Page 24 of For Fake's Sake and other stories

“You looked like you were about to have a panic attack.”

“And you thought covering my eyes would be a good idea?” I laugh.

“Um, sorry. I didn’t think. Are you okay?” He trails his hand down my arm and captures mine.

“Yeah, I am now. I didn’t know what our plans were for tonight, and then I hadn’t heard anything from you.”

“So you were making up all sorts of horrible reasons why I hadn’t been in touch.”

“Um, kind of, yeah. It seems my insecurities are still there.” I shrug, trying not to sound like a pathetic loser.

“Oh, Kit, baby. I’m sorry.” Ollie pulls me in for a hug. His lips meet mine way too briefly, but it’s enough to assuage my fears. “Your place or mine?”

“Yours if that’s okay. Adam has a friend coming over, and they’re on for an Xbox marathon.”

“Come on, then. We can order food. I’m starving.” We jog to catch up with Jack.

“We’re at our place tonight,” Ollie says to Jack, who nods and rolls his eyes.

“Is it a noise-cancelling headphones night? Are you staying over?” Jack laughs.

“Um, I hadn’t thought about it.” I look at Ollie. “Can I?”

“Absolutely. I want you to. I’ve got clothes you can borrow for tomorrow.” Ollie smiles and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze as the three of us head for the Tube station.

“How did the meeting with the head go?” I ask.

“Brilliantly. Mr Garvey was so keen to get something in place. He’s allocating a huge budget to the project, which will pay for a counsellor one day a week.”

“That’s amazing news. Way to hit the ground running. What’s next?” He fills me in on his conversation with an LGBTQ therapist. “You’re going to be so busy. Once word gets out, you’ll be visiting every independent school in the country.”

“I hope so. The statistics are terrible. The number of teenagers that are suffering in silence is frightening, and most of the time, the problem isn’t discovered until it’s too late,” Ollie says.

“This is going to make a difference.Youare going to make a difference.” I lean in for a kiss.

“I need a boyfriend,” Jack grumbles.

“I could introduce you to my flatmate.” I nudge his leg with my foot.

“Er, no thanks. You’ve told me way too many horror stories about him.”

“Oh yeah, good point.” I laugh. “Sorry.”

No one has any desire to cook, so we order Chinese, and as much as I want to drag Ollie to his bedroom, we hang out with Jack. By ten o’clock, Ollie is lying against me, his head on my shoulder.

He gestures to the bedroom. “Ready?”

I nod, and we move off the sofa. “See you tomorrow, Jack.”

He laughs. “You did good to make it to this time. Have fun.”

“Oh, we will. Don’t forget your headphones.” I waggle my eyebrows.

Ollie groans, and his cheeks pink. “Can we just go, please.” He takes my hand and drags me down the hallway to the room at the back of the house.

It’s bigger than I expected and has Ollie written all over it—stylish in a subtle way. He’s bought expensive furniture that doesn’t scream at you, and that’s him. He wears the good stuff but never looks pretentious.

“Nice bed.” I grin.

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