Page 82 of Judging Duke

“Do I need to prove it to you?” I beckoned him closer.

“But Robbie…”

“Robbie can fuck off.” I grabbed the front of his shirt and smashed my mouth to his.

His arms wound tightly around me as I stroked his head, rough from the stubble beginning to grow.

“Is this what you got up to in France?” We broke apart, catching our breath, and turned to Robbie in the doorway.

“Well, part of it,” I said. “Duke and I…”

“I don’t care what you guys do or got up to. It’s been a long time coming is all I’ll say on the matter.”

Duke and I looked at each other. What was Robbie talking about?

“What do you mean?” Duke asked, voicing my thoughts.

“When we were kids, Duke never took his eyes off you. I thought you knew that. And as for you, Simon, you were forever asking me if Duke was coming over. It wasn’t difficult to spot. Come on, guys, even you aren’t that naive.”

Appears we were.

“So, what’s next? Is he going to be my brother-in-law?” he asked, a cheeky smile on his face.

“Three days, Robbie. We spent three days together.”

“I thought you said you saw him at the spa?”

“Not my finest moment, but we’re taking it slowly. We both have a lot to deal with.” I wasn’t sure whether Duke had filled Robbie in on his former life, but when he shook his head slightly, I assumed he hadn’t.

“I came to go over what we talked about on the phone anyway. Duke being here, it saves me from having to repeat myself for part of the conversation. Mum and Dad still in the conservatory?”

“Watching TV as usual.” Robbie pressed a lever, and his chair moved away. I nodded to Carlos, who was standing by the door. He had the biggest smile on his face.

“What’s up with you?”

“I am very happy for you, Simon. Robbie too. He has his friend back, and you have yourself a hot lover.”

I burst out laughing. “You could say that, yes.”

I reached my hand behind me and grabbed Duke’s, leading him into the conservatory.

Mum’s pinched face spoke volumes, but I didn’t give a flying fuck what she thought. It was time for me to have my life back.

We sat on the sofa facing my parents, and I turned off the TV with the remote.

“As you can see, I have a few things to tell you about. I’m not sure you’ll be happy with any of them.”

Duke squeezed my hand, giving me the courage to speak out. I’d had it all planned out in my head, but Duke being here added another thing to the unwritten agenda.

“What’s he doing here?” Dad spoke and nodded to Duke.

“He came here to see me, Dad. Remember?” I looked over at Robbie. How long had that been going on?

“You remember, Duke. He was with Robbie the night of the accident,” Mum reminded him.

Dad looked mildly confused, his brow wrinkled, but he said nothing more. He slouched on the sofa, his arms crossed, and gazed out of the window onto the garden and farmland beyond.

“I’ve a few things to say,” I started. “Firstly, I’m no longer acting.”

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