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Like I was a stranger. Someone wholly new that he was seeing for the first time.
His barrel chest expanded as he inhaled deeply, a new determination shining in his eyes. He took a step forward.
That was the exact moment that Tristan decided to pop out from behind me, putting himself in between us both.
“Hi! You must be Silas.”
Chapter thirteen
Silas
ItwasfunnyhowI’d spent years making a living playing songs about heartbreak. About the horrific moment of realisation where you discover the future you’ve been building in your mind doesn’t exist.
Until I’d seen Kai stroll out of Arrivals at Heathrow, Tristan tucked protectively under his arm, I hadn’t understood it. Hadn’t understood the severity of what it would mean for me.
A split-second revelation that changes everything you thought you knew.
I’d watched from a distance, not wanting to get caught by the paps. I didn’t know what I said to Rhys and Dylan, only that they’d left me alone to weave through the crowd and help Kai and Tristan.
I must’ve left. Must’ve ordered an Uber home.
The final text that I’d sent to Kai was all I could think about.
Is it true?
Well, now I had my answer.
Even so…I hadn’t expected Kai to bring him today. Our initial planning sessions hadalwaysjust been for us. Okay, so Ollie was here, but things were serious between him and Luca.
Was Kai just as serious about Tristan?
Suddenly, it slammed home that Tristan was standing in front of me, waiting to shake my hand. His welcoming smile had slipped into uncertainty as his hand started to drop.
Over his shoulder, Kai was frozen. His hand was raised in mid-air—to pull Tristan back? Or was he reaching for me?
I met his eyes over Tristan’s shoulder. What was I seeing there? I’d always thought I’d been able to read my best friend so well. Before, I would’ve thought he was anxious. Or uncertain, maybe.
Now? I had no idea what to believe.
Belatedly, I realised Tristan was still waiting for me to greet him. I slid him a charming smile, wrapping his smaller hand in my own. “Welcome, Tristan. Any friend of Kai’s is a friend of mine.”
Tristan’s eyes widened slightly like he hadn’t expected such a cordial greeting. Then they narrowed as the subtle layering of my statement sank in.
That’s right. He was mine first.
Easing my hand back, I fell silent, waiting for Kai’s next move. Again, I was caught in this dichotomy of before versus now.
Before, I would’ve bear-hugged the shit out of him before sitting him down and demanding every minute detail about his trip. And that was just when we were separated for a day.
Now…now I didn’t know what to do.
And that fucking scared me. I’d thought Kai would come home and we’d be able to slip back into how we were before. That maybe I’d be brave enough to confess the thoughts and fantasies that had kept me company in his absence. To question him about what Arlo and Ruby had hinted at.
To ask him if it was true.
Instead, I had to watch as his boyfriend claimed my place at his side. As he wrapped his arm around his waist and gave him a sickeningly sweet smile. “Okay, babe?”
I gritted my teeth at the endearment. It felt so false coming from Tristan’s lips.
