“You heard any more about the home help for Betty?”
Predictably Oliver scowled. He still didn’t like the idea of leaving her, but his mum, his brother, Claire, and especially Betty had been adamant that she’d be fine with someone to help her clean and do the gardening. They wanted Oliver to start looking for his own place like he’d originally planned.
“Sally starts on Monday.” He fiddled with the handle of his mug, then sighed. “She’s lovely, really, and Betty thinks she’s wonderful. It’s just...” He shrugged, and Ed reached for his hand.
“I know. But you shouldn’t feel guilty. Betty was telling me how Sally cleans for a couple of the others on the street and how she’s already offered to take Betty up to Tesco on a Tuesday morning.” Ed had heard all about Sally and how much Betty liked her at their weekly tea-and-cake chats. “Everyone else is happy with this arrangement, Betty included. They want you to start living your life again, that’s all.”
“Guess I should start looking for somewhere else to live then.” He drank the rest of his tea, setting the mug down with purpose before meeting Ed’s eyes. “You know I probably won’t be able to afford anywhere around here, right?”
Ed nodded, “Not on your own, but—”
“I’ve no intention of sharing again.” Oliver snorted. That’s the whole reason I was living at Betty’s—to save enough so I’d have more than a room in a shared house.” He shuddered. “Can’t go back to that.” Ed opened his mouth, but Oliver wasn’t done. “I’ve got details on a couple of flats already.” He looked kind of sheepish. “Would you come look at them with me?”
Ed opened his mouth to ask the question he’d been sitting on all week. “Of course I will, but I’d really—” A loud banging on the front door interrupted them, and Ed cursed under his breath.
Who the hell is that?
Turned out it was Rob.
“Sorry,” he said, a little out of breath. “I’ve got Betty’s new bed in the van. Can you help me get it inside?”
“You said you were bringing that over tomorrow?” Oliver frowned and Ed cursed Rob’s timing.
“I know, but I’ve got to go in to work now, so thought I’d get it done today.” He leaned against the door frame. “Didn’t you get my text?”
“Shit. It came when I was at the shelter, but I had my hands full. Forgot all about it.”
Rob rolled his eyes. “Typical.” He glanced between them. “Sorry to interrupt your Saturday, but I need to get the van back this afternoon...”
“Yeah, okay, give me a minute to get my shoes on.” Oliver sent Ed an apologetic glance, which Ed waved away, already reaching for his own trainers.
“It’ll be quicker with three,” Ed said, earning a smile and a kiss.
Unloading the bed turned into assembling the bed, which turned into a meal and drinks afterward. The right moment never seemed to present itself.
Oliver had offered to help Ruth with the girl’s paintballing party on Sunday, which Ed had graciously ducked out of, citing a bad back. “You sure you don’t want to come?” Oliver wrapped his arms around Ed’s waist, pressing him against the wall in the hallway.
“Not to play paintball, no.” He squeezed Oliver’s arse, making him groan. “Besides, I have something I need to do.”
“Oh?” Oliver looked up at him, eyes narrowing. “What’s that?”
Ed shrugged a shoulder. “Just something.”
“I see how it is.” Oliver laughed as he stepped back. “Excellent. You know how I love surprises.”
“I’m aware.” Ed just hoped he liked this one.
OLIVER ACHED IN places he didn’t know he could ache.
Paintballing wasn’t for the faint-hearted, that was for sure. Not with teenage girls, anyway. They were vicious.
“Ow.” Oliver flinched when Ed pulled him in for a hug, squeezing his arse. “I have a bruise on my left cheek the size of an apple.”
Ed snorted. “Who shot you on the arse?”
“Ruth!” Oliver said, huffing out a laugh of his own. “She was on my bloody team!”
Oliver felt Ed’s shoulders shake, warm breath fanning over the side of his neck. “Stop laughing.”
