. How could he even think about seeing Billy romantically when he’d scammed him like this?

“Do you really fancy him?” Scott asked.

“Yes, Scott. I really bloody do.”

“Wow, has hell frozen over too?”

“Scott!”

“Okay, let’s think,” Scott said. “We can get you out of this.”

The way Scott flipped from pisstaker to champion cheerleader was impressive.

Suddenly, Amanda sat up. “What if you keep it on the books for now? You don’t have to get the contract signed on our side until we’re ready to bill him. That’s a bit off yet.”

“A stay of execution,” Scott said. “Perfect plan. Good work, Amanda.”

Eddie rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll sleep on it.”

He pressed Play on the remote control. The room descended into quiet.

“Still can’t believe you’ve got the possibility of a shag,” Scott said.

“Scott!” they all shouted and threw cushions at him.

As they all became engrossed in Frodo’s mission, Eddie’s mind wouldn’t switch off. If the opportunity to sleep with Billy came up, he didn’t know if he’d take it.

Who was he kidding? Of course he would. He would be powerless to stop himself. He yearned to find out what it would be like to press their naked bodies together and to feel Billy’s fingertips all over his body.

His cock sprang to life at the mere thought. Eddie tried to focus on the movie. Yet it was impossible his mind kept returning to Billy.

I want him.

TEN

BILLY

It had been a very long week consisting of emptying shelves and discovering items in Eddie’s bag that would have made Billy’s hair stand on end. If he didn’t shave his head every week.

He and Harry had agreed that Crystal and the kids wouldn’t be coming into the shop from now on. Crystal would be beginning sixth form in the September. She would be sixteen then and old enough to take care of herself in the daytime.

It was Saturday morning He stared out of the bus window at the world passing by. He clocked lots of couples wandering around. They were probably enjoying the sun and on their way to brunch somewhere lovely.

“Are you all right?” Crystal asked.

Billy snapped to attention. She might be mature enough for being home alone but she still needed him to come and watch her play.