Page 61 of Open Water

Turns out that my Dad is not completely useless at shopping, as the kitchen table is full of useful ingredients. He at least understood what I kind of had planned. Thank God. Turns out my boyfriend can cook too. Fuck me, I’m a lucky bastard.

Said boyfriend is now standing in my kitchen, chopping onions and singing along to some musical number on Spotify, smiling at me frying mince in the pan. We’re making a mess. But whatever. There is going to be food. And blowjobs. He has promised. And my cock is planning on cashing in.

I get a quick kiss on the cheek as he passes me to go to the bathroom to wash his hands, since we have kind of blocked the kitchen sink with lettuce and shit. He says it’s to 'crispen it up', whatever that means…

“Pumpkin?” he calls from the hallway and I back out to check what he’s up to now. Probably tricking me into some prank.

Instead, he is standing there, staring at the bloke standing frozen in the bathroom doorway. Staring at us like we are bloody murderers.

Yeah. Because there he is. Lukas Myrtengren. Our teacher and the love of my Dad’s life, with his clothes all twisted and wrinkled, angry red sleep lines on his cheek, looking like he is trying to sneak out without us noticing. Yeah, and the dude has GUILTY written all over his face.

Which is not on. Fuck this. You mess with my Dad, you answer tome.

MAX

“Where’s Dad?” I snarl. I can’t help it. If Lukas is here, Dad needs to be here. I can’t do this on my own.

“Why is he here?” Matteo looks really confused. Staring at Lukas holding his hands up in the air, then staring at me. Then Lukas. Like he is trying to figure it all out.

“He’s my Dad’s boyfriend,” I say. Provocative, I know. Fuck you, Lukas.

“WHAT?” Matteo shrieks, and then, he is laughing. “Your Dad’s gay too? Fuck you.”

“My Dad’s pan.” I sound calmer than I feel. Because the sound of waves is on a loop in my ears and I need someone to rescue me, or this is all going to end up with me in a ball on the floor and Lukas running out the door.

“Why is he leaving? He was leaving? He’s been here all this time?” Matteo makes no sense at all. But then he doesn't know the full story. I don't even know why I haven't told him. I suppose I just haven't had time. It just hasn't been my priority to fill my boyfriend in on my Dad’s pathetic love life.

“I wasn’t leaving,” Lukas says. His voice is strong, yet not as calm as he seems on the outside. His mouth is twitching. Like he is trying to get his teacher mode back on, but not quite managing too.

“You were leaving. Doing the walk of shame. Shag and run.” Matteo is a little shit.

“Shut it, babes,” I say. Then mouth, “Sorry,” because Matteo now looks crushed, still with onion crap on his hands.

“Where is Dad?” I repeat, trying to swallow down the panic in my chest. I need Dad. I need Matteo. I need Lukas to just disappear. Well, only long enough so I can get myself back under control.

“Still sleeping,” Lukas says, and crosses his arms over his chest.

“So why were you sneaking out?” I’m gasping for air now. Wheezing with every word.

“He’s not well, Lukas. Get his Dad. Look at me, Pumpkin. Just breathe. Deep breaths. Look at me.” Matteo is all over me, hands around my face. Lukas is taking a few tentative steps towards the stairs, no doubt thinking about how to escape.

“I’m okay,” I almost shout. “Stay.” I am pointing at Lukas, who is now frozen on the stairs.

“I wasn't trying to leave. I just needed to take a piss. I need to get your Dad up. He only wanted to sleep for a few hours.” Lukas’s eyes are a little wild. Flickering between Matteo and me. He’s scared. Almost as scared as me.

“Yes, you were. You have ‘walk of shame’ written all over your face.” Matteo has his arms around me now, almost like he is trying to protect me whilst I am panting into his cheek. I’m not panicking. Yet I am. But I’m not. Because Matteo is here and the smell of him is wrapping around me like a blanket.

Yet, that bloody Lukas has his defences up so high that he’s terrifying me. Which is not like him. Lukas is nice. Lukas is always calm. Lukas doesn't take any shit. He definitely doesn't take any shit from Matteo and me.

“Look, you two. I know this is awkward as fuck, but please, let me deal with Tom, and don’t start stirring up shit that you know nothing about.”

“He’s my Dad, and he’s not made of stone you know.” I sound like a dork, but whatever. “Don’t mess with him, Lukas.”

This is when I wish I was six feet tall and full of muscles, so I could just stand here and stare him down until he crumbled and cried. But I’m not. I’m skinny and hopeless, breathing far too fast and I can barely survive these days without Matteo holding me close. Which he is now. His arms in a protective circle around me like I am a child. Well, a kid with breathing troubles.

“I’m getting your Dad,” Lukas says. He looks a bit pale.

“I’m fine,” I hiss. I’m not.

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