Page 16 of Lord of the Lock

“What was that all about? And why was the coach of a national team here?” asked Nathan.

“I don’t fucking know,” I replied. “I really don’t fucking know.”

I took a sip of the coffee Nathan had passed me. “Shit, that’s good,” I said.

“My friend James buys it in especially for his cafe in Hiraeth,” Nathan replied. “Sends it over sometimes in a little care package.”

“Do you miss Hiraeth?” I asked.

“I miss my new friends, and I missBloodCon. But I think I’m a city boy at heart. I like being closer to Cardiff. Though I haven’t been into Cardiff since I moved back, so maybe I’d be just as well off in Hiraeth again.”

“Well. Why don’t I see if I can get us some rugby tickets for the Wales friendly in a couple of weeks? Or if not, we could…” I tailed off, well aware I was taking us into actual date territory if I offered to go to for drinks.

“Whatever you like sounds good to me,” said Nathan.

“It’s a…fate,” I said with a stupid cheesy grin and a flourish.

“Fate?”

“Fake date, get it?”

“So you’re only asking me out to keep up the illusion, that’s what you’re saying.”

“No, no. I mean…” I had dug myself into a hole. But then Nathan flashed me a grin and nudged my chest. “Just messing with you. I’ll look forward.” He took step away. “I have to go home and see if Dad’s alright, but keep the flask. I’ll have it back when I see you next.”

When he was another ten or so steps away, a question came to mind. “Why did you come here today?” I asked.

“Well, I had some old fears to get over. And I was thinking of you.” Nathan’s cheeks blushed the same colour as his hair as he said it, then he turned and walked away, out of sight. I felt a little blush coming on too.

9

Chapter Nine - Nathan

Trigger warning - Dubious, uncomfortable consent issues, alcoholism. As a flashback, this chapter will be touched upon in later chapters and serves to flesh out Nathan’s relationship with rugby and its players, so if you’d prefer to skip it shouldn’t hamper your enjoyment of the rest of the book.

8 years ago

Lewis:Meet me in the woods behind Pandy grounds at 8 2nite?

That was all he’d sent via Facebook at 3pm. I’d taken hours to decide whether to reply, until I finally had.

Nathan:OK

My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my rib-cage. Lewis was gorgeous, and popular. And he wanted to see me. My little virgin heart couldn’t take it. It was a cold, dark and rainy night. Mum and Dad were working in the Pont Hotel, so I had no reason to give them any excuse. They wouldn’t be home until well past 11 on a Saturday.

I pulled my hood up to keep the rain out unsuccessfully, and I was shivering by the time I got to the woods. I turned my phone torch on as I passed through the trees into darkness. I was feeling nervous. Where the hell did he want to meet? How would I find him? Was it going to be just Lewis?

Then there was a crunch of twigs and a hand on my arm. I spun with the torch in my hand, illuminating Lewis’ face, water dripping through his hair and onto him like the last time we had seen one another. He was wearing white shirt, black trousers and the Pandy Rugby Club tie. He’d obviously come right from the rugby club.

“Hey,” he said. “Turn off that fucking light. Do you want someone to know we’re out here?”

“Sorry,” I muttered, turning the phone off so we were stood in darkness. The only illumination was the faint light coming from Pandy rugby club filtering through the trees.

My eyes adjusted as we stood in silence. I was too scared to talk and ruin the moment. I had no idea what Lewis wanted, or why he’d called me out here. I hoped he would kiss me again.

Seconds later, exactly that happened. Lewis’ lips met mine in a cold and wet rush, and his tongue pushed into my mouth.. His hands found my face as he pushed me roughly up against a tree. I did my best to keep up with him, but his mouth mashed roughly with mine and his tongue felt invasive. This wasnotwhat I had imagined kissing a boy would be like. Even worse was the smell and taste of beer invading my mouth.

Even with all that, I was hard, and I could feel him hard and grinding up against me as we kissed. I pushed him off me to get some air.

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