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The remainder of the evening was spent eating food and drinking wine. Ashok stuck to his sparkling water and his sister to her soft drinks. Hayden relaxed for the first time in ages, feeling the pressures of his job melting away as he lounged on the sofa. He looked lazily at Ashok, remembering the feel of his hair, how he’d sighed as he washed it, the long strands slipping through his fingers like finely spun silk.
He wondered, not for the first time, what it’d be like to have someone by his side to share his life with. He’d thought for so long he didn’t deserve it, his former life punishing him, but surely he’d atoned by now. Surely now, it was his time. His time to find someone to love.
Chapter Fourteen
Ashok
BeingwithHayden’sfamily,watching them interact, made him realise what his own family lacked. They could never sit around a table like this without a full-scale war breaking out, usually between one of his brothers and his father. His mum would try to keep the peace, but after a glare from his father, she would back down and retreat to the kitchen, her safe space. Heaven forbid his father would set foot in there. Cooking and cleaning was women’s work, not for men to do.
She’d taught Ashok to cook while his father was out, and he’d loved every minute, producing something from very little pleased him.
The atmosphere this evening had been so much more relaxed that he’d let his guard down, laughing and joking with the family. Vic was hilarious, and he loved her already. Hayden’s parents were the polar opposite of his own, sharing touches and looks that left no doubt in his mind how much in love they still were. His family was toxic, and his reasons for moving away were etched on his mind. It had been the right thing to do.
Just before midnight, Hayden stood, swaying slightly, with a dopey grin on his face. It was nice to see him so laid-back, the frown he occasionally wore gone, making him even more handsome than ever. Ashok loved to look at his face, remembering each and every freckle sprinkled liberally on his nose and cheeks, that tiny scar just above his right eyebrow. He wondered how he’d got it. Was it a childhood accident or something more sinister like the scars Ashok carried?
“Well,” he said, stretching to his full height, revealing a mouth-watering view of his naked skin. Ashok’s reaction was the same as the last time he saw it, and he fought to keep his dick under control. So much for not wanting to get involved.
“I think it’s time for bed. Are you coming?” He held his hand out to Ashok, that alluring smile captivating him.
“I’ve set up the spare room for you, Ashok. Hayden will show you where it is,” Dianne said, and he turned to face her. Of course she had. What was he thinking? He’d not be in the same room as Hayden, as much as he might quite like the idea.
Ashok took his hand and stood. “I hope you’re not intending on carrying me tonight.”
“Nah, but you can hop, right? It’s not too far.” Hayden slipped his arm around Ashok’s waist, taking his weight. “Goodnight, Mum, Dad. We’ll see you in the morning. No doubt Vic will be waking us all up early.”
Ashok said goodnight too and walked with Hayden down a small hallway, stopping in front of an old-fashioned wooden panelled door. “Mum put you in here as it’s downstairs. I’ll be upstairs, but I’ll have my phone with me if you need me.”
He pushed the door open, revealing a surprisingly light, modern room with a double bed. “There’s an en suite if you need the bathroom. Will you be OK?”
Ashok nodded. “I’ll be fine, and thank you for asking me to come. I’ve had a great evening. Much better than staying on my own or spending it with a family that really wouldn’t care if I were there or not.”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Hayden replied. “Either way, we care that you’re here. I’m just warning you that Vicwillbe up early, and she expects everyone to be awake too. Christmas is a big thing for her.”
“Got it. Get up early, be cheerful!” Ashok could do that.
“That’s about it. I’ll come down and knock.” Hayden didn’t seem to be in a rush to move away, still smiling at Ashok, his eyes twinkling. “You still have really nice hair.”
Ashok looked down at his feet, suddenly feeling coy.
Hayden touched his finger to Ashok’s chin, lifting his face. “You’ve beautiful eyes too, but I feel they could see deep into my soul if I let them. I’m not sure if you’d like what you’d see, though. I’ve not always been this person.”
Ashok opened his mouth to speak, but Hayden dropped his hand and moved backwards, out of the doorway.
“Sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Ashok.”
With that, he was gone, walking down the hallway, his hands shoved deep in his pockets. He stumbled over his feet, almost falling, but he regained his footing and disappeared out of view.
What the hell was that? Ashok wasn’t sure, and he had no idea what his words meant.
He closed the door and hopped over to the bed, sitting heavily. He was tired. It had been a long day.
Panic had set in yesterday when Hayden’s gift still hadn’t arrived by midday, but that was soon over when it arrived shortly before his return. He’d wrapped it quickly and managed to bring everything down before he got home. He’d napped briefly on the journey, his anxiety rocketing as they neared Hayden’s home.
What if they didn’t like him? What if he didn’t like them? What if, what if? It had played like a record in his head until he was almost sick with worry.
He needn’t have bothered, though. They’d welcomed him with open arms, and he was looking forward to the rest of the break.
Realising how late it was, he hobbled into the bathroom to do his night-time routine. He peed, cleansed his face and moisturised before cleaning his teeth. He felt much better.
