Page 9 of Friends Rucked Up

“I do enjoy the company of a fine woman.”

Covering my mouth, I pretend to be outraged, but I’m highly amused at his attempt at revealing a scandal. I love how easy he makes my job. He’s so much fun to be around even when he’s trying to lecture me.

“Alfie is just my brother’s friend. We’re friends, too, due to mutual love for Harlan. Without him we probably wouldn’t be so close. I’m not even sure he enjoys my company,” I say on a more serious note, but hope that it’s not true.

“A fine girl like you? There’s no way he doesn’t enjoy spending time with you.” It’s his turn to be outraged.

“You are a sweetie.”

“Excuse me if you think I’m overstepping here, but where did you end up staying after you found out about your flat?” He’s finally putting all the pieces together.

I bite my lip wondering if I should tell a white lie. If I slip up with the details later, I’m sure Gordon will roast me, so instead I go with the truth.

“Well, like a gentleman, Alfie walked me home, so he was there when I found out about my flat.” I pause hoping he gets where I’m going with this so my words don’t shock him too much. “He offered me a bed for the night, as any friend would, and I gratefully accepted. I didn’t have an insurance company to ring, or a close female friend and I didn’t want to pay for a hotel room.”

He glances at his paper, but I don’t miss the knowing look on his face. He thinks it’s a load of hogwash, even though there’snothing to hint at my relationship being anything other than platonic.

“Huh,” he grumbles, totally misunderstanding.

“Actually, I think Alfie regretted offering me a place to stay because he was acting weird.” My lips turn down while I remember the way he’s been behaving.

“How so?”

I draw my lips together trying to figure out what gave me the bad vibe. “I’m not sure. It was like he was giving me the cold shoulder or something.”

“Did he do something to upset you? If he did, I’ll have to give him a piece of my mind.” He shakes his fist.

“No, you don’t need to do that. Maybe I was just imagining it.” I shake my head hoping to get rid of the negativity I feel. “I’ll find out tonight what’s going on with him as I’m going back to his flat if my place is still off limits.”

“Mmm…” His cheeks puff out in the way he does when he thinks he knows something I don’t.

It’s too tempting not to ask what I’ve overlooked. “Okay, out with it.”

“Have you ever considered he might have caught feelings for you, but wants to remain a gentleman?”

I laugh out loud. “Good one, Gordon. That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all year.”

He turns the page of his newspaper. “I’ll take another box of Turkish delight when you find out I’m right.”

Chapter Four

Alfie

Sweat drips off my back as I compete my last set of weightlifting reps. The ache of my muscles feels good.

“You’re working harder than usual,” Lance, my fellow Scarab, says as he passes my gym station.

“Yes, well I have energy to burn.” I drop the weight back onto the bar letting my arms flop down to the floor.

“Who’s getting you worked up?” he asks, with a wide smile which I can see through the long wall mirrors.

“Why does it have to be a person? Maybe I’m just wanting to put my all into training.”

I’m fairly certain I can’t fool Lance. He’s a perceptive player, and it spills over into his personal life. Being able to read people is great when he’s your teammate, but not so great when he’s watching you under a microscope.

“I know you. This has a female written all over it.” He gives me a knowing look.

Sitting up, I grab my towel and wipe the sweat from my face. If I tell Lance what happened, he’s not going to let it go, but it’s not like I can discuss this with my best friend. Harlan would rip me a new one if he knew I had dirty dreams about his sister while she was asleep in my bed. I’ve already jerked off twice before going into the gym today.

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