Page 39 of On Circus Lane

Steven rolls his eyes. “It was just ajoke.” Nobody says anything and Jack continues to give him a cool look.

“Oh, for god’s sake,” Steven says. “It’s just Arlo. You take the piss out of him all the time, Tom.”

“That’s because he’s my brother,” Tom says in a duh voice. “I’m allowed.”

“I will never understand your family dynamics.”

“Don’t try.”

“Morning, people,” Freddy says, and we all jerk our heads toward him. He blinks and checks himself over. “No, my flies are closed,” he says conversationally. “Shirt all buttoned, and no nipple action engaged.” He looks up. “So why is everyone staring at me?” He catches sight of Steven. “So, what the fuck are we all fucking doing today?”

I bite my lip to hold in a smile.

Steven huffs. “Bad language is the first resort of the brain dead.”

“So is violence,” Freddy says.

A silence falls. “Hmm,” I say meditatively, feeling Tom vibrate with humour next to me.

Luckily, there’s a knock on the door, and when Freddy opens it, the others flood in.

Ivy wanders over, observing me and Tom with a knowing eye. I frown repressively at her, but she just settles on the arm of the sofa. “Ready for some culture?”

“I certainly am.” I sit up straight, dislodging Tom’s legs.

He pouts but gets up to stretch. I hear his spine pop, but I’m glued to the sight of his tight abs and the shadow of his V displayed nicely by the old jeans hanging from his narrow hips.

Ivy nudges me and I startle. Tom winks at me and then wanders off. I’m pretty sure he puts extra sway in his hips.

I look at Ivy and groan. “Don’t.”

She sits down next to me. “Don’t what?” she asks low so no one can hear us.

“Don’t start about me and Tom.”

“Oh, you’re joined together now, then,” she says innocently, spoiling the effect by winking rather lasciviously. “Shagged him yet?”

“No,” I say, aggrieved. “I’m sure he’s interested though.”

“I don’t know what on earth gave you that idea.”

I poke her. “But for some reason, he’s resisting all my come-ons.” I turn to her. “Am I losing it? Tell me honestly. I can take it.” She opens her mouth, and I grimace. “Actually, I can’t. Lie to me and make it pretty.”

She eyes me solemnly and then shakes her head. “You’re still the mostbeautifulboy around, but I can say no more.”

“Please do.”

Her reply is thankfully lost as we gather our coats and hats.

I’m glad of them when we get outside. “It’s freezing,” I say, seeing my breath white in the air.

Tom is standing near me, pulling on his gloves. “Lovely,” he says, taking a deep breath. “I like it when it’s like this.”

“You like the cold?”

“Hardly surprising considering the way I grew up. My parents were allergic to putting the heating on.”

Jack laughs. “Their house is the only place I’ve stayed where it actually felt warm when you walked outside.”

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