Page 33 of Commitment Issues
“I decided, in the end, to come alone. After all, it’s a small wedding party. Good friends only.”
I watch Gavin, waiting for the telltale sign he’s lying. And there it is, the tiniest twitch of muscle in his clenched jaw. It gives him away, every single time. He can lie with his words, with his eyes, with his body, but he could never master that traitorous little twitch of muscle.
“Elliot, we should get together, to talk about the ceremony as we’re the best men.”
I take a sip from my bottled beer before answering.
“Why? I don’t think there’s anything we need go over. You’re Marcus’ man, and I’m Andrew’s.”
“It’s a wedding, and we’re playing key parts. I don’t want anything to go wrong, I only want to make sure we’re on the same page.”
He smiles, and places his hand on my bicep, massaging gently the way he always used to. It’s an electric shock. We’ve had no physical contact for months, but we were together for a decade, and in that touch that once had been a sign of intimacy, of the lovers we’d been, there are memories of the good times. But electric shocks can burn. I step away from him, moving closer to Freddie, our shoulders, hips, legs bumping together. His hand slips down into mine.
And all the time, Gavin’s jaw twitching.
“Will you be joining the party tomorrow?”
“What party?” The switch in subject’s sudden, I have no idea what Gavin’s talking about.
“Marcus and Andrew have chartered a yacht, to take us all along the coast. We’re going to St. Pierre. You remember St. Pierre, don’t you?” Gavin’s eyes narrow in a secretive smile.
My jaw tightens. Of course I remember St. Pierre. Beautiful, secluded St. Pierre, the prettiest cove along the coast.
“Do you sail?” Gavin says, turning his attention back to Freddie. “Elliot and I had the most wonderful holidays together, sailing around the Med, and the Caribbean.”
“Sail? Oh God, no. The nearest I’ve ever got to sailing was when I went on one of those pirate themed all day drinking parties, when I went to Ibiza one year. The closest I get to being on water now is when I’m bouncing around on a water bed. Isn’t it, honey?”
Gavin’s eyes widen. “A water bed? Really? How… Never mind.”
“They’re great,” Freddie gushes, getting into his stride. “They get you all relaxed, and… well, all relaxed. You should try one. Shouldn’t he, baby? I can give you the number of the place where we got ours.”
Gavin looks like he’s found something unspeakable in a canapé.
“No, thank you. I don’t think—”
A deep boom cuts across Gavin, and silence replaces the hubbub of chatter around the pool. Everybody turns their attention towards the patio where a dapper little man, and clearly one of the caterers, holds up a gong in one hand, and a partially padded stick in the other, declaring in heavily accented English that the buffet has opened.
“Buffet,” Freddie says, his voice and smile full of glee. “Hope there’s cheese and pineapple on sticks, and those little sausages. I love those. What d’ya reckon, Gav?”
“I very much doubt it. And, please, it’s Gavin. I’d rather you didn’t shorten my name. Elliot, we’ll catch up tomorrow,” Gavin says as he walks off, stiff backed and very pissed off.
“Bloody hell, that was — well, not sure what that was, if I’m honest. If I go too far, you will tell me, won’t you? I’ve an ingrained habit of backchat when faced with an arsehole. Sorry,” Freddie says on a groan. “Not literally faced with one, of course, but you know what I mean. I blame it on living with Cosmo.” He frowns, his teeth worrying at his lower lip. “I don’t want to put you in an awkward position, with your friends. I’m here to support you, not show you up.” He rubs at the back of his neck, a gesture that’s already known and familiar.
Without thinking, I ease his hand away, not letting go but instead gently squeezing his warm fingers.
“You’re not showing me up.” My voice comes out hoarse, and rougher than I’d like. “You didn’t rise to any of the bait he threw out. You played him at his own game, and he won’t have liked that.”
“Is that — good?”
“Let’s just say I could get used to it. Come on, let’s see if I can find you some cheese and pineapple. Baby.”
“Aw, thanks hun, you’re such a sweetheart.”
Sweetheart. I can’t help grinning. I’ve never been that, but I know who is.
