Chapter Nine
"So, what's been going on?"
Luke glanced over his shoulder at Josh, frowning. "Don't know what you mean?"
Luke had gone over to see Matt and Josh, and he hadn't been there long before Josh had started questioning him.
"I know something is going on. You're quieter than normal," Josh told him, folding his arms across his chest and staring at him.
"Is it still going on?" Matt asked.
Luke sighed, nodding his head. "It's not as bad as it was. I've deleted all my social media accounts and only get the occasional text or email now. Sarah still follows me around, shouting shit. I just ignore her and walk away."
"You need to tell that bitch to fuck off," Josh said.
Matt smiled at Josh. "You gonna go down there and beat some of them up?"
Josh snorted. "Not worth my time. Bitch needs a slap, and I don't agree with hitting women, but I'd do it to her!"
"Now now, Josh"-- Matt kissed him-- "less of the fighting."
"Thanks, though."
Josh snorted again, "No fighting? This is me we're talking about."
"Yes, it is. And remember you're trying to do better, be a calmer person."
"I am," Josh argued. "Just don't wanna see Luke getting picked on."
Luke lifted his hands up, palms out. "Okay, thank you. It's really not necessary, though. It'll die down. She'll get bored and start on someone else. Anyway, she's seeing someone else now. Can't imagine he's gonna want to stand there when she's screaming abuse at me. No bloke wants to see his girlfriend's more interested in the ex than him."
Matt nodded. "Well, I hope it does. You'll tell us if it doesn't, will you?"
"Yeah, 'course I will."
"Really? You didn't tell us it's been going on for the past month, did ya?" Josh reminded him.
Luke sighed. "I just didn't want to involve you two. You've gone through so much together, and now you've moved in and you're starting a life together." Luke shrugged again. "I just hope it would settle down and I won't have to involve anyone."
"Seb and Tom don't know?" Josh asked.
"No, and I don't want them to know. Please don't tell them."
"Why? Seb's a solicitor. Who's better to advise you than him?" Josh reminded him. Yes, Seb was a solicitor, and Tom was training to become one, but their relationship was getting back on track, and he didn't want his dramas to rock it. They'd had difficulties with Josh, and at one point, Tom had left. Both couples had overcome many obstacles, and Luke didn't want to upset them. The last thing he wanted to do was to cause problems between either of the couples. He was an adult. He could handle it himself.
"Okay then. Tomorrow, we'll meet at the bus stop, and I'll walk with you," Matt said.
Luke shook his head. "No, there's no need to do that."
"Yes, I will. We've known each other a long time, and I'm not going to let some fucking bitch cause problems for you. We will meet tomorrow morning and we're walking in together."
Luke stared at Matt, a stare Matt returned. Eventually, Luke nodded. "Okay, I'll meet you in the morning."
"Good, I'm kinda hoping she will do something now so that I can give the fucking bitch a mouthful."
Josh wrapped his arms around Matt. "That's my babe."
"Tomorrow then."
Luke nodded.
❊❊❊
Matt and Luke stood at the bus stop. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Luke asked. His stomach rolled, and he wiped the palms of his hands on his jeans. He looked around the area, only noticing a few stares their way.
"Course I do. Let's go." Matt walked towards the building, and Luke slowly followed.
"How long do you think it will go on for before she gets bored?"
Matt shrugged. "Not long. There's hardly anyone looking our way now, so they've probably moved on to someone else already."
Luke nodded. Matt was right. When Sarah had first started saying things about him, it had felt like virtually everyone was looking at him or commenting on him. But now, hardly anyone seemed bothered. It appeared like it was finally dying down.
Glanced around the area again, Luke spotted her. Sarah and her cronies. "Shit! There she is." Taking a shaky breath, Luke rubbed the back of his neck and dropped his gaze to the floor.
"Keep your head up. You've got nothing to be ashamed of. As far as we're concerned, she doesn't know anything. She's jumped to conclusions, so ignore her."
He glanced across at Matt. "But she hasn't, has she?" he whispered.
Matt stopped and grabbed Luke's arm bringing him to a halt. "No one needs to know. No one." Matt gave Luke a hard stare. "It's the past, and it doesn't matter to anyone."
Luke nodded and Matt released his arm, walking forward again. He glanced over at Sarah and watched her glare at him.
At the entrance to the building, Matt said goodbye and Luke walked to his lecture room, while Matt walked back to his stop.
It was an hour long of boredom, and Luke struggled to pay attention. As he was leaving the lecture hall, Krish shouted at him from behind.
Luke paused, glancing over his shoulder and watched Krish approach him. "Fancy going for a drink?" Krish asked him.
Luke glanced up at him. He hadn't really paid attention to him when they'd gone for the coffee before. His mind had been on Sarah and what she'd been saying about him. But now, he could appreciate the man stood in front of him.
Taller than him by a good three or four inches, Krish was broad across the shoulders. Slim waist and lean hips, with strong thighs, evident through the jeans he wore. Luke glanced back up to Krish's face, taking in the full lips and strong jaw. His light brown skin fascinated Luke, and he wanted to reach out and touch it. He had dark curly hair, almost black, and bright hazel eyes.
Luke swallowed. He could feel the attraction towards Krish, and it scared him. He hadn't been with the man since his time on the streets, and he wasn't sure if he could do it again. The thought of letting someone fuck him... No, he couldn't do it.
"Well?"
Luke swallowed again. "Okay." There was no harm in having Krish as a friend.
"My place isn't too far from here, so let me grab my work, and I'll meet you outside, and we can go get a drink. Is that okay with you?"
Luke took a shaky breath in. Was that okay with him? Did Krish want more?
Glancing back up at Krish's face, Luke's eyes flickered over his face, but Luke couldn't see anything other than friendship reflected. Luke slowly nodded. "Yeah, sure."
"Okay, I'll meet you outside in a few minutes."
Luke nodded and watched Krish walk away, then went outside.
Within a few minutes, Krish was there with a large bag over his shoulder. "Have you got a lot of work to do?" Luke asked when he saw the bag.
"Always." Krish chuckled. "But don't worry, I've got time for us to have a drink together. Come on. The car's just over here."
They walked over towards a red Citroen and Luke jumped in. Krish was right. It only took a few minutes to get to the house where he lived.
"I live here with a couple of friends I met on my course, Danny and Simon. They're good guys. They normally have their girlfriends, Katie and Jess, here as well, but don't mind them."
Krish parked up and they both got out of the car. Luke followed Krish towards the front door of a mid-terraced house. Krish let them both in and closed the door behind Luke.
"Just us here, Luke. Fancy a beer?"
Luke followed Krish into the kitchen. "Yeah, that'd be great, thanks." Luke glanced around the kitchen, noticing the faded wallpaper and cupboards. It wasn't dirty, it was just a bit old and needed some repair. A typical student house.
Luke took the bottle Krish handed him and followed him into the living room. He dropped his bag to the floor and sat on the chair. Again, the living room was showing signs of wear, but it wasn't too bad. Brown carpet and cream walls. Books were everywhere, including a few dirty dishes.
"So, anymore bullying?" Krish asked.
"Nah, it's died down now. It's just my ex and her friends. Coming off social media helped."
"Good, I'm glad. So, why English Literature?"
Luke smiled and talked about his love of books and reading. It turned out they both had a lot in common and over the course of the evening, Luke drank several beers and learned a lot about Krish. Including the fact that Luke was attracted to him, which scared the shit out of him.
He was laughing at one of Krish's stories about his siblings when Luke realised how drunk he was. He really needed to go home.
"So, why is Sarah so angry with you? I mean, she left you, so why keep it up?"
Luke glanced away, biting his lip. He shrugged, not wanting to answer the question.
"It can't be that bad."
Luke nodded. "It is."
"You know whatever is said between us will remain between us."
Luke stared at Krish. "I was a rent boy." Shit. He hadn't meant to blurt that out. He dropped his head into his hands, hiding from Krish.
When he felt Krish's hands on his shoulders, he lifted his eyes, blinking, tears running down his face.
"Did you have a choice?" Krish asked quietly, wiping the tears from Luke's cheeks.
"No," he whispered. "I was living on the streets." Luke swallowed hard. "I had nothing."
"How long were you on the streets for?"
Luke shrugged, "Around two years or so." Luke glanced up, looking into Krish's eyes. "Do you hate me now?"
Krish rocked back on the heels of his trainers. "What? Hate you?" Krish shook his head. "Why would I hate you?"
"'Cause I'm a used up hole."
Krish leaned close. "No, you're not. There are more than a few students who are escorts. The extra money keeps them at Uni. Most students leave with mountains of debt. I know a couple of them. They're really nice people. So, no, I don't have a problem."
Luke sobbed, dropping his face into his hands. Krish pulled him closer, holding him as he cried.
Luke wasn't sure how long he cried for, he'd held so much in, but eventually, his sobs eased. He leaned back, creating some distance between them. He couldn't look at Krish, so he glanced around the room instead. Anything to avoid looking into Krish's eyes and seeing the loathing there.
It was when he felt a hand on his chin, lifting his head up, that Luke finally looked at Krish. He took in a shaky breath, holding it, waiting to Krish to ask him to leave.
"You're safe here, Luke. I won't tell anyone what you've said to me."
"Promise," Luke whispered.
Krish nodded. "You did what you had to do. No one should use that against you." Standing, Krish held out his hand to Luke. "Come on. You can stay in my bed tonight, and I'll drive you home in the morning."
Luke glanced at the hand and eventually reached up and gripped it tight. He allowed Krish to pull him up and lead him from the living room, up the stairs and into his bedroom. Luke let Krish sit him on the bed, take his trainers off and pull the covers back.
"I'll leave the room while you undress, but try to get some sleep, and I'll come up in the morning."
Luke sat watching Krish as he walked from the room. "Wait. Where are you going to sleep?"
"Don't you worry about that. I'll be fine. Good night, Luke, and I'll see you in the morning."
Krish stepped through the doorway and closed the door quietly behind him, leaving Luke alone in his bedroom. He lay down and pulled the covers up to his chin, and blinked his tired and gritty eyes. He closed his eyes, praying for sleep, and that was the last thing he knew.