Page 74 of Sweet Heat

Keeks

What?

Kai

This work you do. It’s needed. The places you have pulled Taréto with you . . . only you could have done it. And I’m looking at the footage and you’re like, fucking glowing. I think the SoundSugar thing was a blessing. And you were right to walk away from that shit. It takes balls to do that. Always been brave.

There’s a pause while I gather my emotion, try to corral the rush of convicting heat, to garner some control of whatever it is that threatens to spill out of me, then he continues.

Kai

So why are you up?

Keeks

Practising Renaissance World Tour choreo

Kai

Say swear? I just perfected Usher’s U Don’t Have To Call floor choreo to get the blood going

Keeks

Retro

Kai

You know me. I’m a classic man

I laugh, then bite my lip and decide to test the truth.

Keeks

I couldn’t sleep either.

Kai

Bad dream?

Keeks

Not sure. Depends.

Kai

On?

Keeks

Whether you’ve had it too.

There’s a pause. I see ‘typing . . .’ and then it disappears again. After a few more maddening seconds, a message appears.

Kai

How did it make you feel?

I swallow. Free. Honest.

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