“How did you know I was here?”
Taylor’s cheeks blushed. “Told Mel to tell me if you turned up at lecture.”
Aaron shook his head.Therewas the reason he should’vebeen honest with Mel. If he’d told her what had happened, what Taylor might have inadvertently or blatantly been involved in, then she wouldn’t be sending him Aaron’s way. He couldn’t blame her though. Mel was part of the LGBTQ+ Society committee now. Having taken on the role of Secretary to Taylor’s continued reign of President. They were mates. And for a while, it had been a nice clique for Aaron to be in. To have actual friends.
“So, can I?” Taylor pointed to the chair.
“Free country.”
Taylor scraped out the chair and sat. “I’ve been calling you.”
“I know. Funny thing about these modern phones, they can now show us who’s called.Eighteentimes.”
Taylor winced, then recovered from his brief mortification. “Why didn’t you answer? Call me back?”
Aaron met his gaze head-on. “For exactly the reason you’re thinking.”
“I thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere.”
“Why would I be dead?”
“I don’t know!” Taylor snapped, and a few students glared over. He mouthed his apology to them, then lowered his voice. “I been on this netballer story all week and she just dropped dead. Started panicking you might have too, but somewhere no one could find you. Max and George said you just left the party. No word. Gone.”
“It was a shit party.”
“George said you had a bit to drink, though. Were you sick?”
“No.”
“Where did you go? Cause I went to your room.”
“You went to my room?”
“Yeah. Course. To see if you were okay.”
Or did he go for more nefarious reasons, believing he would find a pliant Aaron?
Aaron sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Do youremember when I said not to get too attached? That I wasn’t your boyfriend?”
Taylor gulped, leaning back. “We’ve been going out for nearly a year.”
“No, we’ve been fucking about for nearly a year. There’s a difference.”
“Are you dumping me?”
“We’d have to betogetherfor me to dump you, but if that helps you understand, then, yeah. We’re done. Or, I’m done.”
Taylor’s mouth twisted, disbelief and anger warring his expression. “What the fuck did I do?”
“I don’t know, Taylor. What the fuckdidyou do?”
“Nothing! I wasn’t evenatthe party.” Taylor’s outburst was getting more erratic now.
“Why does the party matter?”
“I don’t know! One minute you’re there, getting drunk, next off you fuck. George told you to stay in my room if you weren’t feeling well.”
“I was fine.”