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Elliot was standing in the doorway next to Noah, a flush on his high cheekbones, his light eyes sparkling as his mouth twisted into a shy smile. His hand lifted to his hair but then dropped, and I guessed it was because he didn’t want to risk messing up his perfectly styled waves. My gaze raked over his body—a pale blue shirt, perfectly fitted to his lean torso, the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up. The shirt was tucked into a pair of tight, deep blue jeans that made his legs look a million miles long, and he was wearing a pair of polished black leather Chelsea boots that I’d never seen before.
My heart rate kicked up, and my game controller suddenly felt damp under my grip. Why were my palms suddenly sweaty?
“I— What?” he stammered, flushing more deeply as everyone’s attention focused on him. “I just came over to borrow Noah’s shoes. Uh, thanks, Noah. See you guys later.” He ran for the hallway, lifting his hand in a half-hearted wave as he did so.
When he was gone, there was total silence in Travis’ lounge, everyone exchanging sideways glances. Then Preston cleared his throat, glancing over at Noah. “Date?”
Noah shot me a look out of the corner of his eye as he took a seat on the sofa next to Liam. Liam ran his hand over his thigh in a soothing gesture as Noah nodded slowly, turning his attention to Preston. “He borrowed my shoes.” He gave me another quick look, biting down on his lip. “For a date. Yeah.”
My brain helpfully reminded me that this was my best friend, and I wanted him to be happy. Swallowing hard, I nodded firmly. “Yeah. He’s going out with Curtis, right? Should be good. Hey, Liam? You gonna play me or what? I was about to smash your high score before Trav interrupted me.”
Thank fuck, Liam took the hint. He snorted, picking up Travis’ discarded controller. “You think you can beat my high score? The record I’ve held since October last year? Keep dreaming, mate.”
I was vaguely aware of Travis getting up and leaving the room, muttering something about going next door to see his girlfriend. Noah and Preston fell into a discussion, their voices too low to make out, but I threw all my concentration into my game with Liam.
I didn’t think about Elliot going on a date with Curtis.
Not even once.
Except…that was a lie.
* * *
The wind sent a paper bag skittering along the ground, briefly touching the toe of my Converse before fluttering away. I dug my hands farther into the pockets of my jacket, hunching my shoulders. It was so cold out here by the river tonight—every time I breathed out, there was a cloud in front of me, and my fingers and toes were starting to go numb. And what was I even doing on the north side of the river, well away from the LSU campus and my house?
The answer wasn’t even an answer.
A sigh came from next to me. “Mate, shouldn’t we get back? I don’t wanna rush you, but we’ve been walking for a while now, and it hasn’t been long since you sprained your ankle. Not to mention, it’s fucking freezing, and my boyfriend’s waiting for me in his nice, warm bed.”
I glanced over at Liam. “I know. We’ll cross back to the south side at the next bridge, okay? I’ll pay for us to get a cab back to the Mansions if you want.”
He nodded, his mouth twisting as he gave me a hesitant smile. “Okay. Do…do you wanna talk about this?”
I repeated the words that I’d said so many times in my head tonight I’d convinced myself of their truth. “I just got a bad vibe from Curtis, and I’m worried about Elliot. His location showed him somewhere along here. I just want to make sure he’s okay; you know I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to him.”
Liam nudged my arm. “I get it. You’re overprotective.” He paused. “I’d be the same with Noah.”
“W—what? Oh, fuck off. It’s not like you and Noah. Elliot’s my friend, not my boyfriend.”
“Obviously.” Liam’s voice was heavy with sarcasm. “Heison a date with someone who you think is sus, though, and that’s why we’re acting like stalkers. I mean, he’s the person you care most about, right? He’s your best friend, and you’re looking out for him, even though it’s a bit creepy to be following him around London. Now you’ve made me an accessory to your stalking crime.”
I’d been unconsciously gritting my teeth as he spoke, but I made an effort to unclench my jaw. “Yeah, okay, I know. But yeah, he is. My best friend.”
“He—” Liam stopped talking, gripping my arm and yanking me back into the shadow of a pillar. A chill went down my spine as I followed his gaze, already knowing what I’d see.
Elliot was exiting a restaurant up ahead—a large, glass-fronted building, the darkened interior decorated with hundreds of sparkling fairy lights. Curtis appeared next to him, and my stomach lurched as they stopped outside the doors, staring at each other. Curtis leaned closer, saying something that made Elliot smile.
“Ander! What the fuck are you doing?”
It took me a second to realise that Liam was actively holding me back from going over to them. Taking a deep, measured breath, I relaxed my body against his hold, and he eyed me for a moment before releasing me.
“Seriously, mate. What was all that about? I know you’re worried, but they’re only talking.” His gaze flicked to Elliot. “Hugging,” he amended.
As I watched, frozen, Elliot and Curtis wrapped their arms around each other, the hug lasting way too fucking long, in my opinion. Did Elliot really want to be with someone so clingy? Wait, was Elliot the one who wanted the hug to last? Did he like long hugs? How did I not know this? As his best friend, I should know.
Finally, they pulled apart, and Elliot said something to Curtis. He nodded and then began walking in our direction. Shit.
Liam and I stepped farther into the shadows as Curtis passed us, but my gaze remained on Elliot. He’d shoved his hands in his coat pockets and begun walking away, a slump to his shoulders and his head hanging low.
