And the question told Connor that he wasn’t hiding his emotions as well as he thought. Not if Laurence could see he wasn’t happy.
Austin leaned against the desk and looked coolly in Laurence’s direction. “We have a lot to catch up on,” he said.
“Go on, Laurence. I’ll be down in a bit,” Connor said, moving out of the way of the door.
“Okay…” Laurence paused as he passed Connor, searching his face, but went out the door. Connor waited until he was down the stairs before he reached out to close it.
“Why are you here?” Connor asked.
“I was worried.” Austin kicked off the desk and approached Connor. He ran a hand self-consciously through his silvery, pale hair and tucked an errant strand behind his ear. It drew Connor’s gaze to the tight corner of his jaw, the slope of his throat. Memories of having his lips against the curves there crossed his mind. “You didn’t answer any of my calls or texts—”
“And what about that made you think I—”
Austin cupped Connor’s cheeks, kissing him suddenly.
Connor froze, startled. Austin’s tongue pressed against the seam of Connor’s lips, beckoning them to open.
Connor gathered himself. He took hold of Austin’s shoulders and shoved him back. “That ship haswellsailed, Austin,” he said, his voice coming out low and angry.
Austin’s eyes glittered up at him, unperturbed by the rejection. “I was worried. I’ve been calling to see if you are alright, but it all went straight to voicemail.”
“Funny. You didn’t seem too worried when I was in jail.”
Austin bit his bottom lip. “I was—look, I was afraid you would be angry with me. I didn’t know how to approach you. I didn’t know that nobody else would come forward to help you, either.”
Needles stabbed at Connor’s insides. Having Austin, of all people, point out that nobody was willing to stick up for him cut deep. He shoved that down, not letting it show.
“Why would I be angry?” Connor asked sarcastically. “Oh, right, the cheating thing? On my birthday?Realclassy.”
Anger sparked in Austin’s eyes. “I wasn’t cheating!” His voice squeaked. “I was—” Austin caught himself. He took in a breath and continued in a controlled tone. “That was Peter. He came in drunk, and he’s, you know, he’s real pushy and big.” The detachment in Austin’s voice had Connor’s inner voice singing,lie, lie, lie.
Connor didn’t remember what happened that night, but he could read Austin. And any doubts he’d had about the events of that night evaporated. Connor knew Austin well enough to spot the attempted deception a mile off, and when their eyes met, he was certain Austin saw that.
“Connor—”
“Don’t bother,” Connor said coldly. “I know what happened already.”
Austin looked sharply at Connor, scrutinising his face. “You remembered?”
Connor’s inner voice was back, whispering a question. The night was a blackout for Connor, buthow does he know that?
They stared at each other.
Doubt crept into Austin’s eyes. “You don’t remember.”
“And who said I don’t remember in the first place?” The only person Connor had told was his lawyer, who had dismissed him for lying.
Austin blinked several times, tears filling his eyes. “If you knew, you wouldn’t be angry with me.”
Connor reminded himself what happened that night: the tears were a lie. Connor didn’t care about Peter—they weren’t friends, it had been no betrayal—the betrayal was all Austin. And to have him here trying to excuse himself only filled Connor with disgust.
“I have no interest in getting back with you now or ever,” Connor said coldly.
“You’re only saying that because you’re angry.”
Connor didn’t get the chance to rebuff him; footsteps approached the door, followed closely by a knock. Connor reached out, opening the door, and Austin darted forwards, wrapping his arm around Connor’s waist.
Laurence peeked in at them, his gaze lingering at the point of contact.
