Page 22 of We May Be Fractured

“Backing out?” Landon asked.

“Not a chance.”

Nyle and Maeve, watching their banter, couldn’t contain their laughter. “This is going to be epic,” Nyle said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Maeve, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, leaned closer to Aaron. “Here’s a deal, Aaron. If you beat the high score, I’ll treat you to a drink. Some guy’s been reigning over it for months.”

“And why’s it just me in the challenge? What about Landon? He’d be a cheap win since he doesn’t drink.”

Grinning, Maeve led him to the scoreboard, its high scores glowing ominously. At the very top, the name ‘Lannyster00’ dominated the list.

Aaron turned to Landon, who now sported a knowing grin.

With newfound determination and nerves, Aaron walked over to the first machine, gearing up for a proper fight.

*

A fter a string of embarrassing losses in every game they played, Aaron was ready to hole up in his room once he got home, the idea of having made a spectacle of himself in front of everyone unbearable.

“At least you put up a semi-decent fight,” Landon teased, a smile playing on his lips. “I half expected you to bolt after realising I’m the arcade king around here.”

“You could have told me.”

“And miss out on the fun? No way.”

“That’s unfair,” Aaron protested, but a reluctant smile tugged at his lips.

“You’re the one who challenged me. Accept your defeat with dignity.”

With a resigned sigh, Aaron turned to the bar. “Tell me what you want, and let’s get it over with.”

“Just a sec.” Landon held up a finger. “I owe Ria a round at Dance Dance Revolution . Catch up with you at the bar in a bit?”

Aaron nodded, trailing behind Landon to where Nyle, Maeve, and Ria were sitting. Ria sprang up and followed Landon to the dance machine.

Aaron stood there, watching them.

“Here, this might cheer you up,” Nyle said, sliding a fancy glass towards Aaron filled with a bubbly liquid and a tiny Mario Kart star floating on the surface. “It’s a ‘Power-Up Punch’, just what you need after all those losses.”

Aaron couldn’t deny the name was creative, or that the drink was good. But the taste of defeat filled his mouth with bitterness.

“Hot bloke at eleven o’clock,” Maeve piped up enthusiastically.

Nyle swivelled around, drink in hand. “Oh my, I’d love to spend even just seven minutes in heaven with him.”

“Tell me about it…” Maeve agreed.

“With my luck, I’m sure he’s either straight or taken.” Nyle turned to Aaron. “What do you think?”

Aaron glanced over. Sure, the guy was fit, but his attention snagged on the guy next to him, rocking a Legend of Zelda T-shirt with a cool map of Hyrule Kingdom. “He’s all right, I guess.”

“All right? Just all right? He’s fit.” Nyle exclaimed.

“Maybe Aaron’s more into that girl at three o’clock,” suggested Maeve, nodding in another direction.

Aaron turned to get a peek. The girl was indeed attractive, with her stylish outfit and charming laughter. Yet, he felt no particular pull towards her. “I don’t know…”

Maeve’s eyes widened in mock shock. “You didn’t even check her out properly. Seriously, Aaron, what’s your deal?”

“Yeah,” Nyle joined in. “Are you really bi, darling? Doesn’t seem like you’re into anyone .”

“I am,” Aaron replied, annoyed. “Just because I’m bi doesn’t mean I want to jump bones with every person I see.”

“Fair,” Maeve agreed. “But the fit ones? Hell, yeah!”

Aaron sipped his cocktail. Was there even a difference between sexual attraction and just finding someone good-looking?

“All right, Aaron, solve this mystery for us.” Nyle leaned in.

“We’ve got this theory, see? Your heart got smashed to bits by someone, probably the same person who gave you that necklace.

Tried the whole love thing, but it went south, and they flew off to Australia, maybe even found someone else.

And now, you’re dead set on going there, trying to win them back. Am I right?”

Aaron shook his head, pushing the floating Mario Kart star down with his straw. “Not even close.”

“Oh? So, you were the heartbreaker, then?”

Before Aaron could respond, Maeve chimed in, “You remind me of my ex, Aaron. High standards, always held back, like he was allergic to love or something.”

Aaron stirred his drink, his mind drifting. In his family, love had been a twisted thing, a word thrown around to excuse the screams and tears that filled their home. But with Tori and Aunt Olivia, he’d found what love should really be—nurturing, not destructive.

He understood it, at least in theory. But as with sex, Aaron never felt that rush people talked about or found someone who sparked that kind of connection.

“It’s not that I’m against love. Right now, I’ve got other priorities. Finishing community service, getting out of London, heading to Australia. That’s my focus.”

“You could still have some fun while you’re at it, you know,” Maeve suggested with a wink. “No strings attached.”

Aaron shook his head. “I’m good.”

Nyle let out a dramatic sigh. “You’re gonna get sick of your own hand eventually.”

Aaron scoffed at the comment; that wasn’t an issue for him. He rarely found himself in the mood, and when he did, it was more mechanical than anything else.

“Whoa, check out Landon getting smashed by Ria.” Maeve pointed to them.

Aaron followed Maeve’s gesture to where Landon and Ria were sweating off in a dance battle.

Nyle laughed and patted Aaron on the back. “You should challenge Lanny to Dance Dance Revolution next time. It’s the one game he can’t seem to win.”

“Right,” Maeve intervened. “He’s too busy trying to score with Ria than bother scoring in the game.”

Nyle chuckled. “Sure, he wins with her, just not on the dance floor.”

Aaron sipped loudly, not comfortable with where the conversation was heading.

“You know,” Maeve mused, “I wouldn’t mind a spin with ‘bad boy’ Landon Bailey myself. I still prefer the super fit guys, but those tattoos and piercings? So hot. Caught a glimpse of one just under his belly button once. Makes you wonder how far down they go…”

Nyle spluttered on his drink. “Maeve, that’s my cousin you’re talking about!”

“Can’t I appreciate your cousin?”

“You can, but in the privacy of your own room.”

“He’s also Black, which, you know, adds a few points when it comes to size…” She trailed off with a suggestive smile.

“Wow, Maeve, you disappoint me.” Nyle put his hand on his chest and shook his head indignantly. “If Ria were here, she’d have a word with you about perpetuating such baseless stereotypes.”

“Well, she’s been shagging him for months now. Can’t be just for his charm, can it? He’s only good for a bit of fun.”

At this point, Aaron couldn’t hold back. He downed his cocktail and slammed the glass down. “If you spent less time running your mouth and more time observing, you’d realise how incredibly wrong and offensive you are. Besides, who sleeps with whom is none of your fucking business.”

The table fell into a stunned silence, the only sounds now the distant blip s and beep s of the arcade games.

“You know,” Aaron continued, “Landon’s not just this tough guy you all think he is. There’s more to him, way more.”

No one bothered to look beyond Landon’s tough exterior, missing the kindness that didn’t always come wrapped in softness. Landon was indeed tough but undeniably kind.

Their late-night conversations, those shared moments of tea and cigarettes, had revealed a different side to him, one that Aaron wished others could see too—the Landon who cared for the cherry tree, who respected people’s boundaries, and asked for nothing in return.

“Hey, hun, chill out. Maeve was just saying she would gladly…ugh…fuck him.” Nyle placed a hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “I forgot that you and Landon are practically inseparable these days.”

Their conversation dissolved entirely, fading away like the remnants of a bonfire that had burned out. When Maeve excused herself to the toilet, Nyle jumped in to fill the awkward silence with random chatter.

“So, I’ve got my eye on this wicked jumper for Christmas…” Nyle said with a hint of excitement.

Aaron, however, barely listened, his gaze fixed on Landon, who’d wrapped up the game with Ria.

He watched as Landon retrieved Ria’s fallen hair tie, a small act but one that spoke volumes to Aaron.

These little things defined him, the way he paid attention to the smallest details.

As he’d done the other day when they were strolling through the supermarket aisles and Landon had casually tossed a new box of peppermint tea into their basket.

“…and you’ve got to try the new Christmas sandwich at Pret…”

Aaron drifted again, this time to a recent lunch with Landon by the Regent Canal. The spicy doner kebab had been too much for Aaron, and Landon had offered to swap it for his milder one without hesitation.

“…this guy at the gym, always smiling at me, he’s sending mixed signals…”

Aaron couldn’t help but recall the faint dimple on Landon’s cheek whenever he smiled. Really smiled.

Nyle paused, staring at Aaron. “Earth to Aaron! You hearing any of this?”

Aaron blinked, returning to the present. “Sorry, what were you saying about the gym—”

Sudden raucous laughter from a couple of blokes by the bar interrupted their conversation.

“Oi, check that out!” one of the guys yelled, pointing straight at Nyle.

His mate snickered. “You’re in the wrong place, princess . Gay district’s the other way.” His eyes scanned Nyle’s outfit with clear mock.

“I can’t believe it.” The first guy shook his head. “They’re everywhere these days, popping up like mushrooms. And now, they’re invading our spaces.”

A wave of anger washed over Aaron. “Seems to me like you’re the ones in the wrong place.” He pointed towards the toilets. “Maybe you should hang out there instead.”

Nyle tugged at Aaron’s arm, trying to calm him down, but Aaron was having none of it.