Page 106 of Off the Pitch

The question going around in my head was the same one I’d been thinking about for days: did I want to date Kit? And did I think Kit wanted to date me?

My answer to the first question was definitely a yes.

Kit was funny, interesting, and undeniably gorgeous. He’d quickly become one of my closest friends, and I could easily see our friendship developing into something more. My imagination was very happy to supply little scenes of us on various dates around London, or curled up on the sofa together watching films, or stretched out together in bed, our skin slick with sweat and our breathing heavy.

I was far more interested in the thought of that picture than I had been in sex with Hélène. Even the hate sex had felt like going through the motions with neither of us admitting that it was shit because that would have meant being vulnerable.

The second question was trickier though.

Kit had never brought up any exes in our conversations, not even as a funny aside. I wasn’t sure if that meant he didn’t have any or whether he was intensely private about them. He’d never mentioned whether he was interested in anyone either.

I wasn’t sure whether to ask him outright or not. I mean, I didn’t want to upset him if he was straight. I was pretty sure Kit wouldn’t be one ofthosestraight guys, who would instantly reject any form of friendship if you mentioned being queer or attracted to them. But still, it would be nice to know either way.

Something on Kit’s computer chimed, and I recognised the sound of Skype. I wondered whether I should make myself scarce, since I didn’t want to interrupt his call.

“Hello,” Kit said. “Why are you calling? Aren’t you supposed to be on holiday?”

“I just wanted to see how you were.” I chuckled to myself as David’s voice came through the speakers. Apparently, he couldn’t even go two weeks without checking in on Kit. They were as bad as Liam and Jordan, two of the guys at the club who seemed permanently attached at the hip.

“Where are you?”

“Umm… funny story,” Kit said, looking over at me wide eyed. Clearly, he hadn’t mentioned the flooding. “There was a burst pipe at the house, and there’s now a hole in the sitting room ceiling.”

“What the fuck? Are you fucking kidding me? When did this happen?”

“Last week.” Kit shrugged, and I saw the hints of a wicked smile on his face. “It’s fine though.”

“Oh my fucking God! Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have come home.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” Christian’s voice joined David’s, soft and calming. “You’re here to relax, and I’m sure Kit is perfectly capable of dealing with it on his own.”

“I am,” Kit said with a nod. “Everything’s fine. The insurance company is dealing with it, and I’ll know soon what they’re covering and how much work is required.”

David hummed, suggesting he wasn’t quite sure. “Where are you staying? Did they offer you a hotel?”

“I’m, um, I’m staying with Hugo.”

There was a moment of silence, then Christian spoke, and it sounded like he was beaming. “I’m glad you’re getting along. I thought you might. Is he there now?”

“I am,” I called, heaving myself off the sofa and taking a few slightly wobbly steps over to the computer. “Are you two having fun?”

“We are,” Christian nodded. His usually pale skin was tanned, and he looked happier and more relaxed than I’d seen him in months. The break seemed to be agreeing with him. “How’s your leg?”

“Cast free and all healed. The physio is killing me though,” I said with a chuckle. Even the simple exercises Ellie had given me to do at home were driving me nuts. I’d thought it would be easy and I’d be back to full fitness in no time, but my leg seemed to have other ideas, and I was still struggling with the basics. Kit seemed to think it was because I was trying too hard, but I was starting to think I wasn’t trying hard enough.

“You’ll get there,” Kit said, then he gave me a soft smile, his green eyes shining in the light.

The flat’s buzzer rang, and I knew it was the doorman ringing to let me know our food had arrived. “Would you be able to go down and get that?” I asked, and Kit nodded.

“No problem.” He turned back to the computer. “I’ll see you guys next week when you get back.”

I waited until he was out of earshot, suddenly realising this was my chance to ask someone who knew Kit the question I’d been stuck on.

“Is Kit into men?” I blurted out.

“Why do you ask?” David asked, fixing me with a hard stare.

“Because I like him?” Was it that stupid a question?

---