“Sure am. If it means the two boys in my life ending up happy? I’ll support whatever harebrained scheme you come up with.”
“In that case”—I put the picture to the side and grinned at my father—“I think we’d better discuss your upcoming fishing trip.”
13
Ryan
Xander came into the kitchen and sniffed the air. “Thai green curry? You spoil me.”
I stirred the pot and flashed him a grin over my shoulder. “Don’t expect this every night. This is your coming home treat. As of tomorrow, you can fend for yourself.”
I could’ve pulled one of the many meals Dom had left me from the fridge, but I’d needed to do something with myself. Anything aside from thinking about him. About how his visit with Frank had gone.
Xander pursed his lips and I could almost see his mind working. Suddenly he sighed. “Damn, I wish I’d known.”
I turned to face him fully. “What do you mean?”
“I have plans. I’m meeting some old friends down the pub in thirty minutes.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t have any friends.”
“Ouch.” Xander clutched his chest dramatically. “Shoot me, why don’t you? It’d be less painful.”
I pointed the wooden spoon in his direction, not buying the bullshit he was trying to sell. “You know what I mean. All your friends live in York or Portsmouth, or they’rescattered around the country. You don’t know anyone here apart from me.”
“Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet,” Xander said airily, already backing towards the door. “And I can’t have you as my only support network, not when you’re fucking off with Frank for a week.”
I had no idea what Xander was planning, but whatever it was, he wasn’t about to let it go. Blowing out a breath, I turned off the heat and put a lid over the curry. “Fine. Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready.”
“You’re not invited.”
My nose wrinkled. “Why the fuck not?”
“Handsome guy like you will cramp my style.”
I gave him a flat look. “I thought you were going to make friends, not get laid.”
“Why not do both?” Xander said cheerily. “Anyway, I’m going alone, so you should find someone else to share dinner with you.”
“Like who?”
“I don’t know…” Xander stroked his chin, pretending to be deep in thought. “How about Dominic? You know, the hot, brooding, tattooed ex who just so happens to live next door.”
I sighed, leaning back against the counter. “What game are you playing, Xander?”
“No game,” he said innocently. “It’d be a good way to thank him for nursing you back to health though.”
“A good way to encourage his feelings,” I said darkly.
Xander’s laughter caught me off guard. It was loud and unbridled, blaring through kitchen. I glared at him as he doubled over, clutching at his stomach. “What?”
It took him another minute before he got it under control. His eyes danced with mirth as he straightened. “You’re hilarious.”
“Evidently. Going to share why?”
“Because you think there’s a chance you can encourage his feelings.” Xander chuckled. “Trust me, Ryan. There’s no hope of that.”
My gut twisted. Had I read this whole situation wrong?