Page 51 of Now Comes the Dark

Roman sighed. “I can handle abuse outside, in the streets. It’s a lot harder to bear when it’s our own home.”

Mallon sat up straighter. “Do you want me to take care of this asshole?”

“No. God, no. That would only make it worse. Until Ashley wakes up to the fact that he’s dating a monster, nothing will change.”

Ashley hollered something back at Patrick, but his words were incomprehensible through the walls.

Mallon drew a sharp breath and leapt from the bed. He paced the floor agitatedly. Roman got up to pacify him, concealing his own anger at the other couple.

“Let me put on some music. It will drown them out.”

Mallon shook his head. His expression had changed in a matter of seconds, from post-sex bliss to extreme anxiety. Roman had never seen him look so serious.

“We need to talk,” Mallon said in a rush. “I didn’t come here for sex. There are…things I need to tell you.”

Suddenly the floor beneath Roman’s feet seemed unsteady, like it would fall away at any time. “Okay.” He searched Mallon’s features for a clue and got nothing.

“I can’t do it here…with them.” He jabbed his finger towards the wall. He searched the room for his clothes, picking up his jeans and stepping into them. “I hate this bullshit. There’s something I need to tell you, and I can’t do it here.”

“You’re worrying me now.”

Mallon found his boots and pulled them on. He avoided Roman’s gaze.

The voices from the next room grew louder.

“Let’s go,” Mallon said, finally looking at Roman. His pale grey eyes were unfathomable. “Please. Get dressed. Let’s get out of here. I feel like…the walls are closing in on us.”

“I’m not sure I should leave them,” Roman said, “when they’re fighting.”

“Fuck them,” Mallon yelled. “They are going to argue whether you are here or not. I need to speak to you, and if I don’t tell you tonight, I’m not sure I’ll have the courage to ever tell you at all.”

The power of his words hung heavily in the room.

“All right,” Roman said, unable to stand the strain any longer. There was nothing he could do for Ashley and Patrick, but what he could do for Mallon was listen. “Let’s go.”

He picked up his clothes and started to dress.

Chapter Nineteen

Confessions

Mallon didn’t have a lot to say as they left the flat and walked into town. Roman remained torn. Was it a good idea to leave Ashley and Patrick in the middle of an argument? With his size and strength, Patrick could do some serious damage if the fight turned physical. However, Mallon seemed desperate to talk to him, to unburden himself of some great secret. Was it fair to jeopardise his own relationship for the sake of many long-running disputes between his flatmate and fuck-wit boyfriend?

Roman would text him when they got wherever they were going.

If Ashley gave any indication that he was in trouble, Roman would hurry back.

The night had turned colder in the hour since he’d come home. Their breath swirled in clouds around their faces.

“I’m starving,” Roman said. “I only had a yogurt and an apple for lunch today. Can we stop so I can get something hot to eat.”

Mallon’s brow furrowed in concern. “Shit. I’m sorry. It didn’t occur to me, turning up at your apartment, waiting for you to come home. I’m so stupid.”

“It’s fine…really. It’s my own fault for not taking a proper lunch break again.”

They came to the outskirts of the city centre. “What do you want? Steak? Pizza? Italian?”

Roman shook his head. They were approaching a small café called Chez Michelle that served food until late. It was basic but reliable, and at this time on a Tuesday night, he figured it would be quiet. They could eat, and Mallon could get off his chest whatever it as that bothered him.

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