Page 27 of Cream & Sugar
“Correct!” Shaun confirms. “And are they bigger or smaller than a latte?”
I humour him, pretending to think about it even though I know the answer.
“Bigger!” I say, proudly.
Shaun blinks. “Guess again.”
Shit.
“Only kidding,” I announce, in what I hope is a convincing tone, but inside I’m gutted I got it wrong again. I’m never going to learn all these stupid drinks.
The lights turn green and the car jerks forward. Is Shaun always this bad at driving? Maybe I’m putting him off.
“I never really liked the gym,” I explain, taking the reins again. “I get bored too fast. I’d rather do some sit-ups at home and save my money for nights out.”
Shaun accelerates as we approach a hill.
“Are you a night owl?” he asks.
“I guess.” I grin as I have a lightbulb moment. “Do you know Sabre?”
“Nope,” says Shaun, unsurprisingly. “Is that a bar?”
“It’s a club,” I clarify. “A gay club. The only one in West Marbank.”
Shaun blushes. He’s so cute I almost can’t take it. “Oh! No, I’ve never been. Is it, um, nice?”
“Depends on your definition of nice. It’s… sticky.” Shaun meets my eye in the rear-view mirror and I wink at him. “Who knows, maybe you’d like it.”
Shaun says nothing. Too much?
The buildings start to shrink as we leave the town centre. Soon, we’re driving through the quiet residential suburbs where most ofthe houses look identical. I direct Shaun through the web of lanes and cul-de-sacs until we reach Cherry Street.
“It’s this one,” I say, pointing out Rory’s bungalow. Shaun parks up on the left next to the empty driveway. No car—Rory must be out.
“Alright,” Shaun puts on the handbrake but leaves the engine running. “Well done for surviving your first shift.”
“Thank you!” I undo my seatbelt and twist around to face him. “And thanks for the lift home. It’s really nice of you.”
“Well, don’t get used to it,” he says. There’s a strange tightness to his voice which Shaun himself seems to notice as he quickly shakes his head. “Sorry, I’m shattered. Next time you see me, hopefully I’ll be better rested.”
“When will that be?” I ask.
Shaun stifles a yawn. “Anna will put you on the rota tomorrow. You’ll learn a lot from her, so listen to everything she says.”
That should be easy. Anna’s not as easy on the eyes as Shaun so I’ll probably be a lot less distracted.
“Will do!” I give him a thumbs up. Then, because I’m feeling bold, “Thanks, handsome.”
A shadow falls over Shaun’s face. The corner of his mouth twists like he’s sucking on something sour. Not the reaction I was expecting.
He meets my gaze and I’m shocked to see genuine hurt in his eyes.
“Freddie, I should warn you that comments like that are not really acceptable in the workplace.”
A heavy stone lands in my gut.Reallynot the reaction I was expecting.
“Well, we’re not technically in the workplace!” I joke, though Shaun doesn’t crack a smile. Shit, have I read this wrong? No. If there’s one thing I know, it’s when a guy is checking me out andhe wasdefinitelychecking me out. “Sorry, I thought maybe you liked—”
