Page 55 of Hold On

They talked with their hands still linked. Conversation flowed in a way Dominic had thought would be impossible because what did he have in common with anyone? He’d not lived in the same world as Ren for almost sixteen years. But they’d both been hurt, were both recovering. They’d read many of the same books, enjoyed thrillers and suspense novels as well as fantasy, they’d watched some of the same TV shows despite Dominic’s limited choice, though they liked very different food. Dominic might have had a limited choice of what to eat, but it was still the same week after week.

Ren had travelled and Dominic hadn’t, but he knew about the countries Ren had seen and enjoyed hearing about them from someone who’d been there. Though Ren talking about America was a reminder that he’d never be able to go there himself. Nor Australia or New Zealand. It was sad but Dominic wouldn’t let that get him down. There were plenty of places hecouldvisit, once he had the money.And permission.

They talked about their brothers, found happy memories that made them both laugh. That Dominic could find good memories made his heart sing. Did Col remember? Like the time Dominic had forged his mother’s signature and taken Col out of school for the day. They’d wandered around the National History Museum and it had been brilliant, though Dominic had to make Col promise not to tell anyone. Ren’s brother had slept with him in a tent in the garden for two weeks to raise money for charity and they’d built fires and toasted marshmallows.

But when they heard children’s voices, they pulled on their T-shirts, packed up and headed for the bike. There were several cars in the parking area, including a minibus from a school. Two men were standing next to the bike and when one of them tugged at one of the helmets, Ren hissed and walked faster. Dominic kept up with him, the hairs standing up on his body as his pulse started to race.

“Hi, guys,” Ren called. “Look, but don’t touch, please.”

When the bigger of the men looked around as if he were checking who was watching, Dominic began to perspire. His brain was screaming the wordtroubleand his natural inclination was to walk away, but he couldn’t desert Ren.Please don’t let anything kick off.He could hear Ren talking but found it hard to take in what he was saying. Dominic had his fists clenched at his sides and all he could think was that if this went wrong, he could be back in prison by tonight. But he didn’t want Ren to get hurt. He was recovering from horrendous injuries so Dominic would have to step in if this turned violent.Fuck!

Even after the guys had wandered away, Dominic remained stiff with tension.

“Okay?” Ren handed him the jacket.

It was a moment before Dominic could raise his hand to take it.

“You’re not okay.” Ren stepped right up to him. “It’s fine. They weren’t trouble. Everything’s all right. Take a breath.”

Dominic pulled himself together and put on the jacket. He hoped to hell he wasn’t going to react like that to any sign of confrontation. He put on the helmet and as Ren checked it was tight enough, he smiled and stroked Dominic’s lips. “Smile. Everything’s fine.”

Once they were out on the road, the bike gathered speed and Dominic felt the tension leach from his body. He refused to be institutionalised.Fuck, as if refusing made a difference.It was going to take a while to get used to the world, but he couldn’t react like that to anything he thought was trouble. Yet it wasn’t a part of him he could switch off. For the whole of the time he’d been inside, he’d been prepared to react because anything could and would go down in prison. A mug of tea accidentally slopped, a look on a face that someone decided was wrong, a guy snoring like a chainsaw…

But he wasn’t in prison.

Not everyone was out to get him.

“Want to go straight back or call and get a drink somewhere?” Ren asked.

While he didn’t want the day to end, in a way it had ended for him. He felt he’d let himself down. “Straight back.” But he cursed himself as he said it. Why was he allowing something that had turned out to be nothing spoil the day?

“Don’t let those guys get to you,” Ren said.

He can read my mind?But then, it had been obvious what had distressed him.

“Don’t wear anything special tomorrow for digging. See if your brother has some old clothes. Hat and suncream too. And sunglasses. How strong are your knees?”

Dominic clamped his knees harder on Ren’s thighs. Ren moaned, loudly and for a long time, and Dominic’s laugh was genuine. Today, for the first time in so many years, reality had exceeded anything his imagination could have come up with. Ren was real. What they’d done was real. Dom had talked normally to someone about stuff that didn’t matter and yet mattered more than he could ever say.

I like him. I think he likes me.

Though by the time they got back, Dominic was wondering if this was a one-off or…? Ren put the jackets in the box and secured the helmets.

“Thanks for today,” Dominic said. “Are you exhausted?”

“I’ll survive.” Ren stepped forward and pressed his lips to Dominic’s.

As Dominic was thinking about inviting him in, and whether that would be okay with Col and Theo, Ren moved back.

“I had fun,” Ren said.

“So did I.”

“Thank God for that!” Ren smiled and walked away.

Dominic blew out a silent breath, still unsure about what today had meant. He unlocked the door and headed up the stairs. He’d thought that Theo and Col weren’t in, but several minutes later they emerged from their bedroom looking…flustered.

“Hi,” Col said. “Had a good day?”

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