Page 42 of Killing Me Softly

“Yeah, thought you’d like that. Anyway, is your mystery man taking you out tonight?”

Aaron scarfed down the last of the cupcake, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Doubt it.” He spluttered crumbs through a mouthful, then swallowed. “He’s… dealing with stuff about his mum.”

“Oh. Shitter.” Her face softened. Mel, for all her eccentricity, had a knack for cutting through to genuine sympathy when it mattered.

“Yeah.” But as Aaron hadn’t ever really celebrated his birthday, he wasn’t too bothered that Kenny might have forgotten. Especially with everything going on for him right then. Even if the date was a different sort of anniversary for them both.

But Aaron hadn’t told Mel everything—couldn’ttell her everything—even if the need to offload was fierce. He couldn’t even tell his therapist who he had to see this week. Because it wasn’t his secret to tell. And the fragments weighed on him. He’d thought about going back to Kenny’s place last night after his shift at the shop. The day had been hectic, a steady stream of first years and their parents swarming the aisles, leaving him bone tired. Still, he’d hovered his thumb over Kenny’s name on his phone while staring at the blank ceiling of his room late at night.

He hadn’t called.

Part of him wanted to. Wanted to check on him. Bridge the growing distance that worry had carved between them. But something had stopped him. Maybe it was respect for Kenny’s privacy. If anyone knew about keeping things quiet when they needed to, it was him. Or maybe it was the gnawing fear that there was more to Kenny’s silence than he was letting on. And Aaron didn’t know how to ask without tearing open wounds that might never heal and potentially shatter the only good thing he’d ever had.

Dramatic?Yeah, sure.Warranted?Abso-fucking-lutely.

“Well, if you’re not going out.” Mel bumped her shoulder with his. “We could go do something. I mean, not on campus cause the freshers will be out in force tonight. But maybe I can take you out in Betty?”

They reached the main lecture theatre, where the scent of fresh coffee drifted toward them from the vendor outside and students gathered in loose groups, clutching takeaway cups and murmuring about the year ahead. Aaron grabbed a tea while Mel opted for her usual sugary concoction, and they joined the others queuing to step into the future they’d spent two years building toward.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “All right. Sounds good. But…”

“But if your man calls, you’ll drop me quicker than a trend on TikTok.”

“Mel…”

“I get it. No mates before dates when your fella’s lost his mum. You just remember who your real bestie is when the algorithm changes, though, yeah?”

Aaron snorted. “Course. Cheers for understanding.”

The doors to the lecture theatre opened, with students scurrying inside, and Aaron heaved a breath.

“Here we go.” Mel angled her head to the doors. “Wonder what Dr Dishy Lyons has been doing all summer.”

Aaron slid into a seat in the back row, ignoring Mel as she veered off to chat with the girl beside her, their conversation devolving into gossip about summer internships and final dissertations. He dropped his bag by his feet, pulling out a pen and notepad, and locked his gaze on the front of the room as the projector whirred to life, courtesy of the new master’s student fiddling with the controls. No doubt sent to ensure everything was ready so Kenny could sweep in to take command in that effortless way he always did.

Aaron gripped his pen, twirling it between his fingers, and suddenly realised it was one of Kenny’s posh silver ones and he smiled like a lovesick teenager. So he shifted in the seat to compose himself. Any moment now, Kenny would walk in, the quiet buzz of the room would fade to silence, and Aaron would have to sit there pretending he wasn’t aching for him.

Time stretched. Then the double doors clanged open. Footsteps forced the conversations to hush. Aaron straightened in his seat. There he was. Kenny. Suited. Glasses. As fine as ever. But there was a heaviness in his gait, subtle but impossible to miss. Aaron’s first thought was of Kenny’s mother. The grief still fresh. But before he could dwell on it, his attention snagged on the figure following behind him.

A woman. Tall, poised, and undeniably striking. Her burgundy suit dress fit her as if tailored with precision, and the sheen of her glossy chestnut hair twisted into an immaculate updo showcasing earrings worth more than Aaron’s entire student loan.

Aaron had seen those earrings before.

Seen that woman before.

When at breakfast with Kenny. Fuck.

Ducking his head, he ruffled his hair to shield his face and sank lower into his seat, willing himself invisible. At the front of the room, Kenny and the woman stopped by the student aid,exchanging polite words as she shook hands with them both. Aaron risked a glance toward Kenny, just in time to catch his gaze darting in his direction. Subtle but there.

Aaron mouthed,What the fuck?

Kenny looked away.

Mel nudged Aaron’s elbow, jolting him from his thoughts, and she offered a pack of mints. He shook his head. The idea of eating anything right now was unthinkable.

“Good morning.” Kenny stepped forward. “Welcome back to your final year here at Ryston.”

Aaron took in every detail, most notably the faint tension around his mouth that no one else would notice. Because they’d not kissed that mouth. Not had that mouth stretched around their most intimate part. Not heard it used to beg them to stay or order them to come.

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