Page 169 of In at the Deep End

“Another apology.” Matt glanced at him. “What for this time?”

“For distracting you.”

“You weren’t.”

Owen nodded towards the television. “Watch the film.”

Matt did.

But Owen couldn’t settle again. He could feel the warmth of Matt beside him, could feel the small distance he’d deliberately placed between them, and suddenly it seemed less like sensible space and more like a barrier he’d built with his own hands.

Matt didn’t understand why it was there.

Owen wasn’t sure he understood it himself.

The patio door opened, and Owen looked up.

Jeff stood there, one hand still on the door frame. “Hey, neighbour.”

“Hey.” Something in Jeff’s expression killed Owen’s urge to smile. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Babs wanted to know whether you still need those extra chairs for the housewarming.”

“I thought she was bringing them.”

“She is. I’m just checking whether you need more.”

“Probably, yeah.”

Jeff nodded, but his attention had already shifted. His gaze moved from Matt to Owen and then to the space between them. It lingered on Owen’s hand, which was still hovering close to Matt’s shoulder, as though Owen’s body hadn’t caught up with his decision to pull away.

For some reason, Owen’s stomach turned.

Jeff cleared his throat. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.” He started backing towards the patio.

“Jeff—”

But the door was already sliding closed.

For several seconds, neither Owen nor Matt spoke.

Matt finally turned towards him. “What was that about?”

Owen kept his eyes on the glass door through which Jeff had disappeared.

“I have no idea.”

The lie sounded weak even to his own ears. Jeff hadn’t walked in on anything.

So what did he see? Me touch Matt? Him leaning into me?

Except Owen knew it wasn’t that simple.

Matt waited. When Owen didn’t elaborate, he turned back towards the television, maintaining that new distance between them.

Owen felt the withdrawal immediately, and this time, he had no idea how to fix it without breaking the promise he’d made to himself.

He’d wanted to keep Matt safe.