Page 125 of The Rat

Sebastian sighed through hisnose. “He’s put his house up for sale, but with all the buildingtraffic, andthe sound, and dust, I doubt he’ll get the price he wants for it. Imay even take pity on him and offer to buy it.”

“I think he’d rather burnit to the ground.”

Sebastian tipped his head back andbarked a laugh.

****

The apartment was only ashortdrive,and when Rory looked up, a small smile tickled his lips. They atetogether, had sex, worked out, and played chess, just like they hadinside, but they did new things, too. Sebastian liked behindoutside, he liked walking through woodlands, across fields, andbeaches. Their hands linked as they walked, and Rory’s heart alwaysdid an excited thump when Sebastian reached for him.

Sebastian likedOodles, buthated Flip Over with a burning passion. They ate chips at Rashfordpier and sat on the bench where all their lies had come out intothe open. Rory felt a little less alone and broken each day, andwhen he told Sebastian, he said he felt the same.

Roryhad a home with Sebastian, a life,and when he walked into the hall, he released a long breath, shuthis eyes, and stood for a few seconds. Sebastian came up behind himand rubbed his shoulders.

“You’ve got another letterfrom Captain.”

“You read it?”

“Nope. It’s in the kitchen.”

Sebastian released him, and Rorystrolled into thekitchen. He ripped open the letter, and his eyes roamedCaptain’s scribbly handwriting. He’d been seeing Jenkins regularly,and although he didn’t say so in the letters, Rory hoped thesessions were helping. In each letter he always wrote a paragraphabout Ollie, and Rory’s heart soared when Captain told him Leo hadbeen to visit. His own visiting orders were still going unanswered,but he hoped with enough time, Ollie would give him a chance toexplain.

Sebastian stepped into thekitchen and flung his jacket at the back of a chair. His tank top clung tohis chest, and Rory gave him an appreciative look.

“I was gonna do pesto pastafor dinner?”

Rory scrunched his nose and put theletter down. “I’ll cook.”

“I’m not thatbad.”

“Yeah, you kindaare…”

“You’ve got a weak stomach, that’s all itis.”

Rory snorted. “Weak after youpoisoned it…Where’s the recipe?”

“On my laptop.”

Rory snorted, walked over to thelaptop, and flicked the lid open. He froze at what the web-browserhad been left on. “How to cheat at chess.”

Sebastian rushedover. “It’s a typo.It should say how to get better at chess.”

“It definitely sayscheat.”

“Nah.” Sebastian reachedfor the laptop, but Rory slid it away.

“I can’t believeyou.”

Sebastian raised his hands.“Okay,Officer Matterson, you’ve got me.”

“Caught you in the act, you’re in for itnow.”

A noise close to a purr escapedSebastian’s lips, and his pupils darkened.

“Surely there must besomething I can do to keep you quiet.”

Rory matched Sebastian’s coysmile with his own. “Like what?”

Sebastian steppedcloser, and adevouring expression came over his face. Rory resisted the urge toback into the cupboard door.

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