Page 75 of Deep Down
Chapter 27
Alex
The gossip through the grapevine about Craig’s redecorating blitz had Alex tagging along when some of the guys went to help him. Alex could tell Craig was unsure having him in his house, Craig fidgeted, dragged his hands through his hair and glanced at Alex several times during the first few minutes of him being there. He considered asking Craig if he wanted Alex to leave but couldn’t bring himself to do it and lose the chance at spending time with Craig, even if it had to be with others around.
Their task was helping to build the furniture that had arrived. Alex paired up with Trent to build the wardrobe, a gorgeous antique pine monstrosity, which would no doubt need several of them to lift when it was assembled. While he paid attention to what they were doing, so neither ended up with nails or screws somewhere where they shouldn’t be, he knew exactly where Craig was at every point of the day.
When Craig left with a mention of getting started on lunch, Alex took a chance and followed him.
“Craig?” Alex kept his voice quiet, so he didn’t startle Craig.
Craig twisted around, biting his bottom lip as he stared at Alex, wide-eyed.
“Shall we go on a sandwich shop run instead of making them?” Seeing Craig was about to decline, Alex sweetened the pot. “We could choose some cakes and goodies for after.”
Craig exhaled audibly. “Alright.”
“Great. Let’s grab everyone’s orders.” Alex exited the kitchen and strode back to the bedroom, pulling out his phone to note it all down. Max, Trent, Sean and Asher were straightforward. They knew exactly what they wanted; Ethan and Zak were another matter. They spent several minutes debating the intricacies of a Greek salad before Sean threw a cloth at them and demanded they make up their mind or starve.
All orders received, Alex and Craig headed for the cars.
“I’ll drive if that’s okay. It’s most likely easier for me to get out than you anyway.”
Craig nodded and followed Alex to his car. They were silent for the first few minutes until Alex spoke up.
“My new nephew is going to be a handful, I reckon. Seems to have his mother and grandparents wrapped around his little finger. As if they weren’t with Danny, already. When I went to visit them last week, they were fighting over changing his nappy, for god’s sake.” He rolled his eyes. “Who does that? Yeah, alright, fight over something cute, sure, but changing a nappy? No way, no how.”
Craig snorted, and Alex beamed.
“And sleeping in the single bed I had as a teenager, in a room still decorated as if I was that teenager? Not comfy. At all.” Alex shook his head in mock annoyance. “You would have thought my parents would have had a midlife crisis by now and redesigned one of the rooms into a gym or something. But no, I have to have the sentimental parents, don’t I? The ones who keep everything the same.”
They arrive at the sandwich shop with Craig not having said a word, although his behaviour showed his uneasiness had abated. Placing the orders, they settled in to wait at a table by the window, both seemingly watching the passersby, whilst in honesty, Alex was watching Craig.
He was unsure how to break the silence, but the reason for his arrival at Craig’s house was on the tip of his tongue. He didn’t know how to broach the subject without Craig potentially retreating. Alex knew there was no way his words were going to be taken lightly.
“Um, Craig?” Alex hesitated, gaze on Craig’s reflection in the window, despite not being able to see his expression easily.
Craig glanced at him, eyebrows raised.
“I’ve been dancing around this for months now but want to bring it to your attention in case you’ve missed my intentions.” Alex cleared his throat, palms sweating as he veered his head to face Craig straight on. “I’d like to get to know you better. Without all the hospital stuff in the middle.”
Alex tried to read the expressions crossing Craig’s face but couldn’t. Craig stared at him, so long, in fact, Alex was concerned he wasn’t going to say anything.
“I don’t,” Craig coughed, “know if it’s a good idea.”
“If you’re worried about Heath, don’t be. I broke up with him.” Alex swore he could see a flicker in Craig’s eyes, but it could’ve been a trick of the light. He didn’t add the ending on that sentence he wanted to—for you—because Craig was gaping at him enough as it was.
Their essentially one-sided conversation ended when their order was called, and they headed to the counter. Alex paid for the order, eliciting a complaint from Craig.
“They won’t let me pay for their time. It’s the least I can do!”
Alex countered his words after they collected the three bags full of food. “No. What you can do is hang out with them. Invite them for dinner. Go when others invite you. They don’t need you to pay them to be there. They want you in their lives. Same as I do.”
The journey back to Craig’s house was quiet. Alex didn’t feel inclined to fill the silence this time, allowing Craig time to think through what Alex had said. When Alex parked the car, Craig pivoted towards him.
“Can we be friends for a while? Hang out and such?” Craig worried his lip between his finger and thumb.
“Of course, we can.” Alex was more than happy with his answer. It was something he could build on.
