Page 163 of Everything That Kills Me
Jack checked the man’s pockets. Nothing apart from a packet of American gum. Available in the UK but not common.
“You were never that careless,” Thomas said.
“Which is why I’m still alive. Zeph, go and wait a little way down the hill.”
Thomas lifted the axe and Zeph went without a word.
Forty-Four
When they finally parted ways with Thomas, Zeph was exhausted. He’d done none of the work, but knowing what the other two had been doing frazzled his nerves and left him feeling as if he’d just run a marathon. The body was gone, the gun was gone and now they were gone. Thomas had Django and was heading for…somewhere or other. Zeph wasn’t sure where he and Jack were going but Jack was driving and Zeph kept falling asleep.
Jack woke him and Zeph sucked in a breath as he jerked upright.
“We’re in Southampton. See that hotel? I’ve booked us a room for two nights under your name. I need to get rid of the car. I’ll be no more than an hour. If you take one case, I’ll bring the other.”
Zeph nodded and climbed out. He almost lifted Jack’s case from the boot, but that wouldn’t stop him leaving if he wanted to.
As Jack drove away, Zeph felt his eyes fill with tears.Please come back and tell me you love me.
The hotel was lovely. Zeph sat on the balcony and watched the boats coming in and out of the harbour. If Jack didn’t return, Zeph thought he’d go travelling on his own. He’d start in Paris and he’d do wild and crazy things. Well, no, he probably wouldn’t but he’d try to.
When he heard the balcony door slide open behind him, he looked round and flew into Jack’s embrace.
“Did you miss me?” Jack hugged him hard.
“You’re seventy-six seconds early. Plenty of time for shenanigans before my boyfriend gets back.”
Jack laughed. Zeph pulled him down onto the chair and climbed onto his lap.
“Everything okay?” Zeph asked.
“Yes.”
“Are we really going to stay here two nights?”
Jack nodded.
“What are we going to find to do?”
“I have a list.”
Zeph smiled. “Do you?”
“Anything you want—is at the top.”
Zeph smiled harder.
“I love you,” Jack whispered.
Zeph blinked. Those words… They flashed straight to his heart.
“I thought I was waiting for the perfect moment and it was just an excuse. I’ve had trouble getting my head around the way I feel, convincing myself I deserve to wake up next to you. I wanted to show you how much I love you, but I’m so bloody tired.”
“It’s been quite a day.”
“Better that you don’t think too much about it.”
Zeph nodded. “You’ve distracted me with those three words. When did you know?”
