Page 8 of Coming Out at Crofton Hall

Robin hadn’t alluded to there being trouble in paradise when Dorian had contacted him to arrange his visit, and even though Ben had mentioned a past issue, Dorian hadn’t wanted to ask in case it sounded like he was prying, or his ex thought he was interested in rekindling something if Robin were to find himself single.

“I don’t want to put my foot in it later, so what’s gone on?”

Ben wrinkled his nose. “Ultimately nothing. But there’s a lot of pretty people in the circles Robin moves in, he attracts men all the time. He’s a prime catch.”

Dorian didn’t want to think the worst, and Robin had never been the sort to cheat, but long-distance relationships, even for a short time, were not easy. “Did he… y’know… do something he shouldn’t?”

“No, well, not really. He was targeted by a persistent individual who orchestrated a situation so Robin, who admits he was flattered by the attention, was put in a compromising position.”

“Oh shit.”

“There were a couple of photos that managed to find their way onto social media that needed a lot of explanation. Simon wasn’t happy when he saw them.”

There were trophy hunters and gold diggers everywhere, and Robin must look to many like the prize of the century. “Fuck! I thought he was head over tit for Simon.”

“He is. Hindsight is an amazing teacher. Simon went over and they had a big talk, and Simon asked if he wanted to split up.”

He couldn’t imagine Robin had coped well with that. “And?”

“Robin told me he almost had a panic attack when Simon said it.”

“Did Robin consider it at all? I mean they could get back together once he’d done his time in New York.”

Ben stared at him incredulously. “Really, Dorian? I know you don’t know Simon, but you can’t think he would be happy to let Robin fuck about for a few months then come back as if nothing had happened?”

It had been what he’d suggested to Robin when they’d split. He’d been deep in denial, not wanting to admit they were over, hoping that Robin would get his hissy fit out of his system and they’d try again. Looking back, he’d been a proper twat, and Robin and him had no future as partners.

“I guess that’s a no.”

“It gave Robin the scare he needed. He’s still going out, and he’s put in more boundaries with the guy in question, but there’s always someone trying to bag a man like Robin. Simon’s like Ashley, he puts up with it knowing he can trust Robin, like Ashley can trust me, but that trust has to be earned and maintained.”

“You and Ashley are married, have Davy, it’s hardly the same.”

“Robin’s life goals aren’t so different, and he’s realised that Simon isn’t going to sit around and be treated like he’s not important. He had enough of that with his ex-husband.”

Robin had said Simon’s ex was an arsehole and Robin had a protective streak in him worse than a mother bear. “No doubt Robin’s got a plan. Can’t see him letting Simon slip through his fingers if he’s really serious about him.”

“You’re not upset about that?” Ben asked carefully.

“No, I’ve got over my wanker phase.”

He’d missed having a long-term partner, waking up with someone, having a boyfriend he could confide in. For years he’d thought he’d found his happy ever after with Robin, but he’d been kidding himself, not reading the signs as Robin became less and less satisfied with their relationship and his life playing PA to a movie star in public. The man he was today was very different to the one Dorian had started dating, and he didn’t think him and the new Robin would have lasted more than a few months, let alone the six years they were together. But they were now shaping up to be good friends.

“So what about my offer?” Ben said.

“Eh?”

“Crofton Hall. And you moving in for a while.”

As much as he liked the idea, he wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. “I’ll think about it. You’ve enough going on without adding me into the mix.”

“Don’t be all fucking noble, it doesn’t suit you.”

The car glided to a halt and he saw through the tinted glass that they had arrived on Fifth Avenue. He should have known the Flint family would have property in the most exclusive part of the city. Dorian was a rich man, but it wasn’t until after he’d split from Robin that he’d really considered how wealthy Robin’s family, and Robin himself, were. The driver opened the car door and Dorian stepped out, staring upwards at the towering skyscraper. “Not a bad place for a pied-à-terre,” he joked as he walked toward the tower’s doorman, Ben next to him.

“Have to slum it from time to time, I suppose.”

They were shown to the elevator and escorted to the penthouse. Dorian was used to a certain level of security and having been without his minders for the last few days had been freeing, but this was different and it smacked of wealth well beyond him and Ben.

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