Page 26 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“And you?” Brian asked Devan.
“I’m fine too, thanks.”
Jonty glanced at Devan. Nobody should be that good-looking. Nobody should be stupid enough to want to get involved with someone that good-looking. Especially if that someone was straight.Colour me stupid.
And what didinvolvedmean anyway? Whatever happened with Devan, assuming it did happen, would never be what Jonty wanted—needed—or hoped for. Something different. Someone whodidwant to make it more than sex. Someone who wasn’t freakily possessive. Someone who didn’t take things too far. A proper relationship. Jonty hardly dared let himself think that was possible.
Except…It isn’t going to be anything, you idiot.An hour spent in each other’s company wondering if they were going to die was not the start of something beautiful. They’d each dealt with it in their own way. Jonty by opening his stupid mouth and Devan by being controlling. Once they reached the shore, it was the end. Back to sarcastic hotel employee and unimpressed awkward guest. A few nights in the hotel and Devan would go back to London.
Jonty’s life was all about endings. People leaving him. That’s what always happened. Except for the one guy he didn’t seem to be able to get rid of.Bloody Brad.In an instant, his breathing turned ragged. Jonty tried to get off the lifeboat without help, but the crew weren’t having any of that and he was escorted up the jetty to the quay. Not by Devan, but maybe that was just as well.
“Thanks, guys,” Jonty said. “Though wewereholding out for the helicopter.”
Brian laughed. Jonty pulled off the beanie Brian had put on his head and handed it back to him.
“I’m sorry we put you to so much trouble.” Devan took the words out of Jonty’s mouth.
“You were unlucky,” Brian said. “But you knew what to do. Kept you alive long enough for us to rescue you.”
Jonty saw Mike striding their way and the big Australian threw his arms around him and hugged him. “You okay, mate?”
“The sea spat me out.” Jonty tried to grin. “Too much of a mouthful.”
“Let me check him out,” said the paramedic.
It didn’t take long for both him and Devan to be declared fit enough not to require further treatment. As the paramedic drove away, Mike homed in for another hug.
“I warned you to watch for a rip. You know what to look for. You’re a fucking idiot. You could have carked it.” He held Jonty by the shoulders. “Sure you don’t need an ambo?”
“I’m fine.”
You could have died.
But I didn’t, Tay. Where were you when I was out there?
You didn’t need the distraction.
“Jonty saw the rip,” Devan said. “He came to warn me and got caught as well.”
Mike kept his arm over Jonty’s shoulder and turned to Devan. Not hard to miss that the pissed-off expression had returned to Devan’s face, probably because Mike was sporting one too. For a brief, very brief moment, Jonty felt like a lamb caught between two wolves. He knew which one he’d cuddle if he had the choice, which proved he was a fool.
“You can’t both eat me,” he said.
A comment that brought him two identical looks of incredulity.Darn it. That should have stayed in my head.
“Who are you?” Mike asked.
“Devan Smith. I’m staying at McAllister’s. You must be Mike from the shop. Jonty mentioned you, said he hoped you’d spot he was in trouble.” Devan had his hand out. “Thanks for calling the coastguard.”
Mike gave his hand a brief shake. “I didn’t want Jonty to drown. Not sure about you yet.”
Jonty sighed. “It’s not Devan’s fault. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have made it. He pulled me up quite a few times. Kept me awake telling hilariously filthy jokes.”
“Hmm. Is that your vehicle in the beach car park?” Mike asked. “The Aston Martin?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll give you a lift back.” Mike opened the rear of his van and put the boards and kite inside.
