Page 39 of Inbetweeners
Phoenix wasn’t a worrier, but he was concerned that Vin might gain control. If Vin made him hurt Emmett, there might be nothing he could do to stop him. How could he not be anxious about that?I do have kindness in me. See, Emmett?
Fifteen minutes later, Emmett set out the meal. “It’s ready.”
Nix took his feet off the coffee table and joined him. “What is it?”
“Chinese stir-fry.”
The plates held some sort of omelette and salad.
Nix had eaten it all before Emmett had consumed a third of hisandEmmett had given him the bigger portion. Nix dumped his plate in the washing-up bowl and went back to the TV.
“Are you completely devoid of manners?” Emmett muttered.
“Yes.” Nix sighed. “What did I do? Burp?”
“You didn’t say thanks and you could have stayed with me while I was still eating.”
Nix went back to the table and dropped onto the chair. “Best stir fry I’ve ever had.”
Emmett twirled his fork in his salad. “I’ve remembered a few things.”
“What? That you don’t like salad?”
“I wasn’t allowed to leave the table until everyone had cleared their plate. My parents were strict. I have a brother and sister. My parents were strict with them too. We always had to be smart, well mannered, and only speak when spoken to. I…I wasn’t a happy child.”
“Join the club.”
Emmett looked at him across the table. “I keep thinking, did nothing make me happy? It would be nice to recall somethinggood, but maybe all my memories are bad. It would explain why I didn’t want to remember.”
“Because nothing nice ever happened to you in your entire life?”
“Maybe it didn’t.”
“Maybe you had to wait until after you were dead. And here I am. Being nice to you. Sex-demon at your service.”
Nix hoped for a smile, but didn’t get one.
“Right.” Emmett pushed to his feet, scraped what remained of his meal into the bin, then started to do the washing up.
Not even anarseholethrown at me for that?Nix picked up a tea towel, and did the drying.
“Sometimes I wish I couldn’t remember,” Nix said.
“But then you come to your senses and realise memories are everything, and I’m a moron, right?”
Don’t say yes.“We’re both fucked up,” Nix mumbled.
“I guess we are.”
Nix smiled. “We finally agree on something. Thanks for the meal. It was tasty.”
Emmett nodded. “Did you feed Cat?”
“No, but I bought some food for him. It’s in the cupboard. Yes, I had time to buy alcohol, the T-shirtandcat food.” Plus a few other things he wouldn’t mention.
When Emmett saw the three cans of cat food, he turned and treated Nix to a broad smile which transformed his face and had Nix’s cock pressing against his zip.
“So you do have a heart,” Emmett said.
