Page 21 of After the Siren
He had no idea what he meant.
Cunningham turned and opened the door enough to stick his head out. ‘Paddy!’
Theo heard a door open and then Paddy’s voice in the corridor. ‘Yeah?’
‘Come in and shut the door,’ Cunningham said, stepping back to let Paddy in.
Paddy put his back against the closed door. His eyes flicked between them, then narrowed. ‘What’s up?’
‘Tell Bestavros I’ve sucked a dick.’
Paddy blinked. To his credit, his voice stayed neutral as he answered. ‘He’s definitely sucked a dick.’ Paddy paused. ‘Not mine, if that’s relevant.’ He looked at Theo, then back at Cunningham. ‘Everything okay?’
‘Yeah,’ Cunningham said. ‘I just needed some help convincing Bestavros that I’m gay.’
‘Sucking a dick doesn’t necessarily make you gay,’ Paddy pointed out. ‘For example, I —’
Cunningham cut him off. ‘Yeah, I know. And thanks.’
Paddy nodded once. ‘Cool. I’m going to leave you to ... whatever this is.’ He waved a hand between them.
Then he looked at Cunningham, and his face softened. He reached for Cunningham’s forearm, wrapping his fingers around Cunningham’s wrist.
‘You good?’ he asked. The concern in his tone made guilt blossom under Theo’s breastbone, unexpected and unwelcome. He’d really fucked this up.
‘I’m good,’ Cunningham said.
Paddy looked at Theo once more before he left, his gaze measuring. ‘I hope so.’ He closed the door behind him.
Cunningham was still looking at Theo, his chin slightly raised. He didn’t look angry, now. He looked like he was waiting for Theo’s next move.
‘You’re gay.’ Theo said.
‘Yeah.’
And now would be the time to apologise. ‘I didn’t realise,’ he said instead.
‘No shit.’ Cunningham pushed himself off the wall. ‘This has been a great chat, but I’m gonna go.’ His voice hardened again. ‘Don’t run your mouth about it. I’m not out to everyone.’
Theo bristled, the guilt receding. ‘Is that a threat?’ Was Cunningham really going to gomutually assured destructionon this?
‘It was a fucking request,’ Cunningham said. ‘I wouldn’t out someone.’
‘Okay.’
Theo needed to explain. He needed to fix this. He might not like Cunningham, but Cunningham was an integral part of the team, and pissing him off had been a terrible idea. And also he’d justcome outto Theo, and Theo had ... well.
‘I didn’t know —’
‘Yeah, it’s cool,’ Cunningham snapped. ‘You just assumed I was a complete cunt for no reason.’
Theo snorted. ‘Sure, no reason.’
Cunningham rolled his eyes. ‘I’m sorry I went on that fucking show, okay? I didn’t know about the skit. It’s not like they asked my opinion first.’
‘I don’t give a fuck about the skit,’ Theo bit out. ‘I give a fuck about you sitting there telling everyone I didn’t have what it takes.’
Cunningham blinked at him. ‘What?’
