Page 22 of Drake
I shake my head. “Not tonight. I’m sure we’ll find something to do in the morning.” I lean over and kiss him. “I could very easily fall for you, Matt.”
“Yeah, I get that. You’re like no one I’ve ever met before…” His eyelids are already heavy and closing before he’s even finished speaking.
I stay awake, watching him sleep. The emotions running through me are so unexpected, yet so real. I want to be with this man for the long haul. I’ve never wanted a relationship with anyone other than casually, hang out for a few weeks tops, then let it fizzle out naturally. If Matt is feeling the same way, then the thought of moving away to be with Memphis and working together isn’t as appealing as it was at first.
Of course, Memphis is thrilled for me and is happy for us to carry on long distance. I can’t wait to tell Matt.
I should have a conscience; I should be telling Finn that I’m only in this for the money, and to find out where his best friend is, that the awesome sex is an added bonus, but also a huge complication.
I’m going to tell Simon I’m calling it off. I don’t think he’s really the heartbroken boyfriend, not the way he’s acting at the club. I walk into the bar and look around; I see him at the end of the polished black granite bar. He sees me but doesn’t smile or even acknowledge me in any way, the arsehole. But money is money.
“Matt, what can I get you?” is his only greeting. At least he’s buying.
“A beer is fine.” I look at the taps to see what’s available. “A Moretti is good.”
Once we’ve both got a drink, he points to a table, and we walk over. “You’ve got the details, I hope.”
“Yeah, he’s back with a guy he knew before he came to uni here.” I tell Simon all I know and finish my pint. “I expect the money in my account tomorrow.”
I stride out of the bar and go back to Finn’s. It’s time for me to break things off; it’s not going to be pretty.
“Hey, you’re back quickly. Did it all go okay?” His smile is so happy, genuinely pleased to see me. I kind of hate being a dick to him. Outside of Simon, if we’d just met at a club, I think I’d want to be more with him. “I’ve just been talking to Memphis. He’s looking forward to meeting you. I’ve missed him. We should go down and see him. I want to meet Royal, the man Memphis has loved for years.”
I roll my eyes; here goes nothing. “For fuck’s sake, Finn. It’s always Memphis this, Memphis that. Anyone would thinkyou’re the one in love with him.” I push past him, into the living room. The coffee table is covered with mock-up book covers and photographs. They have a talent; it’s no surprise the business is doing so well. But for now, I can use this as a prop to be annoyed with him. “Jesus, you’re messy.” I nudge the coffee table, and whilst I want to make a point, I don’t really expect the whole lot to cascade to the floor.
“Oh, great, thanks, Matt. They were all in a specific order. I’m going to need to call Memphis back now. Thanks for all the extra work.”
He bends to pick the pages up, but I grab his arm. “Leave it for now.” I tug him away. I have to admit this is the first time he’s got annoyed with me.
“No, this is my job. It’s not just some random pics. Memphis isn’t going to be pleased.”
I tug him harder and have him up on his feet. “I don’t give a fuck about your friend. He can be as pissed off with me as he wants. I can rip these up if I want to.” I make a move to grab them, and it’s Finn’s turn to pull on me.
I twist and punch him hard in the cheek, then again on his jaw. The shock and pain in his eyes is awful, and it’s not the pain of my fist that is hurting him the most.
I see the moment he hardens and braces for an attack; he’s tall, taller than me, and I know he’s got some strong muscles under his clothes. He doesn’t hit me. He steps past me to the front door and opens it. “Get out, and don’t come back.”
I try to speak, to apologise, tell him this isn’t like me. I’m not going to bother lying to him.
A few days later, I’m shocked to get a call from Simon, especially after he’s paid me, but he’s thanking me for making his life easier. It seems Memphis has come rushing back here to see Finn. One thing I’m not happy about is his insistence I try to get back with Finn, to get back in the house and find out whattheir plans are. I can imagine the kind of welcome I’m going to have when I call around his house.
It turns out that Finn is a sucker for puppy dog eyes and gushing apologies. The infamous Memphis is not as easily swayed, but after I sweep Finn away for a romantic weekend, we come back to the golden boy in not such a shining light. Something happened that I’m kept away from. Finn has stayed silent, and an invitation to go around hasn’t been extended.
It’s not long before I see Memphis again; his disdain for me is so obvious that it’s fun poking the lion, as it were. The fact that he’s staying indefinitely is concerning, especially as I know being with Finn was never a long-term plan. I like him; I can see something more if it wasn’t for Simon.
Relief comes when Simon calls, wanting to see me. He has one more thing for me to do. His barely concealed rage is disconcerting; something has happened that has him vibrating with anger.
“That bastard needs to learn not to mess with me. It’s time to teach him that no one walks away from me. They sure as shit don’t send a bunch of thugs to try and frighten me.” He sets out the outline of what he wants from me. “Once he’s in my car, you can fuck off, do whatever you want.”
“Is he really worth all this? Just go find another boy to bully,” I ask, but the look he gives me has me stepping back, putting my hands up. “Whoa, just a suggestion.”
“Let me know when I can get him alone.”
It takes a few days before I call Simon. “He’s walking down the street, heading for the pizza place. I’m following.”
I watch Simon, who’s been hanging around Finn’s house for days, waiting for Memphis to be alone. He stops the car at the crossing, and I can see the look of annoyance on Memphis’ face when he sees who’s stopped him from crossing the road. I walk up behind him; it only takes one hit on the back of his head,and he crumples before we get him into the car. The expression on Simon’s face will frighten me for a long time to come. He has murder in his eyes.
I pull outside the familiar house belonging to Simon Mansbridge. Royal is a ready to jump out and storm the house. The inside light of a car at the side of the road comes on, then the door opens. A tall guy gets out of the passenger side; I can’t see his face until he passes under a streetlight. Wow! This man is beautiful. I shake my head to clear my thoughts because we’re here to find Memphis, not ogle blond god-like creatures. The car speeds away, but I manage to get a look at the driver, someone for me to check up on later. It’s not a normal reaction in a search for a missing friend.
