Page 131 of Men in Shorts

“Even if I cock things up?”

“Especiallyif you cock things up.” Andrew kissed him, tasting of gin and vegetables. “More entertaining that way.”

Colin tried to laugh, but he couldn’t help remembering his mum’s words when he told her he was going to this party:“Careful you don’t make a fool of yourself.”Even his dad, normally so supportive, had said,“You’re mixing with a different sort now.”

“Derek!” Andrew’s arms spread as he greeted a bald man with a white goatee and tan jacket.

“Lord Andrew, it’s been ages. Wherever have you been hiding?”

“Here and there, as always.” Andrew put an arm around Colin. “Derek Lawson, may I present Colin MacDuff, my boyfriend and also the man who literally saved my life.”

Derek offered a friendly smile and a firm-but-not-domineering handshake. “I recognized you from this one’s last YouTube video. There’s been rather a drought of those lately,” he added with a nudge for Andrew.

Andrew looked uneasy for a moment, but then recovered. “What with the legal circus around me, I was advised to stop publicly airing my every thought.”

“Wise,” Derek said, “though I can’t say I professionally approve.”

“Hah!” Andrew turned to Colin. “Derek is the executive producer ofFelicity in the Raw. He’s done all sorts of reality programming, so he’s not a massive fan of privacy.”

Colin looked around. “Is this conversation being filmed, then?”

Derek burst into laughter, though Colin hadn’t meant it as a joke. “Not that I’m aware of. So Colin, I’ve heard all about your act of heroism, but I’m curious—what’s next for you? I bet you’re looking forward to a normal life again.”

“I’m not sure what that is anymore.” Colin glanced at Andrew, who gave him an approving smile. “But aye, I cannae wait.”

As they discussed his plans for university and football, Colin began to relax, grateful someone seemed interested in him as more than a curiosity. Maybe with a bit of luck and practice, he could navigate Andrew’s world after all.

* * *

One less thing toworry about, Andrew thought as he watched his boyfriend get on famously with Derek. It had been unnerving to see Colin even more restrained than when he’d first met the family last year at Dunleven Castle.

Which left Andrew with one towering concern—that his own flimsy self-control would snap any moment. He’d not been in a place so loud and crowded since his attempted abduction. It seemed a million conversations were taking place at once, the words bombarding him like a swarm of midges.

This edginess was giving him the oddest urge to phone Evan. Perhaps he’d been too hasty in his judgment of the man. Spooky or not, he seemed to understand how Andrew felt.

You can do this,he told himself.Just stay close to Colin.Andrew pulled at his collar, wishing he’d worn his D&G linen blazer instead of this Burberry wool-cashmere thing. With the restaurant at full capacity, the heat in here was becoming oppressive.

At least his drink was cold. Andrew took another gulp of his celery gin and tonic.

Suddenly a hand grasped his elbow. “Drew!”

Swallowing a shriek of alarm, Andrew turned to see Marcus Wynn-Garvey, one of his closest London mates. “Oh…hi.” He pasted on a smile as he extended a hand to shake. Marcus gave it a puzzled look but took it anyway. Andrew felt bad—they were close enough to greet with an embrace, but he’d already exceeded his tolerance for hugs tonight.

“It’s been ages,” Marcus said. “How are you?”

“Oh…you know.” Ithadbeen ages, he realized with a pang of guilt. Marcus had offered to visit several times since the attack, but Andrew had declined again and again.

“God, you look pale.” Marcus gave him the once-over. “I knew I should have dragged you away to Bali with me for the holidays.”

Bali. Andrew knew he’d been there during his gap years, but tonight it sounded like an alien planet he’d visited in a previous life. Even the room around him felt unreal, like he was watching himself act in a film.

“We just got back last night, as you can see from my tan.” Marcus’s hands framed his own face. “You would’ve loved what they’ve done to the resort since we were there last. Though I imagine you would’ve hated missing your brother-in-law’s sentencing. Congrats on that, by the way.”

“Erm, thanks.” No one else at tonight’s party had mentioned Jeremy—either they didn’t know, didn’t care, or were too polite. Andrew glanced at Colin, looking for an opening to introduce Marcus without interrupting the conversation with Derek. The sooner Colin met everyone, the sooner they could leave this suffocating sauna.

Marcus stepped closer. “Tell me, Drew, how are your family getting on? This can’t be easy for Lady Elizabeth and the children.”

Andrew’s memory flashed his sister’s expression in the courtroom, one of a woman staring at not only a desolate future but an illusive past. “They’re managing.”

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