Page 64 of Everything That Kills Me
Bernard sniggered.
“There’s food on the way,” Giles said. “I’ve ordered pizza.”
Zeph’s stomach growled loud enough for them to hear it.
“That’s settled then,” Giles said.
Zeph gave in. Maybe a party would stop him thinking.
They arrived at Devlin’s house at the same time as the pizza. The noise and the number of people hit Zeph like a wall. He followed Bernard into the kitchen where Devlin was standing on a table.
“Pizza!” Devlin shouted and jumped down.
Zeph managed to get a slice before the gannets descended. It was still hot, with plenty of cheese, exactly as he liked it, and Giles was annoying someone else, which was even better.
Bernard handed him a plastic cup, and touched his to Zeph’s. “Here’s to the end of exams.”
“One more year to go,” Zeph said.
“I’m sort of sad and happy at the same time. I might stay on and do a PhD. What about you?”
“Not sure.” Though he was.
“Careful of Giles. When he’s drunk, he’ll go for anything.”
“Was that a warning or an insult?” Zeph grinned.
Bernard looked horrified. “Not an insult. Fuck no!” He leaned in and kissed Zeph on the forehead. “You’re far too good for him. I’ll get us more of that champagne before these greedy buggers drink it all.”
Zeph tipped the cup towards his mouth and his gaze snagged on someone standing in the doorway. What the hell? What was Jack doing there? He was looking round the kitchen, then his gaze rested on Zeph. Zeph’s heart banged against his ribs. He tried really hard not to look at Jack’s smoky-grey eyes or the mouth that had given him his first kiss. His dirty-blond hair was the same, not short, not long. Jack looked older and hotter and…Fuck.
Why does he make me feel like this? Confused and…Zeph was all too aware of how he looked. Formal trousers, white shirt collar over his tight grey sweater and worn deck shoes, along with his backpack. Boring. Not like Jack in his faded grey jeans, tight white T-shirt and worn leather jacket.
Bernard came back triumphantly clutching the champagne. He poured what remained into Zeph’s cup.
“Thanks.” Zeph drank while he was still staring at Jack.
“He’s hot,” Bernard whispered.
Zeph didn’t even bother asking who he meant. He needed to leave before… Before what? He threw a punch at Jack? Kissed him? Burst into tears? Made a fool of himself? It took him a moment to register Bernard had walked over to Jack and was talking to him. While neither were looking his way, Zeph escaped, though he knew Jack would follow.
He was halfway down the road before he heard Jack call, “Are you running away?”
Zeph kept moving. “Walking, not running. You should know the difference.”
Jack came up at his side. “You look…”
“Gorgeous? Dorky? Pissed off? Happy?” Since Zeph didn’t understand how he felt, he wondered what Jack would say.
“The same. You look the same. Just a little older. Where are your glasses?”
“I don’t need them. I had laser eye surgery. A present from my uncle and his partner.”
“I liked your glasses.”
Hmm. “It wasn’t a coincidence you were on Clare Bridge.”
“No. I came looking for you.”
