CHAPTER TEN
“Couldn’t wait till the weekend, then?” Charlie leant down and gave his sister a hug and a kiss. Letting go of her, he turned around in a slow circle, marvelling at the fairy lights winding up the bannister and around the door. “Subtle.”
Kath slapped him on the arm. “Get lost. It’s already December seventh. This is me being restrained this year.”
Laughing, Charlie followed her into the living room to see the rest of her decorations. “Wow.” He stopped in the doorway to admire the fully decorated Christmas tree sitting in front of the bay window.
“I know, right?” She leant her head on his arm and sighed. “I love Christmas.”
“I’d never have guessed.” He felt rather than heard her answering chuckle. “It looks amazing, though.” Even in daylight, without the lights being put to full effect, it looked beautiful. Silver, white, and red decorations hung from the branches, with white fairy lights sprinkled throughout. Charlie bet it looked fabulous at night. “You having lights outside this year?”
“Well…”
He turned to look at her when she didn’t elaborate. “Oh, so you had an ulterior motive for inviting me round.”
“No.” She grinned when he raised his eyebrows. “I only thought of it after I’d asked you for lunch. I’m at work Saturday and Sunday, and Mike’s away.” She gave him her best puppy-dog expression, which hadn’t worked on him in years. “I really want them done today so they’re on when I come home from work.”
“Fine, where are your step ladders?” Like he’d ever say no to her. Sad eyes or not.
“In the garage. I only need your help; you don’t have to do it all.”
Fair enough. He wasn’t going to refuse her offer. “Come on, then. Let’s get this done and we can eat. I’m bloody starved.”
CHARLIE HELD THE ladder as Kath rearranged the lights to her liking. He’d put up a few more hooks around the garage and the side of the house, and they were almost done with the lights.
“I think Sam missed you this week.” She paused her fiddling and glanced down at him.
“Oh?”
“You should’ve seen his face when I opened the door instead of you.”
Charlie had been gutted when Kath called him to tell him her shifts had changed. He’d been looking forward to a few more hours alone with Sam. “I’m sure he got over it as soon as you put the kettle on. He’s easily bought with tea and biscuits.”
Her eyes narrowed, lips curved into a smirk, and he knew instantly he’d said the wrong thing. “Talking of tea… Imagine my surprise when I hear my coffee-drinking brother makes cups of tea all day long. I didn’t know you even knew how?”
“I drink tea,” he protested. “Sometimes. And I didn’t make it all day long. Just the odd cup. You know what workmen are like.” He looked down at the ground, scuffing his trainers against the concrete.
“Mhmm.” She laughed at him. “I may be happily married, but I’ve still got eyes, you know. Sam’s hot. If I didn’t have Mike, then I’d be making him cups of tea and offering up my best biscuits.” She gave him a pointed a look, which he ignored but made a note to bring her some more butter shortbread next time he popped in. “I’m just saying, you should go for it. He looks all kinds of interested from where I’m standing.”
He wasn’t about to get into how Sam had been a bit weird last time. “Yeah, maybe.”
AS KATH SAW him to the door, she asked, “What you up to tonight, anything interesting?”
“Kind of?” he hedged.
“What does that mean?”
“Dave invited me to the pub tonight.”
“Oh.” Her eyebrows rose. “When you say Dave, is that just Dave or…?”
“No, it’s a group of them.” He sighed when she waited him out. “Okay, as far as I know, it’ll be Dave, Sam…” He hoped Sam would be there. “Alex somebody, who went to the same school as us, and some other friends. Whoever turns up I guess.” Charlie wasn’t bothered who turned up, he liked socialising, be it a handful of people or a biggish group.
“Well,” Kath said, still grinning at him. “Have fun.”
He rolled his eyes. “It’s just a drink.”
“That’s how these things start…” She winked at him, and he couldn’t help but laugh.
No way was he chatting up Sam, or anyone for that matter, in a pub he didn’t know, in front of people he didn’t know. He didn’t hide his sexuality, but he liked to get the lay of the land before being so open about it.
“Bye, Kath.”
“Drive safely.” She waved him off and closed the door behind him.
IT WAS GONE six by the time he pulled into the car park behind his building. Storm met him on the path, meowing loudly and rubbing up against his legs. “What have you been up to all day, eh?” He bent to stroke her. “Asleep for most of it, I’ll bet.”
She followed him up to the front door instead of going in through the cat flap he’d installed in the living room French doors.
Warmth greeted him as soon as he entered his flat. One thing his new flat had over the old house he’d shared with Tim, the place was ten times warmer. Before he could stop himself, he pictured Tim snuggling up against the cold with whatever his name was. With a sigh, he scooped up Storm and collapsed onto the sofa, head back against the cushions.
As if sensing he needed a distraction, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, surprised when he saw the screen.
Oh.
The number wasn’t one he recognised, but he had his phone set so it displayed the first lines of text messages.
Hi, this is Sam. Dave gave me your number…
Charlie quickly swiped to see the rest of the message.
Thought it made sense to walk to the pub together tonight, if you’re still coming? Ready for 8ish?
Charlie smiled. Yeah that’d be great. And 8 works for me.
The reply was instantaneous, and Charlie pictured Sam next door, sat with his phone in his hand. Great, see you in a bit.
Saving Sam’s number to his contacts, Charlie sighed again and ran a hand over Storm’s back, making her purr and stretch her paws out. Claws pierced his jeans as she started to knead on his lap, and he gently extricated them with a soft laugh. Staying right there on the sofa seemed mighty appealing, and if he hadn’t already made plans, that’s probably where he’d end up staying.
A shower and some food would sort him out.
Tim had already gone out there and found himself someone to move on with. Charlie needed to do the same.
And although the local pub wasn’t somewhere he wanted to flirt with another guy, he and Sam would be walking there. Hopefully just the two of them. Charlie passed the pub on his way to Kath’s. He was pretty sure it’d take them a good twenty minutes to get there. He could squeeze a lot of flirting into twenty minutes. Even with Sam being a little less friendly the last time they were together, Charlie had caught him snatching surreptitious glances. He still fancied his chances. It was as though Sam wanted to chat and have a laugh like before, but something held him back. And if Charlie could get Sam to tell him what that thing was, he was certain they could resolve it.
And then…
The idea of someone new, after five years of it only being him and Tim, was both weird and exciting. Charlie would be lying if he said he didn’t like the way his heart fluttered when he thought of Sam. When he pictured pushing Sam up against the outside of his flat, lips tingling from the cold, and kissing him until both of them were breathless.
Thoroughly awake now, Charlie carefully lifted Storm off his lap and stood.
Food, then shower.
Reaching to stroke her one last time, Charlie found himself whispering. “Maybe things are looking up, eh?” She opened one eye and glared at him, judging his very existence. “I know it’s early days, but I reckon tonight could be interesting.” Yawning, she stretched and turned away from him. Charlie laughed. “Fine, interesting for me.”
Shaking his head, he left her to it and headed to the kitchen in search of food.
AT FIVE PAST EIGHT, Charlie was showered, dressed, and staring at himself in the bedroom mirror. He was in the middle of putting on his cologne when the doorbell rang.
A flare of excitement hit him in the belly, and he grinned. Fuck, but he’d missed this feeling.
Sam stood on the other side of the door when he opened it, and Charlie burst out laughing when he saw he and Sam were dressed alike. “Well, shit.”
Fucking typical.
Sam’s coat was unzipped, revealing dark blue jeans and what looked to be a grey long-sleeved T-shirt. He looked great, but no way could they go out together looking like twins.
“Arse.” Sam’s gaze raked over him, head to toe, then back up. A small shiver raced down Charlie’s spine at the attention. “They’re gonna take the piss if we turn up like this.”
“I’ll bet.” Charlie stood aside and beckoned Sam inside. “Come on in; I’ll change my top.”
Sam’s brow furrowed. “You sure?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of opportunity for your mates to take the piss.” With a group of blokes together, it was inevitable. “I don’t want to make it easy for them.” He led Sam through to the living room. “Have a seat. I’ll be back in a sec.”
Sam took one step into the room, then stopped dead.
“What?” Charlie frowned, confused. Then he followed Sam’s line of sight. “Oh, that’s Storm. She’s as soft as grease, honestly. I doubt she’ll even acknowledge you’re there.” He left Sam to it and walked the short distance to his bedroom, mentally going through his wardrobe for something suitable. He had the same T-shirt in navy, but what he settled on was a lightweight black jumper that Kath bought him for his birthday last year. It looked like it could be wool but was thin enough that he shouldn’t be too hot in it.
Slipping it on, he checked his hair in the mirror, decided it was good enough, and left to collect Sam.
“Right, I’m—oh.” Pausing in the living room doorway, he glared at his traitorous cat sprawled out on Sam’s knee, looking as content as you like. Sam, on the other hand, sat rigid, arms at his sides, with his fingers curled into fists.
“She climbed on my lap the second I sat down,” he hissed, voice barely a whisper as though Storm might hear him.
Charlie wanted to laugh, but if Sam was afraid of cats, then it wasn’t all that funny. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t think she’d budge from her spot. Here, let me…” He quickly walked over and picked her up, and she stretched, arms and legs straightening out making her seem extra-long. Charlie always thought she looked super cute like that.
He chanced a glance at Sam as he laid her out at the other end of the sofa. His shoulders had relaxed somewhat, thank God. “Not a fan?”
Sam shook his head. “Not really. I’m not frightened of them or anything, just…” He sighed and rolled his eyes. “It sounds ridiculous, but I had an unpleasant experience with one when I was young, and it kind of scarred me for life.”
“It’s not ridiculous.” Charlie was serious. “I’ve met some right vicious bastards in my time. Cats can do some serious damage if so inclined.” He nodded at Storm. “But she’s gentle, I promise.”
Sam eyed her suspiciously but then tentatively reached out a hand towards her. It was too similar to how Charlie sometimes played with her, and he silently prayed she wouldn’t wake up and pounce on him.
To his relief, when Sam stroked his hand down her side, she stretched out again, little paws kneading the air. Charlie was certain he caught the barest hint of a smile on Sam’s face. “I guess she’s not so bad.” He didn’t linger, as though that might change at any second. Standing, he let his gaze slide over Charlie again. After a few silent moments, where Charlie was sure he hadn’t imagined the tension, Sam nodded towards the door. “Shall we go?”
“Yeah.” Charlie swallowed, unashamedly watching Sam’s arse as he followed him to the front door. He grabbed his coat, keys and wallet, and pulled the door shut behind him.
The cold air hit them as soon as they stepped outside onto the path.
“Fuck me, it’s cold.” Charlie shivered and immediately did his zip up as high as it would go.
“That’s because it’s winter,” Sam snarked.
Raising an eyebrow, Charlie glanced at him as they walked. “Yes, I know that, thanks, but we don’t normally get it this cold until at least January.” He flashed a smile to show Sam he wasn’t being pissy.
They walked a few steps, and Charlie wondered if he’d have to carry the conversation, but Sam surprised him. “Have you been round your sister’s since I finished?”
“Yeah, I went round today.” Charlie smiled. “It all looks great. I see you managed to paint the kitchen after all.”
“Yeah.” Sam shrugged. “Didn’t take as long as I first thought.” They passed under the decorated street lights on the main road—illuminated bells, holly, and snowflakes strung up on either side. Sam looked up at them, then over at Charlie. “Has she got her decorations up yet?”
Charlie laughed. “God yeah. I put her outside lights up today. But I reckon she had that tree up the second you were finished and out the door.” He caught Sam’s smile out of the corner of his eye, and his stomach gave a little flutter. “It looks lovely. Made me think I should decorate the flat. It was a little miserable leaving her house—full of Christmas cheer—and coming back to my place where I don’t have so much as a wreath on the door.” Quite a few of the flats above them had fairy lights in the windows. Charlie had spotted the odd tree up too.
“Yeah, same.” Sam sighed. “I’ve got an artificial tree, but it’s seen better days. And after seeing my sister’s real fir one, I’m tempted to get one this year.”
Charlie had been thinking the same thing. Maybe… “We could go together if you want?” Sam gave him an unreadable look, and Charlie realised how coupley that sounded. He offered Sam a cheeky grin and nudged his shoulder trying to lighten the suddenly tense mood. “Not sure I’ll fit a tree—even a small one—in my car, but your van is huge.”
Thankfully Sam laughed. “I see. You just want me for the size of my van.”
There were so many things he could say in response to that. The laughter in Sam’s eyes egged him on. “It’s so much bigger than what I’ve got. Seems a shame not to put it to use.”
“Hmm.” Sam indicated for them to cross the road, the pub now in sight, all brightly decorated and inviting-looking. “I guess it makes sense.” The sparkle of amusement returned to his eyes.
Charlie hid his smile in the collar of his coat.
Progress.