Page 45 of Unrequited Sloth

The memory of Dexter persuading him to “Just give Sergio a try” came back to him, as did Jason’s “You’ll at least get a hot fuck out of it” comment afterwards. He couldn’t get his head around this now, so he’d reply later. Gabriel could just go out for dinner. He didn’t have to do anything, and he rarely slept with guys on the first date anyway. The tattooed builder with the curved cock and poor aim being the exception in the last few months. Maybe going on a date with another guy would be a good idea, and would help him to stop fantasising about something that would never happen.

CHAPTER 15

BOBBY

“What do you mean, no?” asked Bobby.

“I don’t want a stranger in the flat,” said Gabriel.

“I thought it would help.”

“I can do it myself.”

“But I’ve heard you complaining.”

Gabriel snorted. “I always complain about it, even when it’s just my mess.”

“I want to do my bit.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to ask this, but how did it work with my sister?”

“I paid someone, and she was thrilled about it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not. It’s fine. I’ll do the cleaning, and you can buy the stuff I need to do it. Deal?”

Bobby smiled. He wanted to help around the flat, but cleaning was not his forte. Even in uni, he would go without food to pay a cleaner. The entire process was boring as fuck, and there were better things to do with his time.

“Can you send me the links, so I know what to get?”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Have you heard of bleach? Or polish?”

“Of course. It’s just I want to make sure I get the ones you like.”

Gabriel looked at him sceptically. Bobby knew he could be messy, but he’d always believed there wasn’t a problem that couldn’t be fixed with money, or flirting, and both were even more effective.

“I guess there had to be something that meant you weren’t perfect,” said Gabriel.

“You think I’m perfect?” he asked with a smile.

He felt his stomach get all fluttery at the thought of Gabriel thinking of him like that. Bobby was far from perfect, but he’d take the compliment, especially if it was from Gabriel. The man’s eyes widened, realising what he’d said.

“I’m gonna go and . . .” Gabriel trailed off and left the kitchen looking embarrassed.

What did he have to be embarrassed about? Bobby thought Gabriel was perfect as well. Maybe he should have said that. If he went after him now to say it, it probably wouldn’t sound genuine. Maybe he could find another way to tell him how amazing he was. Friends gave each other compliments, didn’t they? And Bobby enjoyed seeing him smile.

Gabriel looked a lot better than he had on Thursday. He was always well put together, so seeing him hanging after a night out was funny. Bobby had brought him food and anything else he needed. He’d gotten up this morning to clean the kitchen, but Gabriel had already done it. Bobby was grateful, but he also felt bad. Maybe he could do something for Gabriel. Perhaps they could go out for dinner tonight, rather than getting their usual takeaway. Excited about the idea, he went into the lounge and saw Gabriel looking intently at his phone. Bobby thought it would be funny to sneak up on him, but before he could pounce, he recognised the man in the picture Gabriel was looking at.

“How do you know Sergio?”

“Jesus Christ, Bobby,” he said, his body jerking. “You frightened the shit out of me.”

“Sorry, so how do you know Sergio?”

Sergio was a senior associate at work. He was a nice enough guy. Bit cocksure of himself in Bobby’s opinion, but that didn’t matter. What he wanted to know was why Gabriel had a picture of him, and why Bobby felt funny about it.

“I’m meeting him tonight. Jason connected us.”

“On a date?” he asked, a bit too loudly.