Page 14 of Crying in the Rain

The lift doors opened, and Ade drifted along the corridor towards studio three. It wasn’t being used today, and the prospect of just sitting in the dark, silent room propelled him, though his legs were dead weights and his vision was blurred and tunnelling. Peace: he needed peace. He reached the studio door and turned the handle.

“Ade!”

He jumped so violently he took the skin off his knuckles on the doorpost.No, no, no!He was going to vomit. He swallowed it back and turned to face his pursuer.

“Kris? What are you doing here?”

Kris slowed as he reached Ade’s location, keeping his distance. “Hey. Are you OK?”

“Fine,” Ade said, attempting bright and breezy through clenched teeth.

“You don’t look fine.”

Ade laughed somewhat hysterically and wasn’t sure he could stop.

Kris’s eyes crinkled with concern. “What did I say?”

“You, er…” Ade scratched his head in confusion. “Why are you here again?”

“Ah, well.” Kris cleared his throat and blushed. “My plan was to lie and tell you I’d lost my wallet and called in to see if I’d left it here.”

“But?”

“I don’t even own a wallet.”

“Right. So?”

“I wondered if you’d like to go for a drink with me again.”

“Now?”

“I meant after work, but we could go for a coffee now…if you’d like to, that is.”

Before Ade had time to think about it, the words left his mouth. “Yes, I would.”

They both laughed lightly—Ade was almost certain Kris was in on whatever was happening between them—and stepped off, side by side, making their way back to the lift.

“Is there anywhere in particular you’d recommend?” Kris asked.

“Would you mind if we just went to the cafeteria?”

“Not at all.” Kris bashed his palm on his forehead. “You’re working. Do you want to leave it till later?”

The lift doors opened, and they stepped inside. Ade pushed the button and glanced at Kris. “No. I’d really like to have coffee with you. I have nothing scheduled for this morning.”

“But you still have to come in to work?”

“Not necessarily. I’d rather work here than at home, though.”

“Is that a boundaries thing?”

“Er…no. I have an unwelcome visitor, but hopefully he’ll get the message and have left before I get back this evening.”

Ade made it sound casual, like he’d picked up a guy after Kris left him in the pub the night before, and he must’ve been convincing because Kris’s stance changed, becoming more rigid, less open, and his expression… If Ade wasn’t very much mistaken, he was trying to hide his disappointment. His gaze dropped, straying dangerously close to the bruises, and Ade quickly intervened to save them both.

“I enjoyed your company last night.”

“Likewise. I wish I could’ve stayed longer.”

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