Page 32 of Dream a Little Dream

Aaron furrowed his brow. “What?”

“You’ve been in care.”

“And?”

“I’d like to know how that’s been for you.”

“Shit.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“Really shit.”

Drew wrote more words down on his pad, face stoic and unreadable. Aaron twirled a lock of his quiff between two fingers, reading up on how to spot the symptoms of meningitis.Is meningitis contagious?Could he get it, spread it onto Heather and they’ll lie side by side in hospital beds with Kenny having to choose which one he saves?

“Why did you choose this university?”

Dr Kenneth Lyons.

“Liked the location.”

“Where were you before?”

Perfectly happy not knowing Dr Kenneth Lyons.

“London. Woolwich.”

“Before that?”

“Why the fuck do you wanna know?”

Drew took off his glasses, nibbling the arm. “I’d like to get to know you a little. You seem annoyed. Angry at the world. Is there any reason why that is?”

Dr Kenneth Lyons.

Why couldn’t he shake this? Why couldn’t he rid himself of this dark, suffocating grip bearing remnants of Kenny’s hand around his throat as he’d kissed him, producing a seething force, living and breeding, spreading like a parasite, taking over every corner of his mind, consuming his every thought? Why did he fuckingcare?

Drew popped the lid on his pen and turned behind him to his desk, where he dumped the notepad. When he turned back, he linked fingers and clutched his knee.

“Whatever you say in here is confidential.”

“I wish I’d killed him.” Deadpan delivery didn’t even make the bloke flinch.

He didn’t believe him. And he patiently waited for more. Aaron laughed. Which turned hysterical, so he scratched two hands through his hair, messing up the glorious pink quiff he’d spent hours styling so he’d turn up at Kenny’s lecture looking hot enough to fuck. Except he washere. Wasting himself on a bloke who looked like a Halloween decoration.

“Of course, I’m angry. Why wouldn’t I be fucking angry?”

“Because another student took a dislike to you?”

“Couldn’t give a flying fuck about that. Most people don’t like me.”

“Because he took a dislike to a friend of yours?”

“Rahul isn’t exactly a friend. He’s just a lonely kid. Confused and unsure. Probably wrapped in cotton wool all his life. Had his choices made for him. He’s not used to having his own mind. So doesn’t know how to take what he wants.”

“What does he want?”

“Me?” Aaron chuckled. Maliciously. Confidently.

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