Page 81 of Judging Duke

Time for a new plan.

Three days later, I was driving down to see Robbie. We’d talked on the phone, and I’d told him my plans for the future. Did it go down well? Not really.

Time to hash this out. I’d asked my parents to be there too. Shit needed sorting.

A car I didn’t recognise sat on the drive. Nothing unusual with that. Robbie often had carers dropping in at all times to help out.

But when I walked through the door, that damn voice hit me.

Fucking Duke.

Was he following me around?

“Simon,” Robbie said excitedly. “Look who dropped in.”

Duke turned around and looked at me, his eyes wide.

Guess he wasn’t expecting me to be here.

“Simon.”

“Duke.”

Robbie looked between us. “What the fuck is going on here?”

“Nothing. I’ll be in the kitchen.” I walked out of the lounge and into the kitchen, my heart pounding. I certainly wasn’t expecting to see him so soon. I poured myself a glass of water, watching as my hands trembled.

I leant my back on the counter and dropped my chin to my chest, my eyes closed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were coming. I can just leave.” Duke stood in the doorway, looking apologetic.

His voice startled me, and I almost dropped my drink.

“No, it’s fine. You came all this way to see Robbie. You should stay. I need to go find my parents anyway.”

“I think they were in the conservatory. They left Robbie and me to talk.”

“And how’s that going?”

“Surprisingly well. It’s like we’ve never been apart, to be honest. He introduced me to Carlos, but your parents’ reception was a little frosty.”

An awkward silence filled the room. The last words I’d said to him was that I needed to think. I’d done nothing but that since returning, debating how we could have a relationship with my issues of forgiveness.

The thing was, I’d missed the fucker. Missed the banter, missed his cocky smile and most of all, I missed him.

He deserved an answer, and maybe I deserved a future.

“About what I said, the last time we were together.”

“It’s fine, Simon. I understand this could never work between us. You can’t forgive me, and I get it. I really do.”

“You misunderstand me. I want to try and make a go of it. You and me…if you want to.”

“Really?”

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“It’s just, that last night together, when I told you all those things…”

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