AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Not only that, but old thoughts had resurfaced, thoughts of the Hayden he was before—a bully and a homophobe. He knew how ironic it was that he, a lover of both men and women, could have been so homophobic. It had taken a while for him to come to terms with the hostility he felt towards men. Society had drilled it into him at an early age that feeling anything for another man was wrong. He was to settle down with a lovely girl and produce the expected two point four children. Except it hadn’t happened like that.
Hayden gripped the steering wheel, clenching his jaw. He hated how he’d been and abhorred the fact that he had taken his previous fury out on men that looked like Ashok. It wasn’t racism. He didn’t care about colour; it was their sexuality that had enraged him. He was also painfully aware of the old cliché of hitting out at what he didn’t want to admit. The fact that he lusted over men as much as he did women. He didn’t want to give those thoughts any more of his headspace, though. He’d left that Hayden behind a long time ago and had vowed to be a better person.
The fact two of his best friends were in gay relationships surely proved that. He loved them like brothers and would do nothing to harm either of them.
Despite the emotions running through him, he remained diligent on the drive back to his house. Seb’s accident had been a wake-up call for them all, regardless of the fact that the driver of that car had been a psychopath intent on killing him. You could never predict what people would do.
Hayden glanced sideways at Ashok, noting how worried he looked. He’d done that, made him feel unwelcome. Shit, he should make it up to him, he supposed, but there was every chance he wouldn’t be staying with him for that long. Just because he worked with Seb and Dom didn’t mean he’d see much of him once he found a place of his own, and hopefully that time wouldn’t be too far away.
Fifteen minutes later, Hayden pulled into the driveway of the small three-bedroomed house he rented. He’d been here a few years, the landlord happy to have a longer lease tenant rather than short-term renters, which suited him just fine. He paid on time and always kept it tidy. He often took care of the repairs, and that suited them both, his landlord often reducing the rent for that month.
Without a word, he got out of the car and opened the rear door, grabbing Ashok’s holdall before striding up the short path to the front door. He had a right to feel annoyed, didn’t he? Had a right to feel like he’d been railroaded into this decision. Yes, he knew he could have said no. It probably would have been the sensible thing to do, but something had just struck a chord and he’d blithely agreed.
He couldn’t explain how he felt now, though. A mixture of pity and the need to help coupled with an irrational feeling of irritability. It’d pass, he was sure. Maybe if he got to know him, things would improve. Hayden heard the front door close as he walked into the kitchen to hang up his keys. He supposed he’d need to give him the guided tour, not that there was much to see.
Ashok followed, looking around nervously, his backpack slung over one shoulder.
“This is the kitchen.” An obvious statement, but he should try at least to put him at ease, as pissed off as he was. “I’m sure you’ll find everything you need. Shout if you don’t.”
It wasn’t a big kitchen, but spacious enough when there was only one of you. Hopefully, it wouldn’t matter, though. Hayden hoped Ashok wouldn’t be there long enough to make a difference.
Hayden walked towards him, still carrying his holdall, squeezing by him.
“I’ll show you upstairs, and you can get yourself settled. I hope you don’t mind sharing with Jerome until I can move his stuff out of the bigger room.” He could feel his annoyance go up a few notches at the thought of doing that.
“It’s OK. You don’t have to move him out on my account.” Ashok’s voice was quiet, almost too quiet, and Hayden struggled to hear him.
“I can move him. Not like he cares where he sleeps.” The curtness of his own voice shocked him.
“Really, it’s fine. I don’t intend to be here for long. Seems a shame to move him when you’d only have to move him back again. I’ll take whatever room you have.” Hayden led the way upstairs to the smaller of the three rooms, Ashok following closely behind.
“This is the smaller of the two.” He pushed the door open to the box room. It really was tiny, with just enough space for a single bed and a small dresser. “It’s up to you. I can move Jerome.”
Ashok squeezed by him and threw his backpack on the bed, effectively claiming it as his own. The scent of coconut filled Hayden’s nose, and he stifled the urge to breathe deeply, taking a step backwards, away from him.
“This’ll be fine,” Ashok said with a shrug, turning to face Hayden. “I don’t have much, and I don’t intend on spending a lot of time here, anyway.”
“Yeah, well, you’ll be at the studio most days. Do you have any plans for what you’ll do when you’re not there?” Hayden wasn’t sure how much he was being paid, but he didn’t think it would be sufficient to rent a house or have an extended stay in a hotel and that worried him.
Ashok shook his head, and a few strands of hair fell loose. Hayden watched Ashok as he reached up and tucked them behind his ear, noticing how delicate it was. Several glittering studs and loops adorned the lobes.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll find something.” Hayden needed to get out of there and back to the coffee shop. He’d promised them he wouldn’t be gone long, and he’d need to close up soon.
“I’m sure I will. You need to get back. I don’t want to put you to any more trouble.” Ashok sat with a thump on the bed, a dejected look on his face.
“I’ll be back around six. I have nothing planned for dinner. We could order in and go over the details of how this is going to work. You know, rent and such like.”
“Don’t worry yourself. I said I wouldn’t be here long, and I meant it. You don’t have to pretend to want me here, so I’ll get out of your hair as soon as I can.”
Hayden took a step back. The guy had seemed quiet when he was sitting in the car, but now he was here in the house it was as if he’d become a different person. And frankly, his attitude stank. The irritation he’d felt earlier resurfaced with a vengeance.
“You know I don’t have to let you stay here. I’m doing this as a favour for Seb and Dom. Nothing more,” he said, pointing his finger. “I’m sure I could find you the address of the nearest youth hostel. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Hayden turned to leave and stopped in his tracks, looking up to the ceiling, his eyes closed. He sighed. Seb and Dom would kill him if he threw him out, and he wouldn’t do that to his friends, as much as he didn’t want this insolent wanker in his house.
“You’re right. I should stay somewhere else. You’ve made it perfectly clear you don’t want me here. You didn’t have to be so fucking rude, you know.”
Ashok tried to push past him, his bulky bags getting stuck on the door handle. Pulling and swearing, he struggled to free them.
