Page 52 of The Good Neighbour

Josh had never wanted a child. His relationship track record was not one that would support having a dependent. His choice in men tended to veer on the infantile enough for anyone.

Suddenly, a hammering on the door made them both jump.

“Who the fuck is that?” Josh blurted out.

“You’d better answer it.”

“Fuck’s sake.”

Josh got out of bed and threw his bathrobe on. Another round of banging made Hugh get up too.

“I’m coming with you,” he said, putting his boxer shorts on. “It might be anyone.”

They both ran down the stairs. Hugh held back at the bottom while Josh barged down the hallway.

He flung open the door.

“Michael!”

Michael pushed past him toward Hugh. “I figured you’d be here when I didn’t get an answer next door. We’re in the shit.”

Hugh stood. His white boxer shorts leaving nothing to the imagination. Although two drag queens who toured together had probably seen everything on more than one occasion.

“Ugh,” Michael said, covering his eyes. “That might impress lover boy, but can you cover up such a monstrosity, please? Some of us are of a nervous disposition.”

“Go through, you filthbag,” Hugh said, pushing Michael into the kitchen.

“Should I leave you to it?” Josh asked.

Hugh kissed him. “No. I want to spend all day with you. Maybe we should both get dressed though.”

Josh frowned. “Only if you insist.”

“At least then I can undress you later,” Hugh replied, placing a kiss on Josh’s forehead.

“I can hear that,” Michael shouted. “More movement, less canoodling.”

They hurried up to Josh’s bedroom and found their discarded clothes.

“He was knocking like the devil himself was chasing him up Queens Crescent,” Josh said. “What on earth can be so important?”

“God knows,” Hugh replied. “Trouble is following me around at the moment. Just in case it’s something personal for him, give me a five-minute head start yeah?”

“On one condition.”

Hugh was midway pulling his jeans up. “What’s that?”

Josh pouted his lips. Hugh laughed as he waddled over to Josh and kissed him.

Fuck those lips are electric.

They broke apart. “Go to your friend,” Josh murmured. “I’ll be down in a bit.”

With his clothes in place, Hugh went downstairs, leaving Josh alone in his bedroom. He looked at the bed. It was time to get a new one. If he intended to embrace his new unmarried life, he wanted to do it with no memories of Winston whatsoever. In fact, he might get the decorators in for the whole house. A change was as good as a holiday or however the saying went.

By the time Josh got to the kitchen, the two best friends were frowning at Michael’s phone.

“Fuck,” Hugh said, sitting back. “It doesn’t get any better with another viewing. Fucking twat has edited it to make me come across like a wild animal.”