Page 84 of Men in Shorts

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?”

As they sang, Ben found his gaze drawn to Evan again and again. More often than not, Evan was looking back at him. His eyes held a sadness Ben couldn’t decipher. All he knew was that he wanted to wipe it away like a fingerprint on a crystal vase.

“We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.”

When they reached the final verse, everyone crossed arms and moved to the center. As he and Evan came face to face, Ben heard his deep, sweet voice tremble a bit over the words “for auld lang syne.”

Then they parted, the entire circle twisting round to face out before processing back to where they started, this time looking out instead of in. Leaving the past behind, as if that was a thing one could ever truly do.

As the last note faded, Ben turned to look for Evan, who was already heading for the exit to the main part of the castle.

Ben sped through the crowd to catch up to him. “And where do you think you’re going?”

“Away to bed,” Evan said without meeting his eyes.

“But there’s a football match on in the courtyard.”

Evan gestured to his suit. “I’m not dressed for football in the snow.”

“Nobody is. Some of them are playing in kilts! At least you’ve got trousers.” He tugged Evan’s sleeve. “’Mon, it’ll be a laugh.”

Evan shook his head. “It’s been a long day.”

“Yes, but we can all have a lie-in tomorrow.” Ben knew Evan wanted to be left alone, but he also knew it was the last thing Evanneeded. He attempted a joke. “Would you really abandon your team when they need you most?”

Evan finally looked at him, this time in horror.

Ben put a hand to his mouth. “Oh God.” Abandoning his team was exactly what Evan had done last April, an act that clearly haunted him to this day. “I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t mean?—”

“I know. You weren’t there. You didn’t know me.” Evan turned away. “Youdon’tknow me.”

“But I want to.” Ben stepped into his path. “Please. Isn’t it obvious?” He cringed inside at the desperation in his voice, but he kept his eyes on Evan’s face.

After a long moment, Evan glanced at the door to the courtyard. “Will you be playing?”

Ben barked out a laugh. “Me? I’m the exact opposite of an athlete, and besides, I despise that barbaric sport.”

“Goodnight, then.” Evan turned away again, this time with a hint of a smirk.

Ben stamped his foot. “Fine, I’ll play! If you’ll show me how.”

Ten minutes later, he was almost regretting it—almost. After his third tumble, his trousers were cold and wet from arse to ankle. But giving up wasn’t an option. As Evan taught him the basics, they’d picked up their banter from where they’d left off earlier, and Ben’s hopes began to…well, not soar, but at least take a tentative low-altitude test flight.

The game itself was a high-scoring one, as defending was impossible in the slippery snow. Ben got no goals, but he did manage to dribble halfway down the makeshift pitch before the ball got stuck in a drift. And he only lost his glasses once.

Soon everyone was soaked and shivering, so the game was called on account of widespread hypothermia.

“I heard you procured the best room for me,” Ben told Evan as they all made their way to the entrance of the larger, Victorian-era section of the castle.

“It’s the only one besides the honeymoon suite with a fireplace.” Evan ran a hand through his snow-damp hair, then looked round. “Don’t tell anybody, or they’ll all be wanting in.”

Ben was about to ask whether Evan was one of those “wanting in” when they stepped through the foyer into the Hall of the House. “Oh my God.”

Down the long corridor, a red carpet stretched beneath a series of white plaster arches, each featuring elaborate, elegant crown molding. Beneath their feet was the finest parquet floor Ben had ever seen.

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