Page 18 of Inbetweeners
Nix shoved Emmett to one side, got up and strode out of the room.
“You’re welcome!” Emmett retorted.
Nix showered in cold water. He stayed there until he was chilled, then sat at the bottom of the shower and dropped his head into his hands.Can you hear me?He kept his mind blank as to whether he wanted Vin to answer or not, but sighed with relief when the demon didn’t respond. If Vin had been able to take over his body, wouldn’t he have just done it?Am I only safe while I’m awake?But hehadto sleep. It was impossible to stay awake for more than a day or so, wasn’t it?
Pain had brought him back. He needed to remember that, but what if Vin stopped that happening again? If Nix gave Vin control, he’d be lost. He wouldn’t be able to influence what the demon did. He might not even be aware of what Vin got up to. Maybe he’d be better off not knowing.Fuck.
When he went back into the bedroom to grab his clothes, Emmett was asleep, spread out in his bed as if he was claiming every inch of it. Nix dressed in the other room and lay down on the couch. The cat jumped up and settled next to him. Nix put on the TV at a low volume and sank his fingers into the cat’s fur. He purred, snuggled closer and Nix sighed. He hadn’t completely lost his appeal then. Now all he had to do was not go to sleep and that might be tricky.
“Ouch!” The cat had dug a claw into his thigh. “Nice idea but terrible timing.”
Nix woke up to a sound he’d not heard for over a year. A phone ringing. He gasped as he registered that he’d slept, but he had no memory of another encounter with Vin. Did that mean the demon wouldn’t always come when Nix fell asleep? Maybe it took too much energy to invade more than once a night. He pushed himself up and headed for the bedroom. Emmett’s phone was ringing too now. Nix picked his up from the side of the bed and the noise from Emmett’s stopped.
“Yeah?”
“Dewsbury Street, Tower Hamlets,” Tar said.
“How are we actually supposed to do this?”
But he’d been cut off.
“Who was that?” Emmett mumbled.
“Tar. All he said wasDewsbury Street, Tower Hamlets.”
“We better get going.” Emmett stood up and stretched.
As Emmett headed for the bathroom, Nix caught a glimpse of a tempting bulge in his shorts. The angel was long and lean, with a narrow waist, his small tight arse encased in close-fitting grey shorts. Nix had an uncharacteristic urge to flatten Emmett’s dark hair, which was sticking up. He’d probably lose his fingers.
Once Emmett had emerged, Nix took his time in the shower with Emmett banging on the door every few minutes telling him to hurry up. When he finally emerged, dressed, Emmett was pacing in the kitchen, the cat on his heels.
“I made coffee,” Emmett said.
“Thanks.”
Nix took a couple of slices of bread from the pack and popped them in the toaster before he poured himself a drink. Emmett huffed and continued to pace.
“I’m not rushing my breakfast,” Nix said. “I’m treasuring every moment of this time out of Hell. If you don’t sit down, I’ll eat even more slowly.”
Emmett sat at the table. The cat jumped onto the couch.
“He’s still not eaten the tuna?” Nix asked.
“No. It’s possible he’s being fed elsewhere. I might buy some cat food though.”
Nix put butter and marmalade on his toast and when he’d done with them, Emmett leapt to his feet and returned the containers to the fridge before sitting down again.
“It’s like having my own butler,” Nix said.
“Arsehole.”
“I do have one yes. Would you like to see it? Show me yours and I’ll show you mine. I dare you.”
Emmett glowered.
The moment Nix had finished eating, Emmett whipped the plate away and put it in the washing-up bowl. “Ready?”
Nix picked the keys up from the work surface. “I’ll drive.”
