Stanton Box Set

“Dinner is about fifteen away.”

“No, I’ve eaten,” he replies. “Thanks anyway.”

“You ok man?” I ask. Ben has been noticeably absent lately.

“Yeah, just rebooting all the systems. I still can’t work out how he got past the security gates.” I nod. “I will save you some for later.”

He winks and keeps walking.

I walk back inside to see Cameron answering my phone. “Hello Nicholas.” He smiles. “It’s Cameron.” He listens for a moment. “How are you?” He laughs at something. “Yeah, I’m good.”

My eyes widen as the whole room stops still. I scratch my head uncomfortably. Fuck.

“Yes, he is right here.” Cameron smiles as he hands me the phone and then punches me so hard in the stomach that I am nearly winded.

I take the phone as I hold my stomach and walk outside to escape the listening ears. My heart thumps heavily in my chest.

“Hello,” I answer as I walk over to the pool. My mind goes back to the very first time he rang me when I was out here on the deckchair.

Silence… “Hello Adrian,” he whispers huskily.

My eyes close at the sound of his voice and I find myself unable to answer him. I don’t have it in me to be angry with him tonight.

“How are you?” he asks quietly.

“I’m ok, and you?” I ask.

“I could be better,” he replies.

Again silence.

“I want to come and see you,” he whispers.

My eyes close again. Why do I care so much about this bastard? “Why?” I ask.

“Because I miss you and me,” he pauses.

“Nick don’t, there is no point.” I sigh as I shake my head.

“Please?”

“We have nothing to say, Nick. You have stated your case. I get it.”

“Adrian please, I’m as confused as you. I can’t work this out alone.”

My anger starts to simmer and I shake my head. “You will always be confused.” I reply flatly.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” he stammers.

“That’s what you said, Nicholas.”

“You’re twisting my words,” he replies.

“And you’re twisting my fucking heart. Leave me alone,” I snap.

“No, I won’t.”

“Nicholas, stop this. Go back to writing your books and your life in France. We have been there and it didn’t work. Let’s leave it at that.”