Page 51 of Second Story

“I’ll be there with Hadi. I won’t reply to Joe until you and I have a chance to catch up. Talk to him, Isaac. Or play.” I’m not sure if he winks at me again, like he did across the dining hall at breakfast. He definitely says, “But do think.”

I nod again. Both Luke and the padre nod back.

As for me, I get busy texting, only to see that Joe’s added another message to the ones he already sent me

Joe:No pressure.

Breathing again then is easy. So is sending him two quick replies.

Isaac:None felt.

That’s almost my whole truth.

I complete it.

Isaac:Can’t wait to see you later.

14

ISAAC

Joe’s train arrives at seven on the dot and yes, it’s been a week since I last saw him, but the few minutes he takes to exit the station take even longer.

Luke’s trauma response list plays on an internal loop while I wait, only I don’t feel a single urge to fight the man who emerges from the station entrance to scan the car park. As for flight, I’m more in danger of running to Joe rather than away. He stands still while other travellers part around him, a rock unmoved by their tide. I still make myself stay right where I am, leaning against the side of my van, one boot braced against a tyre, but so much for playing it cool. As soon as Joe spots me, seagulls swoop in my belly.

I can only hope he doesn’t notice as he gets closer, but maybe he does.

Joe stops again a good few feet from me. He sounds relaxed, yet I’m pretty sure him setting down his bag to thrust both hands deep into his pockets is a sign that he isn’t. “No worries if you changed your mind.”

I straighten up. “About?”

“Seeing me again.” He doesn’t quite make eye contact. “It’s happened before.”

“What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “Just that I’ve turned up to restaurants only for my date to pop to the bathroom and never come back. Or met someone clubbing who dances away the minute the lights come on.” He pulls a hand free and studies the back of it while sounding casual. “It’s no big deal. I can eat or dance alone.” I think he aims for joking. “A bang in the dark is one thing, right? Candlelit conversation is another, but I get it. And people are allowed to change their?—”

I don’t wait for him to finish and I stop aiming for cool by taking the few steps left to grab his bag, then take his hand with my free one and pull. “That’s their loss.”

The van hides a kiss I only mean to be quick. It’s fierce instead and maybe he’s as dazed by it as me to sound this husky. “You look so fucking good.”

I grin. “I’d say the same, only...” He freezes until my knuckles brush a brown stain on his shirt front, and I sniff. “Hot chocolate? You’re meant to drink it, not wear it.”

Just like that, he relaxes. “This?” His own knuckles brush the same stain. “It was courtesy of my last court client. Occupational hazard. Angry kids and hot drinks really don’t go together.”

I can’t help firing a sharp question. “How hot?”

Who knew that two little words would turn him to butter. His gaze melts. “Not hot enough to burn me. And Kwasi wasn’t trying to hurt me on purpose. He was frustrated, that’s all. Just a kid who was pleased one minute at getting to add whipped cream and marshmallows to his drinks order, then wrecked at what he’ll face soon. I don’t blame him for reacting. Better he loses his shit with me rather than during his trial. Was hoping to strip his fears away by looking around the court with him while it was empty. Almost made it inside. Then this happened.” Hetouches that stain one more time. “And what I actually meant to say was that it’s really good to see you.”

“You, too.”

He drops his hand from his chest. I can’t. Not yet. I standin the shadow of my van, pressing both palms to his breadth. He’s so solid, so warm, and I’m even warmer when he asks after my brother.

“Where’s Lenny?”

The last time he asked that, I heard accusation. Now all I hear is care. “He’s at the boarding house. It’s movie night. I left him glued to Tor’s side, but he wants me to tuck him in later. Made me promise I’d be back in time, but I don’t think it will be too long until I’m completely redundant. He’s already refused to move into the staff rooms Luke allocated. Look.” I dig out my phone. “Ruth just sent this. I’m never gonna get him to move into the stables with me.”

“Stables?”

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