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“No. I wouldn’t say that. Surely that’s you.” He could see Ashok look over at him, but he stared straight ahead.
“I wouldn’t say that either. It’s been known but…not usual these days.” Dare he tell him? Did he have the courage to admit his sexuality? He didn’t think for one moment it would bother Ashok, and normally it wouldn’t even be an issue. “I lived with a guy a year or so ago. It didn’t work out.”
“Oh, I see.” Ashok sounded surprised.
“Sometimes things just don’t work out, and I’m happy being single right now. I have my friends and the shop. That keeps me busy.”
“You mentioned a shelter. What kind?” He seemed genuinely interested.
“Oh, just a homeless shelter. I try to volunteer once a week and also drop off any of the food we have left at the shop every couple of days. Sandwiches, cakes. That type of thing. No biggie. I’ve not been this past week, though.”
“Sounds like you’re a bit of a saint. Volunteering at a homeless shelter, taking me in at short notice, stepping in this evening.” Ashok couldn’t be further from the truth. He’d been a bastard in his former life. He could never atone for his previous actions.
“I’m really not. I just do what I can.” He was still intrigued by Ashok’s earlier words and tried to deflect the conversation from him.
“So you don’t get propositioned much at all? A good-looking guy like you?”
“I stay away from situations that make me uncomfortable, and tonight, I was uncomfortable. If I want to talk to a guy, I’ll make the first move, but that doesn’t happen often. I’m not very confident. You might have noticed.”
“You certainly seemed confident that first day you arrived.” Hayden remembered back to the Ashok that had answered him back. Feisty Ashok was hot but infuriating.
“I was tired, and it had already been a difficult day. I’m not usually like that. I like to stay in the background. Be invisible.”
Hayden didn’t think he’d ever be invisible. He’d certainly caught his eye.
By now they’d reached home, and Hayden dug his keys out of his pocket, jiggling the temperamental lock.
“Thanks for leaving with me tonight,” Ashok said, touching his arm. “I really am grateful. It did kind of shake me up a bit at the club, but I’m going to head on up to bed, if that’s OK?”
“Of course. Goodnight, Ashok. Sleep well.” Feeling inexplicably happy with the way the evening had turned out, he made his way to his room, thoughts of Ashok filling his head. Thoughts of what he’d like to do with him given half the chance.
He shook his head and climbed into bed. It would soon be Christmas!
Chapter Ten
Ashok
Tonighthadbeeneye-opening,to say the least. When that guy had placed his hands on him, he’d panicked, his thoughts returning to that night a few years ago when he’d trusted the wrong person.
That had changed everything for him, and although tonight was different in many ways, it was also the same. Unwanted hands, dirty words whispered in his ear, words that made him feel sick.
At least this evening he’d been in a public place, on a crowded dance floor, not down a secluded alley with a man he’d thought he could trust.
That night, no one had come to save him. He’d lain alone for hours, unable to move. If it hadn’t been for a woman passer-by spotting his dirt-splattered shoe sticking out, there was every chance he would have died. He’d endured much at the hands of others, but he wouldn’t feel shame or guilt. Moving on with his life was the only way.
He let himself into his room and flopped down on his bed, exhausted.
Since leaving home, his mum had called a couple of times, never when his father was around, and he’d spoken to Manvik once. His unwavering support of his decision to leave was humbling. At least he understood even though he’d not suffered as much at the hands of their father.
Christmas wasn’t too far away now, and as much as he would love to go and visit, he couldn’t. Going back to a place that had given him nothing but grief and heartache would just set his very slow recovery back. Moving away had given him a sense of freedom. Moving back home, even for just a short time, would be like putting himself back in a cage.
Seb and Dom had talked about what they were going to do. Joe had offered to take Seb away for a well-earned break. Dom and Jacob were spending the time with Dom’s brother.
He wondered what Hayden was doing? He vaguely remembered him saying he went home for Christmas to spend it with his family. That would leave Ashok here on his own. Perhaps he should go home, but the thought made him shudder.
It was strange how Hayden had come to his rescue tonight, how Ashok had allowed him to lead him from the club. He’d shied away from his touch initially, but the warmth of Hayden’s hand had seeped into his skin and he’d almost melted into a puddle at his feet.
Hayden had a way of making him feel safe, and even though all of his senses were screaming at him to get away, he was drawn to him. It was then the realisation hit him that he trusted him. Ashok had trusted no one for two years, not his family and certainly not any man. He’d been burnt before…badly.
