Page 82 of The Good Neighbour

The temple vein pulsed at an alarming rate now. Usually, Josh would accept whatever issue Winston had found to complain about to keep the peace. It had to be different now.

“I don’t have any feelings for them,” Winston snarled. “Sounds to me like that’s not the case for you.”

Josh stared his straight in the eyes. “I do have feelings for Hugh. Very strong ones.”

“It’s classic rebound.”

“It’s not. We’ve not loved each other for a long time. You can’t deny that.”

“I…”

Even Winston must have known there was no point in arguing the point. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. Josh watched him closely. Gone was the young filmmaker that Josh had fallen so hard for. He’d been replaced by a middle-aged man who had caught himself up in his own foolhardy behaviour.

“Let’s part friends,” Josh suggested.

Winston shook his head. “I can’t be your friend. I still love you.”

Josh winced at those words. Only a few short weeks before, he’d craved hearing something like that. Now they were weapons Winston used to ensnare him with.

“I don’t love you. Not anymore. I’m sorry to say it.”

Winston went to get up when his legs failed under him and he fell against the sofa.

“Are you okay?” Josh asked, leaping forward.

“On top of the world,” Winston replied, pushing him away. “You haven’t even bothered to ask about my health.”

Josh had no idea where this had come from. Winston had been given the all-clear.

“Has something changed?”

“You don’t care. You’ve made that pretty fucking clear.”

“Of course I care,” Josh replied. “Tell me. Has something happened?”

Winston glared at him. “If it had, I know I can’t come to you. Go home to your lover, Josh. Stick to your words and leave me to it.”

Josh got to his feet. He held out his hand for Winston, who took it. He pulled him up. They were stood inches apart. The familiar smell of the fruity cologne that Winston wore all year-round filling is nostrils.

“If you need me, I’ll always be there,” Josh said.

“As a friend?”

Josh nodded.

Winston moved closer to Josh.

Oh fuck, he’s going in for a kiss.

Like lightning, Josh turned his head so that Winston connected with his cheek. Even so, the connection was so familiar and reminded him of a time when he’d truly hoped that he was going to make a life for himself with someone.

He missed that feeling.

Then it was gone. Winston stepped away.

“I’ll see you around then.”

Josh remained silent as Winston made his way towards the lifts again.