AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Who knows? I have no idea what to do with him. He’s always out with his mates, going to events and parties and stuff.” His dad made eye contact with me. “My youngest is apparently at university, but I have yet to see a single textbook or exam result.”
“Sounds like university to me,” I replied politely. “Not that I ever went. I should. I want to study something, but I’ve worked since I was thirteen, and now I have no idea what to do with the rest of my life.”
OK. I had to stop this. I wasn’t the socialising kind, obviously, meeting new people and straight away talking like I was being interviewed by some high-end magazine. I wanted to sink into the back seat and beg Matt to just stop the car and take me home.
I could socialise when there was a script, like I’d done at the fashion show in Italy a few months back. I’d been dressed up like a doll, told what to do, where to stand, who to talk to—even where to dance so there’d be footage of a bunch of twatty actors pretending to be best mates with a bunch of girls giggling in the background.
I did know two of those actors, vaguely, but the rest were strangers. Even so, we’d hugged and grinned and flopped around pretending to have the most brilliant time when all I’d wanted to do was go home.
Also, I couldn’t dance. I had no control over my limbs where music was concerned. Lucia had made me audition for a musical once. Yeah. It went about as well as you’d expect.
“Conny?” Matt was waving his hand in front of my face. I’d drifted off into my own world again. “Dad was asking if you’re going to be the next James Bond.”
“It’s the only film I have ever watched.” Matt’s dad looked strangely apologetic. “Not much of a cinema buff, I’m afraid.”
“I doubt it.” I laughed. “I’m not quite in that league.”
“You OK?” Matt mouthed at me, once again reaching out his hand, which was why I was so bloody besotted with him. He understood when I got nervous and knew that just holding his hand would make things better.
He kept the conversation with his dad away from me for a bit, giving me another break from having to think. It was bad enough being crammed in the backseat of a small car, but at the same time, it was normal. Comforting.
No expectations.
Who was I kidding?Allthe expectations.
We pulled up along a narrow street, Matt’s dad swearing under his breath as he tried to find somewhere to park. At least this bit was familiar, as Mum and I did it all the time. You could be an award-winning actor all you wanted; it still didn’t mean you’d magically find parking.
But then we got out, and suddenly I was standing in a hallway, having to air kiss Matt’s mother and pretend I wasn’t being stared at by a younger version of Matt. And this wasn’t just ordinary staring. This was proper, judgy, found-shit-on-his-shoe staring.
“Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
Rude! But I was kind of taking up the entire hallway.
Matt laughed and stroked my arm protectively.
“Ollie, this is Conny. Be nice.”
“You look just like that guy off TV. The idiot who’s naked in every episode.”
Oh. So we were doing honesty here. OK.
“Yep. It’s in my contract.Must not wear clothes.”
I was giving as good as I got, and Matt’s brother just laughed.
“No wonder Matt likes you then. He’s totally gay. I’m bi myself, so yeah, I appreciated the nudity in that show, but seriously, dude. You’re him? For real?”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Oliver, let Conny come in and grab a drink. We don’t bombard our guests with personal questions in the hallway.” That had to be Matt’s mum.
Conny. So I was Conny then. Nice.
Evidently, Matt’s brother wasn’t about to give up on interrogating me, as he pushed me out in the back garden, pointed at a seat and handed me a glass of water.
“So you’re Matt’s boyfriend, and you’re a famous actor.”
“Yup.” I was desperately looking for Matt, but he seemed to have disappeared, and now I was stuck with his brother, who pulled up a seat next to me.
