Page 47 of Survival Game

Eric was glad that he’d managed to pull off normal. Sure, he’d been quiet—but then, Kyle said enough for both of them.

“Oh, we did,” Kyle chirped. “We pub crawled, did the whole dance scene thing, then she caught her taxi to the airport around ten.” His face clouded. “There was a lot of snot and drama. We were both a mess when we said goodbye, but she said she’s coming back in six months’ time.” He bounced happily. “It’s something to look forward to.”

Eric frowned. “If she left at about ten, how come you got in at one?”

Kyle made puppy dog eyes at him. “I met up with an old friend. We had a few drinks afterward because I was still upset, and he was a shoulder to cry on.”

“Anyone I know?” Eric asked. He felt a teeny bit put out Kyle hadn’t called him, and yet, he’d been the one to tell him not to come over, hadn’t he?

Kyle glanced at him slyly. “Maybe.” He grinned widely. “Is that a hint of jealousy I detect there?”

Eric grunted. “No. I’m just being polite. You can be friends with whomever you want, you know that.”

“Ooh, Mr Grumpy Pants,” Kyle chided. He squeezed Eric’s hand. “It was Ryan, you doofus. He’d dropped Mango off at the airport for some gung-ho conference he was going to and decided to pop in at the bar on his way home. That’s where he saw me and we spent some time together.”

Eric felt much better knowing it had been Ryan, but he wasn’t going to give the satisfaction of letting Kyle know that. “I’m glad he’s back to his old self now, and is getting out and about. That’s cool.”

“So, where do you want to go to get something to eat?” Kyle chattered beside him.

Eric glanced over and grinned. “Anywhere you like. What kind of cuisine do you fancy, my liege? The night is yours to command.”

Kyle raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? I can have anything I want?” He reached down and clasped Eric’s hand tentatively. “This work?”

Eric’s throat clogged up at the simple gesture. “That feels good.” He squeezed Kyle’s chilled hand harder.

The blinding smile Kyle gave him made Eric want to give him the world. God, he’s beautiful. I don’t want to lose this—what we have. What we’re building. I hope the feeling is mutual.

“Hmm. Maybe we should try Korean? There’s a great place a couple of blocks away,” Kyle suggested.

“Sounds good. I don’t think I’ve eaten Korean before. What’s it like?”

As Kyle burbled on enthusiastically about tofu and kimchi, Eric’s attention was diverted to an elderly man further away coming toward them with a guide dog. Eric deftly manoeuvred him and Kyle out of the way to allow him to pass unhindered.

Someone else, however, was not as courteous. A woman in front of them, carrying a shit ton of designer-labelled bags barrelled toward the man as if expecting him to give way. She was talking on a headset of some sort.

Eric opened his mouth to warn her to watch out. Before he could, the dog changed course, no doubt to attempt to change the owner’s direction to avoid a collision. But the crowds were too thick and, as Eric watched in horror, the woman barrelled into the unseeing man, causing him to stagger and lose his balance.

He shouted in surprise and the dog gave a deep woof.

Leaving a startled Kyle behind him, Eric rushed forward to try and break the man’s fall. He managed to grab an arm and used all his strength to curtail the man’s descent. If he’d fallen to the pavement, the rushing throng of traffic may well have trampled on him.

“Sir, it’s okay, I’ve got you. Here, let me help.”

The man righted himself and threw a smile of gratitude toward Eric. “Thank you so much. I must have not been paying attention to Kirby…”

Eric presumed Kirby was the dog, who now sat patiently waiting for instructions.

“No,” he said grimly, glaring at the woman who was clutching her parcels to her chest as if he were a thief attempting to take them from her. “It wasn’t your fault. It was this woman who knocked you over. She was the one not watching where she was going.” He stared at her. “Perhaps next time you could be more careful, madam.”

“Fuck you,” she spat, her face contorted with anger. “People like him shouldn’t be allowed on the streets in rush hour. They’re a bloody nuisance, them and their animals.” Around them some curious eyes stared, but for the most part people scurried by uncaring.

A slow flare of temper crept through Eric’s chest and he clenched his fists to keep it in check. “People like him,” he said caustically. “You mean blind people? You’re a nasty piece of work, aren’t you?”

Kyle was at Eric’s side now, a hand on his arm. “Calm down, babe.” He moved over to the blind man. “Are you okay, sir? Can I help at all?”

“I’m good, young man.” He waved a hand. “Thank you for asking though.” He shook his head wearily. “And honestly, please don’t get riled on my account. I’m used to it.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have to get used to it,” Eric growled. “It’s not right. You have as much right to be here with your dog as she has, selfish cow.”